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.

Abstract: A feeding apparatus of a moved body includes: a base; a rotatable long ball screw extending in a longitudinal direction of the base; a nut member engaged with the long ball screw; a moved body mounted to the nut member; a pair of drive shafts arranged in parallel to the long ball screw and being provided with a ball screw; driving and transmitting members connecting both outer end portions of each of the drive shafts to both ends of the long ball screw; drive motors connected to both inner end portions of each of the drive shafts; and an intermediate support supporting the long ball screw and each of the drive shafts. The intermediate support is provided with a nut member which is engaged with the ball screw. Therefore, the intermediate support is moved in a longitudinal direction by rotation of the long ball screw.

Abstract: This invention provides an integrated support system for supporting sheet metal machining adapted to store and reuse the know how of skilled machine operators and improve the quality of sheet metal products and the rate of operation of machine tools by shifting the arrangement operation from the actual machining phase to the design phase. An integrated support system for supporting sheet metal machining according to the invention is adapted to collect actual machining information obtained during the actual machining process on the machining site and site-specific attribute information that provide the basis for actual machining data and feed back the collected actual machining information and the site-specific attribute information to a sheet metal machining data storing means containing machining information for controlling the machine tools and machining support information relating to the machining information.

Abstract: An angle detection method for a bending machine for detecting a bending angle of a bent workpiece and an angle detection apparatus and an angle sensor thereof are provided. A detection light is emitted toward a workpiece from a light source while the angle sensor is rotated in the forward and reverse directions. A plurality of optical sensors arranged at mutually symmetrical positions with the light source being at the center thereof receive the reflection light from the measurement object. The quantity of received light is stored in relation to the rotation angle of the angle sensor detected by a rotation angle detector. An angle calculation portion calculates the angle of the measurement object based on the peak values of the data of the quantity of the received light and the rotation angles of the angle sensor corresponding to the peak values.

Abstract: A punch holder apparatus includes: a punch holder formed with a punch mounting hole and with an inspection hole in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the punch holder; an engagement piece to be mounted in the inspection hole; a lock piece formed with a receiving allowable concave section to receive the engagement piece; and pressurizing means for pressurizing the lock piece so that an engagement piece pushing-out holding section provided to the lock piece is normally located in a position corresponding to the engagement piece. In the above construction, the lock piece is provided so as to be capable of moving in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the punch holder. Furthermore, the receiving allowable concave section receives the engagement piece which is moved in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the punch holder.

Abstract: When a workpiece W whose bend angle is to be measured is slid and pressed on to a rotor (9) in a state where the workpiece has been caused to abut on a first supporting member (7) which is a reference face, the rotor (9) rotates about a rotation center shaft (31) provided on a second supporting member (29), so that the bend angle is measured by reading the rotation angle of the rotor 9 by a detector (39). At this time, the height position of the first supporting member (7) relative to the rotation center of the rotor (9) is adjusted so that the rotation center is positioned within a contacting range R of the workpiece W and the rotor (9). Incidentally, prior to bend angle measurement, the rotor (9) is rotated such that a projection (33) is caused to abut on a stopper (35) provided on the second supporting member (29), thereby performing a calibration. A bend angle measurement can be performed easily, quickly and accurately using a small-sized and light apparatus.

Abstract: A punch press includes: a press main body; an upper turret member having a workpiece detecting plate; a lower turret member; a striker; striker ascending/descending means; a carriage with a clamper for holding a workpiece in order to position the workpiece between the upper turret member and the lower turret member; and carriage moving means to move the carriage in the horizontal direction. In the above construction, one end of a first conductive wire is electrically connected to the workpiece detecting plate; and one end of a second conductive wire is electrically connected to the press main body. The other end of the first conductive wire and the other end of the second conductive wire are electrically connected to a touch detecting unit to detect a touch between the workpiece detecting plate of the upper turret member and a workpiece clamped by the clamper.

Abstract: Controlling software components for cutting machines are distributed in nature, and can be placed on any convenient processor on a network. Each is provided with its own network address, or specific ports are assigned thereto at a shared (e.g., IP or network) address, and the functionality of each component is executed without reference to its physical location on the network. Virtual machine components handle the collection of data from cutting machines, while a machine monitor component collects data from the virtual machine components. User interface interpreting and serving components are also distributed and portable, and a controlling user interface may therefore be accessed, viewed, and take user input wherever such tasks are most convenient. The changeable user interface permits machines, jobs, materials, and cutting elements to be managed centrally, or from distributed locations in the facility or on the Internet at large.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for punching apertures into a workpiece. A press apparatus includes an inputting device, that enables a user of the press apparatus to input working pattern data representing the workpiece, and a display device, that displays a working pattern of the workpiece based on the inputted working pattern data. A tool selecting device selects a plurality of tools required for working the workpiece in accordance with the working pattern data. A calculator calculates a transferring pitch of the workpiece in order for parts of the workpiece to be sequentially arranged in predetermined positions in a feeding direction of the press apparatus with respect to the plurality of tools selected by the tool selecting device. In this regard, the calculator also determines which tool is to be operated in association with the transferring pitch. The press includes a controller that controls the transferring pitch calculated by the calculator.

