Abstract: A bending machine for bending workpieces is disclosed. The bending machine includes a lower beam and an upper beam for forming a workpiece by bending along a bending line. A tool holder for receiving bending tools is provided on the lower beam and each end of the tool holder is associated with a recessed region which is formed in the lower beam overlapping with the respective end. The lower beam includes a central element and at least one side element arranged adjacent to one another in the thickness direction of the lower beam. Recessed regions are provided in the central element and/or in the width direction adjacent to the central element. The lower beam also includes a central region in which, during a bending operation of a workpiece, a force is introduced via the tool holder both into the central element and into the at least one side element.

Abstract: A method for press forming an automotive outer panel includes: providing an elastic body to a punch such that the elastic body abuts against a metal sheet away from a portion corresponding to a character line in the metal sheet; abutting a contact surface portion of the protruding elastic body against the metal sheet; and forming the character line with the ridgeline and the valley line by relatively moving the die toward the punch while abutting the contact surface portion against the metal sheet to deform the elastic body such that the elastic body becomes flush with the punch-side forming surface portion at a bottom dead center of forming. A protrusion amount of the elastic body from the punch-side forming surface portion is set such that the elastic body contacts the metal sheet before the ridgeline contacts the metal sheet to cause the metal sheet to become plastically deformed.

Abstract: A technology for evaluating forming allowance for a bending crack at a sheared end face of the press-formed component from shape information of an actual component. The method includes applying press forming including bending deformation to a metal sheet being sheared to manufacture a press-formed component, evaluating forming allowance for a bending crack at a sheared end face being an end face subjected to the shearing. A crack index value for evaluating the bending crack at the sheared end face of the press-formed component is obtained from a bend outer side strain at or near the sheared end face acquired on a basis of a component shape of the press-formed component and a press die bend radius at a portion forming the sheared end face in a press die used in the press forming, and the forming allowance for the bending crack is evaluated by the obtained crack index value.

Abstract: When a sheet metal is sandwiched between a punch held by a punch holder and a die held by a die holder to bend the sheet metal at a set bending angle by moving the punch toward the die, a stroke calculation unit calculates a stroke of the punch for bending the sheet metal at the bending angle in consideration of a spring back amount of the bent sheet metal. A bending load calculation unit calculates a bending load required to bend the sheet metal at the bending angle. A punch deflection amount calculation unit calculates a punch deflection amount according to the bending load. A punch holder deflection amount calculation unit calculates a punch holder deflection amount according to the bending load. A depth value calculation unit calculates a depth value by adding at least the punch deflection amount and the punch holder deflection amount to the stroke.

Abstract: A swing lever assembly includes an elongated swing lever body including a first end, a medial portion, and a second end. The swing lever body first end defines a pivotal coupling. The swing lever body medial portion defines a rotational coupling. The swing lever body second end defines a rotational coupling. Further, the swing lever body second end rotational coupling includes a settable shape mounting first component.

Abstract: A die assembly for use in a stamping press is provided. The die assembly includes a first die plate, a first curved die stiffener, and a first die shoe. The first die plate may be configured to form at least a portion of material into a desired configuration. The first curved die stiffener may be affixed to the first die plate on a first curved side of the first curved die stiffener. The first die shoe may be affixed to a second side of the first curved die stiffener. The first die shoe may be operatively configured to be mounted on a first press base.

Abstract: Press table (3) or press beam (4) for a press brake (1), comprising a beam element (17) having an elongate support surface (18) for attaching a bending tool (19) or tool adapter, a support beam element (24) having approximately the same length (39) as the beam element (17), connecting elements (26) with which connecting points (25) on the beam element (17) are connected, with respect to the length (39) thereof, in particular symmetrically to the support beam element (24), at least one actuator (30) which acts between mutually facing pressure surfaces (28, 29) on the beam element (17) and on the support beam element (24) and which can exert an adjusting force (32) that runs approximately in the pressing direction (31) of the press brake (1) and as a result the support surface (18) of the beam element (17) is actively adjustable between a planar profile and a convex profile.

