Sensing Work Or Product (e.g., By X-ray) Patents (Class 72/17.3)
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Patent number: 11649140Abstract: A rail installation assist device includes at least control circuitry. The control circuitry is configured to acquire displacement information representing displacement of individual rail brackets and a rail joint from a reference position, the rail brackets that fix guide rails in an elevator shaft, the rail joint that joins the guide rails together; estimate, from the displacement information, a change in the displacement information of the rail brackets and the rail joint when the rail brackets are moved to given target positions; calculate an evaluation value for variation in the displacement information before the change and an evaluation value for variation in the displacement information after the change; and set positions of the rail brackets based on a result of comparison between the evaluation values.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yutaka Maruyama, Yoshihiko Nakada, Yasufumi Takakusaki, Yoshinobu Ishikawa
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Patent number: 11609166Abstract: There are provided an evaluation method and a prediction method for a technology to be reflected in a press die designing method. A deformation limit evaluation method includes evaluating the deformation limit on a sheared surface of a metal sheet in press-forming the sheared metal sheet. The deformation limit is evaluated and a crack in the sheared surface is predicted based on the relationship between an index value determined from two surface strain distribution gradients of a surface strain distribution gradient in a sheet thickness direction in the sheared surface and a surface strain distribution gradient in a bending ridge line direction by bending in a direction away from the sheared surface at an evaluation position among distributions of strains generated near the boundary between a bending outside surface and the sheared surface of the metal sheet to be bent and a tension generated in the sheared surface.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2018Date of Patent: March 21, 2023Assignee: JFE Steel CorporationInventors: Yusuke Fujii, Kento Fujii, Yuji Yamasaki
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Patent number: 11389930Abstract: A surface treatment processing method includes: a shot processing step of performing shot processing of shooting shot media at a treatment target; a first inspection step of nondestructively inspecting at least one of a surface side state and an external dimension of the treatment target subjected to the shot processing, evaluating that the treatment target is passed when an inspection result is within a first normal range set in advance, evaluating that the treatment target is failed when the inspection result is out of a first allowable range set in advance to include the first normal range, and evaluating that the treatment target is to be additionally processed when the inspection result is out of the first normal range but within the first allowable range; and an additional processing step of performing the shot processing again on the treatment target which is evaluated to be additionally processed.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2018Date of Patent: July 19, 2022Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.Inventors: Kyoichi Iwata, Takuya Koyama, Yuji Kobayashi, Akinori Matsui
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Patent number: 11376053Abstract: A system and method for bending a surgical rod using an automated bending system includes receiving an indication of a plurality of line segments defined on the rod and an indication of an angle measurement to be formed between at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of line segments. Bending parameters to perform on the rod to form the angle measurement between the at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of line segments are determined and operation of the automated bending system is controlled using the bending parameters to create an angle having the angle measurement between the at least two adjacent ones of the plurality of line segments.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 2019Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Dignity HealthInventors: Neil R. Crawford, Nicholas Theodore
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Patent number: 10022839Abstract: First, it is determined in a determination step by a determination unit whether there is a nitrided layer on a surface of a water-cooled hole of a mold, by using an eddy current sensor. Next, in a shot step, when it is determined in the determination step that there is no nitrided layer, the surface of the water-cooled hole of the mold is shot-peened under a shot condition set according to a base material of the mold, and when it is determined in the determination step that there is the nitrided layer, the surface of the water-cooled hole of the mold is shot-peened under a shot condition which maintains a state where there is the nitrided layer.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: SINTOKOGIO, LTD.Inventors: Yuji Kobayashi, Akinori Matsui
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Patent number: 10005115Abstract: A method, process, system, and apparatus for straightening of thin tubular shapes. A method of straightening of thin tubular shapes includes: supporting a tubular product between a plurality of first support members and a plurality of second support members of a bending apparatus; applying loads to the tubular product at respective locations along a length of the tubular product using a plurality of actuators of the bending apparatus; and using a recipe-based program to calculate the loads at the respective locations and control the plurality of actuators to apply the loads.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: National Oilwell Varco, L.P.Inventors: Gabriel M. Badea, Josiah Morgan, Gregory A. Hart
