Sheet Metal Bending Tool With Fixed Edges for >90° Folds

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bending tools for sheet metal struggle to efficiently produce folds with angles greater than 90 degrees and undercuts, requiring complex mechanics and multiple movements.

Innovation Solution

A tool design with fixed, non-pivotable bending edges on both the upper and lower tools, allowing for the formation of undercuts and enabling bending angles greater than 90 degrees through a simple and cost-effective mechanism, along with a machine tool that independently controls the movement of these tools to facilitate precise bending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If pivoting counter-tool body is used to create bends greater than 90°, then bending capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending capabilityVSAvoidmechanical components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the counter-tool body pivotable to achieve bends greater than 90°, the invention inverts the approach by making both the tool body and counter-tool body fixed and non-pivotable. The bending edges are positioned in undercuts that are fixed relative to their respective base bodies, eliminating the need for pivoting mechanisms while still enabling bends greater than 90° through the fixed undercut geometry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Device complexity

If fixed bending edges are used, then device complexity is reduced, but bending angles greater than 90° cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical componentsVSAvoidbending angle range

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a single-plane bending approach to a three-dimensional approach by positioning bending edges in undercuts. The undercuts create a vertical dimension where the bending edge is recessed into the base body, allowing the workpiece to be bent beyond the initial 90° plane while the bending edge remains fixed. This dimensional change enables bends greater than 90° without requiring pivoting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If pivoting mechanism is implemented, then bends greater than 90° are achievable, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending angle capabilityVSAvoidtool cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by eliminating pivoting mechanisms and using fixed bending edges positioned in undercuts. This inversion simplifies the tool design, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining the capability to produce bends greater than 90° through the fixed undercut geometry rather than mechanical pivoting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple movements and complex mechanics are used, then bends greater than 90° can be produced, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebending capabilityVSAvoidmachining efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional multi-movement approach by using a single fixed bending edge in an undercut. This eliminates the need for multiple movements and complex mechanics, allowing bends greater than 90° to be achieved in a single stamping operation, thereby significantly improving productivity and machining efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP3515619B1Tool, machine tool, and method for machining planar workpieces

Publication Date: 2023.02.01 TRUMPF WERKZEUGMASCHINEN GMBH & CO KG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a tool for machining planar workpieces, in particular metal sheets, comprising an upper tool (11) and a lower tool (9), which can be moved toward each other in a reciprocation direction and in the opposite direction in order to machine a workpiece (10) arranged therebetween, wherein the upper tool (11) has a clamping shaft (34) and a main body (33), and comprising a tool body (39), which is arranged opposite the clamping shaft (34) on the main body (33) and which has a bending edge (38), and the lower tool (9) has a main body (41), on which a counter tool body (51) having a bending edge (53) is provided, and comprising a counter holder (61), which is provided on the main body (41) of the lower tool (9), wherein the bending edge (38) of the counter tool body (51) is oriented facing the counter holder (61), wherein the bending edge (53) of the tool body (39) is stationary with respect to the main body (33) of the upper tool (11) and the bending edge (53) of the counter tool body (51) is stationary with respect to the main body (41) of the lower tool (9), and the bending edge (38) of the upper tool (11) is associated with an undercut (49) on the tool body (39) and the bending edge (53) on the lower tool (9) is associated with an undercut (55) on the counter tool body (51).