Bending (e.g., Press Brake) Patents (Class 700/165)
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Patent number: 7324864Abstract: An axial force measurement apparatus (40) comprises a head member (42) adapted for receiving force imparted by an external force-applying source, and a transducer (44) such as a load cell for measuring the amount of force applied to the head member (42). Electronic circuitry (61) for receiving, processing, storing and/or sending electrical information generated by the transducer is provided either externally to the measurement apparatus (40), or is integrated with the apparatus (40). The apparatus (40) can be used to calibrate the valve crimping station (75) and/or the test firing station (125) of a metered dose delivery canister production line. The apparatus (40) is designed to emulate an actual canister (12).Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2002Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: SmithKline Beecham CorporationInventors: Lee A. Barger, David Brian Moody, Donald Devereaux Munn
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Patent number: 7317963Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, an electronic method for generating a trimline for trimming sheet metal to be stamped to obtain a stamped part is disclosed. The method includes providing a CAD part file representing a part that can be stamped from a sheet metal material; receiving a selection of a part surface on the part to be stamped and a line on the surface; receiving an input of a sheet metal thickness for the sheet metal material; and generating a trimline based on the CAD part file, the line on the surface, and the sheet metal thickness.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2006Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Weigang Hu, Gerald McLaughlin
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Patent number: 7266419Abstract: An apparatus prepares data for manufacturing a product or a part with a pre-determined shape by using a bending press provided with detachable tools. The apparatus includes a computer memory that stores bending order information for manufacturing the product or the part. The bending order information is obtained after successfully completing bending operations and is associated with the product or the part.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Satoshi Sakai, Yoshie Hazama, legal representative, Yeam-Tzuo Hwang, Kensuke Hazama, deceased
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Patent number: 7257461Abstract: This invention discloses a method for calculating gripper trajectories in forming equipment. The method utilizes a computer aided design (CAD) or a computer aided engineering (CAE) computer program to calculate the appropriate location, speed, controller commands, and trajectory for each gripper used during a forming process.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2005Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: Alcoa Inc.Inventors: Daniel Bergstrom, Jeffrey M. Shoup, Albert McGuire Hines
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Patent number: 7254459Abstract: The present invention has been made to provide a laser bending process estimation apparatus, a laser bending process estimation program, and a laser bending process estimation method capable of estimating a result of a laser bending process without an actual workpiece. A laser bending process estimation apparatus that estimates a result of a bending process performed using a laser beam comprises: a process condition acquisition section 1 that acquires a process condition of the bending process; an analysis model creation section 3 that creates an analysis model based on the process condition acquired by the process condition acquisition section 1; and an analysis section 5 that performs heat transfer analysis and heat stress analysis based on the analysis model created by the analysis model creation section 3 to calculate an analysis result of the bending process.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Tadashi Tateno
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Patent number: 7197372Abstract: An apparatus prepares data for manufacturing a product or a part with a pre-determined shape by using a bending press provided with detachable tools. The apparatus includes a computer memory that stores bending order information for manufacturing the product or the part. The bending order information is obtained after successfully completing bending operations and is associated with the product or the part.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2001Date of Patent: March 27, 2007Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventor: Kensuke Hazama
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Patent number: 7187996Abstract: A press machine uses a crank mechanism which can perform pressing by a pressing force control when a slide exists in a pressing region. When the slide is determined to exist between an initial position and a switching position to the pressing region, the slide is moved down by rotating a motor regularly by a position control system. When the slide is determined to exist in the pressing region, pressing is performed by moving down the slide such that a slide pressing force becomes equal to a set slide pressing force by a pressing force control system.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2002Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Aida Engineering, Ltd.Inventors: Yasuhiko Tanaka, Hideki Hayashi, Masaki Senda