Abstract: A press brake tool assembly mounting device (42) having a body (66) which mounts a lower press brake tool (46), with a recess in the body (66) receiving in a moving fit a location member (52) mounted to a lower beam (44). A locking arrangement (80) is provided for locking the body (66) relative to the location member (52) in a friction fit, to retain the lower press brake tool (46) in a required position.

Abstract: Press brakes capable of a high processing accuracy and short cycle times are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press (1), in particular a press brake (2), for producing workpieces (3) by bending between a bench beam (11) equipped with at least one bending tool (4) disposed in a stationary arrangement on a machine frame (5) and a pressing beam (14) equipped with at least one bending tool (4) which can be displaced relative to the bench beam (11) in linear guides (13) of the machine frame (5) by means of at least one drive means (19) secured to a support bearing device (25). The support bearing device (25) is provided in the form of at least one mounting plate for at least one drive means (19). The latter constitutes a mounting ring for the drive means (19), some regions of which are provided with orifices or peripheral recesses surrounding the mounting ring and weakened zones (38) are provided in the pressing beam (14).

Abstract: An adjustment compensator device for a press brake die includes an elongate engagement member, an elongate die holder, an elongate primary adjustment wedge and at least two elongate secondary adjustment wedges. The elongate primary adjustment wedge is positioned between and extending along at least a portion of the elongate engagement member and the elongated die holder, and at least a portion of primary adjustment wedge is adjustable in a direction transverse to an elongate length of the engagement member. The at least two elongate secondary adjustment wedges have a length wherein each of the secondary adjustment wedges is less than a length of the primary adjustment wedge. The elongate secondary adjustment wedges are positioned end to end in a direction along a length of the die holder and positioned between the engagement member and the die holder. Each of the elongate secondary adjustment wedges is adjustable in a direction transverse to the elongate length of the engagement member.

Abstract: A precision metal sheet bend angle adjustment device is provided, which includes a lifter plate, a wedge plate, a support plate and a positioning frame. The lifter plate has a tapered bottom face. The wedge plate has a tapered top face and side recesses. The support plate has a top guiding grove and the positioning frame includes a rotary dial and adjustment screw. The support plate is fixed on the positioning frame. The wedge plate is located on top of the assembly such that it is able to slide within the guiding grove of the support plate. The adjustment screw of the rotary dial is inserted into the side recess of the wedge plate. The lifter plate rests on top of the wedge plate within the positioning frame such that, as the wedge plate slides back and forth, the lifter plate moves up and down within the positioning frame by rotating the rotary dial clockwise or counter clockwise. The die of the metal sheet bending equipment can be moved vertically while sitting atop the lifter plate.

Abstract: Method of correcting a bending operation performed by a press brake, the bottom beam of which contains deformation compensation cylinders, in which a calibration nomogram is pre-recorded using very short calibration pieces, this nomogram establishing a correspondence between the forces measured at the side frames and the pressures applicable to the compensation cylinders in order to keep the bottom beam substantially straight. During a subsequent bending operation, pressure values resulting from this nomogram are applied to the compensation cylinders according to the forces measured at the side frames. A bottom dead center is recalculated by taking account of the deformation of the top beam, the deformation of the side frames, the actual length and thickness of the piece, and the spring effect.

Abstract: The invention provides a press forming method of an aluminum alloy sheet and a press device capable of forming a large panel which is an automobile body outer panel such as a luggage outer panel and the like and is of a shape difficult in forming. In a method of press forming of the aluminum alloy sheet 30 into a formed product panel having non-contact outer peripheral parts 5, 6 not contacting the punch for forming the center part of the panel until the vicinity of the bottom dead point, the first punch forming the center part 2 of the panel and the second punch 15 capable of shifting independently with respect to the first punch are provided, and these punches are interlocked with each other so that the second punch 15 is made contact the non-contact outer peripheral parts 35, 36 of the sheet with the relative position of the second punch 15 with respect to the first punch 11 being shifted to the dice 22 side.

