BENDING APPARATUS AND BENDING METHOD FOR A PLATE-SHAPED METAL WORKPIECE

• US 20160250675A1
• Filed: 02/25/2016
• Published: 09/01/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AIDA Engineering Limited
• Original Assignee: AIDA Engineering Limited
• Inventors: ITO, Takao
• Granted Patent: US 10,179,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 11/02 Bending by stretching or pulling over a die working sheet metal of limited length by stretching B21D25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 11/20 Bending sheet metal, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 22/06 having relatively-movable die parts
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 25/02 by pulling over a die
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 37/02 Die constructions enabling assembly of the die parts in different ways B21D37/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 53/92 other parts for aircraft

Abstract

Provided is a bending apparatus for a plate-shaped metal workpiece, including: a suction device (suction pad) configured to suck a surface of a plate-shaped metal workpiece in a removable manner; a plurality of expansion and contraction devices (servo screw jacks) each including the suction device mounted on a distal end thereof and being capable of expanding and contracting a length ranging from a proximal end thereof to the suction device; and an apparatus base (bed) on which the proximal end of each of the expansion and contraction devices is mounted. The bending apparatus is configured to form the plate-shaped metal workpiece under bending deformation by expanding and contracting the expansion and contraction devices under a state in which the suction device sucks the surface of the plate-shaped metal workpiece.

Claims

1. A bending apparatus for a plate-shaped metal workpiece, comprising:

a suction device configured to suck a surface of a plate-shaped metal workpiece in a removable manner;

a plurality of expansion and contraction devices each comprising the suction device mounted on a distal end thereof, each of the plurality of expansion and contraction devices being capable of expanding and contracting a length ranging from a proximal end thereof to the suction device; and

an apparatus base on which the proximal end of each of the plurality of expansion and contraction devices is mounted,

the bending apparatus being configured to form the plate-shaped metal workpiece under bending deformation by expanding and contracting the plurality of expansion and contraction devices under a state in which the suction device sucks the surface of the plate-shaped metal workpiece.

2. A bending apparatus for a plate-shaped metal workpiece according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end is pivotable with respect to the apparatus base.

3. A bending apparatus for a plate-shaped metal workpiece according to claim 1, further comprising a clamping device configured to clamp an end portion of the plate-shaped metal workpiece in a thickness direction of the plate-shaped metal workpiece in a releasable manner,

wherein the plate-shaped metal workpiece is formed under bending deformation in such a manner that the clamping device is pivoted with respect to the apparatus base while clamping the end portion of the plate-shaped metal workpiece in the thickness direction.

4. A bending apparatus for a plate-shaped metal workpiece according to claim 3, wherein the clamping device is movable in a width direction of the plate-shaped metal workpiece.

5. A bending apparatus for a plate-shaped metal workpiece according to claim 1, wherein expansion and contraction amounts of the plurality of expansion and contraction devices are controllable.

6. A bending apparatus for a plate-shaped metal workpiece according to claim 1, wherein after forming the plate-shaped metal workpiece under bending deformation by expanding or contracting the plurality of expansion and contraction devices in the same direction, the bending apparatus forms the plate-shaped metal workpiece under bending deformation by expanding or contracting the plurality of expansion and contraction devices in a direction opposite to the same direction in sequential order from an innermost expansion and contraction device toward an outermost expansion and contraction device.

7. A bending method for a plate-shaped metal workpiece, comprising, by using a bending apparatus for a plate-shaped metal workpiece comprising:

a suction device configured to suck a surface of a plate-shaped metal workpiece in a removable manner;

a plurality of expansion and contraction devices each comprising the suction device mounted on a distal end thereof, each of the plurality of expansion and contraction devices being capable of expanding and contracting a length ranging from a proximal end thereof to the suction device; and

an apparatus base on which the proximal end of each of the plurality of expansion and contraction devices is mounted,

forming the plate-shaped metal workpiece under bending deformation by expanding and contracting the plurality of expansion and contraction devices under a state in which the suction device sucks the surface of the plate-shaped metal workpiece.

8. A bending method for a plate-shaped metal workpiece according to claim 7, further comprising, after forming the plate-shaped metal workpiece under bending deformation by expanding or contracting the plurality of expansion and contraction devices in the same direction, forming the plate-shaped metal workpiece under bending deformation by expanding or contracting the plurality of expansion and contraction devices in a direction opposite to the same direction in sequential order from an innermost expansion and contraction device toward an outermost expansion and contraction device.