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Patent number: 7171282Abstract: The present invention provides a shell plating developing method leading to reduction of the amount of machining and improvement of the efficiency in manufacturing the shell plating. In the shell plating developing method according to the invention, a shell plating lattice system is constituted, and the directions in which the curvature of a shell plating P at each lattice point of the shell plating lattice system is maximum and minimum are determined (s102). Also, lines extending in the directions in which the absolute value of the curvature is large and small are determined as a first connection line L1 and a second connection line L2 (s104). The first connection line L1 is developed as a straight line on a flat plate P? while the length of the first connection line L1 is maintained.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2003Date of Patent: January 30, 2007Assignees: The Cooperative Association of Japan Shipbuilders, National Maritime Research InstituteInventors: Kazuyoshi Matsuoka, Tadashi Matsukawa
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Patent number: 7165490Abstract: A press forming method is disclosed, wherein press forming can be effected at high speed while maintaining the horizontal state of a slide plate in press-forming a work-piece by a press machine. A press machine is used in which the slide plate is pressed by a plurality of drive sources using servo-motors for driving. The speed of one of the plurality of drive sources is set to a target speed for production forming for the drive source, and by using a function that shows a delay in terms of a speed of the drive source and a load thereon and also using a load separately found, the respective speeds of the drive sources are found so as to eliminate the delay between the drive sources. Trial forming is repeated on the basis of the thus-found speed to derive conditions that enable press-forming at high speed while maintaining the horizontal state of the slide plate.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2003Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: Hoden Seimitus Kako Kenkyusho Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shoji Futamura, Keizo Unno
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Patent number: 7130714Abstract: A method of determining springback in metal forming with a fluid cell press through establishing a computational formulation to determine bend angle and compensated die radius based on factors of geometry of the part being formed, material properties of the sheet material and the forming process, and computing additional iterations of springback until a specific tolerance between the formed part angle and the desired part angle are reached.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2004Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Cessna Aircraft CompanyInventors: Pravin Kulkarni, Subhrangshu Datta, Mark A. Virginia
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Patent number: 7079919Abstract: A method for setting the travel of a press brake comprising at least one sensor, which measures a physical parameter (p) that varies with the force exerted by the punch on a piece of sheet metal placed on the die, and an electronic device that controls the displacement of the mobile apron. Instantaneous bending angle ? under load of the piece is calculated as a function of the displacement; the bearing force (f) of the punch on the piece is calculated using the value of the physical parameter (p); the sequence of values for the instantaneous bending angle/bearing force pair (?, f) is compared to a reference curve (?, f)ref which is pre-recorded during a bending operation involving the same material, and the electronic device calculates a bottom dead center correction taking account of the deviation between the (?, f) pairs and reference curve (?, f)ref.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2002Date of Patent: July 18, 2006Assignee: Bystronic Laser AGInventors: Gerrit Gerritsen, Piero Papi
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Patent number: 7029429Abstract: A bending press system provided with a bending press with at least one bending station to mount a plurality of divided tools and, tool housing devices to house divided metals to be used on the bending press and, tool exchange devices which mount the divided tools on the bending station.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2004Date of Patent: April 18, 2006Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Ichio Akami, Takahiro Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Goujyu Umemoto, Toshiyuki Kondo
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Patent number: 7010384Abstract: In a manufacturing system that has a plurality of sheet fabrication machines, to enhance the efficiency of the system, there are provided a plurality of databases each for storing particular data relating to the machines, the types of materials to be used, the tooling of the machines, etc. of the system. When a multi-dimensional model of a component part to be produced by the system is input to the system, selective data is retrieved from the various databases so that at least one machine of the plurality of machines of the system is selected to produce the part from a worksheet of a chosen material. Concurrently, or shortly thereafter, a NC part program for programming the selected machine to execute the necessary operations in accordance with a flat drawing generated from the multi-dimensional model to fabricate the component part is generated based on selective data retrieved from the databases.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2003Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Finn-Power International, Inc.Inventors: Mikko Lindstrom, Mikael Haag
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Patent number: 6980880Abstract: A bend determining system automatically determines the position of a second bend of an offset based upon input offset and angle specifications. The system automatically repeats the angle of a first bend of the offset at the second bend without requiring an installer to remove the conduit from the bender.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2003Date of Patent: December 27, 2005Assignee: Janet RamseyInventor: Robert J. Ramsey
