Patents Assigned to Amada Company Ltd.
  • Patent number: 7901341
    Abstract: In a bending apparatus which moves one of upper and lower tables (9, 10), and performs bending on a workpiece (W) by tools (P, D) attached to the upper and lower tables (9, 10), a tool group including a plurality of split tools is transferred to the upper and lower table (9, 10), a plurality of process stations are formed by splitting the transferred tool into a plurality of tool groups based on automatically or manually determined tool-layout information, and then bending is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd
    Inventors: Masayuki Shimizu, Hidekatsu Ikeda, Takanori Okubo, Akio Kammuri, Hisashi Uto
  • Patent number: 7818985
    Abstract: A bending apparatus is provided with a ram start-up device so as to be movable in a lateral direction. A controller moves the ram start-up device to a point in front of positioning points of abutments corresponding to points of selected edges of a workpiece. The bending apparatus includes a foreign object detector that detects the entry of a foreign object into a region of movement of the ram start-up device. A controller prevents the ram start-up device from moving when the entry of the foreign object is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidekatsu Ikeda, Takanori Okubo, Kazuhiro Kanno, Hisashi Uto
  • Patent number: 7031893
    Abstract: A setup planning technique is provided in which a family of parts to be manufactured is identified, and the setup constraints imposed by the various bending operations in the part family are determined. The setup constraints may define or describe spatial constraints on the sizes and locations of various tooling stages in the setup. After identifying setup constraints, setup plans are generated that satisfy all setup constraints. Any setup plan that satisfies all setup constraints may then be utilized to accommodate every part in the part family. Constraint propagation techniques may be utilized to identify compatible setup constraints and create setup plans. According to the various features and aspects of the invention, dissimilar sheet metal parts can share setups, and the need for extra tooling and fixturing may be minimized. Further, the present invention provides potential savings over state-of-the-art systems, and increases production capability and overall through-put of manufacturing facilities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignees: Amada Company, Ltd., Amada America, Inc.
    Inventors: Satyandra Kumar Gupta, David Alan Bourne
  • Publication number: 20060031146
    Abstract: A die retrieval apparatus is provided. The die retrieval apparatus includes a die data input screen creator which creates die data input screens provided with a plurality of fields in which features of a marketing object are input. The die retrieval apparatus also includes a standard die screen creator which is actuated by inputting data items into respective fields on the input screens. When a marketing object corresponding to the respective data items exists, the standard die screen creator creates a standard die screen for displaying a price relating to the marketing object. When no marketing object corresponding to the respective data items exists, the standard die screen creator creates an error indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2005
    Publication date: February 9, 2006
    Applicant: AMADA COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Masanori Nanbu, Toshio Tamura, Kohji Iwamoto, Yukio Fukui
  • Patent number: 6826939
    Abstract: A ram descends due to its own weight and pressure of a rod-side cylinder chamber of a hydraulic cylinder which vertically moves the ram is detected by an oil pressure detector. A determination section detects a position at which a punch attached to the ram contacts an upper surface of a workpiece, based upon a change in the detected pressure. When the upper surface of the workpiece is detected, a plate thickness calculation section calculates a plate thickness of the workpiece based on an upper surface position of a die, that is known in advance and stored in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhiro Kanno
  • Patent number: 6758797
    Abstract: 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 divid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichio Akami, Takahiro Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Goujyu Umemoto, Toshiyuki Kondo
  • Publication number: 20040019402
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicants: AMADA AMERICA, INC., AMADA COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventors: David Alan Bourne, Duane Thomas Williams, Kyoung Hung Kim, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan, Kensuke Hazama
  • Patent number: 6535787
    Abstract: An operator can recognize the operating state of a plate material processing machine, such as the position state of a positioning pin used in positioning of a work piece in a predetermined position and the operating state of a work clamping device for gripping the work piece, on a display unit, by displaying the operating state in the form of an image of the machine in such a manner that it is intuitively easy, for a beginner, to understand. Further, the present position of a movable member selected as a moving object is displayed on the display screen of the display unit in a form of a relative coordinate covering a moving range of the movable member and a pointer representing the position of the movable member arranged at the relative coordinate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Inamasu, Kiyotaka Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 6507767
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Alan Bourne, Duane Thomas Williams, Kyoung Hung Kim, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan, Kensuke Hazama
  • Patent number: 6493607
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Alan Bourne, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan
  • Patent number: 6411862
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Hazama, Kalev Kask, Satoshi Sakai, Anand Subbaraman
  • Patent number: 6341243
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Allan Bourne, Duane Thomas Williams, Kyoung Hung Kim, Sivaraj Sivarama Krishnan, Kensuke Hazama
  • Publication number: 20010049953
    Abstract: An apparatus prepares data for manufacturing a product or a part with a predetermined 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Publication date: December 13, 2001
    Applicant: AMADA COMPANY LTD.
