Apparatus and method of proposing bending sequences and bending tools for a metal plate part

• US 20030045948A1
• Filed: 09/04/2001
• Published: 03/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amada Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Amada Company Limited
• Inventors: Hwang, Yearn-Tzuo
• Granted Patent: US 6,701,208 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/56
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/40938 Tool management
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/35192 From design derive sequence of bending so that bending is possible
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/36343 Select machining method as function of selected tool
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45143 Press-brake, bending machine
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 90/02 Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS]

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

1. A method of detecting bending sequences and bending tools for a metal plate part, comprising the steps of:

storing a development plan for the metal plate part having a plurality of bending regions;

inputting bending sequence numbers to be detected;

detecting bending sequence proposals of the bending sequence numbers based on the development plan;

detecting bending tool proposals used in each bending process of the bending sequence proposals; and

displaying the bending sequence proposals and the bending tool proposals;

wherein the step of detecting the bending tool proposals includes a sub-step for detecting interference between the bending tools and the metal plate part for each mounting state of the bending tools on a bending machine.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mounting state of the bending tools includes a front mounting state and a rear mounting state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of detecting the bending tool proposals is carried out in the order of punches, dies and die holders.

4. The method of claim 1, further including the step of inputting a selection priority order of application tools.

5. The method of claim 1, further including the steps of:

determining whether or not 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 in the determination step.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first bending tool is longer than the second bending tool.

7. The method of claim 5, further including the step of determining the arrangement of each stage on the bending machine.

8. An apparatus for proposing bending sequences and bending tools for a metal plate part, comprising:

a system for storing a development plan of the metal plate part;

a 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

a system for displaying the plurality of bending sequence proposals, wherein such display includes information showing the stage numbers in each bending sequence proposal.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further including a system for storing retained tools.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, further including a system for storing a selection priority order of application tools.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, further including a system for storing priority items.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, 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.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the detection of the bending sequence proposals and the bending tool proposals is carried out based on retained tool information or application tool priority information.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the detection of the bending sequence proposals and the bending tool proposals is carried out based on retained tool information or application tool priority information.

15. 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.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the display includes information showing the total rotation angle in each bending sequence proposal.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the display is shown in an order starting from the minimum number of stages, the minimum number of turnovers, or the minimum number of rotations.