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Patent number: 6973372Abstract: A drive unit for a machine, in particular a machine-tool, robot and the like, is described. The drive unit has several components, and each component has at least one associated component-specific function, and a uniform communication module that forms an interface with the other components. The interfaces of the various components can be connected by logical point-to-point connections or via a bus. Each component is designated with a particular type, and the communication between the components uses a type-specific communication protocol. A least one of the components is a hierarchically superior component.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Siemens AktiengesellschaftInventors: Albrecht Donat, Rolf Florschütz, Gerhard Heinemann, Rolf-Jürgen Steinigeweg
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Patent number: 6954679Abstract: A shape data specifies the shape of an elongated product within an overall coordinate system. Local coordinate systems are defined on respective cross-sections of the elongated product in the overall coordinate system. The local coordinate system is designed to represent a stable die of a bending apparatus. The images of the elongated product protruding forward from the stable die within the respective local coordinate systems serve to specify the position of a movable die of the bending apparatus. The specified position reflects the deformation induced in the elongated product between the stable and movable dies. An ideal movement amount of the movable die can be determined based on the determined positions within the local coordinate systems. The determined movement amount can be utilized to prepare the control data for the bending apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2000Date of Patent: October 11, 2005Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kenzo Takeda, Manabu Maruyama, Hideo Meguri, Yoshihiro Kageyama
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Patent number: 6937920Abstract: A bending sequence and bending die proposing apparatus for a sheet metal part, includes: means for storing a development drawing of the sheet metal part; means for detecting a plurality of bending sequence candidates capable of manufacturing the sheet metal part, and bending die candidates to be used in the respective bending steps in the respective bending sequence candidates, based on the development drawing; and means for displaying the plurality of bending sequence candidates. The display includes information representing the number of stages in the respective bending sequence candidates.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hisashi Nishio, Yasuyuki Nakayama
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Patent number: 6917856Abstract: It is constructed so as to detect a joint movement position of a robot arm by a position detector and a joint movement speed is calculated from change amounts of the joint movement position and elapsed time and is compared with an allowable movement speed and unlocking and locking of a brake are controlled so that the joint movement speed of an arm at the time of brake unlocking becomes within a constant value even when a shape, an attitude and a load condition of the robot arm vary. Therefore, movement work of the arm by the brake unlocking can be performed alone and a robot with high safety can be obtained.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 12, 2005Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kenji Murata
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Patent number: 6879872Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional sheet-metal model utilizing a feature for generating a general solid model without a sheet-metal attribution is provided. The method includes the steps of estimating a thickness of a sheet-metal from a cross section designated by a user, representing a bent portion of the sheet-metal by rotating a cross section designated by the user around a set axis in accordance with a bending direction designated by the user and by sweeping the rotated cross section by a length designated by the user, representing an abutting portion by sweeping a cross section designated by the user by a length designated by the user, and realizing sheet division by a sweep slit that is formed by sweeping a tiny cross section including a division line designated by the user on a plane designated by the user.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Yuichiro Fukumura
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Patent number: 6871521Abstract: A method of operating a bending press, in particular an edging press, and a bending press for carrying out this method. For each drive of a drive arrangement, the actual pressing force is detected for the displaceable press beam during a bending process for the workpiece and a relative position of the pressing tool or tools by reference to the longitudinal extension of the press beams is determined on the basis of a force ratio. Different displacement paths of the drives and the displaceable press beam at the respective force-application point of the drive are then determined in an evaluation and/or computer unit, which is provided with a data memory for production and machine data, and corresponding control signals for the drive system are generated in the control unit and actuator elements of the drives are displaced by the displacement paths determined for each drive.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2003Date of Patent: March 29, 2005Assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Gerhard Sperrer
