Including Deformation By Simple Bending Patents (Class 72/31.1)
  • Patent number: 11440070
    Abstract: An adjustable angle stop for bending conduit. The adjustable angle stop generally includes an elongated body comprising a first end and a second end and a stop element at the first end, and an inner surface on the elongated body adapted to engage a conduit. The elongated body may also include a plurality of indexing elements usable to position the angle stop on the conduit, the indexing elements indicating a bend angle. One or more magnets can removably attach the elongated body to the conduit, wherein the adjustable angle stop will contact a part of a bending tool indicative of a predetermined bend angle when the bend angle is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Inventor: Joel R. Bergeson
  • Patent number: 11052627
    Abstract: A press machine includes a machine body that is able to press a workpiece and a notifier that notifies an operator of the operation of the machine body or the state of the workpiece in advance using at least one of a sound and light selected in accordance with the operation of the machine body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: MURATA MACHINERY, LTD.
    Inventors: Yasuhiko Fukami, Takashi Senda, Takeshi Toi
  • Publication number: 20150135787
    Abstract: The measuring unit comprises a first carriage arranged to be connected to the bending machine and to be passed through by the workpiece under bending coming from the bending machine. The first carriage comprises: a main body; a pair of measure rollers; a first measuring device; a guide device; an elastic device; a second measuring device; and a positioning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Marco Dani
  • Publication number: 20140366600
    Abstract: A curvature retaining device (1) includes two support points (25a) that can abut against one surface of a plate-shaped workpiece W, one or more pressing points (40a) that can abut against a position of the other surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) between the support points (25a), and forward/backward drive means (support unit (23) and pressing unit (33)) for moving at least either the support points (25a) or the pressing points (40a) forward to and backward from the other. Preferably, the two support points (25a) abut against the one surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) at a first distance (Ls), the two pressing points (40a) abut against the other surface of the plate-shaped workpiece (W) at second distance (Lp) shorter than the first distance (Ls), and a middle point of the first distance (Ls) and a middle point of the second distance (Lp) match with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Kozaki, Noriaki Fukami
  • Patent number: 8903541
    Abstract: A method for positioning electronic devices into compartments of an input medium is disclosed. At least one electronic device is packable in a single compartment of the input medium. Known positions on an upper side of the input medium are imaged by an inspection device. Actual position data of the compartments of the input medium are calculated on the basis of images of the known positions, given target position data of the known positions, and given target position data of the compartments of the input medium. A pick and place device for the electronic devices is controlled on the basis of the calculated actual position data of the compartments of the input medium. A method for determining the actual positions of compartments of an output medium is disclosed with analogous steps, whereby the electronic devices are picked-up from compartments of the input medium, transferred to compartments of the output medium, and placed into the compartments of the output medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: KLA—Tencor Corporation
    Inventors: Bert Vangilbergen, Jimmy Vermeulen, Carl Truyens, Erik De Block, Bruno Accou
  • Patent number: 8833131
    Abstract: The invention describes a bending press, in particular a press brake, with a stationary bottom press beam or press table and a top press beam which can be displaced relative to the bottom press beam or press table by means of a displacement drive. The bottom press beam or press table or a machine table or machine frame supporting the bottom press beam has at least one recess affording foot room for an operator on a control side of the bending press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Reiter, Hermann Allerstorfer
  • Patent number: 8720067
    Abstract: A contoured roller set and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. A male roller having a convex surface and a pair of female rollers each having a concave surface can receive a generally thin sheet of material and impart a doubly-curved shape to the sheet. The convex and concave surfaces of the male and female rollers can have a radius of curvature chosen to match a radius of curvature of the sheet of material. The rollers are positioned and shaped to urge the sheet between the female rollers to cause the sheet to curve toward the male roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Blue Origin, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher M. Gil
  • Patent number: 8683835
    Abstract: The invention describes an automatic stop device (1), that can be positioned by means of a control and regulating device of a bending press, in particular an edging press, for positioning a workpiece (6) to be shaped by bending deformation between bending tools (4, 5) arranged opposite one another in a table bar (2) and a bending bar (3) adjustable in relation to the latter. It comprises a stop support slide (13) and a stop support (14) on the latter projecting substantially in perpendicular direction to a bending plane (8) formed by the bending tools (4, 5) and a stop element (15) which forms a finger section and is adjustable in a guiding arrangement (16) running perpendicular to the bending plane (8) relative to the stop support (14) between a position of rest facing the bending plane (8) and a stop position spaced apart from the latter against the effect of a spring arrangement (21).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Alois Austaller
