Integrated Pressing and Setting for Workpiece Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manufacturing processes face challenges in reshaping and reliably fastening functional elements to workpieces, particularly with solid materials or complex geometries, especially in automotive engineering, where flat or thin sheet metal parts often lack suitable fastening methods like loadable internal threads.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a pressing device and a separate setting device allows for coordinated reshaping and fastening of functional elements, enabling flexible operation and thermal control to optimize the joining process, suitable for materials like press-hardened steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If workpieces are first reshaped in pressing devices and then fed to separate setting devices for fastening functional elements, then the pressing and setting processes can be performed with dedicated equipment, but the workflow becomes laborious requiring removal and repositioning of workpieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the pressing device and setting device into a single integrated apparatus. The pressing device includes both a pressing unit for reshaping the workpiece and a setting unit for fastening functional elements, eliminating the need to transfer workpieces between separate devices. This integration maintains dedicated functionality for both processes while simplifying the workflow.
2Manufacturing precision
If workpieces are transferred between pressing and setting devices, then specialized equipment can be used for each process, but time is lost in removal and exact positioning operations
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing and setting units are integrated into a single apparatus, allowing both operations to be performed on the workpiece without removal or repositioning. The control unit coordinates the pressing and setting operations sequentially, eliminating transfer time while maintaining positioning precision through the integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional elements are positioned in advance within the integrated apparatus, and the pressing and setting operations are coordinated so that the workpiece remains in place throughout the process. The control unit pre-coordinates the timing and positioning of both operations to eliminate delays.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressing and setting operations are performed in separate devices, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but flexibility in coordinating operations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus integrates both pressing and setting functions into a single system with a control unit that coordinates the operations. This maintains the specialized functionality of each operation while providing flexibility through centralized control, allowing the pressing and setting parameters to be adjusted and coordinated according to specific requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an apparatus for processing a workpiece, said apparatus comprising at least one pressing device having a first tool half and a second tool half that can be moved towards one another, in particular for reshaping and/or for press hardening the workpiece, and at least one setting device for fastening at least one functional element in a setting movement at a setting point to the workpiece, wherein the setting device is arranged at the first tool half or the second tool half. The setting device can be operated independently of the pressing device.