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Patent number: 9108237Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for determining and calibrating a K-factor for material and to methods and systems for calibrating forming devices, forming device controls, and/or forming device components. The disclosed systems and methods can dynamically provide exact and calibrated values for the parameters needed to produce correct and accurate flat patterns based on any type of material or any tooling combination. As such, the systems and methods of the present disclosure can be used to achieve a first run perfect or near-perfect part capability that does not currently exist.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: August 18, 2015Inventor: Robert Macaulay
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Publication number: 20150143861Abstract: Provided is a plastic working method of steel including austenite, the method including: analyzing a strain ratio ?x of an estimated breaking point which is specified during plastic deformation of the steel; heating a steel such that a local temperature Tlocal is within a temperature range indicated by the following expression 1, when T?x represents a strain-induced-transformation-maximum-ductility-temperature in the unit of ° C. for the strain ratio ?x, ?L?x represents the standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio ?x on a lower temperature side than T?x, ?H?x represents the standard deviation of a fitted curve of critical equivalent strain which depends on the strain ratio ?x on a higher temperature side than T?x, and Tlocal represents a local temperature in the unit of ° C. of the estimated breaking point; and plastically deforming the steel after heating: T?x?2×?L?x?Tlocal?T?x+1.25×?H?x??(Expression 1).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2012Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventors: Koichi Sato, Masahiro Kubo, Masaaki Mizumura, Tohru Yoshida
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Publication number: 20150107320Abstract: A system and method for detecting a defective part and the type of defect formed during stamping operations. The system and method will not only detect the defect but also the nature of the defect and the time at which the defect occurred during stamping operations. Such information is useful not only in quality control but also in isolating a problem which may exist in stamping operations and thus eliminating time for isolating such problems and correcting them. The system and method uses a profile of a properly stamped part to detect a defect, and the root cause of the defect.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: April 23, 2015Inventors: Joshua A.H. Walter, Michael J. Gravis, Charles David Apps
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Patent number: 9003851Abstract: To provide an embossing device, an embossing method and an embossed can which are capable of conducting embossing having a non-shaped section and an arbitral number of embossed areas, and are capable of improving quality or productivity. An embossed can 10 is a double-embossed surface can in which on a can barrel 101 a first pattern 104 is printed; a first concave part 105 is formed in the state that it is so positioned as to almost conform to the first pattern 104; a second pattern 106 is printed at a position which is distant in the circumferential direction with the non-shaped section therebetween; and a second concave portion 107 is formed in the state that it is so positioned as to almost conform to the second pattern 106.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: Toyo Seikan Kaisha, Ltd.Inventors: Kazumoto Obata, Keiji Sasaki, Wataru Ookubo, Masayuki Nakamura
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Publication number: 20150089985Abstract: A computer-based apparatus for performing a multiaxial forging method is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a process control computer and a pair of forging dies connected thereto, wherein each of the dies comprises a piston (1, 2), said pistons being moveable along a common axis (z), and wherein a shaping anvil (3) is mounted on each of the pistons (1, 2), and the pistons (1, 2) are equipped with position measuring sensors. The apparatus further comprises a measuring instrument (20) attached to the pistons (1, 2) of the dies for directly measuring the distance between the two pistons (1, 2) at a location adjacent to the workpiece.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2014Publication date: April 2, 2015Applicant: COLLEGE OF DUNAÚJVÁROSInventor: Péter BERECZKI
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Publication number: 20150013406Abstract: A system and method for removing a dent from a wind turbine tower is provided. The system includes a measuring system configured for measuring a shape of the dent in at least two dimensions. A ram assembly is configured to be placed against the dent and an inside portion of the wind turbine tower. A control system is connected to both the ram assembly and the measuring system, and the control system is configured for controlling operation of the ram assembly based on data received from the measuring system. The measuring system monitors the shape of the dent during activation of the ram assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2013Publication date: January 15, 2015Inventors: Ilayarajan Arumugam, Mohan Muthu Kumar Sivanantham
