Rotating Tool Stocker Layout for Faster Bending Tool Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool storage devices for bending machines require tools to be rotated after extraction from storage rails, leading to poor work efficiency during mounting on the machine due to mismatched orientations.
Innovation Solution
A tool storage device with a rack body and tool holding units that allow for forward and backward movement and horizontal rotation of stockers, enabling tools to be aligned in parallel with tool holders without rotation, facilitating smooth transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If tools are arranged on storage rails with width direction in front-rear direction, then tools can be stored in the rack body, but tools require rotation after extraction which reduces work efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The stocker is pre-configured with tool holding grooves that can be oriented in different directions. Before tool extraction, the stocker moving unit positions the stocker in the appropriate orientation (first state for storage, second state for tool transfer) so that tools are already aligned correctly for their intended use, eliminating the need for rotation during the tool change process
Solution Approach 2:
The stocker is designed to be dynamically reconfigurable between two orientations through the stocker moving unit. The system can switch between the first state (tools stored in front-rear direction) and the second state (tools aligned in left-right direction for tool holder attachment), allowing the orientation to adapt to different operational requirements without manual rotation
2Ease of operation
If tools are extracted from storage rails, then tools become accessible, but manual rotation is required which increases operation time
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction and orientation functions are merged into a single automated operation. The stocker moving unit simultaneously performs the extraction of the stocker from the rack body and the rotation to the correct orientation, so that tool accessibility is achieved without separate manual rotation steps, reducing total operation time
Data Source
AI summary
A tool storage device is provided inside a rack body arranged on a side of a bending machine in a left-right direction, and includes tool holding units for holding long upper tools. The tool holding units include a stocker linearly provided with tool holding grooves for holding the long upper tools, and a stocker moving unit for advancing and retracting the stocker in a front-rear direction, and horizontally rotating the stocker. The stocker has, as states between which switching can be performed, a first state in which the tool holding grooves are stored in the rack body in an orientation in the front-rear direction, and a second state in which the stocker advances to the outside of the rack body and the tool holding grooves are aligned in the left-right direction along a holder groove of the upper tool holder.