  • Publication number: 20140047885
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a set of interchangeable crimp units for a crimping machine. According to the invention each crimp unit comprises an integrated sensor for measuring a crimping force or a crimping displacement during the crimping process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: WEZAG GmbH Werkzeugfabrik
    Inventors: Kurt Battenfeld, Thomas Glockseisen
  • Publication number: 20130291610
    Abstract: An apparatus (2) for measuring a bending angle of a sheet (3) is described, comprising a processing unit (10) and at least one sensor (4) comprising a light source (42) which projects a light pattern (52) on at least one side (31, 32) of the sheet (3), and recording means (41) adapted to record the image of the projection of said light pattern on a side of the sheet. The processing unit (10) is adapted to control the recording means for recording the image in at least one time instant (Treg1; Treg1, Treg2 . . . Tregn) during the operation of bending the sheet (3); the control unit is capable of transforming the recorded image (56) into a point cloud (57) and comprises a neural network (115) adapted to associated a bending angle value (60, 200) with the point cloud. (FIG.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: Gianfranco NARDETTO, Flavio BATTISTELLI
  • Patent number: 8534105
    Abstract: A bending machine having: a punch and a die for bending a sheet-shaped work; pressurizing means which pressurizes the work in a space between the punch and the die by vertically moving a ram; inputting means (23) which inputs die information on the punch and the die, material information on the work and bending information; a database (25) which stores data on a pressure per unit length required for bending the work; calculating means (29) which calculates a pressure necessary for the pressurizing means based on various information inputted from the inputting means (23) and on the data on the pressure stored in the database (25); and controlling means (31) which controls the pressurizing means based on a result of calculation by the calculating means (29).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Takahiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 8434337
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for bending a guide post used in forming a template for locating dental implant hole. The guide post includes at least one face on a distal end for registering the orientation of the guide post. The apparatus includes a base plate having protractor-like indicia, a supporting block attached to the base plate, the supporting block having an aperture for receiving a distal end of the guide post, and a stylus received by a proximal end of the guide post, the stylus extending towards the protractor-like indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Sean W. Meitner
  • Publication number: 20130025336
    Abstract: The current invention refers to a pdr tip comprised of a rare earth magnetic sphere which is free to rotate within a mounting cup and attach itself to the inside of a motor vehicle panel at a point on the magnet dictated by its polarity, so that maximum magnetic flux attracts a ferromagnetic ball trace on the panel's outer surface, indicating the exact position of the part of the magnet touching the panel, regardless of the angle at which the tip is held, and so showing the user where to apply pressure to remove a dent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Alan Wilkinson
  • Patent number: 8322173
    Abstract: A method for utilizing a bending machine die layout includes designating a die layout of a bending machine, the designated die layout being defined by arrangements of replaceable punches and replaceable dies installed on the bending machine. The method also includes extracting, in the designated die layout, segments in each of which a punch and a die face overlapping to each other to be actually used for one of bending processes, as virtual die stages based on punch attachment positions and punch lengths of the punches, and die attachment positions and die lengths of the dies. The method further includes assigning, by using a sheet metal shape model of a bent product planned to be made by the bending machine, bend lines on the sheet metal shape model corresponding to actual bend lines of the bent product, to the virtual die stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventor: Akira Senba
  • Patent number: 8186340
    Abstract: A curved surface structure for reflecting solar light, heat or electromagnetic radiation is made by scoring two opposing pairs of curved bend lines along one pair of opposing edges of a sheet of bendable material, dividing it into a center section joined by curved bend lines to curved ribs, joined by curved bend lines to respective curved edges; bending the curved ribs down and curved edges up along the bend lines to nominally right angles to form a curved surface supported by two curved ribs and two curved edges. Two straight ribs and respective straight edges may be scored and formed on the other pair of opposing edges of the sheet. A backside sheet may be applied to the four edges. A widthwise corrugated, elongate right angle reinforcement member may be employed for strengthening the formed bend lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Inventor: Paul B Soucy
  • Patent number: 8006530
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for fabricating materials by die-forming that may be implemented to form a joggle in a bendable workpiece by securing the workpiece to each of at least two respective adjacent working areas, and then by displacing at least one of the at least two working areas relative to an adjacent working area in order to induce the joggle within the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Integrated Systems, L.P.
