Tool Exchange Unit Layout to Prevent Dragging in Bending Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bending systems face challenges in stably performing automatic tool exchange operations without increasing manufacturing costs, as oil residue can cause adjacent tools to bond, leading to position shifts during tool transport.

Innovation Solution

A bending system with a first and second tool exchange unit, each with a retention member, is used to engage and move tools in the left-right direction, with the control unit ensuring the second tool is not dragged by the first tool to be exchanged, allowing for stable transport without side surface post-processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single tool exchange unit is used to transport tools in the left-right direction, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adjacent tools may be dragged by the bonded tool causing position shifts and unstable operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of tool exchange unitsVSAvoidtool position accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The tool exchange system is divided into two independent tool exchange units (first and second), each capable of independently retaining and transporting tools. This segmentation allows the first tool exchange unit to transport the first tool while the second tool exchange unit simultaneously retains the second tool, preventing the second tool from being dragged and maintaining position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If oil residue is allowed to remain on tool surfaces, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but adjacent tools bond together causing position shifts during transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool manufacturing costVSAvoidtool transport stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful effect of oil residue bonding is eliminated by extracting the second tool from the bonding risk zone. The second tool exchange unit independently retains the second tool, separating it from the first tool being transported, so that even if oil residue is present on the first tool, the second tool cannot be dragged or displaced.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If post-processing is applied to tool side surfaces to prevent bonding, then tool position stability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetool position stabilityVSAvoidtool manufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The second tool exchange unit acts as an intermediary mechanism that prevents direct contact and potential bonding between the first tool (being transported) and the second tool (remaining in place). By introducing this intermediate retention mechanism, the need for post-processing the tool surfaces to prevent bonding is eliminated, maintaining both position stability and cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3970874B1Bending system and tool transfer method

Publication Date: 2023.05.31 AMADA CO LTD

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AI summary

A first tool retention member (78) of a first tool exchange unit (70) retains a first tool (12) to be exchanged in a state of being engaged in an engagement hole (12h) of the first tool (12). A second tool retention member (78) of a second tool exchange unit (70) retains a second tool (12') not to be exchanged in a state of being engaged in an engagement hole (12h') of the second tool (12'). Subsequently, the first tool exchange unit (70) moves in a left-right direction in a state in which a movement of the second tool exchange unit (70) in the left-right direction is stopped.