Radial Press Centering Device for Workpiece Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Radial presses rely heavily on operator experience and training for high-quality results, leading to a risk of inferior outcomes from less experienced operators.

Innovation Solution

A centering device is integrated into the radial press to maintain a central position relative to the press parts, ensuring reproducible and optimal pressing by connecting to a depth stop and positioning the workpiece accurately on the press axis, enhancing the quality and consistency of the pressing process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a radial press is operated without a centering device, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision and reliability of the pressing process deteriorate due to dependence on operator experience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing qualityVSAvoidpress structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering device automatically centers the workpiece on the press axis through the interaction between the centering body and control rods, eliminating the need for operator intervention in positioning. The system self-regulates to maintain central positioning throughout the pressing cycle, ensuring consistent quality without requiring operator skill or experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The centering device pre-positions the workpiece centrally on the press axis before the pressing operation begins. The control rods and centering body establish the correct geometric relationship in advance, ensuring that the pressing force is uniformly distributed from the start of the operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a centering device is added to the radial press, then the manufacturing precision and reproducibility of pressing improve, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressing reproducibilityVSAvoidpress structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The centering device automatically maintains the workpiece in central position throughout the pressing cycle through the mechanical interaction of control rods and centering body, ensuring reproducible results without requiring operator skill or experience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The centering device pre-positions the workpiece centrally on the press axis before pressing begins and maintains this positioning throughout the operation, ensuring consistent geometric relationships and reproducible pressing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the centering body is positioned exactly on the press axis, then the manufacturing precision of the pressed workpiece improves, but the ease of operation decreases due to stricter positioning requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece centering accuracyVSAvoidworkpiece positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The centering device automatically centers the workpiece on the press axis through the mechanical interaction between the centering body and control rods, eliminating the need for operator skill or experience in positioning. The system self-regulates to maintain central positioning throughout the pressing cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3186023B1Radial press
Publication Date: 2018.09.12 UNIFLEX HYDRAULIC
  • EP3186023B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3186023B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3186023B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a radial press (1), for the radial deformation of a work piece carried out centrally in relation to a pressing axis (X), comprising: two pressing parts (4, 5) that can be moved in relation to one another along a drive axis (A) by a drive unit (6); and a pressing tool having a set of pressing jaws which is received in a tool mounting area (13) defined between the pressing parts (4, 5), and which has pressing jaws (P) arranged concentrically about the pressing axis (X), the distance of which pressing jaws in relation to the pressing axis depends on the position of the two pressing parts (4, 5) in relation to one another. In addition, a centring device (14) is provided which extends between the two pressing parts (4, 5), cooperates with same, and has a centring body (23). By means of a system formed by control rods (16, 17) coupled to the two pressing parts, the centring body (23) is constantly maintained in a mid-position in relation to the pressing parts or in a fixed geometric relationship in relation to the mid-position, irrespective of the position of the pressing parts in relation to one another.