Abstract: A press forming machine comprising driving shafts for pressing three or more respective pressure points and displacement measuring means for measuring a displacement close to the pressure point. A central driving shaft among the driving shafts has a gap (the slack) larger than those of other driving shafts between each of the driving shafts and a pressure plate. During press formation at a trial stage, a positional displacement close to each pressure point is measured by the displacement measuring means and control data is supplied to each driving source for driving a driving shaft to drive the pressure plate. Then, production press-formation is performed in accordance with the above result. Therefore, the central driving source can avoid overload by the slack of the driving shaft with the pressure plate.

Abstract: Bending press comprising: a stationary support structure (11), a first and a second toolholder unit (12, 13) movable relative to each other between an open position and a closed position, actuator means (14) able to command the relative motion between the toolholder units (12, 13) and to apply a bending force between the stationary structure (11) and at least one of said toolholder units (12, 13). At least one of said toolholder units (12, 13) comprises: a reaction structure (15), a precision structure (17) destined to bear a bending tool, and elastic means (198) positioned between the precision structure (17) and the reaction structure (15) and able to allow a movement of the precision structure (17) relative to the reaction structure (15) under the action of the bending load.

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.

Abstract: In a press brake relatively moving an upper table (5U) or a lower table (5L) upward and downward by a plurality of hydraulic cylinders (17L and 17R) so as to perform a bending work, the respective hydraulic cylinders (17L, 17R) are driven by individually controlling a pair of left and right two-way. fluid pumps and hydraulic devices (21L, 21R) provided in correspondence to the respective hydraulic cylinders (17L, 17R) The two-way fluid pumps and the respective hydraulic devices (21L, 21R) are mounted to a base plate (23) mounted to cylinder heads (18L, 18R) of the respective hydraulic cylinders (17L, 17R), and an oil tank (27) is provided in an upper side of the hydraulic devices (21L, 21R).

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).

Abstract: A method of operating a bending press, in particular an edging press, and a bending press for carrying out this method. For each drive of a drive arrangement, the actual pressing force is detected for the displaceable press beam during a bending process for the workpiece and a relative position of the pressing tool or tools by reference to the longitudinal extension of the press beams is determined on the basis of a force ratio. Different displacement paths of the drives and the displaceable press beam at the respective force-application point of the drive are then determined in an evaluation and/or computer unit, which is provided with a data memory for production and machine data, and corresponding control signals for the drive system are generated in the control unit and actuator elements of the drives are displaced by the displacement paths determined for each drive.

Abstract: A single point compensating die holder for use with the bed of a press brake to provide vertical adjustment and compensating camber to the die holder. The vertical adjustment is provided by a single wedge member supported on the ends and transversely moved in the center by an adjustment means to effect positive or negative vertical crowning on the die holder having a coengaging inclined surface. Transverse movement of the wedge means is effected by the adjustment means engaging a connecting means connected to the wedge means and located in a recess below the wedge means.

Abstract: In a forming press, a die comprises a pair of half-dies, supported by a bed, able in turn to support an element to be deformed permanently in opposition to the thrust exerted by a forming punch. The die is provided, for each of the half-dies, with two racks associated to the respective half-die and to the bed, which are provided with at least a pair of oblique teeth, set side by side, and associated in mutual opposition with teeth of the one inserted between the teeth of the other. The teeth of the conjugate racks are mutually coupled simultaneously on at least two parallel and oblique contact planes, and mesh in a manner able to determine the variation of the distance between the half-dies in correspondence with the relative translation of the racks effected longitudinally to the half-dies themselves.

