Swivel Bending Machine Workpiece Manipulator for Precise Small-Part Feeding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel bending machines face challenges in ergonomically feeding and precisely positioning small workpieces, particularly on large support tables, due to limited accessibility and visibility issues.
Innovation Solution
A swivel bending machine equipped with a workpiece manipulator featuring clamping tongs and stop surfaces for precise alignment, combined with a guide arrangement and adjustable clamping mechanisms, allowing for ergonomic and automated transfer of workpieces to the central region of the workpiece holding unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a large support table is used to machine heavy sheet metal workpieces, then the machine can handle larger and heavier workpieces, but small workpieces become difficult to feed and position for operators
Solution Approach 1:
A workpiece manipulator with clamping tongs acts as an intermediary device between the operator and the workpiece holding unit. The manipulator includes a first pair of clamping tongs with stop surfaces for referencing workpieces, and a second pair of clamping tongs for transferring workpieces from the support table to the workpiece holding unit, eliminating the need for operators to manually position small workpieces on large tables
Solution Approach 2:
The workpiece manipulator enables self-service operation where the system automatically positions and transfers workpieces. The clamping tongs with integrated stop surfaces allow workpieces to be automatically referenced and positioned without operator intervention, improving both ergonomics and positioning precision
2Strength
If the workpiece holding unit is positioned far from the support table to accommodate large workpieces, then heavy workpieces can be machined, but accessibility and visibility for operators deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece manipulator serves as a mediator that bridges the gap between the support table and workpiece holding unit. It includes visual reference features such as stop surfaces on the clamping tongs that are visible to operators, maintaining visibility and accessibility even when the workpiece holding unit is positioned optimally for heavy workpiece capacity
3Ease of operation
If automated conveying devices are added to assist workpiece feeding, then feeding assistance is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece manipulator is segmented into functional modules: a first pair of clamping tongs with stop surfaces for referencing, and a second pair of clamping tongs for transferring. This modular segmentation provides automated feeding assistance while keeping each component simple and maintainable, avoiding the complexity of continuous conveying systems
Data Source
AI summary
A swivel bending machine has, in front of a front side of a workpiece holding unit, a support table for workpieces to be bent. A workpiece manipulator picks up workpieces to be bent from at least one table end region and takes the workpieces, in parallel with the longitudinal direction of a bending beam, to a portion in the longitudinal center of the workpiece holding unit. The workpiece manipulator has a first pair of clamping tongs and, spaced apart from the first pair in the longitudinal direction of the bending beam, a second pair of clamping tongs for clamping a workpiece. At least one pair of clamping tongs has a first stop surface for referencing workpiece positioning in relation to the longitudinal direction of the bending beam and a second stop surface for referencing positioning of this workpiece in relation to a depth direction of the swivel bending machine.