# US 6,701,208 B2 · Apparatus and method of proposing bending sequences and bending tools for a metal plate part > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,701,208 B2 - Document ID: US6701208B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 09/944,072 - Filed: 2001-09-04 - Published: 2003-03-06 - Granted: 2004-03-02 - Earliest claimed: 2001-09-04 - Assignees: Amada Company, Limited - Inventors: Yearn-Tzuo Hwang - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6701208B2 ## CPC - G05B 19/40938: {Tool management} - G05B 2219/35192: From design derive sequence of bending so that bending is possible - G05B 2219/36343: Select machining method as function of selected tool - G05B 2219/45143: Press-brake, bending machine - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract An apparatus for proposing bending sequences and bending tools for a metal plate part includes system for storing a development plan of the metal plate part; system for detecting a plurality of bending sequence proposals which make it possible to manufacture the metal plate part based on the development plan, and bending tool proposals used in each bending process of each bending sequence proposal; and system for displaying the plurality of bending sequence proposals. Such display includes information showing the stage numbers in each bending sequence proposal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of detecting bending sequences and bending tools, comprising: storing a development plan for a metal plate part having a plurality of bending regions; inputting a maximum number of bending sequence proposals to be detected; detecting up to the maximum number of bending sequence proposals based on the development plan; detecting bending tool proposals used in each bending process of the detected bending sequence proposals; and displaying the detected bending sequence proposals and the detected bending tool proposals; wherein the detecting the bending tool proposals includes detecting interference between the bending tools and the metal plate part for each mounting state of the bending tools on a bending machine. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the mounting state of the bending tools includes a front mounting state and a rear mounting state. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the detecting the bending tool proposals is performed in the order of punches, dies and die holders. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising inputting a selection priority order of application tools. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether a first bending tool of a first bending operation can be used in place of a second bending tool of a second bending operation; and replacing the second bending tool of the second bending operation with the first bending tool when such replacement is determined to be possible. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, wherein the first bending tool is longer than the second bending tool. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The method of claim 5, further comprising determining the arrangement of each stage on the bending machine. ### Claim 8 An apparatus for proposing bending sequences and bending, comprising: a storage that stores a development plan of a metal plate part; a detector that detects a plurality of bending sequence proposals that enable the manufacture of the metal plate part based on the development plan, and bending tool proposals used in each bending process of each bending sequence proposal; and a display that displays the plurality of bending sequence proposals, wherein said display includes information showing the stage numbers in each bending sequence proposal. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a system for storing retained tools. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the detection of the bending sequence proposals and the bending tool proposals is performed based on at least one of retained tool information and application tool priority information. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a system for storing a selection priority order of application tools. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the detection of the bending sequence proposals and the bending tool proposals is based on at least one of retained tool information and application tool priority information. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a system for storing priority items. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the priority items include at least one item chosen from the minimum number of stages, the minimum number of turnovers, and the minimum number of rotations. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the display is shown in an order starting from one of the minimum number of stages, the minimum number of turnovers, and the minimum number of rotations. ### Claim 16 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the display includes at least one of information showing the setup number, the number of turnovers and the number of rotations in each bending sequence proposal. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the display includes information showing the total rotation angle in each bending sequence proposal.