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Publication number: 20040237284Abstract: A complex working system for sheet metal working comprising a sheet metal working line having at least a first step working cell and a subsequent second step working cell, wherein a working schedule for the second step working cell is first determined. A working schedule for the first step working cell is then determined based on the working schedule for the second step working cell, and the scheduled operation of the first and the second step working cells is executed according to the determined working schedules.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2004Publication date: December 2, 2004Inventors: Kaoru Nakamura, Hideki Fujiwara
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Patent number: 6823708Abstract: A computer readable recording medium which stores control data to control the action of a sheet metal bending system which is provided with a press brake and a sheet metal support device, where the press brake is provided with a punch and die which bends the sheet metal along the bending line by approaching to and parting from each other, and a back gauge to determine the position of the sheet metal against the punch and die, the sheet metal support apparatus is provided with a support arm which supports the sheet metal and may be rotated freely centered on the rotation axis which is parallel to the bending axis, the control data is a control data to control the bending process which includes a plurality of bending processes to produce sheet metal parts (parts) with a plurality of bending lines by the press brake and sheet metal support device by controlling the approach and parting motion of the punch and die and at least the rotational motion of the support arm, and the control data is related to the sheetType: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Amada Company LimitedInventor: Takanori Okubo
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Patent number: 6807835Abstract: A system manufactures a product by bending a sheet material includes a three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram creator that creates a three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram, including a desired bending angle and a desired flange width, based on graphic information of a product. A displayer displays a bending angle value in the vicinity of a bending angle, and/or a dimension value in the vicinity of a flange, in the created three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram. A test piece displayer displays a test piece of a material proposed for use in the product and displays the bending angle value(s) in the vicinity of the bending angle(s), and/or the dimension value(s) in the vicinity of the flange(s), of the test piece. A measuring device measures the bending angle value(s) and the dimension value(s) for the test piece bent by the bending machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2003Date of Patent: October 26, 2004Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Katsuji Sekita, Tadahiko Nagasawa
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Patent number: 6780145Abstract: A bending press system provided with a bending press (1) with at least one bending station to mount a plurality of divided tools, tool housing devices (65, 123) to house divided metals to be used on the bending press, tool exchange devices (61, 143) which mount the divided tools on the bending station, and provide a first memory (403) which stores housed positions of each divided tool housed in the housing devices and a second memory (405) which stores the bending line length of the bent part, the flange length and the bending angle of the bent product, a first computation (407) which, based on the bending line length, flange length, and bending angle, computes the tool (cross section shape) type and the length of the bending station, a second computation (409) which, based on the tool type and length of the bending station computes the arrangement of each divided tool on the bending station, and an NC control (411) which controls the tool exchange device so that each divided tool is moved from the housed posType: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: August 24, 2004Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Ichio Akami, Takahiro Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Goujyu Umemoto, Toshiyuki Kondo
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Patent number: 6772040Abstract: The invention features a centralized control architecture for a closely-coupled plasma arc system, in which the “intelligence” of the system is integrated into a single controller. The closely-coupled plasma arc system includes a power source, an automatic process controller and a torch-height controller, where each of these components individually has a closed-loop dynamic relationship with the controller.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2000Date of Patent: August 3, 2004Assignee: Hypertherm, Inc.Inventors: Tate S. Picard, Roger E. Young, Gregory S. Wilson, Ronald M. Huppe
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Publication number: 20040148046Abstract: A method for generating a three-dimensional sheet-metal model utilizing a feature for generating a general solid model without a sheet-metal attribution is provided. The method includes the steps of estimating a thickness of a sheet-metal from a cross section designated by a user, representing a bent portion of the sheet-metal by rotating a cross section designated by the user around a set axis in accordance with a bending direction designated by the user and by sweeping the rotated cross section by a length designated by the user, representing an abutting portion by sweeping a cross section designated by the user by a length designated by the user, and realizing sheet division by a sweep slit that is formed by sweeping a tiny cross section including a division line designated by the user on a plane designated by the user.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2003Publication date: July 29, 2004Applicant: Fujitsu LimitedInventor: Yuichiro Fukumura
