Abstract: With a method according to the invention for free bending, a workpiece to be machined, such as a sheet metal plate, is brought into contact with a bending edge of a lower die. A bending punching tool is moved opposite to the lower die, such that the sheet metal plate is bent by the punching tool in terms of generating a predetermined target bending angle across the bending edge. In this case, the achieved bending angle is measured at least after a first bending process and the bending force to be applied and the measuring curve resulting therefrom are determined during the bending process as a function of the traverse path of the bending punching tool.

Abstract: An press line including at least one mechanical press with at least one electric drive motor, a ram, a mechanical unit for operating the press, and one other device or auxiliary production device. The press is arranged so that the speed of the at least one said drive motor may be varied during at least one pressing or non-pressing part of a press cycle. Improved operating characteristics and optimised energy use and cycle times are obtained by controlling the speed of the motor and synchronizing a movement of the press to a movement or position of at least other device, loader or other press. A system includes the press. A computer program controlls the press line.

Abstract: A candy vending machine that manufactures candy tablets from candy powder by a process that is visible to a customer. A feed tube is filled with candy powders of different flavors and colors from candy powder containers by the action of motorized augers. A tableting machine receives candy powder from the feed tube to compress the candy powder into candy tablets. One or more flavor selection buttons signal a computer system to activate the candy powder containers to transfer the candy powder to the feed tube, to deliver the candy powder from the feed tube to the tableting machine, and to deliver the candy tablets to a tablet chute. The tablet chute delivers the candy tablets to a candy tablet container provided to a customer. Sensing mechanisms determine the presence of the candy powder in the candy powder containers and in the feed tube.

Abstract: Force data is monitored by a strain gauge during a preparatory setup operation of an insertion process during which a sample fastener is installed into a host material by a fastener press. Mathematical algorithms are utilized to determine an optimal insertion force, while a predetermined insertion velocity is maintained throughout the installation process regardless of the force required. With the ram velocity held constant, the insertion force is measured during the installation process and compared to the elapsed time to obtain a force slope. A data point on the force slope which corresponds to the point at which the force slope abruptly increases is captured and recorded as the optimal insertion force. This optimal force is then used by the press for all fasteners/host-material installations of the sample type.

Abstract: Method for the automatic control of the amount of active ingredient of tablets during the production in a rotary tablet press, which has a die table with die bores, upper and lower punches assigned to the die bores, a filling station, a metering cam for the lower punches in the filling station, at least one pressing station with at least one upper and one lower pressing roller, wherein at least the lower pressing roller is adjustable with respect to the other pressing roller by means of a pressing roller adjustment equipment, a metering cam adjustment equipment for height adjustment of the metering cam, a compression force measuring equipment at the pressing station, a control and operating computer and an active ingredient measuring equipment, characterized by the following procedural steps: during the tablet production, the amount of active ingredient of tablets is measured and values for the amount of active ingredient are compared with a predetermined desired active ingredient value in the control and ope

Abstract: High production processing and high accuracy processing are selectively performed with a single press. To this end, there are provided a system and method for controlling a servo press 1 in which an eccentric rotation mechanism 20 is driven by a servo motor 21 and the rotating power of the eccentric rotation mechanism 20 is transmitted to a slide 3 through a toggle linkage 15, thereby vertically moving the slide 3. In the control system and method, the rotation of the servo motor 21 is controlled in response to a motor speed command rm calculated based on the deviation ? p of the position of the slide 3 and a positional gain G(?) preset according to a speed ratio of the slide 3.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed to optimize punching instructions. An example method disclosed herein obtains a tool bed layout, the tool bed including a description of a plurality of tool punch parts, each tool punch part further including tool definition information; obtains a component layout, the component including a description of a component having at least one feature requiring a punching operation; validates the component layout; advances the component to a position of optimum depth; determines a hit score at the position of optimum depth; and repeats the component advancing and the hit score determination until all of the at least one feature of the component is assigned to a tool punch part.

Abstract: The electric press is provided with a main CPU 1 and a sub CPU 3, the main CPU1 being responsive to a signal from a servo driver 10 to give an detecting signal to a relay 2 when a ram 51 is located in a predetermined position, thereby to give a mute signal to an area sensor 30 and the sub CPU 3 being responsive to a signal from an encoder 9 to give a detecting signal to a relay 4 when the ram is located in a predetermined position, thereby to give a mute signal to the area sensor 30. The main CPU 1 and sub CPU 3 watch each other, that is, the main CPU 1 checks the output of a relay 4 and turns the relay 2 off when the mute signal is not produced from the relay 4. The conditions of sub CPU and main CPU are compared with each other. In case the two conditions are in accord with each other, it is decided that the relay 4 is out of order. The sub CPU 3 makes the same check operation in connection with the relay 2.

