Sheet Thickness Compensation for Accurate Cutting and Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cutting and bending processes in metal processing face challenges due to inaccuracies in sheet metal manufacturing, leading to changes in metal properties that can result in incorrect processing plans and reduced accuracy in cutting and bending operations.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and planner that measure workpiece properties, such as thickness, to generate a supplementary processing plan specific to these properties, ensuring accurate cutting and bending by adapting processing parameters in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If theoretical or nominal thickness values from suppliers are used for processing, then the processing setup is simple and quick, but the processing accuracy deteriorates due to manufacturing inaccuracies and property variations in the sheet metal
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary measurement of the actual sheet metal thickness and properties before the cutting and bending processes. This advance measurement allows the processing plan to be adjusted in advance based on real material properties, preventing accuracy issues before they occur during processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where actual material properties are measured and this information is fed back to automatically adjust the processing parameters. The measured thickness and material properties trigger automatic recalculation of cutting patterns and bending parameters, ensuring accuracy while maintaining automation
2Manufacturing precision
If manual measurement and adjustment by operators is performed, then the processing accuracy can be improved by adapting to actual material properties, but the productivity decreases due to operator intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the processing equipment automatically measures material properties, calculates adjusted parameters, and executes processing without operator intervention. The system serves itself by integrating measurement, calculation, and execution functions that previously required manual operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual mechanical measurement and adjustment operations with automated optical/electronic measurement systems and computer-based calculation algorithms. This substitution eliminates the need for operator intervention while maintaining or improving measurement accuracy and parameter adjustment precision
3Manufacturing precision
If expensive measurement and correction systems are implemented, then the processing accuracy and in-process correction capability are improved, but the device complexity and investment cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using a single integrated measurement and calculation platform that handles both cutting and bending processes. The same measurement data serves multiple purposes: adjusting cutting patterns, calculating bending parameters, and optimizing the complete processing workflow, eliminating the need for separate specialized systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system focuses on changing processing parameters through software-based calculations rather than complex mechanical adjustments. By measuring material properties and automatically recalculating processing parameters (cutting patterns, bending angles, tool paths), the system achieves high precision through intelligent parameter adaptation rather than complex physical measurement and correction hardware
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented method and a planer for calculating at least one supplementary processing plan for a workpiece to be processed by a processing machine. The method comprises the steps of: Measuring workpiece properties, including a thickness parameter of the workpiece; Providing at least one supplementary processing plan, which is specific for the measured workpiece properties. Due to the present invention, measurement of the workpiece properties is performed before starting to process the workpiece. Therefore, time and material can be saved, and scrap and waste are reduced.