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Patent number: 6766268Abstract: A distribution of bending principal strains giving a target shape of a curved surface is obtained (Step S1), and a calculation grid is divided along the direction of the bending principal strains (Step S2). A database storing actual measurement values of relations between heating conditions and deformation amounts is prepared (Step S3). The directions of the bending principal strains are divided into the directions of the maximum and minimum bending principal strains (Step S4) for each calculation grid. Then, a heating condition for obtaining a bending strain satisfying the maximum bending principal strain is obtained by a heating line perpendicular to the direction of the maximum bending principal strain, and a membrane strain generated accompanying with heating in this case is obtained by referring to the database (Step S5).Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2002Date of Patent: July 20, 2004Assignee: IHI Marine United Inc.Inventors: Morinobu Ishiyama, Jun Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6758797Abstract: A bending press system provided with a bending press (1) with at least one bending station to mount a plurality of divided tools and, tool housing devices (65, 123) to house divided metals to be used on the bending press and, tool exchange devices (61, 143) which mount the divided tools on the bending station, in which are provided a first memory (403) which stores housed positions of each divided tool housed in the housing devices and a second memory (405) which stores the bending line length of the bent part, the flange length and the bending angle of the bent product and, a first computation device (407) which, based on the bending line length, flange length, bending angle, computes the tool (cross section shape) type and the length of the bending station, and a second computation device (409) which, based on the tool type and length of the bending station computes the arrangement of each divided tool on the bending station, and an NC control (411) which controls the tool exchange device so that each dividType: GrantFiled: November 6, 2002Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.Inventors: Ichio Akami, Takahiro Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Goujyu Umemoto, Toshiyuki Kondo
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Patent number: 6751993Abstract: A bending method is provided for bending two sides of a workpiece to form flanges. The bending method includes measuring a bent flange to obtain a flange dimension. The bending method also includes setting a back gauge value for processing another flange, based on a measured dimension of the workpiece. The other flange is bent using the set back gauge value.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2002Date of Patent: June 22, 2004Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Katsuji Sekita, Tadahiko Nagasawa
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Publication number: 20040111177Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting the travel of a press brake comprising at least one sensor, which measures a physical parameter (p) that varies with the force exerted by the punch on a piece of sheet metal placed on the die, and an electronic device that controls the displacement of the mobile apron between a top dead center and a bottom dead center (BDC). Said electronic device is provided with computing means for correcting the bottom dead center value according to the measurement taken for said displacement and for the physical parameter (p).Type: ApplicationFiled: September 16, 2003Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventors: Gerrit Gerritsen, Piero Papi
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Patent number: 6701208Abstract: An apparatus for proposing bending sequences and bending tools for a metal plate part includes system for storing a development plan of the metal plate part; system for detecting a plurality of bending sequence proposals which make it possible to manufacture the metal plate part based on the development plan, and bending tool proposals used in each bending process of each bending sequence proposal; and system for displaying the plurality of bending sequence proposals. Such display includes information showing the stage numbers in each bending sequence proposal.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Amada Company, Limited.Inventor: Yearn-Tzuo Hwang
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Publication number: 20040019402Abstract: An intelligent sheet metal bending system is disclosed, having a cooperative generative planning system. A planning module interacts with several expert modules to develop a bending plan. The planning module utilizes a state-space search algorithm. Computerized methods are provided for selecting a robot gripper and a repo gripper, and for determining the optimal placement of such grippers as they are holding a workpiece being formed by the bending apparatus. Computerized methods are provided for selecting tooling to be used by the bending apparatus, and for determining a tooling stage layout. An operations planning method is provided which allows the bending apparatus to be set up concurrently while time-consuming calculations, such as motion planning, are performed. An additional method or system is provided for positioning tooling stages by using a backstage guide member which guides placement of a tooling stage along the die rail of the bending apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2002Publication date: January 29, 2004Applicants: AMADA AMERICA, INC., AMADA COMPANY, LTD.Inventors: David Alan Bourne, Duane Thomas Williams, Kyoung Hung Kim, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan, Kensuke Hazama