Abstract: This invention provides a mixing chamber that utilizes several tined cylinders to convey materials through the mixing chamber for applying liquid additives to the materials. Each of the tined cylinders includes a number of spring biased tines extending from the surface of the cylinder. The tined cylinders are arranged within the mixing chamber such that, as the tined cylinders rotate about an axis, the spring biased tines engage the materials within the mixing chamber and “sweep” them along towards a discharge opening of the mixing chamber. As the materials are conveyed through the mixing chamber, an additive liquid, typically containing various chemicals, colorants, dies, and/or paints, is sprayed onto the materials. In this manner, liquid additives are applied to materials more evenly and more thoroughly, resulting in a more consistent finished product.

Abstract: A saw blade is constituted with a unset tooth, a plurality of left-set teeth and a plurality of right-set teeth. In the construction, the saw blade has the unset tooth, a plurality of left-set teeth and a plurality of right-set teeth as one group. A plurality of set widths of the plurality of set teeth are formed in the saw blade. A relief angle of a tip of the unset tooth is equal to or greater than a relief angle of a tip of the set tooth having the smallest set width. Furthermore, the relief angle of a tip becomes small in accordance that the set width becomes greater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to laser devices with increased cooling capability by means of largely extended cooling surfaces contacting the laser active medium. According to the present invention there is provided a laser device comprising a large active volume in conjunction with a compact structure of the device and outputting single mode radiation. The laser device according to the present invention comprises the following features. A laser active medium, an optical resonator system defining an optical axis, exciting means for exciting said laser active medium and enabling a stimulated emission of radiation of said laser active medium, and cooling means, having first and second cooling elements arranged in spaced opposing relationship with surfaces facing each other, wherein said laser active medium is provided between said cooling elements along said optical axis.

Abstract: A sheet metal follower for a bending press that has a bottom fixed table carrying a bending matrix on its top face. The follower is of the type comprising in particular pivot means for pivoting the follower table about a pivot shaft, and means suitable for moving the follower table in horizontal displacement relative to its support structure and perpendicularly to the pivot shaft, the active length of the pivot means being variable between a fixed hinge on the support structure and a moving hinge on the follower table, and the moving hinge being suitable for sliding along said table in a direction perpendicular to the pivot shaft of said table.

Abstract: Sheet metal working system includes a housing rack provided with a plurality of shelves for housing pallets, an elevator provided on a side of the housing rack, and a pallet holder located on a bottom shelf of the housing rack for temporarily holding a pallet transported by pallet transporter. Also provided is a workpiece separator located above the pallet holder, a workpiece table located adjacently to the housing rack, a sheet working machine and a workpiece piler arranged so as to sandwich the workpiece table, and a loader that moves among the workpiece table, the machine and the workpiece piler.

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.

Abstract: A bending press for bending metal sheets, the press comprising a moving top panel and a fixed bottom panel, the bottom panel being constituted by a plate having a top portion and a fixed bottom portion defined by two notches that are symmetrically identical about the transverse midplane of the bottom panel, each notch having a top wall and a bottom wall interconnected by a back wall, and also having an opening situated in the corresponding side edge of the plate, the press being characterized in that each notch is fitted with a displacement member interconnecting the free top portion and the fixed bottom portion of the bottom panel so as to cause the top wall of the notch to move towards the bottom wall thereof, thereby modifying the deformation curve of the free top portion of the bottom panel in controlled manner.

Abstract: A combine having a variable speed drive that rotates at least one of a plurality of thrashing cylinders that thrash crops. Three of the thrashing cylinders have a gradually increasing number of flexible fingers that thrash the crops. The combine also includes a drum separator located downstream of the thrashing cylinders with respect to the direction of crop flow in the combine. The drum separator separates desirable portions of the crops and is part of a tailings return system. The combine also includes disk separators that are configured to minimize damage to desirable portions of the crops.

Abstract: This invention relates to a bending press for bending metal foils, comprising a mobile panel and a fixed panel. The fixed panel comprises two slots open on the lateral faces of the lower panel and symmetrical with respect to the transverse median plane of this fixed panel. The bottom of each slot is formed by the inner wall of a through bore made in the lower panel which extends over an angle close to 360°, in order to distribute the stresses due to the bending over a broader area. A safety stop is provided in the opening of each slot in order to limit the vertical displacement of the ends of the upper part of the lower panel.

Abstract: A method for cutting a window in a sheet of material that is held in a vertical plane. The cut is obtained by moving a cutting head that emits a fluid along a closed cutting run (14) that defines the outline of a piece of waste material (18). The run (14) returns to its starting point situated above a horizontal axis (22) passing through the barycenter (20) of the piece of waste material (18) and preferably situated in the vicinity of a vertical (24) passing through the barycenter.

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.