Abstract: A methodology 40 for producing a laminated tool 10 having desired dimensional accuracy. The tool 10 is produced by the use of several sectional members, such as sectional members 14, 16 which are selectively coupled and which are measured. The measurement is used to determine whether to selectively press these previously coupled sectional members 14, 16 to ensure that their coupled arrangement has a desired dimensional accuracy. Additional measurements and needed pressing operations are accomplished each time a new sectional member is added to the previously coupled sectional member combination.

Abstract: A plant for the manufacture of tablets, comprising a rotary tabletting machine, a control cabinet which houses a machine computer, a control desk which preferably is mobile and houses a service computer to operate functions of the tabletting machine and store data including an emergency stop, a printer connected to the control desk, and peripheral devices such as a tablet tester, dust trap, etc., wherein said control cabinet, control desk, and further peripheral devices have a power supply and are connected to said tabletting machine, wherein said control desk and said tabletting machine have a transceiver each and two wireless transmission links are provided between said transceivers out of which one is designed to transmit data and control signals and the other one is designed to transmit an emergency stop signal.

Abstract: A safety device for a machine has a first machine part for carrying out a working movement towards a second machine part. It also has at least a first and a second optical barrier moving along with the first machine part during the working movement. The first optical barrier runs ahead of the first machine part by a first distance, and the second optical barrier is arranged at a second distance from the first optical barrier. A control unit is designed to stop the working movement of the first machine part when the first optical barrier is interrupted. A test unit allows to test whether the second optical barrier has been interrupted once the first machine part has been stopped. A blocking unit serves for blocking the working movement as a function of the test result from the test unit. Using this safety device it is possible to determine an overtravel of the first machine part in a simple and reliable manner.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A set of compaction rams and/or die-plates for a tabletting machine has all of the compaction rams and/or die-plates of the set furnished with a code containing at least the following information: (a) a label for the set of compaction rams and die-plates; (b) an individual label for each compaction ram and/or die-plate within the set; (c) data effective to critically dimension the compaction ram and/or die-plate which contains the code; and (d) data containing service life information for the compaction ram and/or die-plate which contains the code.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Tabletting machine in the form of a rotary press, includes a rotor accommodating top and bottom stamping dies that cooperate with molds of a mold plate, rotor associated cam segments, and pressure rollers for actuating the stamping dies, a filling equipment, a stripping device for tablets knocked out of the mold and a computing system for controlling the tabletting machine following a predetermined program and for processing data provided by signal transmitters of the tabletting machine, and for monitoring the machine functions. At least a part of the components and/or subassemblies features a transponder having at least one stored identity number, characterizing the components and/or subassemblies. At least one read head connected with the computing system permits the transponder of the component and/or subassembly to be wirelessly read out even in the assembled state.

Abstract: A method of designing a primary geometry, such as for a forming die, to be used in a powder pressing application by using a combination of axisymmetric geometric shapes, transition radii, and transition spaces to simulate the geometry where the shapes can be selected from a predetermined list or menu of axisymmetric shapes and then developing a finite element mesh to represent the geometry. This mesh, along with material properties of the component to be designed and powder, is input to a standard deformation finite element code to evaluate the deformation characteristics of the component being designed. The user can develop the geometry interactively with a computer interface in minutes and execute a complete analysis of the deformation characteristics of the simulated component geometry.

Abstract: Systems, software and methods of embodiments of the present invention are able to monitor and evaluate the efficiency of an equipment operating cyclically to displace a variable workload without any input from an operator or the use of specialized metering equipment. A cyclic equipment efficiency monitoring system includes a workload calculator for determining the workload being accumulated and displaced through a system having an equipment operating cyclically by using the equipment status signals and clock signals. An efficiency calculator extracts a probable efficiency. The accuracy is increased by a self adjustment mechanism. A data quality certification mechanism verify that workload and efficiency values are within possible range and declare alarm conditions, high variation conditions or maintenance conditions. A variation alarm gate generates an alarm if the workload or the efficiency are outside acceptable limits.

Abstract: A tablet-pressing device that includes a tablet press, a control computer configured to drive and regulate the motors of the tablet press, and a service computer which admits the input and output of data for the operation of the tablet press. The tablet press is linked to the control computer via a cable link for high-speed data transfer. The tablet press and the service computer exchange data and control commands via a wireless data link.

