US 4,640,113 AGranted

Sheet-bending press incorporating a device for continuous monitoring of the bending angle

AssigneeBeyeler Machines, S.A.

InventorsWillem Dieperink, Arend Vruggink

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Abstract

A press has an upper table carrying a punch and a lower table bearing a tool-carrier. A jack for compensating the deflection inherent in the bending process is fitted in the lower table. The bending device enables the bending angle obtained in the workpiece to be monitored continuously. The bending device includes a series of paired measuring rods, circular in section and longitudinally machined to provide a flat surface for the lower surface of the workpiece to rest on, associated with devices for measuring the rotational angle of the measuring rods, and a control device connected to the rotational angle measuring device, to a device for controlling the jacks that actuate the punch and to the actuating device of the jack for compensating the deflection. A very accurate and constant bending angle is obtained throughout the length of the workpiece. The bending process is automatic and continuous once the operator has fed in the required bending angle.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A press for bending sheet metal comprising an upper table and a lower table, one of which carries a punch, further comprising two means for actuating the movement of the punch and mounted on the punch, at least one means for compensating the deflection inherent in bending operations and mounted in one of the tables, and a bending device that continuously monitors the bending process and comprising:

(a) two pairs of measuring rods situated opposite the uprights of the press and at least one pair of measuring rods situated opposite the compensating means, the measuring rods being circular in section and longitudinally machined with a flat upper surface provided for supporting the workpiece, each of the measuring rods being seated in such a manner that it rotates with the bending of the workpiece, each pair of measuring rods being connected to a device for measuring the rotational angle of the measuring rods,
(b) a control device connected to the measuring devices, to the means actuating the movement of the punch, and to the compensating means, comprising:
a first means whereby the data provided by the measuring means is compared with a preset value;
a second means (13, 13') for controlling the means actuating the movement of the punch;
a third means for comparing the data provided by the various measuring devices, and for causing
a fourth means (15) to control the compensating means so that a constant bending angle is obtained along the whole length of the workpiece.

3 more elements

A new and automatic process for bending sheet metal by means of a press comprising an upper table and a lower table, two means for actuating the movement of a punch carried by one of the said tables, said actuating means being mounted on the punch, and at least one means for compensating the deflection inherent in bending operations and mounted in one of the tables, characterized by comprising the steps of:

continuously measuring the bending angle of the workpiece at a plurality of points spaced throughout the length of the workpiece by means of two pairs of measuring rods situated opposite the uprights of the press and at least one pair of measuring rods situated opposite the compensating means, the measuring rods being circular in section and longitudinally machined to provide a flat upper surface against which is placed one of the surfaces of the workpiece, each of the measuring rods being seated in such a manner that it turns with the bending of the workpiece, each pair of measuring rods being connected to a device for measuring the rotational angle of the measuring rods,
comparing the angles measured by means of a first electronic means,
acting punctually on the workpiece by means of the compensating means, the said compensating means, being actuated by control means linked to the said electronic means, so as to obtain a constant bending angle throughout the length of the workpiece,
comparing the bending angle obtained with the required bending angle by means of a second electronic means,
continuing the bending by actuating the means actuating the movement of the punch, the said actuating means being controlled by a control means linked to the said electronic means,
repeating the process until the required bending angle is obtained.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.