    Inventor: Dumitru Tiprigan
  • Publication number: 20110174035
    Abstract: A method is provided for setting up a tube bender having a bend die, a clamp die, a pressure die and a wiper die. The method includes providing a test-piece having an outer surface defined by a length and a substantially round cross-section. The method also includes arranging the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die relative to each other in the tube bender, and arranging the test-piece relative to the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die. The method further includes applying a force by the tube bender to clamp the test-piece, and determining whether the applied force is within a predetermined range of forces. Additionally, the method includes adjusting the arrangement of at least one of the pressure die, the clamp die, and the wiper die to apply a force to the test-piece that is within the predetermined range of forces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, Douglas T. Wohlenhaus
  • Publication number: 20110061431
    Abstract: The invention relates a bending angle detection apparatus in which labor required for a work of bending a plate can be reduced. According to the invention, a bending angle detection apparatus (50) has a sensor ring L (64), a holder (62), bearings (70), the motor body of a servomotor (60), and a rotation angle sensor (102). The sensor ring L (64) produces a signal corresponding to whether the apparatus is contacted with a blade member plate or not. The holder (62) and the bearings (70) rotatably connect the sensor ring L (64) to a bending machine. The motor body of the servomotor (60) drives the sensor ring L (64) so that it is rotated. The rotation angle sensor (102) detects the rotation angle of the sensor ring L (64). In addition, the holder (62) and the bearings (70) connect the sensor ring L (64) to the bending machine so that the rotation axis of the blade member plate in the case where the bending machine bends the blade member plate coincides with that of the sensor ring L (64).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Inventor: Suehiro Mizukawa
  • 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: 7802456
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Hidekatsu Ikeda, Ken Hatano
  • Patent number: 7791726
    Abstract: A device for exchanging data, such as a position or an identification, between a tool and a tool receiving structure. The device includes: an elongated track of sensors arranged in the receiving structure; and at least one sensor activating element arranged on the tool. The invention further relates to a method for exchanging data between a tool and a tool receiving structure, including: providing a device for exchanging data; activating at least one sensor activating element; and checking the track of sensors for activation of a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Wila B.V.
