Press Brake Divided Upper Tool Installation Between Spaced Holders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing divided upper tools to upper tool holders spaced at intervals in a press brake are limited, as they assume the use of an automatic tool changer (ATC) and cannot accommodate manual tool exchange configurations.
Innovation Solution
A method using a tool changer with a rod-shaped finger to engage and position divided upper tools between tool holders, allowing for manual installation by temporarily positioning and fixing the tools in gaps between holders, and a tool stocker with cutouts for tool removal and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple upper tool holders are provided spaced at intervals in the left-right direction, then tool exchange versatility is improved, but manual installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A rod-shaped finger is introduced as an intermediary component between the tool changer and the divided upper tool. The finger engages with the tool to enable automatic positioning and installation, thereby reducing manual installation complexity while maintaining versatility across multiple tool holders spaced at intervals
2Productivity
If automatic tool changer (ATC) is used, then installation efficiency is improved, but system compatibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tool changer is designed with multi-functionality to accommodate both automatic operation with ATC and manual operation without ATC. The rod-shaped finger can be engaged automatically by ATC or manually positioned, allowing the same system to work with or without automatic tool changing equipment, thus improving system compatibility while maintaining installation efficiency
3Manufacturing precision
If divided upper tools are temporarily positioned in gaps between tool holders, then installation precision is improved, but installation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rod-shaped finger preliminarily positions the divided upper tool in the gap between tool holders before final installation. This preliminary positioning ensures precise alignment and orientation of the tool, reducing the need for adjustments during final installation and thereby minimizing the time penalty associated with temporary positioning
Data Source
AI summary
In an installing method for installing divided upper tools to upper tool holders disposed to be spaced at an appropriate interval in a left-right direction in a lower portion of an upper table of a press brake, by using a tool changer, a round bar-shaped finger provided in the tool changer is engaged in a circular engagement hole provided at a central portion in the lateral direction of each divided upper tool. The divided upper tool is temporarily positioned in a gap between an upper tool holder to which the divided upper tool is to be installed, and an adjacent upper tool holder. The temporarily positioned divided upper tool is moved in the left-right direction to be installed to the upper tool holder to which the divided upper tool is to be installed.