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Publication number: 20140230508Abstract: The invention concerns an anode straightening apparatus (10, 30, 60) for the straightening of an anode (100) typically used in an electrowinning process. In the preferred embodiment the apparatus includes clamps (21, 41, 71) for clamping a busbar (101) of the anode and clamps (22, 42, 71) for clam in a blade of the anode to the apparatus during the course of the straightening process. At least one sensor (29, 52, 85) monitors the curvature of the blade (102) of the anode (100) when the anode is secured to the apparatus by the clamps. The apparatus ((10, 30, 60) includes a movable head (24, 44, 78) housing straightening means for bending the anode in a desired direction in response to feedback received from the sensor. The head is movable in two planes of movement which are transverse to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: ZIMCO GROUP (PROPRIETARY) LIMITEDInventors: Charles Rudolph Meyer, David Marian Evans, Marthinus Hendricus Serfontein
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Publication number: 20140166752Abstract: A method of tagging an article is disclosed. Data that identifies the article is encoded into at least one stress value. A stress region having a stress that corresponds to the at least one stress value is created in a surface of the article to the tag the article. The at least one stress value is read by a measurement device to read the data and identify the article.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2012Publication date: June 19, 2014Applicant: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Supratik Guha, Yves C. Martin, Theodore G. van Kessel
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Publication number: 20140150509Abstract: A system for manufacturing an irrigation pipe (100) comprising an extrusion unit (300) a calibrator unit (400) a cooling unit (600) for cooling the irrigation pipe (100) in a cooling liquid (30) a traction unit (500) for drawing the irrigation pipe (100) in the cooling unit (600) the cooling unit comprising a device for detecting holes (102) in the wall of the irrigation pipe (100) and arranged for being immersed in the cooling liquid (30), this device for detecting holes comprising at least one optical transmitter (1) and at least one optical receiver (2) which define an optical barrier (10), this device being arranged so that the holes (102) in the irrigation pipe (100) located below this device produce gas bubbles (20) which modify this optical barrier (10).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 24, 2012Publication date: June 5, 2014Applicant: MAILLEFER S.A.Inventors: Alain Wisler, Jean-Charles Zaramella
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Patent number: 8646300Abstract: A method to check and control a roller bending machine for continuously bending an elongated workpiece at variable curvature radii in a bending machine using a series of rollers for bending, comprises the steps of measuring the distance of the elongated work piece in a point that is situated downstream the series of rollers for bending in successive instants, calculating a curvature radius of each bend section of the elongated workpiece, comparing the calculated curvature radius with the desired curvature radius and determining a difference between them, calculating the change of position to which an upstream roller has to be subjected in order to annul such a difference and operating the upstream roller on the base of the calculated change of position. A machine embodying the method is also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 2009Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: CML International S.p.A.Inventors: Alessandro Caporusso, Eugenio Schiarante, Giuseppe Roso
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Patent number: 8627694Abstract: During the bending of sheet metal sections (1, 2) for forming can bodies by means of a bending machine, the sheet metal characteristics of the individual sheets are measured, e.g. the thickness and/or the strength of the sheets. The measured value is used to control the bending machine (4). This permits a substantially constant bending result to be achieved, even with varying sheet metal characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: January 14, 2014Assignee: Soudronic AGInventor: Peter Schreiber
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Publication number: 20130340494Abstract: Described is a procedure for bending a sheet of sheet metal on a panel bender machine wherein upon bending the sheet of metal sheet a first software (BE) for machine control transmits to a second software (VS) for management of a TV camera (17), positioned in alignment with the bending line, the data relating to the nominal bending angle, the bending length, the distance of the bent edge from the centre line of the panel bender and the thickness of the metal sheet. The second software (VS) acquires an image of the bent metal sheet, identifies the spatial position of the straight line corresponding to the bent edge of the sheet of sheet metal and then calculates its geometric coordinates in accordance with a preset referencing system, and supplies to the first software (BE) the value of the angle of the bend performed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 2, 2012Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicant: FINN-POWER ITALIA S.R.L.Inventor: Andrea Frigo
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Publication number: 20130283875Abstract: A device for regulating a residual stress is comprised of: input means; a residual stress database; a process condition database; first searching means for searching a residual stress (?0) from the residual stress database; a calculator for calculating a first bending moment (Mrs) in a ridge line originated from the residual stress, and a second bending moment (Mz) in the ridge line originated from bending to obtain a total bending moment (Mrs?Mz) and calculating a camber curvature (?z) of the workpiece originated from the total bending moment (Mrs?Mz); comparing a difference (|?z??z0|) between the camber curvature (?z) and a target value (?z0) with a tolerable value (?); second searching means for searching a process condition satisfying a tolerable condition (|?z??z0|??) from the process condition database when (|?z??z0|>?); and regulating means for regulating a residual stress.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2012Publication date: October 31, 2013Applicant: AMADA COMPANY, LIMITEDInventors: Yingjun Jin, Takahiro Shibata, Junichi Koyama, Hitoshi Omata