Abstract: A die height adjusting device for a pressing machine, which withstands high vibrations and high impacts during pressing work, and is capable of realizing high precision of a slide position, is provided. For this purpose, the die height adjusting device includes an induction motor (9), which performs die height adjustment of a slide (3), and an inverter (17) which performs a speed control of the induction motor. Voltage is applied to the induction motor for a predetermined period of time, and thereby a predetermined amount of die height adjustment is performed.

Abstract: A method for the failsafe monitoring of the rotational movement of a shaft comprises a first step of picking up a characteristic pulse train with a number of pulses following one another at successive times, the time interval between the pulses is dependent on the rotational movement. A second step determines a monitoring time period and a third step monitors whether an expected pulse of the pulse train occurs within the monitoring time period. Finally, there is a fourth step of generating a control signal when the expected pulse does not occur within the monitoring time period. The mounting time period is repeatedly adapted to the time interval of the pulses during monitoring.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a monitoring system device attachable to a mechanical press, to measure long term reliability press conditions while in production operation. The device includes signal processing circuitry for processing a corresponding signal developed from an accelerometer. The signal processing circuitry has acceleration processing circuitry for calculating a press acceleration signal, a velocity processing circuitry for calculating a press velocity signal, and displacement processing circuitry for calculating a press displacement signal. Display circuitry is used for displaying at least one of said calculated signals.

Abstract: An automatic programming apparatus wherein respective planes constituting a solid input from a two-dimensional three-side view drawing are displayed on a screen. When a reference plane and a butting plane are specified within the respective planes, a temporary development diagram is generated in which the butting plane is butted to the reference plane. A solid figure is generated by bending the temporary development diagram based on a bending condition and displayed interlockingly in a region different from a region where the temporary development diagram is displayed. A development diagram obtained by extracting external frame loop and bending lines of the temporary development diagram is transmitted to CAM on a preceding stage.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing data in a mass storage system implementing striped RAID technology by topological categorization and ordering of the data according to the topology of the storage areas. A mass storage system includes a mass storage space for storing data items of a plurality of data types. Each data item contains data of a corresponding data type and each data type is defined by the characteristics of the information represented by the data. The storage space is topologically organized as a plurality of basic units of storage space containing a predetermined number of data blocks of predetermined sizes. A data classifier categorizes each data item as a member of a data type and, for each data type, orders the data of the data items into one or more data block groups in a corresponding write buffer wherein each data block group corresponds to a basic unit of storage, and writes each data item into a corresponding data type area of the storage space.

Abstract: A sheet metal working graphic data generation method includes displaying respective planes constituting a solid input based on two-dimensional three side views on a screen. The method also includes obtaining and displaying a temporary development diagram obtained by butting a butting plane with a reference plane when the reference plane and the butting plane are selectively specified from the respective planes. The method further includes generating a solid figure by bending the temporary development diagram according to the bending condition; and displaying a perspective view based on the solid figure interlockingly in a region different from the temporary development diagram on the screen.

Abstract: A maintenance management system for a press line which enables even one person to carry out efficient maintenance operations. For this purpose, in the maintenance management system, a communication cable for a network is laid inside the press line with a management computer being the starting point, and a connector capable of being connected to a communicable device is placed in at least one predetermined location on the communication cable. A portable input/output terminal, which is connected to the connector, incorporates software for optionally detecting and displaying maintenance information in the management computer, and which allows an operator to operate the software, is included.

Abstract: A control system enables a press operator to selectively position the slide at a specific resting location corresponding to an absolute dimension of the slide travel path, such as an angular measure relative to the top dead center position of the press machine crankshaft. A programmable limit switch module manages the operation of a brake-clutch combination by commanding a clutch control circuit to actuate disengagement of the clutch at the proper moment so that the slide will subsequently come to rest at the selected resting location. The module includes a programmable limit switch connected to a press speed resolver and a dedicated on-board processor configured to receive the speed data. The processor collects the speed data using a polling operation having very low scan time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for determining pressing parameters for the pressing of compacts, whereby in one step a test compact is brought to the required density in order to achieve the nominal pressing force, and in order that consequently the machine is in a balanced deflected condition with regard to this nominal pressing force. In next step, in case a nominal height (hsi,Nominal) deviates from a height (hsi,Measure) measured on the test compact, there will be determined for the next pressing operation a required height (HPowderNew) of the material to be pressed in the pressing mold.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a computerized method for designing a progressive die used in the manufacturing of a part formed from sheet metal includes receiving, at a computer, information regarding one or more features of the part, and determining, by the computer, a blank layout for the part based on the features of the part and the number of parts desired. The computer further determines one or more details of a strip for the blank layout, information regarding a die base based on the details of the strip, and information regarding one or more inserts for die plates of the die base based on operations of the processes needed to form the features in the part. The computerized method further includes generating, by the computer, one or more outputs associated with the progressive die.