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Patent number: 6662610Abstract: A three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram creator creates a three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram including a desired bending angle based on graphic information of a product. A major dimension displayer displays a major dimension, tolerance and the like with respect to the three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram. On the other hand, a test piece displayer displays a test piece of the same material proposed for use as the material used for producing the product. The test piece displayer carries out trial bending on the test piece. A bending angle after a bending load is removed is measured by a bending angle measuring device. A spring back amount setter calculates a spring back amount from a difference in bending angle between before and after the load is removed. A stroke calculator calculates a stroke value relative to the desired bending angle considering the obtained spring back amount. Actual bending is performed on a product piece using the calculated stroke value.Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2000Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Katsuji Sekita, Tadahiko Nagasawa
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Publication number: 20030182005Abstract: A method for determining a die profile for forming a metal part having a desired shape. The method includes the steps of providing a nominal die profile, determining a springback profile based on the nominal die profile and employing a compensation strategy to determine the die profile based on the nominal die profile and the springback profile. There are disclosed five (5) compensation strategies: (1) a reversed die-normal technique; (2) a reversed radial rotation technique; (3) a reversed resultant vector technique; (4) a reversed path technique; and (5) a mirror image of resultant vector technique. Associated methods of making a die based on the die profile determined above and making a metal part under a set of forming conditions from the die are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2002Publication date: September 25, 2003Inventors: Edmund W. Chu, Stephen J. Makosey, Jeffrey M. Shoup
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Publication number: 20030158619Abstract: A timing control system for a hollow glassware production line having a plurality of sections includes a machine controller; a plurality of section driving boards; a main serial bus interposed between the machine controller and the section driving boards; and a plurality of actuators controlled by the section driving boards; the intelligent control operations being concentrated in the machine controller.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2002Publication date: August 21, 2003Inventors: Giovanni Carenini, Giovanni La Carrubba, Carlo Sesia, Gianclaudio Borsarelli
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Publication number: 20030158620Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for producing a helical spring by coiling an element wire while feeding the wire, and performing an after-treatment including at least a warm setting process.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 20, 2003Publication date: August 21, 2003Applicant: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Keiji Hasegawa, Shinsuke Okura
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Patent number: 6591156Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating numerical control information for numerically controlling machine tools. Contents of corrective editing or correction to numerical control information by a processing operator is written and stored in a processing method database as processing knowledge of the processing engineer. When a programmer generates new numerical control information, a suitable processing method can be used from the processing method database. The knowledge included processing conditions by the processing operator. The information in the processing method database is updated at each and every processing.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignees: Okuma Corporation, Mori Seiki Co., Ltd., Mitutoyo CorporationInventors: Yasushi Fukaya, Naoki Morita, Sadayuki Matsumiya, Kazuo Yamazaki
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Publication number: 20030097199Abstract: A distribution of bending principal strains giving a target shape of a curved surface is obtained (Step S1), and a calculation grid is divided along the direction of the bending principal strains (Step S2). A database storing actual measurement values of relations between heating conditions and deformation amounts is prepared (Step S3). The directions of the bending principal strains are divided into the directions of the maximum and minimum bending principal strains (Step S4) for each calculation grid. Then, a heating condition for obtaining a bending strain satisfying the maximum bending principal strain is obtained by a heating line perpendicular to the direction of the maximum bending principal strain, and a membrane strain generated accompanying with heating in this case is obtained by referring to the database (Step S5).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Applicant: IHI Marine United Inc.Inventors: Morinobu Ishiyama, Jun Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20030069662Abstract: A numerical control device for a bending machine includes a keyboard, a memory and a processor. The memory stores one or more groups of data, each containing bending conditions, a bend angle and at least one penetration depth. The memory further stores program instructions for searching whether data input with the keyboard is stored in the memory, in a same group of data, and that sends a signal to the bending machine so that the bending machine peforms bending according to the penetration depth included in the group of data. The processor that executes said program instructions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Applicant: AMADA EUROPEInventor: Brahim Chebbi