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Publication number: 20130233039Abstract: A pre-rounding element (14) is used in a rounding apparatus (4) for rounding can body blanks from sheet metal blanks. The lower element part (22) of the pre-rounding element (14) is displaceable by an actuation element (23). This allows the adjustment of the pre-rounding element even during operation of the rounding apparatus. Preferably a measurement of sheet metal blank properties takes place. The measurement may include a thickness measurement and/or a strength measurement of blanks. The pre-rounding element is controlled in dependency of the measurement result. This allows a constant rounding result even with varying sheet metal properties.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2013Publication date: September 12, 2013Applicant: Soudronic AGInventors: Guy Boissin, Oliver Schulthess
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Publication number: 20130098127Abstract: Measuring sheet material flatness includes projecting a bright and dark pattern P made up of bright parts and dark parts onto a sheet material surface S travelling in a lengthwise direction, picking up an image of pattern P with image pickup device to acquire a pattern image, with the pickup device having a field of view larger than a sheet material width. The acquired pattern image is analyzed, wherein a pattern P in which a bright part is disposed at a predetermined set pitch respectively in longitudinal and lateral directions is formed by an LED light at a predetermined pitch respectively in the longitudinal and lateral directions. The pattern P is projected onto the surface such that the longitudinal direction of the pattern P lies along a lengthwise direction of the sheet material, and the lateral direction of the pattern P lies along a width direction of the sheet material.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 18, 2012Publication date: April 25, 2013Inventors: Yoshito ISEI, Tomoya KATO, Masahiro OSUGI, Hideyuki TAKAHASHI
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Publication number: 20130065193Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a bent orthodontic arch or a bent retaining arch for orthodontic treatment, comprising the bending of portions of a metal wire. The invention is characterised in that it comprises the use of an apparatus of the type intended for the production of springs, comprising bending tools and means allowing the continuous movement of the wire to be bent. The invention also relates to the device used to perform the aforementioned method, to the resulting orthodontic arch or retaining arch and to an orthodontic appliance comprising same.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: H 32Inventors: Patrick Curiel, William Ayache, Philippe Salah
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Publication number: 20120297847Abstract: A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, whilst gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 8, 2012Publication date: November 29, 2012Inventors: Santiago Garcia Campo, Juan Saiz Goiria
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Publication number: 20120285212Abstract: The present application provides a method for adjusting spring characteristics of a spring to desired spring characteristics. In the adjusting method of the present application, first, the spring is compressed until a “load-displacement” measurement line obtained by measuring the load applied to the spring and the displacement of the spring meets a “load-displacement” target line determined based on “load-displacement” characteristics of the spring and the desired spring characteristics (S10-S14). Next, the spring is expanded such that the load applied to the spring decreases along the “load-displacement” target line (S18).Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2011Publication date: November 15, 2012Applicant: CHUO HATSUJO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Shinsuke Okura, Shuji Kamiya, Yukimasa Kabeya, Junya Narukawa, Takashi Goto
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Publication number: 20120266641Abstract: A system and method for electromagnetic surface treatment of a work piece has an electromagnetic pulse generator and an electromagnetic pulse tool. The work piece has a working surface. A current pulse generated by the electromagnetic pulse generator travels through the tool producing an electromagnetic pulse. The electromagnetic pulse interacts with the working surface causing an indentation to form. A residual compressive stress layer is also formed. The indentation has a smooth and continuous topography that is described by an indentation perimeter, an indentation transition region, an indentation sidewall, an impact transition region, and an impact region. The method may also simultaneously, or subsequently, form a second indentation which overlaps with the indentation. An inter-indentation overlap region is formed when the indentations overlap. The inter-indentation overlap region is smooth and continuous. Multiple treated surfaces may easily be formed on the working surface of the work piece.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2012Publication date: October 25, 2012Inventors: James R. DYDO, Sergei P. YUSHANOV
