Press Brake Tool Holder Assembly With Fluid-Driven Clamping Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tool holder assemblies for industrial machines, particularly press brakes, face challenges in accommodating various tooling styles with different tang profiles, managing tolerances, and ensuring secure yet efficient activation without excessive complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A tool holder assembly with movable fingers activated by an electrical system, using hydraulic or pneumatic intermediaries, such as a bladder or diaphragm, to securely engage tools in a tool channel, allowing for adaptable and efficient clamping and seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic, pneumatic, or electric regulating elements are incorporated to precisely regulate applied forces for different tooling styles, then the precision and adaptability of tool securing is improved, but the device complexity and overall cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring mechanism that automatically adjusts its clamping force based on the depth of tool insertion and the specific tooling style. The spring's elastic properties allow it to adapt to different tang profiles (straight, beveled, curved) without requiring external regulation systems, thereby maintaining precision while avoiding complex hydraulic or pneumatic components
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded mechanism serves itself by automatically regulating the applied force through its elastic deformation. As the tool tang is inserted to different depths or has different profiles, the spring self-adjusts its compression level to provide appropriate clamping force, eliminating the need for external electric or pneumatic regulation systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If shape memory materials or springs are equipped in tool holders to compensate for tolerances, then the adaptability to tolerance variations is improved, but maintenance requirements increase and looseness or play can arise over time due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The tool holder is divided into a stationary portion and a movable portion, with the spring mechanism located in the movable portion. This segmentation allows the spring to independently compensate for tolerance variations in tool dimensions while keeping the overall structure simple and maintenance-free, as the spring is pre-loaded and requires no adjustment or replacement during normal operation
3Force
If regulators are incorporated to control activation force based on tool holder length and tooling type, then the precision of force application is improved, but the device complexity and overall cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically regulates the activation force based on the tool tang insertion depth and tooling characteristics. The spring's elastic properties enable it to self-adjust the clamping force to appropriate levels without requiring external electric or pneumatic regulators, thereby achieving precise force control while maintaining system simplicity
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
The solution provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance tool holder assembly that efficiently secures tools with minimal play, reduces complexity, and allows for modular, flexible installation on various machines, enhancing machining precision and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the fluid comprises liquid, gas, or both. In further cases, the intermediary can include a bladder that is transformable in shape, with the bladder filled with fluid
Implementation Method 2
With use of a gas for the intermediary, the fingers can be pneumatically driven
Implementation Method 3
an intermediary that is configured to correspondingly shift in position following the activation system being triggered, in which case the one or more fingers are correspondingly shifted into a tool channel
Data Source
AI summary
A tool holder assembly, as well as activation system used therewith. In some cases, the tool holder assembly is configured to shift as needed to engage tooling when the assembly is activated. For instance, the assembly has an activation system that is in fluid communication with one or more fingers via an intermediary.