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Publication number: 20030069661Abstract: A sheet metal bending machine with a bending unit driven by actuators comprises a data processing system including a technological bending database which is programmed to represent the behaviour of the machine-sheet assembly under the bending process, said database being provided with a predefined stored set of sheet metal angle and thickness data and supplied with nominal angle and thickness data of the sheet metal to be bent, a material characteristic database provided with a predefined set of sheet metal material data and supplied with material type data of the sheet metal to be bent, a machine geometry database provided with a predefined set of geometrical data of the bending machine. A mathematical model calculation algorithm calculates the movements of the bending unit actuators according to processed data provided by said databases and sheet metal length data of the sheet metal to be bent.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2002Publication date: April 10, 2003Inventor: Wolfgang Kunze
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Patent number: 6507767Abstract: An intelligent sheet metal bending system is disclosed, having a cooperative generative planning system. A planning module interacts with several expert modules to develop a bending plan. The planning module utilizes a state-space search algorithm. Computerized methods are provided for selecting a robot gripper and a repo gripper, and for determining the optimal placement of such grippers as they are holding a workpiece being formed by the bending apparatus. Computerized methods are provided for selecting tooling to be used by the bending apparatus, and for determining a tooling stage layout. An operations planning method is provided which allows the bending apparatus to be set up concurrently while time-consuming calculations, such as motion planning, are performed. An additional method or system is provided for positioning tooling stages by using a backstage guide member which guides placement of a tooling stage along the die rail of the bending apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: January 14, 2003Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.Inventors: David Alan Bourne, Duane Thomas Williams, Kyoung Hung Kim, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan, Kensuke Hazama
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Patent number: 6496754Abstract: A mobile robot capable of recognizing its location and adjusting its direction in response to an obstacle in its way includes a running device, an obstacle detecting device for detecting the presence of an obstacle, a location recognizing device, a controlling portion, and a power supply. The location recognizing device includes a first vision camera directed toward the ceiling of a room and a first vision board. The first vision camera recognizes a base mark on the ceiling. The first vision board processes an image from the first vision camera and transmits the image data to the controlling portion. The obstacle detecting device includes a line laser for emitting a linear light beam toward the obstacle, a second vision camera for recognizing a reflective linear light beam from the obstacle, and a second vision board for processing image data captured by the second vision camera.Type: GrantFiled: June 11, 2001Date of Patent: December 17, 2002Assignee: Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeong-gon Song, Sang-yong Lee, Seung-bin Moon, Kyoung-mu Lee
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Patent number: 6493607Abstract: A computerized method/system is provided for planning motion of a robot within a free space confined by obstacles, from an initial position to a goal position. In executing the method/system, a plan is generated so that the robot can hold and maneuver a workpiece throughout a sequence of bending operations to be performed by a bending apparatus. A plurality of proposed movements to be made by the robot are proposed for an mth movement within a sequence of movements, and at least a portion of the robot and the obstacles that confine the free space are modeled. A determination is made as to whether a collision will occur between the robot and an obstacle for each proposed movement, and a plan is generated including the sequence of movements by choosing for each movement in the sequence of movements, a proposed movement that will not result in a collision and that will bring the robot closer to the goal position.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 1998Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.Inventors: David Alan Bourne, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan
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Patent number: 6466843Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for lifting objects comprises a Cartesian manipulator, a machine vision system for acquiring video images of the objects, and a control processor for processing the video images and providing position command signals to the Cartesian manipulator.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Pierino Gianni Bonanni, Kevin George Harding, Appasaheb Ningappa Madiwale, Juan Manuel De Bedout
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Patent number: 6411862Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing and distributing design and manufacturing information throughout a factory in order to facilitate the production of components, such as bent sheet metal components. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the management and distribution of critical design and manufacturing information is achieved by storing and distributing the design and manufacturing information associated with each job. By replacing the traditional paper job set-up or work sheet with, for example, an electronically stored job sheet that can be accessed instantaneously from any location in the factory, the present invention improves the overall efficiency of the factory. In addition, through the various aspects and features of the invention, the organization and accessibility of part information and stored expert knowledge is improved.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 1999Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.Inventors: Kensuke Hazama, Kalev Kask, Satoshi Sakai, Anand Subbaraman