Abstract: Bending press comprising:

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the height of a plurality of tool carriers connected to a top panel of a bending press, each tool carrier having a tool spacer, the adjustment device comprising, for each tool carrier, an adjustment wedge interposed between the square of the top panel and the top face of the tool spacer associated with said wedge. According to the invention, the ends of each wedge include engagement mechanism to enable a wedge associated with a tool spacer firstly to overlap at least part of the top face of an adjacent tool spacer, and secondly to engage reversibly with the wedge associated with said adjacent tool spacer so that the two adjacent tool spacers touch each other, and the square of the top panel is designed to bear against the engagement mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus for adjusting the shape of an elongate die rail in press equipment comprising a plurality of interconnected shaping members spaced apart from each other and extending longitudinally along the inner surface of the die rail. The shaping members are adapted to permit adjustment of an overall curved shape of the elongate outer surface of the die rail by coordinated longitudinal movement, relative to the die rail, of groups of the shaping members with respect to each other. The shaping members are adapted to permit adjustment of one or more localized portions of the overall shape of the elongate outer surface of the die rail by independent longitudinal movement of one or more individual shaping members relative to the die rail outer surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for determining the bending angle of a work piece to be bent by means of a bending apparatus comprising a punch member and a die member cooperating with the punch member. The die member is provided with at least two channels through which pressurized air is blown towards a leg of the bent work piece. For measuring the pressure in each of the channels, a plurality of pressure sensing devices is provided and connected to a common control and analyzing assembly. On the basis of the pressure values measured by the pressure sensing devices and with the aid of formulae, tables, three dimensional diagrams or with the aid of a neuronal network, the control and analyzing assembly calculates the bending angle.

Abstract: A pressing-bending machine with a device for detecting the lower and upper cross-members deflection, aimed at interacting with at least one crowning system, essentially made up of means suitable for detecting the elastic deformation on the lower and/or upper cross-member (1, 4) vertical axis recorded during the plate pressing-bending active phase, said means, supplying the machine management logic unit with a higher or lower value respect to an upper cross-member reference value, from this depending the intervention of at least the crowning system, and also in which, said means, being active on both cross-members, comprise a part engaged to the action cross-member and a part, interconnected with the first one, integral with a fixed external cross-member independent from the action cross-member, comprising a means (8) for detecting and communicating the deflection relative to this latter with respect to the fixed external cross-member.

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: 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 bending method and bending apparatus directed to avoiding the risk of die breakage and damage to ram coupling parts due to an abnormal condition of a ram drive shaft and directed to achieving high-accuracy bending in which a uniform bend angle can be produced throughout the entire length of a workpiece without forming a boat-formed belly. In a press brake having three or more drive shafts, the deformation amounts of the ram and the table at each shaft-load imposed point are calculated based on input bending process data. A target closest distance between the punch and the die at each shaft-load imposed point is calculated from its corresponding deformation amounts. The difference between the actual bend angle of the workpiece after bending and a target bend angle is obtained at at least three positions, that are, the ends and center of the workpiece. From these differences, a correction amount for the moving amount of the ram at each shaft-load imposed point is obtained.

Abstract: A bending method and bending apparatus directed to avoiding the risk of die breakage and damage to ram coupling parts due to an abnormal condition of a ram drive shaft and directed to achieving high-accuracy bending in which a uniform bend angle can be produced throughout the entire length of a workpiece without forming a boat-formed belly. In a press brake having three or more drive shafts, the deformation amounts of the ram and the table at each shaft-load imposed point are calculated based on input bending process data. A target closest distance between the punch and the die at each shaft-load imposed point is calculated from its corresponding deformation amounts. The difference between the actual bend angle of the workpiece after bending and a target bend angle is obtained at at least three positions, that are, the ends and center of the workpiece. From these differences, a correction amount for the moving amount of the ram at each shaft-load imposed point is obtained.

Abstract: A bend angle correction method directed to carrying out simple and accurate penetration of a movable die into a fixed die to produce a uniform angle throughout the length of a workpiece, being unaffected by material variations. When bending a sheet-like workpiece to a desired angle by the cooperative movement of a movable punch driven by three or more drive shafts and a fixed die disposed in an opposing relationship with the movable die, the bend angle of the workpiece is measured during bending operation and the difference between the measured bend angle and a target angle is obtained, at at least three points which are the ends and center of the workpiece. Based on the differences, correction amounts for the penetration of the movable die are obtained on a shaft-load imposed point basis.