    Inventor: Gerrit Bruggink
  • Patent number: 7762112
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fitting device for producing the arrangement for locking a sealing element, arranged at the front end on a rotor of a turbine, against a displacement in the circumferential direction, the sealing element locking moving blades arranged on the rotor against an axial displacement. Furthermore, the invention comprises a method of producing the arrangement for locking a sealing element, arranged at the front end on a rotor of a turbine, against a displacement in the circumferential direction. The quality of the fitting can be further increased by means of a modular, mobile fitting device which secures the sealing element for the duration of the bending operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Marcus Brücher, Christian Bäumler, Andreas Föhrigen, Detlef Gruhn, Armin Hülfenhaus, Adam Przybyla, Sabine Rintzel, Melanie Uckert, Claus Vögelin, Uwe Wegmann
  • Patent number: 7698922
    Abstract: A permanent invisible magnetic marking and positioning system of unfinished ferrous rods, bars, workpieces, and the like. A midpoint, center or other point of the workpiece is automatically located and a high-energy pulse is applied for installing an embedded magnetic marker. The magnetizing heads can also be repositioned to various points on a workpiece for imparting digital manufacturing and product identification in a data strobe pulse, that is analogous to a picket fence, where each picket provides a weighted binary representation in a data array comprised of data cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Donald M. Danko, Joseph H. Taddeo
  • Patent number: 7610785
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Amada Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ichio Akami, Koichi Ishibashi, Teruyuki Kubota, Tetsuaki Kato, Jun Sato, Tatsuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7584637
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, David R. Friddell, Paul D. Larsen
  • Publication number: 20090178453
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC
    Inventors: Mike M. Ghiran, Spyros P. Mellas, William M. Crantas, Kevin R. Marks, David R. Friddell, Paul D. Larsen
  • Patent number: 7513135
    Abstract: The invention relates to production unit (1), in particular a bending press (2), for forming workpieces (3) of sheet metal, having two press beams (15, 16) which are displaceable relative to one another by means of a drive mechanism (53) and can be used to obtain a required tool length (42) by fitting a variable number of bending tools (36, 37). To enable them to be identified and/or their positions detected on an at least partially automated basis, the inserted bending tools (35, 37) have unmistakable codes in the form of electronically detectable information carriers (43).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Austria GmbH & Co. KG.
    Inventor: Thomas Denkmeier
  • Patent number: 7412861
    Abstract: A device for monitoring an area of coverage on a work tool may comprise a lighting unit, a camera, and an evaluation unit. The lighting unit may be adapted to emit light rays for illuminating the area of coverage. The camera may be adapted to detect two-dimensional images of the area of coverage, and the camera may comprise receiving elements arranged linearly. The evaluation unit may be coupled to the camera to evaluate the output signals of the receiving elements to determine a distance value for each receiving element based on the light rays emitted by the lighting device and reflected back from the area of coverage. The evaluation unit may have at least one switching output coupled to the work tool to activate the work tool such that the work tool is operational only if no object is located in the area of coverage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Leuze Lumiflex GmbH & Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lutz Lohmann
  • Patent number: 7412862
    Abstract: A bending brake for sheet material includes frames; an upper jaw and a lower jaw that cooperate to hold the sheet material a bending surface pivotally connected to the lower jaw to bend the sheet material against an anvil of the upper jaw; an interlocking unit connected to the frame and having a cam surface which has having a locking position; and an elongated pipe assembly for rotation by a user. The elongated body bears against the cam surface and rests in the locking position to clamp the sheet material with reduced freedom of play.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Alum-A-Pole Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Anderson, Kevin Jablonski
  • Patent number: 7392678
    Abstract: A bending machine has an upper table and a lower table. An input part is provided for inputting product information. A bending order determiner is provided for determining a bending order of the workpiece. A mold determiner is provided for determining the mold necessary for bending the workpiece. A layout determiner is provided for determining layout of the mold. A positioning information calculator is provided for calculating a position of the workpiece with respect to the mold determined by the layout determiner as work position information. A navigation member is provided for navigating a position of the workpiece to the operator by movement in the horizontal direction on the basis of the work position information calculated by the positioning information calculator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limiited
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Niwa, Hidekatsu Ikeda, Takahiro Shibata
  • Patent number: 7249478
