Press Machine Frame Deflection Isolation and Automatic Shut Height Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing notching press machines face challenges with manual adjustment of shut height, alignment issues between tool sections, and frame deflection during high-force operations, which affect cutting accuracy and production rates.

Innovation Solution

The notching press machine incorporates a crankshaft with redundant drive motors and feedback systems for safe operation, a ram adjustment mechanism for quick shut height adjustment, and a mass counterbalance system to minimize vibrations, along with a press frame design that isolates deflection between sections to maintain alignment and reduce frame distortion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual adjustment mechanism is used for shut height, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases due to time-consuming adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction rateVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from sensors detecting workpiece presence and tool position to automatically control the adjustment mechanism, enabling the press to adjust shut height without manual intervention and maintain high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors detect workpiece presence and tool position, providing feedback signals that automatically trigger shut height adjustments through the control system, eliminating manual measurement and adjustment time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If press stroke length is minimized for high production rates, then productivity increases, but alignment between upper and lower tool sections deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrokes per minuteVSAvoidcutting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Sensors detect the actual position of the ram and tool sections, providing feedback to the control system which automatically adjusts alignment parameters to maintain cutting accuracy even during high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts alignment parameters during operation based on real-time sensor feedback, allowing the press to maintain precision while operating at optimized stroke lengths for maximum productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Strength

If frame is made rigid for high-force operations, then strength increases, but frame deflection during operation increases causing misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforce capacityVSAvoidalignment accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically compensates for frame deflection by using sensors to detect actual tool section positions and automatically adjusting alignment parameters through the control system, maintaining precision despite frame flexibility under load

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors continuously monitor the positions of tool sections and provide feedback to the control system, which automatically corrects for frame deflection-induced misalignment during high-force punching operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design enables precise and efficient operation with automatic shut height adjustment, improved alignment, and reduced frame deflection, enhancing production rates and cutting accuracy while ensuring safe operation through redundant monitoring.

Implementation Method 1

a mass counterbalance system to minimize vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInertial balancing: Inertia

Implementation Method 2

crankshaft with redundant drive motors and feedback systems for safe operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFeedback: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2969512B1Press machine
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 NIDEC VAMCO CORP
  • EP2969512B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2969512B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2969512B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A press machine includes a press frame having first and second portions, a crankshaft, a crankshaft, a ram, a ram drive mechanism supported by the first portion of the press frame at a primary force application location, a ram guide linearly guiding the ram, and supported by the second portion of the press frame at a ram guide location; and a working tool including an upper tool section and a lower tool section configured for the processing of a workpiece. The upper tool section is fixedly attached to the ram and the lower tool section is fixedly attached to the press frame at a lower tool location. The difference between the working position and the resting position of the ram guide location is less than the difference between the working position and the resting position of the primary force application location.