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Publication number: 20120180539Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method of shot-peening treatment that substantially improves the durability (particularly, heat check resistance) of the treated surface of the steel products in the process of treating by shot peening (hereafter, “SP”) the surface of the steel product that is the work to be treated and that was treated by heat hardening. The SP treatment of the present invention that gives the SP treatment to the steel product that was heat-treated and that is a work to be treated comprises the first SP treatment that removes the compound layer (white layer) and a second SP treatment that gives compressive residual stress to the first SP treated surface that was treated by the first SP treatment where the second SP treatment is carried out only to the products where it has been proved by the non-destructive inspection that the compound layers are removed by the first SP treatment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2010Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventor: Yuji Kobayashi
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Publication number: 20120067096Abstract: A method for vibration damping and shape control of a suspended metal strip is provided. The method includes the steps of: measuring distance to the metal strip by a plurality of non-contact sensors, providing distance measurements; generating a deflection profile based on the distance measurements; decomposing the deflection profile to a number of base shapes; and controlling the deflection profile by a plurality of non-contact actuators. The step of controlling includes providing for each of the base shapes a corresponding combination of force profiles.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2011Publication date: March 22, 2012Inventors: Mats Molander, Robert Stal, Peter Rybing
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Publication number: 20110277523Abstract: A method for of aligning a vehicle comprising the steps of: supporting a first portion (19A, 19B) of the vehicle and deforming the vehicle by applying a force to a second portion (5) of the vehicle. The method is characterised in positioning at least one motion sensing measuring unit (9A, 9B) including at least one accelerometer on the supported first portion (19A, 19B) of the vehicle before the deforming step, and tracking any movements of the supported first portion (19A, 19B) of the vehicle during the deformation by means of the motion sensing measuring unit (9A, 9B). An arrangement for aligning a vehicle is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2009Publication date: November 17, 2011Inventor: Jonas Bäckman
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Publication number: 20110239718Abstract: A method of producing helical springs by spring winding with a numerically controlled spring winding machine includes feeding a wire, controlled by an NC control program, through a feed device to a forming device of the spring winding machine, forming a helical spring from the wire with tools of the forming device, defining a desired nominal geometry of the helical spring and an NC control program adapted to produce the nominal geometry, measuring an actual position of a selected structural element of the helical spring relative to a reference element at least one measurement time, which occurs after a start and before an end of production of the helical spring in a measurement area which is at a finite distance from the forming device in a longitudinal direction of the helical spring, wherein the distance is less than an overall length of the finished helical spring, comparing the actual position with a nominal position of the structural element for the measurement time to determine a current position differType: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: WAFIOS AGInventor: Volker Kalkau
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Publication number: 20110239719Abstract: A method produces helical springs by spring winding with a numerically controlled spring winding machine, a wire is fed, controlled by an NC control program, through a feed device to a forming device of the spring winding machine and is formed with the aid of tools in the forming device to form a helical spring. A measurement time is defined which occurs in a final phase of an overall manufacturing time for the helical spring at a time period before the end of the overall manufacturing time. A position of a spring end which is formed by an end surface of the wire is measured at this measurement time to determine an actual angle position of the spring end. A remaining distance for the wire feed is then calculated to achieve a nominal angle position of the spring end, as intended for the helical spring, at a reference time which occurs at a later time and the wire is fed through the remaining distance. The method allows the relative angle position of the spring ends of a helical spring to be set very precisely.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: October 6, 2011Applicant: WAFIOS AGInventors: Volker Kalkau, Daniel Buck
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Publication number: 20110192204Abstract: A method produces a bent part by two- or three-dimensional bending of an elongate workpiece, in particular a wire or tube, in a bending process wherein at least one portion of the workpiece is moved into an initial position in the region of engagement of a bending tool by one or more feed operations by the coordinated activation of the movements of driven machine axes of a bending machine numerically controlled by a control device and is formed by bending in at least one bending operation with the aid of a bending tool. The movements of the driven machine axes are generated according to a movement profile predeterminable by the control device of the bending machine and include at least one oscillation-relevant movement leading to an oscillation of the free end portion of the bent part. During an oscillation-relevant movement, a compensating movement, reducing the generation of oscillation and/or damping the oscillation, a machine axis is generated in at least one compensation time interval.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: August 11, 2011Applicant: WAFIOS AGInventors: Werner Steinhilber, Stefan Fries, Anton Schoenle, Matthias Groeninger
