Sheet Metal Manipulator Layout for Unobstructed Bending Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production systems for sheet metal workpieces face challenges in efficient manipulation and charging due to obstructive manipulation apparatus components, limiting access and increasing the mass of moving parts, which hinders the speed and efficiency of the bending process.
Innovation Solution
A production system with a manipulation apparatus featuring independent upper and lower support units positioned above and below the support plane, allowing for unobstructed manipulation and clamping of sheet metal workpieces, reducing moving masses and system complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a solid support arrangement with connection crosspiece is used, then structural stability is improved, but direct access to the charging side is blocked and manipulation freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support arrangement is divided into an upper support unit and a lower support unit that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows each unit to be positioned separately, maintaining structural stability while enabling free access to the charging side without obstruction from connecting crosspieces.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper and lower support units are positioned in different vertical dimensions (above and below the support plane), allowing them to provide structural support without interfering with horizontal access to the charging region. This dimensional separation resolves the conflict between stability and accessibility.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the entire support arrangement is displaced as a total unit, then structural integrity is maintained, but manipulation speed and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support arrangement is segmented into independently adjustable upper and lower support units. This allows only the necessary components to be moved during manipulation operations rather than displacing the entire structure, thereby increasing manipulation speed while maintaining structural integrity through the coordinated operation of the segmented units.
3Strength
If a vertical connection crosspiece is used to connect support units, then structural rigidity is improved, but free space for manipulation between holding units is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support units are positioned in the vertical dimension (above and below the support plane) rather than being connected by horizontal crosspieces in the manipulation space. This dimensional repositioning maintains structural rigidity through vertical support while freeing up the horizontal manipulation space between holding units for unrestricted workpiece manipulation.
4Volume of moving object
If shank lengths of support arrangement are increased to provide manipulation space, then free space between holding units is improved, but direct access to charging side is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing shank lengths horizontally which would block access to the charging side, the support units are repositioned in the vertical dimension. The upper support unit is positioned above the support plane and the lower support unit below it, creating manipulation space without obstructing the horizontal charging path.
Data Source
AI summary
A production installation for producing workpieces from sheet metal by reshaping includes a bending machine, a support table defining a support plane, and a manipulation device having a support arrangement and a holding arrangement. The holding arrangement has interacting upper and lower holding units. The support arrangement has a separate upper support unit and a separate lower support unit, wherein the upper holding unit is arranged on the upper support unit, and the lower holding unit is arranged on the lower support unit. In an open insertion position of the manipulation device for the sheet metal to be accommodated therein, and in a loading region in front of the bending machine, the upper support unit, together with the upper holding unit, is arranged entirely above the support plane, and the lower support unit, together with the lower holding unit, is arranged entirely below the support plane.