    Inventor: Tadahiko Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 6292716
    Abstract: Several methods and subsystems are provided for aligning a workpiece as it is being loaded into a die space of a bending apparatus, and for performing sensor-based control of a robot as it moves a workpiece from one location to another within a bending apparatus environment. A backgaging mechanism is provided with finger gaging mechanisms having force sensors for sensing forces in directions perpendicular to and parallel to a die. In addition, a robot gripper sensor is provided for sensing either or both of shear forces and normal forces created by movement of a workpiece being held by the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard M. Moore, Jr., David Alan Bourne, Kerry L. Elkins, Anne Marie Murray, Robert H. Sturges, Jr., Kensuke Hazama
  • Publication number: 20010016805
    Abstract: A setup planning technique is provided in which a family of parts to be manufactured is identified, and the setup constraints imposed by the various bending operations in the part family are determined. The setup constraints may define or describe spatial constraints on the sizes and locations of various tooling stages in the setup. After identifying setup constraints, setup plans are generated that satisfy all setup constraints. Any setup plan that satisfies all setup constraints may then be utilized to accommodate every part in the part family. Constraint propagation techniques may be utilized to identify compatible setup constraints and create setup plans. According to the various features and aspects of the invention, dissimilar sheet metal parts can share setups, and the need for extra tooling and fixturing may be minimized. Further, the present invention provides potential savings over state-of-the-art systems, and increases production capability and overall through-put of manufacturing facilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Satyandra Kumar Gupta, David Alan Bourne
  • Publication number: 20010004840
    Abstract: Object of the present invention is to provide a method or a system by which an operator without skills in bending operation can easily and quickly perform precise bending operations on a sheet workpiece by following skilled operator's experience, hints or data. To achieve this object, the method of this present invention comprises the steps of storing data for a shape of said part; storing data for a bending order for manufacturing said part from said workpiece; selecting tools for performing each of bending operations; storing data for the selected dies; storing bending press control data for controlling the operation of said press to performs the bending operations in said bending order; and storing bending operation support information for supporting an operator for performing the bending operation by using said bending press.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2001
    Publication date: June 28, 2001
    Applicant: AMADA COMPANY, LTD.
    Inventor: Tadahiko Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 6243611
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for integrating an intelligent manufacturing system with an expert sheet metal planning and bending system. The intelligent manufacturing system manages and distributes part design and manufacturing information throughout the locations of a production facility. The expert planning system includes a plurality of expert modules for proposing a bending plan, including bend sequence and tooling selections, and robot motion planning and repositioning. Through the various features and aspects of the present invention, an operator can selectively modify and adapt these integrated systems for particular bend applications, including robot-based and human assisted bending operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignees: Amada America, Inc., Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Hazama, Liang-Yu Huang
  • Patent number: 6243619
    Abstract: An operating state setting device and method of a plate material processing machine, includes multiple keys having corresponding functions relating to operation of the plate material processing machine. The keys include a skill mode selecting key for selecting an expert or beginner mode, an automatic mode key for executing a numeric control processing program, a manual mode key for allocating manual control of a movable member to the operator and moving keys for controlling the movable member in the manual mode. A numerically controlled controller is provided for setting an operating state of the plate material processing machine corresponding to the selected skill mode and executing a detailed procedure in the expert mode and a simple procedure in the beginner mode. The simple procedure may include an internal execution procedure and an editing history selection and corresponding product image display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Amada Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Inamasu, Kiyotaka Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 6067862
    Abstract: A fingerpad force sensor system is disclosed which is useful for detecting process variations during manufacturing processes in which a plurality of force sensors are applied to the gripper of a robot in order to monitor shear forces applied to the workpiece held by the robot during, for example, sheet-metal bending manufacturing processes. Each sensor is encapsulated in rubber pads which are secured to the gripper of the robot such that they monitor the status of the workpiece during all phases of automated bending: material acquisition, material handling, machine loading and unloading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2000
    Assignees: Amada Company, Ltd., Amada America, Inc.
    Inventors: Anne Marie Murray, Richard M. Moore, Jr., David Alan Bourne, Melvin W. Siegel
  • Patent number: 5987958
    Abstract: Several methods and subsystems are disclosed for aligning a workpiece as it is being loaded into a die space of a bending apparatus, and for performing sensor-based control of a robot as it moves a workpiece from one location to another within a bending apparatus environment. A backgaging mechanism is provided with finger gaging mechanisms having force sensors for sensing forces in directions perpendicular to and parallel to a die. In addition, a robot gripper sensor is provided for sensing either or both of shear forces and normal forces created by movement of a workpiece being held by the gripper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignees: Amada Company, Ltd., Amada America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard M. Moore, Jr., David Alan Bourne, Kerry L. Elkins, Anne Marie Murray, Robert H. Sturgas, Jr., Kensuke Hazama