Section Bar Work Centre Clamping for Non-Straight Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing work centers for processing section bars, such as those made of aluminum or PVC, face issues when the section bars are not perfectly straight and parallel, as the cross members and holding units get stuck due to interference between the jaws and the section bars, hindering movement during processing.

Innovation Solution

A work center design featuring a U-shaped base with longitudinal guide members, a gantry overhead crane, and cross members with belt conveyors and clamping vices, where the jaws are equipped with elastically deformable bumpers and movable portions that can disengage from the section bar to allow movement and then re-engage for clamping, ensuring smooth processing of non-straight section bars.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cross member and holding unit move in the first direction to process non-straight section bars, then the processing capability is improved, but the movement is blocked by interference between the first jaw and the section bar

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidmovement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The first jaw is made movable along the cross member in the second direction between a clamping position and a release position. This dynamic design allows the jaw to automatically release from the section bar during movement, preventing interference while maintaining clamping capability when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between processing capability and movement freedom

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The position of the first jaw along the second direction is changed between clamping and release states. By varying the jaw's position parameter, the system can adapt to different operational requirements - clamping for processing stability and releasing for movement freedom, thereby resolving the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables the processing of non-straight section bars by allowing cross members and holding units to move freely without interference, ensuring accurate positioning and efficient processing without costly modifications.

Implementation Method 1

Each jaw is provided with a bumper, which is made of an elastically deformable material and is designed to come into contact with the section bar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3868511B1Work centre to process section bars, in particular made of aluminium, light alloys, PVC or the like
Publication Date: 2022.08.10 FOM INDUSTRIE SRL
  • EP3868511B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3868511B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3868511B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work centre to process section bars (2) has an elongated base (3) and a plurality of cross members (11), each mounted on the base (3) and supporting a holding unit (22) provided with two jaws (23, 24), which are movable relative to one another in a direction (8) between a clamping position and a release position to clamp and release at least one section bar (2); one of the jaws (23, 24) having a fixed portion (28), which is locked on the relative cross member (11) in the direction (8), and a movable portion (30), which is coupled to the fixed portion (28) so as to move, relative to the fixed portion (28), with at least one motion component parallel to the direction (8).