Press Brake Tool Storage Device Avoiding Robot Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
In press brake operations, the existing tool storage and replacement systems often restrict the motion range of industrial robots due to protruding guide rails, limiting their degree of freedom and interfering with the robot's ability to supply workpieces and move folded products efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A tool storage device and method that allows for the lifting, forwarding, and positioning of tool holders without protruding from the press brake tables, using recessed portions in the support members to enable the tool holders to pass through and be conveyed to the same height as the tool mounting portions, thereby avoiding interference with industrial robots and enhancing their operational freedom.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If guide rails are extended in the front-and-back direction to support tool holder movement, then tool storage and replacement function is improved, but industrial robot motion range is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the support structure from front-and-back direction guide rails to left-and-right direction support members. Tool holders are supported by multiple support members arranged in the left-and-right direction, allowing movement in the front-and-back direction without requiring protruding guide rails. This dimensional reorganization eliminates the conflict with industrial robot motion while maintaining tool storage and replacement functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention divides the support function into multiple separate support members (first support member, second support member, third support member, fourth support member) arranged in the left-and-right direction. Each support member independently supports tool holders, allowing the system to achieve stable support without requiring a single continuous front-and-back guide rail structure that would interfere with robot operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If guide rails protrude largely from the press brake tables, then tool holder positioning is achieved, but industrial robot degree of freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention relocates the positioning and support function from the front-and-back direction (vertical to the press brake table) to the left-and-right direction (horizontal to the press brake table). Multiple support members are arranged side-by-side in the left-and-right direction, providing precise positioning without requiring vertical protrusions that would limit robot accessibility and degree of freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having guide rails extend outward from the press brake table in the front direction, the invention inverts the approach by having support members extend in the left-and-right direction along the table. This inversion allows the tool storage device to be integrated within the press brake footprint, eliminating external protrusions that would interfere with automated robot operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A tool storage device is disposed on a side of a press brake. In the tool storage device, a lower tool holder is lifted up from lower tool holder support members, is moved forward or backward, and both end sides in a left-and-right direction of the lower tool holder are lowered after being passed through recessed portions formed on the lower tool holder support members (step (a)). The lowered lower tool holder is conveyed forward, and is positioned to a same height as a height of a lower tool mounting portion in a lower table (step (b)). The lower tool held in the lower tool holder is transferred to the lower tool mounting portion by a tool replacement device, and is mounted on the lower table (step (c)). The lower tool mounted on the lower table is returned into the tool storage device (step (d)).