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Patent number: 6411863Abstract: An auxiliary control system is operatively associated with a press machine controller including a programmable logic controller having a main processor. The auxiliary control system includes a sensor assembly arranged to provide sensor information which is representative of the condition of the press machine. An auxiliary processor is arranged to monitor for the occurrence of press operating events as signified by the sensor information. The auxiliary processor provides a state signal to the press controller which is representative of the results of the monitoring activity to enable the PLC to control the press machine. Additionally, an improved press machine PLC includes an auxiliary sensor assembly for providing sensor information which is representative of the condition of the press machine.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1998Date of Patent: June 25, 2002Assignee: The Minster Machine CompanyInventor: Charles H. Dickman
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Patent number: 6377871Abstract: An integrated die cast system is provided comprising a die casting machine, a servo-controlled ladle, a servo-controlled sprayer, a pick and place robot, an integrated controller, and a programming pendant. The die casting machine includes a die casting machine controller. The servo-controlled ladle includes a molten material ladle and a servo-motor arranged to cause the ladle to transfer molten material to an injection chamber of the die casting machine. The servo-controlled sprayer includes a sprayer assembly and a servo-motor arranged to orient the sprayer assembly proximate a die cavity of the die casting machine. The pick and place robot is arranged to access a die cavity of the die casting machine. The integrated controller is in communication with the die-casting machine controller, the servo-controlled ladle, the servo-controlled sprayer, and the pick and place robot.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2000Date of Patent: April 23, 2002Assignee: Motoman, Inc.Inventors: William H. DeCamp, Alan G. Livingston, Scott D. Colwell
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Publication number: 20020038163Abstract: An apparatus prepares data for manufacturing a product or a part with a pre-determined shape by using a bending press provided with detachable tools. The apparatus includes a computer memory that stores bending order information for manufacturing the product or the part. The bending order information is obtained after successfully completing bending operations and is associated with the product or the part.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Applicant: AMADASOFT AMERICA, Inc.Inventor: Kensuke Hazama
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Publication number: 20020016647Abstract: An intelligent sheet metal bending system is disclosed, having a cooperative generative planning system. A planning module interacts with several expert modules to develop a bending plan. The planning module utilizes a state-space search algorithm. Computerized methods are provided for selecting a robot gripper and a repo gripper, and for determining the optimal placement of such grippers as they are holding a workpiece being formed by the bending apparatus. Computerized methods are provided for selecting tooling to be used by the bending apparatus, and for determining a tooling stage layout. An operations planning method is provided which allows the bending apparatus to be set up concurrently while time-consuming calculations, such as motion planning, are performed. An additional method or system is provided for positioning tooling stages by using a backstage guide member which guides placement of a tooling stage along the die rail of the bending apparatus.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Applicant: AMADA AMERICA, Inc.Inventors: David Alan Bourne, Duane Thomas Williams, Kyoung Hung Kim, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan, Kensuke Hazama
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Patent number: 6341243Abstract: An intelligent sheet metal bending system is disclosed, having a cooperative generative planning system. A planning module interacts with several expert modules to develop a bending plan. The planning module utilizes a state-space search algorithm. Computerized methods are provided for selecting a robot gripper and a repo gripper, and for determining the optimal placement of such grippers as they are holding a workpiece being formed by the bending apparatus. Computerized methods are provided for selecting tooling to be used by the bending apparatus, and for determining a tooling stage layout. An operations planning method is provided which allows the bending apparatus to be set up concurrently while time-consuming calculations, such as motion planning, are performed. An additional method or system is provided for positioning tooling stages by using a backgage guide member which guides placement of a tooling stage along the die rail the bending apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1998Date of Patent: January 22, 2002Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.Inventors: David Allan Bourne, Duane Thomas Williams, Kyoung Hung Kim, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan, Kensuke Hazama