    Abstract: A method for processing sheet metal includes processing and forming a sample and a blank on a work while leaving a microjoint part in a blanking process. The method also includes detecting at least one of a plate thickness of the work in an optional position and a spring-back amount of the sample during bending. Information of at least one of the plate thickness and the spring-back amount is transmitted to a controller of a bending machine in a bending process after the blanking process. Bending is performed by calculating a ram control value in bending using data of at least one of the transmitted plate thickness and the spring-back amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Tokuro Takehara, Tetsuya Anzai
  • Patent number: 7043950
    Abstract: The subject invention presents a sheet bending brake assembly and a measuring device for the sheet bending brake assembly. The assembly includes a support. First and second clamping members are mounted on the support for movement between open and closed positions. The clamping members have respective clamping surfaces that extend in a parallel and opposing relationship to each other in the closed position to clamp a sheet of material between the surfaces. The measuring device is for measuring the sheet of material relative to the clamping members. The measuring device includes a base and an elongated arm pivotally connected to the base at a pivot. The elongated arm extends from the pivot to a distal end for pivotal movement about the pivot between a retracted position and an extended measuring position for overlying the sheet of material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Tapco International Corporation
    Inventors: Michael C. Clark, Benjamin L. Pinchback, Clyde G. Allen
  • Patent number: 7036345
    Abstract: A vertical position of a ram is directly detected by a ram position detector. A first speed arithmetic operating portion determines a first ram moving speed on the basis of a change of the detected position. A second speed arithmetic operating portion determines a second ram moving speed on the basis of a rotational number of a servo motor which is determined by a servo motor rotational number detector. A comparing portion compares the first ram speed with the second ram speed, and when a difference is equal to or more than a predetermined amount, a judging portion judges that an abnormality exists so as to immediately stop the servo motor and stop an operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masutaka Satou, Kazuhiro Kanno
  • Patent number: 7021096
    Abstract: A method, a front gauge and a sheet bending brake with a front gauge providing a scale for gauging a workpiece of sheet material, and optionally also for supporting the workpiece and/or squaring or angling the workpiece relative to a bending anvil of the brake. Mounting, either front mounting on a bending member or under-mounting below the brake, connects the scale to the brake, preferably removably and repositionably, such that the scale extends in front of the brake and under the workpiece, thereby enabling simple and efficient one-operator use without interfering with brake operation. The mounting also provides means for removably and repositionably attaching accessories such as a workpiece support and a workpiece rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: O. Lynn Barnett
  • Patent number: 7021097
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the static attitude of a head suspension by scanning a region of the head suspension with a laser. A head suspension having a gimbal region is provided that permits a head slider attached thereto to gimbal about pitch and roll axes in response to fluctuations in an air bearing over which the head slider flies. One or more predetermined regions of the head suspension are irradiated by a laser beam by scanning the laser beam across the head suspension regions to affect the static attitude of the head suspension. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of parallel spaced apart lines are scanned on the leaf spring arms of a flexure with the laser to correct pitch errors in static attitude, and a plurality of parallel spaced apart lines are scanned with the laser in the cross section attached to the leaf spring arms to correct roll errors in static attitude. One or both sides of the head suspension can be scanned to create a desired pitch and/or roll correction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Incorporated
    Inventors: Timothy Raymond Ubl, Senthil Balasubramaniam, Hryhory T. Koba
  • Patent number: 7007530
    Abstract: In bending a workpiece, a position of the workpiece relatively pressed down by a punch is directly detected by a plurality of position detectors provided in a V-groove of a die, and a bending speed calculation section obtains a bending speed from a change in this position. If bending speeds at position of the respective position detectors differ, a uniform speed arithmetic operation section calculates a bending speed to make the bending speeds at the positions of all of the position detectors, and a driving shaft instruction section controls driving shafts to bend the workpiece at the uniform bending speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2006
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Junichi Koyama, Kazunari Imai, Hitoshi Omata, Osamu Hayama, Hidekatsu Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6959573
