Sheet Reshaping With Transverse Pressing for 3D Forming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for bending sheet materials are limited to one-dimensional deformation, requiring multiple components and welding for three-dimensional objects, constraining material use and design.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a primary and secondary side pressing device that applies forces transversally to the operational direction for plastic deformation, allowing complex shapes to be formed with reduced components and energy consumption, and enabling automation and customization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional one-dimensional bending methods are used, then the bending process is simple, but the ability to create complex three-dimensional shapes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to create complex shapesVSAvoidbending process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies two-dimensional plastic deformation by applying forces in directions transverse to the operational direction, enabling complex three-dimensional shapes to be created from sheet material in a single continuous process rather than through sequential one-dimensional bending operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The bending process is segmented into independent force application zones along the operational direction, allowing different regions of the workpiece to undergo deformation simultaneously without interfering with each other, thus enabling complex shaping while maintaining process simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If conventional one-dimensional bending methods are used, then the bending equipment is simple, but the number of components and welding operations required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebending equipment simplicityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple bending operations that would traditionally require separate components and welding steps are merged into a single continuous plastic deformation process, creating complex three-dimensional shapes from monolithic sheet material without joints or assemblies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional sequential folding methods are used, then the manufacturing process is straightforward, but material usage efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process straightforwardnessVSAvoidmaterial usage efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The sheet material is pre-formed with appropriate geometry and features before the plastic deformation process, allowing the material to be efficiently shaped into complex three-dimensional forms with minimal waste, eliminating the need for cutting out individual pieces and reducing material loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

Facilitates the creation of complex shapes with fewer components, low power consumption, and high automation, suitable for both large and small series production.

Implementation Method 1

plastically deforming the workpiece in a plane that extends transversally to the operational direction by means of forces applied to the workpiece by at least one of the pressing devices

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4656304A1A method of reshaping a workpiece
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 STILFOLD AB
  • EP4656304A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656304A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4656304A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6a

AI summary

An arrangement (1) for reshaping a workpiece (90). The workpiece (90) and/or the arrangement (1) is/are movable with respect to one another to obtain a mutual linear movement between the workpiece (90) and the arrangement (1) along an operational direction (Y'). The arrangement (1) comprises: a primary side pressing device (10) adapted to be arranged on a primary side (90a) of the workpiece (90), the primary side pressing device (10) comprising a primary contact surface (14) for applying a force to the workpiece (90), and a secondary side pressing device (20) adapted to be arranged on a secondary side (90b) of the workpiece (90), the secondary side pressing device (20) comprising two secondary contact surfaces (24', 24") for applying forces to the workpiece (90), wherein, as seen in the operational direction (Y'), the primary contact surface (14) is positioned between at least portions of the secondary contact surfaces (24', 24") such that the workpiece (90) may be deformed (140) transversally to the operational direction (Y').