Method and apparatus for utilizing bending machine die layout

• US 8,322,173 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2007
• Issued: 12/04/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Amada Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Amada Company Limited
• Inventors: Senba, Akira
• Primary Examiner(s): Ross, Dana
• Assistant Examiner(s): AVERICK, LAWRENCE
• Application Number:
  US12/307,004
• Publication Number:
  US 20090308130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,979 Days
• Field of Search: 72/148, 72/149, 72/151, 72/152, 723/893, 700/29, 700/30, 700/31, 700/177, 700/178, 700/108, 700/109, 700/245
• US Class Current: 72/15.1
• CPC Class Codes: B21D 5/02 on press brakes without making use of clamping means

Abstract

A method for utilizing a bending machine die layout includes designating a die layout of a bending machine, the designated die layout being defined by arrangements of replaceable punches and replaceable dies installed on the bending machine. The method also includes extracting, in the designated die layout, segments in each of which a punch and a die face overlapping to each other to be actually used for one of bending processes, as virtual die stages based on punch attachment positions and punch lengths of the punches, and die attachment positions and die lengths of the dies. The method further includes assigning, by using a sheet metal shape model of a bent product planned to be made by the bending machine, bend lines on the sheet metal shape model corresponding to actual bend lines of the bent product, to the virtual die stages.

Claims

1. A method for utilizing a bending machine die layout with a bending machine, comprising:

designating a die layout of the bending machine, the designated die layout being defined by existing arrangements of replaceable punches and replaceable dies installed on the bending machine;

extracting, in the designated die layout, portions in each of which a punch and a die face overlapping to each other to be actually used for one of bending processes, as virtual die stages based on punch attachment positions and punch lengths of the punches, and die attachment positions and die lengths of the dies;

assigning, by a calculation unit by using a sheet metal shape model of a bent workpiece planned to be made by the bending machine, bend lines on the sheet metal shape model corresponding to actual bend lines of the bent workpiece, to the virtual die stages; and

utilizing the die layout of the bending machine, including the replaceable punches and the replaceable dies installed on the bending machine, for forming the bent workpiece.

2. The method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, according to claim 1, further comprising:

creating a list of the assigned virtual die stages in a bending order.

3. The method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, according to claim 1,

wherein when a plurality of the virtual die stages are assignable to some of bending processes required for the bent workpiece, one of the virtual die stages that brings better material handling efficiency is assigned.

4. The method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, according to claim 2,

wherein when a plurality of the virtual die stages are assignable to some of bending processes required for the bent workpiece, one of the virtual dies stages that brings better material handling efficiency is assigned.

5. The method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, according to claim 1, further comprising:

when none of the virtual die stages is assignable to one of bending processes required for the bent workpiece, additionally generating a new virtual die stage suitable for the one of bending processes.

6. The method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, according to claim 2, further comprising:

when none of the virtual die stages is assignable to one of bending processes required for the bent workpiece, additionally generating a new virtual die stage suitable for the one of the bending processes.

7. The method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, according to claim 3, further comprising:

when none of the virtual die stage is assignable to one of bending processes required for the bent workpiece, additionally generating a new virtual die stage suitable for the one of bending processes.

8. The method for utilizing a bending machine die layout, according to claim 4, further comprising:

when none of the virtual die stage is assignable to one of bending processes required for the bent workpiece, additionally generating a new virtual die stage suitable for the one of bending processes.

9. A bending workability judgment apparatus for judging bending workability by utilizing a die layout of a bending machine and using a sheet metal shape model of a bent workpiece planned to be made by the bending machine, the apparatus comprising:

a designator configured to designate a die layout as a judgment condition for judging whether or not bending processes are adequate, the designated die layout being defined by existing arrangements of replaceable punches and replaceable dies installed on the bending machine;

an extractor configured to extract portions in each of which a punch and a die face overlapping to each other to be actually used for one of bending processes, as virtual die stages based on punch attachment positions and punch lengths of the punches and die attachment positions and die lengths of the dies;

a specifier configured to specify one of bending processes whose workability to be judged; and

a judger configured to judge bending workability in the specified one of bending processes by using one of the extracted virtual die stages, wherein when a result of the judgment of bending workability is positive, a bending location in the die layout for the specified one of bending processes is determined;

wherein a calculating unit assigns the virtual die stages; and

wherein the die layout of the bending machine, including the replaceable punches and the replaceable dies installed on the bending machine, are utilized for forming the bent workpiece.

10. A bending order generation apparatus for generating a bending order by utilizing a die layout of a bending machine and using a sheet metal shape model of a bent workpiece planned to be made by the bending machine, the apparatus comprising:

an input unit to which the sheet metal shape model is input for generating a bending order;

a designator configured to designate a die layout as a condition for generating the bending order, the designated die layout being defined by existing arrangements of replaceable punches and replaceable dies installed on the bending machine;

an extractor configured to extract portions in each of which a punch and a die face overlapping to each other to be actually used for one of bending processes, as virtual die stages based on punch attachment positions and punch lengths of the punches and die attachment positions and die lengths of the dies;

a searcher configured to search for the bending order by extracting bend lines on the sheet metal shape model corresponding to actual bend lines of the bent workpiece; and

a judger configured to judge bending workability for each of bending processes by using the extracted virtual die stages as conditions for generated the bending order while searcher searches the bending order,

wherein when the bending order is successfully searched, the bending order is output together with bending locations in the die layout;

wherein a calculating unit assigns the virtual die stages; and

wherein the die layout of the bending machine, including the replaceable punches and the replaceable dies installed on the bending machine, are utilized for forming the bent workpiece.

11. A bending data adaptation apparatus for converting bending data into new bending data adapted to designated die setup of a bending machine, the apparatus comprising:

an input unit to which a sheet metal shape model of a bent workpiece planned to be made by the bending machine and bending data corresponding to the sheet metal shape model are input;

a designator configured to designate a die layout to be adapted, the designated die layout being defined by existing arrangements of replaceable punches and replaceable dies installed on the bending machine;

an extractor configured to extract portions in each of which a punch and a die face overlappingly to each other to be actually used for one of bending processes, as virtual die stages based on punch attachment positions and punch lengths of the punches and die attachment positions and die lengths of the dies; and

a searcher configured to search for a suitable virtual die stage for every bending process by judging bending workability in the every bending process according to a bending order specified by the bending data,

wherein when virtual die stages suitable for all of the bending processes are found, the new bending data is output together with bending location in the die layout;

wherein a calculating unit assigns the virtual die stages; and

wherein the die layout of the bending machine, including the replaceable punches and the replaceable dies installed on the bending machine, are utilized for forming the bent workpiece.