    Abstract: A bending apparatus reciprocates at least one of an upper table to which a punch is mounted and a lower table to which a corresponding plurality of adjacent divided dies are mounted. At least one bending angle detector is provided between the dies to detect a bending angle of the workpiece. A main body inserts the bending angle detector into a gap between the dies and withdraws the bending angle detector from the gap between the dies. A lift is biased upward by a first elastic body and is configured to be pressed downward by the workpiece at approximately a center of a groove portion of the dies. The lift includes a first engagement member. A rotor support is biased upward by two second elastic bodies having smaller biasing forces than the first elastic body. The rotor support includes second engagement members. Two rotors are provided on opposite sides of the groove portion at an upper portion of the rotor support. The two rotors include workpiece contacts that contact the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Masateru Matsumoto, Koichi Yanagawa, Ken Hatano, Yutaka Takizawa
  • Patent number: 6941784
    Abstract: A bending method includes determining a provisional bending stroke value that resulted in a predetermined angle during test bending. The bending method also includes calculating a stroke value correction amount for correcting the provisional bending stroke value, based on the number of times a test piece was contacted to obtain the predetermined angle during test bending. The stroke value correction amount is added to the provisional stroke value to obtain a corrected stroke value, so as to obtain the predetermined angle during operational bending using the corrected stroke value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Junichi Koyama, Osamu Hayama, Hitoshi Omata, Kazunari Imai
  • Patent number: 6922903
    Abstract: A method and device for determining the length (b) of at least one of two legs (13, 14), of a workpiece (12) bent toward each other at a bending angle (?) requires location of the workpiece (12) in a defined position. The position of the bending angle vertex (S) and the position of the end (E) of the leg (13, 14) to be measured are determined. Based on the position of the bending angle vertex (S) and of the end (E), the length (b) is calculated as the distance between the bending angle vertex (S) and the end (E). The measuring apparatus includes a system serving to determine the position of the bending angle vertex (S), a unit serving to determine the position of the end (E) and an evaluation unit which, based on the position of the bending angle vertex (S) and of the end (E), calculates the length (b) as the distance between the bending angle vertex (S) and the end (E).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Trumpf Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH+Co. KG
    Inventor: Armin Horn
  • Publication number: 20040237617
    Abstract: The invention relates to a production unit (1), in particular a bending press, and a method of operating the latter in order to shape workpieces of sheet metal between two press beams (15, 16) equipped with bending tools (36, 37) and displaceable relative to one another by means of a drive system (27), and having a control unit (47). The control unit (47) incorporates a detection system and has at least one detection means which is connected so as to communicate with the detection system in order to transmit data and/or signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Gerhard Sperrer
  • Patent number: 6807835
    Abstract: A system manufactures a product by bending a sheet material includes a three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram creator that creates a three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram, including a desired bending angle and a desired flange width, based on graphic information of a product. A displayer displays a bending angle value in the vicinity of a bending angle, and/or a dimension value in the vicinity of a flange, in the created three-dimensional stereoscopic diagram. A test piece displayer displays a test piece of a material proposed for use in the product and displays the bending angle value(s) in the vicinity of the bending angle(s), and/or the dimension value(s) in the vicinity of the flange(s), of the test piece. A measuring device measures the bending angle value(s) and the dimension value(s) for the test piece bent by the bending machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Katsuji Sekita, Tadahiko Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20040206145
    Abstract: 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 referernce values (CR1, CR2) ((GR1, GR2), (NR1, or NR2), (KR1, KR2)) coincide with each other, thereby positioning the work (W) at a predetermined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Ichiro Akami, Koichi Ishibashi, Teruyuki Kubota, Tetsuaki Kato, Jun Sato, Tatsuya Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6780145
    Abstract: A bending press system provided with a bending press (1) with at least one bending station to mount a plurality of divided tools, tool housing devices (65, 123) to house divided metals to be used on the bending press, tool exchange devices (61, 143) which mount the divided tools on the bending station, and provide a first memory (403) which stores housed positions of each divided tool housed in the housing devices and a second memory (405) which stores the bending line length of the bent part, the flange length and the bending angle of the bent product, a first computation (407) which, based on the bending line length, flange length, and bending angle, computes the tool (cross section shape) type and the length of the bending station, a second computation (409) which, based on the tool type and length of the bending station computes the arrangement of each divided tool on the bending station, and an NC control (411) which controls the tool exchange device so that each divided tool is moved from the housed pos