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Patent number: 7954353Abstract: A method and a device for determining a quality of a metallic surface of a metallic substrate, for example a steel or steel alloy substrate, are provided. The device includes a mould, a sheet holder and a die, with which the metallic substrate is formed to produce a drawn test surface. The method and device are used to test the quality of the metallic surface of a metallic coating with a view to a later utilization, especially with a view to a later forming, wherein the metallic substrate is formed at least in-an area of a test surface, wherein a main and an additional shape change of the metallic substrate in the area of the test surface assume predetermined values that are related to the later utilization of the metallic substrate, and wherein the quality of the metallic surface is tested on the test surface after forming.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Steel AGInventors: Andreas Birkenstock, Peter Heidbüchel, Michael Linnepe
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Publication number: 20110094278Abstract: A method to check and control a roller bending machine for continuously bending an elongated workpiece at variable curvature radii in a bending machine using a series of rollers for bending, comprises the steps of measuring the distance of the elongated work piece in a point that is situated downstream the series of rollers for bending in successive instants, calculating a curvature radius of each bend section of the elongated workpiece, comparing the calculated curvature radius with the desired curvature radius and determining a difference between them, calculating the change of position to which an upstream roller has to be subjected in order to annul such a difference and operating the upstream roller on the base of the calculated change of position. A machine embodying the method is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2009Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicant: CML INTERNATIONAL S.P.A.Inventors: Alessandro Caporusso, Eugenio Schiarante, Giuseppe Roso
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Publication number: 20110094279Abstract: A system, method and software arrangement are provided for generating press-formed parts having a more consistent quality based on improved determination of processing conditions. For example, an apparatus can be configured to compare actual performance values of material properties provided by a material property database with standard values, and to adjust forming conditions such as a forming speed and a blank-holder pressure in accordance with the compared result. A control arrangement can be provided to control a press-forming device using the adjusted forming conditions. Accordingly, it may be possible to reduce occurrences of defects such as cracks and wrinkles when press-forming materials, and to obtain products having consistent quality and substantially identical shapes.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2010Publication date: April 28, 2011Applicants: Nippon Steel Corporation, ARCELOR FranceInventors: Noriyuki Suzuki, Akihiro Uenishi, Yukihisa Kuriyama, Toshiyuki Niwa, Takuya Kuwayama
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Publication number: 20110023567Abstract: A thin walled body is deformed in a process in which the body is gripped securely in a holding station and, whilst gripped in the holding station, tooling engages to deform the peripheral wall of the body at a predetermined wall zone. The tooling is provided at a tooling station which is adjacent the holding station during deformation. The predetermined wall zone is co-aligned with the tooling by rotation of the body about an axis prior to securing at the holding station.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2010Publication date: February 3, 2011Inventors: Santiago Garcia Campo, Juan Salz Goiria
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Publication number: 20100269602Abstract: An automated inspection system for inspecting, sorting and re-coining each of the locking bar, the rack, and the pin of a rekeyable lock cylinder, as well as other small close-tolerance components in an average cycle time of 1.5 seconds. The inspection system includes a high-speed pneumatic sorting matrix which selectively transfers the components into various length measuring stations, camera inspection stations, mechanical gauge stations, and/or coining stations, and then positions the parts at those stations for combined gauge and visual tolerance checking and sorting. Defects are identified by a combination of visual and machine-gauge inspection, and the sorted components are sorted into three bins: rejects; good parts; and parts for coining. The inspection/sorting system is capable of tolerance-checking down to 0.00011811?, with a repeatability of 0.00005906.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2010Publication date: October 28, 2010Inventor: Gerry Damikolas
