Sheet Metal Bend Deduction from Direct Leg-Length Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the shortening of sheet metal workpieces during bending are complex and lack accuracy, particularly in predicting compression and stretching effects due to multiple influencing factors.

Innovation Solution

A method that estimates shortening by determining tangent and edge shortening using specific formulas and measurements, such as distances A, B, C, and D, without requiring the determination of length H3 or bending angles, utilizing a measuring arrangement with 90° angled measuring elements to simplify the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional methods are used to determine shortening by measuring length H3 and bending angles, then measurement precision can be achieved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring multiple measurements and calculations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshortening measurement precisionVSAvoidmeasuring arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential measurement elements needed for shortening determination. Instead of measuring multiple parameters (length H3, bending angles alpha), the method extracts and measures only the leg lengths A1, A2 directly from the bent workpiece, eliminating unnecessary measurements and simplifying the measuring arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional measurement approach. Rather than measuring the bent configuration and calculating original dimensions, the method directly measures the leg lengths of the bent workpiece and uses these measurements to determine shortening, reversing the conventional measurement sequence to achieve simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of information

If traditional methods measure multiple parameters including length H3 and bending angles, then comprehensive data is obtained, but ease of operation worsens due to multiple measurement steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending data completenessVSAvoidmeasurement process simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the critical information needed for shortening determination. By measuring only the leg lengths A1 and A2 of the bent workpiece, the method obtains sufficient data without requiring comprehensive measurements of all geometric parameters, thus simplifying operation while retaining essential information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the bent workpiece itself as a reference for measurement. By measuring the leg lengths directly from the bent configuration rather than creating separate measurement setups or calculations, the method simplifies the operation while capturing the necessary bending characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Manufacturing precision

If complex calculation methods are used to account for compression and stretching effects, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but productivity deteriorates due to increased calculation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending dimension accuracyVSAvoidshortening determination speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical calculation methods with a simplified measurement and calculation approach. Instead of calculating compression and stretching effects through multiple influencing factors, the method directly measures leg lengths and applies a simple formula, substituting complex mechanical analysis with direct measurement and basic calculation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The bent workpiece itself provides the measurement data needed for shortening determination. By measuring the leg lengths directly from the bent configuration, the workpiece serves its own measurement purpose, eliminating the need for external calculation systems or additional measurement equipment, thus improving both precision and productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3740734B1Determining the bend deduction of a sheet metal workpiece to be bent
Publication Date: 2022.01.26 TRUMPF MASCHEN AUSTRIA
  • EP3740734B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3740734B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3740734B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for estimating the length reduction of a sheet metal workpiece which is bent about n bending axes and by n bending angles alpha, having the following step: the bent sheet metal workpiece comprises n+1 limbs which extend along an extension line and n curved regions which are produced by bending the sheet metal workpiece and extend between two adjacent limbs.