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Ichio Akami, Takahiro Ogawa, Masaaki Sato, Goujyu Umemoto, Toshiyuki Kondo
  • Patent number: 6751993
    Abstract: A bending method is provided for bending two sides of a workpiece to form flanges. The bending method includes measuring a bent flange to obtain a flange dimension. The bending method also includes setting a back gauge value for processing another flange, based on a measured dimension of the workpiece. The other flange is bent using the set back gauge value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2004
    Assignee: Amada Company, Limited
    Inventors: Katsuji Sekita, Tadahiko Nagasawa
  • Publication number: 20040093921
    Abstract: A bending sequence and bending die proposing apparatus for a sheet metal part, includes: means for storing a development drawing of the sheet metal part; means for detecting a plurality of bending sequence candidates capable of manufacturing the sheet metal part, and bending die candidates to be used in the respective bending steps in the respective bending sequence candidates, based on the development drawing; and means for displaying the plurality of bending sequence candidates. The display includes information representing the number of stages in the respective bending sequence candidates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Hisashi Nishio, Yasuyuki Nakayama
  • Patent number: 6732559
    Abstract: Integrating device to detect and recover the deformation of shoulders in a press-bending machine, including an optical ruler joined to the beater and reading trolley, pulled back elastically, and stressed by the false shoulder. The device provided for the false shoulder is made up of a rod perpendicular to the beater, which on one side is hinged to the shoulder of the machine, while on the opposite end, oscillating and facing the beater. It is stressed by the arm joined to the reading trolley of the optical ruler. The rod provides a slider in connection with an underlying plane plate that is part of the false shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Inventor: Luciano Gasparini
  • Patent number: 6722181
    Abstract: A method for bending a work of a plate shape by moving a die with the work being butted against a butting member, and an apparatus for executing the method are provided. The bending apparatus is provided with an input unit for inputting data on bending conditions including respective target values of a bending angle and a bending dimension, as well as respective measured values of a bending angle and a bending dimension of the work obtained in trial bending. A control device installed in the apparatus executes an initial computation for computing an operation amount of the die when the data on bending conditions are inputted. Further, the control device executes computation for a correction value for an operation amount of the die and computation for an estimated value of a bending dimension when the respective measured values of the bending angle and the bending dimension obtained in trial bending are inputted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Toyokoki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seiju Nagakura
  • Publication number: 20040055348
    Abstract: A moving speed of one of tables 11 during the bending process in an approaching direction is controlled to be a bending process optimal speed which is determined by maximum machine speed inherent in the table 11, a coefficient of a material of a workpiece W, a coefficient of a thickness of the workpiece W, a coefficient of a product shape, and coefficients of dies P and D.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventor: Hideaki Takahashi
  • Patent number: 6708541
    Abstract: An angle detecting head provided with an emitter and a pair of receivers is rocked, and a bent surface of a workpiece bent by a punch and a die of a bending machine is irradiated with a measurement light from the emitter, a reflected light is received by the pair of receivers, and a bending angle of the workpiece is obtained from a peak value of the light received by the respective receivers. The angle detecting head is movable parallel to the die, is movable in a direction close to and away from the workpiece, and is movable in a direction in which the die is raised/lowered. The angle detecting head is positioned in an optimum angle measurement position of the workpiece and the bending angle is measured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventors: Masateru Matsumoto, Kazuyuki Uchida, Kenichi Tsuchiura, Takayuki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20040016277
    Abstract: A method for stabilizing gram load of a head suspension assembly. The invention includes a mechanical back bending process. After forming, the suspension is subjected to residual stress. During mechanical back bending of the load beam, the applied stress is in the opposite direction of the forming operation. Subsequently, the resultant residual stress around the pre load area is reversed and acted against the pre-existing residual stress remaining from the forming operation. The net effect is a reduction and/or the elimination of residual stress altogether. Depending on the pre-load geometry and desired spring force, the degree of back bending is varied. Typically, a one-time back bending is not sufficient to stabilize the spring region at a microstructure level. It has been demonstrated that such repetitive back bending operation can effectively bring mobile dislocations into equilibrium, and thus reduce or eliminate the hysteresis loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Applicant: KR Precision Public Company Limited
    Inventor: Visit Thaveeprungsriporn