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Publication number: 20100257908Abstract: A portable conduit bending frame assembly has a support member, a shoe and a heating device. The support member has a first alignment end, a second alignment end, and a first conduit measuring device that extends an approximate width of the support member. The support member also has a flat conduit support surface fixed thereto, and extending substantially perpendicular to a top surface of the support member. The top surface has at least a portion of a first attachment strip located thereon. The shoe has a first alignment surface extending substantially perpendicular to a second alignment surface, an arcuate conduit bending surface extending between the first and second alignment surfaces, and a complementary attachment strip extending at least partially on a major surface of the shoe.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2010Publication date: October 14, 2010Inventors: Herbert A. Trebilcock, Salvatore Anastasi
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Patent number: 7802456Abstract: A bending angle detecting device for a workpiece used in a bending machine that bends the workpiece in cooperation of upper and lower tools. The bending angle detecting device has a detector which includes a casing and which can detect a bending angle of the workpiece with the casing fixed in contact with a contact portion of the lower tool.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 28, 2010Assignee: Amada Company, LimitedInventors: Hidekatsu Ikeda, Ken Hatano
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Patent number: 7797975Abstract: An element (10) for use in a tooling system which comprises a plurality of elements arranged in an array, the elements of the array being movable between a closed position in which the elements contact one another and are secured in position, and an open position in which the elements of the array are spaced apart and are capable of vertical movement relative to one another is characterized in that the element comprises tagging means (8) providing the element with a unique identifier. The tagging means preferably comprises a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Surface Generation LtdInventor: Ben John Halford
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Patent number: 7784319Abstract: Systems and methods are employed for monitoring and controlling a can necking process in a multi-stage can necking machine. Sensors are employed that communicate with local controllers. A local controller is used at each stage of the multi-stage can necking machine. The local controllers are used to perform fast processing of information from the sensors located in the stage associated with the local controller. A main controller is then used to determine drop rates. Predefined threshold rates may be used to compare with calculated drop rates. A multi-stage can necking machine may be controlled in part based on drop rates crossing threshold rates.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Crown, Packaging Technology, IncInventor: Benjamin Lee Saville
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Patent number: 7721585Abstract: An integrated forming, assembly and inspection system includes a plurality of robotic material conveyors. The integrated system also includes a forming subsystem including sheet metal drawing apparatus, a roller hemming subsystem, and an inspection subsystem. The plurality of robotic material conveyors are operable to convey assembly workpieces to and from the subsystems.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: Hirotec America, Inc.Inventor: James B. Toeniskoetter
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Patent number: 7721577Abstract: A method for working a component to reduce a propensity for advanced dynamic change analyzes affects of a StressWave process on at least one location on a size and shape of the component. The component is also analyzed as to the affects of adding at least one feature on a size and shape of the component. A beginning shape of the component is then extrapolated.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2007Date of Patent: May 25, 2010Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: David B. Smith
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Publication number: 20090288462Abstract: To provide a component crimping apparatus control method which enables a measuring tool to directly measure a temperature of a part pressed by a pressing head. The component crimping apparatus control method is applied to a component crimping apparatus which crimps a component onto a plate-shaped work, and causes a measuring tool shaped identically as the work to measure a temperature or a pressure of a pressed part in a pressing process of pressing a component onto the work using a heated pressing head. The method includes acquiring information indicating whether or not the measuring tool is held in the component crimping apparatus, and, in the case where the information indicating that the measuring tool is held is acquired, positioning the measuring tool identically as the work, and executing the pressing process on the component to be attached to the measuring tool after the positioning.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2007Publication date: November 26, 2009Inventors: Tomotaka Nishimoto, Yasuhiro Okada, Chihiro Jgarashi, Takanori Yoshitake, Nobuhisa Watanabe
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Patent number: 7617709Abstract: The invention matches the material quality of a product to target data, even when a materials quality model is insufficient in prediction accuracy. Heating a metallic material, rolling, forging, or leveling the metallic material, and cooling the metallic material are each conducted at least once. Prior to manufacture of a metallic product of a desired size and shape, qualitative data of the metallic material are measured at a position by materials, quality sensor in a manufacturing line, and modifications based on measured data are made to heating, processing, or cooling conditions in at least one of the steps, upstream of the materials measured data sensor so that the quality of the metallic material at the measuring position agrees with target data.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2004Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Toshiba Mitsubishi-Electric Industrial Systems CorporationInventors: Mitsuhiko Sano, Kazuhiro Ohara, Masashi Tsugeno