Abstract: When obtaining load displaying calibration data, first, a reference die height position (a) where a load (F) of a mechanical press (1) comes to minimum load value (Fa) is sought as well as a reference die height position (f) where the load (F) comes to maximum load value (Ff). Then a plurality of intermediate die height positions (b . . . e) are selected between these reference die height positions (a) and (f). Subsequently, a load is imposed on the mechanical press (1) at each of the die height positions (a . . . f) and a pressure sensor (33) senses peak oil pressures (Pa . . . Pf) corresponding to the respective die height positions (a . . . f). Thereafter, relative relationships between load values (Fa . . . Ff) corresponding to the die height positions (a . . . f) and the peak oil pressures (Pa . . . Pf) are obtained as a characteristic curve (B).

Abstract: A process control method for producing acceptable product within a range of acceptable specifications and unacceptable product that are not within the range of acceptable specifications to optimize profit and utilization of resources, the process having at least one input and at least one output that is affected by variation in at least one input, the method including varying the input about a mean of at least one acceptable specification so that the output is optimized to where the revenue from producing one more acceptable unit of product is substantially equal to the cost of producing one more unacceptable unit of product. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes optimizing a process having inputs and outputs by measuring the inputs and outputs; determining variation of the mean (uof) and variation about the mean (uabt); determining causes of uof; and controlling uof to match uabt data values.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the operation of a press machine over a series of press running cycles. A plurality of press operating events associated with the operation of the press machine are defined. Each press operating event has a modifiable control function associated therewith. An arrangement of accelerometers measures the press machine vibrational activity associated with each press operating event that occurs during the series of press running cycles. A processor processes the vibration measurements associated with the press operating events to identify the presence of a vibration trend therein meeting a defined trending criteria. A controller is responsive to trend identification signals generated by the processor for modifying the respective control function of each press operating event which is associated with identification of the vibration trend.

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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system is provided for monitoring the operation of a press machine over a series of press running cycles. A plurality of press operating events associated with the operation of the press machine are defined. Each press operating event has a modifiable control function associated therewith. An arrangement of accelerometers measures the press machine vibrational activity associated with each press operating event that occurs during the series of press running cycles. A processor processes the vibration measurements associated with the press operating events to identify the presence of a vibration trend therein meeting a defined trending criteria. A controller is responsive to trend identification signals generated by the processor for modifying the respective control function of each press operating event which is associated with identification of the vibration trend.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A press monitoring and control system includes a press machine, a press configuration module and a press controller. The press machine has a lower die coupled to an upper die, wherein the lower die includes a top surface supporting a strip of material to be formed into a part after a stripper plate coupled to the upper die contacts the strip of material. The press configuration module includes an input module that processes a set of input data corresponding to a particular job and generates a data signal corresponding to the set of input data. The press controller is coupled to the press machine and the press configuration module. The controller processes the data signal, compares the data signal to a set of parameters corresponding to the particular job, and generates at least one servo signal to adjust at least one servo in response to the data signal.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method for determining the dimensions of the workpiece that can be roll-formed for preforming. A method for producing suspension parts via preforming the workpiece by roll forming.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an operation apparatus for a press, of simple structure with lower cost.

Abstract: A computer controlled die system which includes a plurality of sub-dies, and an input system. The die system also includes a motion system, and an air driven cam system. Furthermore, the die system includes a clamping system and an airlift system. The entire computer controlled die system is automatic. No manual adjustments have to be made in between different stampings for various parts in a manufacturing setting. Additional subsystems may be added to meet criteria of part.

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 method (100) for predicting distortion of a sheet metal during a sheet forming process to form the sheet metal into a part. The method (100) of the present invention is for use with a computer including memory and sheet forming tools. The method (100) comprises applying (104-116) the radial return method to compute the total stress for the anisotropic hardening rule of Mroz. The method (100) of the present invention does not divide a given strain increment into hundreds of subintervals as long as the movement of the center of the active yield surface is along a fixed path. If a break occurs, the given strain increment is divided into a few segments (110).

Abstract: A press monitoring system includes an electronic processor for accessing a communication network connected to the processor. A sensor is used for measuring a desired quality of the press connected to the electronic processor. The processor sends the communication network corresponding to the measured quality. A remote unit connected to the communication network is adapted to accept the signal from the electronic processor, and to display the measured quality of the press, whereby the press may be monitored remotely during a production run.

Abstract: A computer-controllable bending machine is connected to a computer via its conventional control unit. The computer is equipped with an input keyboard adapted to the properties of a bending machine and a screen display for displaying a graphical surface which is capable of displaying the bending operation true to scale both in a programming mode and in an operating mode.