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Patent number: 7614269Abstract: A device for machining the flange part of a wheel arch, wherein a machining mechanism includes, as general-purpose drive parts, first to third cylinders, and the work bending mold for bending the flange part of the wheel arch, work receiving mold, and work guide of the machining mechanism are replaceable with those of the other types. When a dedicated mold is replaced according to the shape of a work, the entire part of the machining mechanism must not be replaced, but merely the work bending mold, work receiving mold and work guide may be replaced with those of the other types.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2004Date of Patent: November 10, 2009Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noriyuki Honda, Tsutomu Yokota, Yoshihiro Kageyama, Keishi Okunaka, Tadashi Tobita, Satoru Matsuo, Akira Kodama
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Patent number: 7610785Abstract: Regarding predetermined positioning criteria (M1, M2), ((G1, G2), (N1, or N2), (K1, K2)), there is provided image processing means (40B) for obtaining by image processing, measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)), and for moving a work (W) in a manner that the measured values (CD1, CD2) ((GD1, GD2), (ND1, or ND2), (KD1, KD2)) and the reference values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2008Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ichio Akami, Koichi Ishibashi, Teruyuki Kubota, Tetsuaki Kato, Jun Sato, Tatsuya Takahashi
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Patent number: 7600404Abstract: The present invention relates to a surface treatment apparatus and method for inducing compressive residual stress in the surface of a workpiece with dimensional variations. The method comprises the acts of measuring the dimensions of the workpiece during a surface treatment operation and adjusting the surface treatment process parameters to account for the measured dimensions. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises two surface treatment elements oriented in opposition to one another in a caliper configuration. The surface treatment elements are positioned and impinged against the surface of a workpiece by an actuator controlled by a computer control unit. The depth to which the surface treatment elements are impinged is precisely controlled to achieve the desired magnitude and depth of compressive residual stress. A sensor operatively connected to the apparatus senses and relays the dimensions of the workpiece to a computer control unit that adjusts the operating parameters accordingly.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2006Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Assignee: Surface Technology Holdings, Ltd.Inventor: Paul S. Prevey, III
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Patent number: 7584637Abstract: A method of bending a metal object, such as a tube, is provided that uses real time, closed-loop feedback of the actual springback of the object in order to modify the applied bending force or preprogrammed bending coordinates so that the final desired bend geometry is achieved. The variability of springback from object to object is thus accounted for and the number of objects that must be scrapped due to incorrect bends (over bend or under bend) is reduced. The method is carried out using an apparatus such as a rotary draw bender with a measuring device operable to measure actual bend coordinates of metal objects bent by the bender. A controller is operatively connected to the bender and the measuring device and is configured to control the bender to bend the metal objects at least partly based on measured bend coordinates provided by the measuring device.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2008Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, David R. Friddell, Paul D. Larsen
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Patent number: 7458243Abstract: The spring winding machine (1) comprises a measuring device (25a) with a measuring sensor (27) which is arranged in front of the shaper (11) with respect to the conveyor direction of the wire (13) to be shaped. The activation of the shaper (11) is changed by the measured variables of the measuring sensor (27) with respect to a predefined activation function (K1) in a manner such that the shaped wire has the desired spring properties.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2004Date of Patent: December 2, 2008Assignee: Spuhl AGInventors: Martin Ruzovic, Josef Reissner
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Publication number: 20080250832Abstract: A method and device are provided for verification of the quality of placing of blind rivets. The verification method involves successively carrying out, during the application of traction force to a stem, initial measurements in an initial state of the application of the traction force to obtain an initial traction force and an initial displacement of the rivet stem relative to the rivet body, intermediate measurements in an intermediate stage of the application of the traction force to obtain an intermediate traction force and an intermediate displacement, and terminal measurements in a terminal stage of the application of the traction force to obtain a terminal traction force and a terminal displacement. The obtained values are compared to acceptable values in an assignment table.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2008Publication date: October 16, 2008Inventor: Desiderio Sanchez-Brunete Alvarez