BENDING TOOL STORAGE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR FEEDING A PRESS BRAKE

Abstract

The invention relates to a bending tool storage device (1) for storing bending tools (2), comprising: a preferably shelf-type rack (3) on which a plurality of storage locations (4) for bending tools (2) are arranged, at least one supply path (10), preferably in the form of a tool guide (11), for issuing and/or retrieving bending tools (2), and at least one first transfer device (5) for transferring bending tools (2) between the storage locations (4) and a transfer point (6), characterized in that the bending tool storage device (1) comprises, between the transfer point (6) and the supply path (10), a rotating installation (7) for rotating the bending tools (2).

Claims

1. A bending tool storage device (1) for storing bending tools (2), comprising: a preferably shelf-type rack (3) on which a plurality of storage locations (4) for bend-ing tools (2) are arranged, at least one supply path (10), preferably in the form of a tool guide (11), for issuing and/or retrieving bending tools (2), at least one first transfer device (5) for transferring bending tools (2) between the storage locations (4) and a transfer point (6), wherein the bending tool storage device (1) comprises, between the transfer point (6) and the supply path (10), a rotating installation (7) for rotating the bending tools (2).

2. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating installation (7) comprises at least one tool guide (9) rotatable about a preferably vertical rotation axis (8), said tool guide (9) being in aligned orientation with the supply path (10) in a first rotational position and pointing towards the transfer point (6) in a second rotational position, wherein the rotational angle between the first rotational position and the second rotational position preferably amounts to at least 45, preferably at least 60.

3. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating installation (7) comprises at least two tool guides (9) rotatable about the rotation axis (8), wherein the tool guides (9) are tilted towards one another, preferably by an angle of at least 60.

4. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein the tool guides (9) of the rotating installation (7) are arranged on a preferably disc-shaped platform (17) mounted so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis (8).

5. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein a first tool guide (9) of the rotating installation (7) is in aligned orientation with the supply path (10) and a second tool guide (9) of the rotating installation (7) points towards the transfer point (6) in at least one rotational position of the rotating installation.

6. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein at least one tool guide (9) of the rotating installation (7) is pivotable relative to the platform (17) about a pivot axis (19), which is spaced from the rotation axis (8) and parallel to the rotation axis (8).

7. The storage device according to claim 6, wherein the pivoting movement of the at least one tool guide (9) about the pivot axis (19) is limited by a stop (18) preferably provided on the platform (17).

8. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one tool guide (9) of the rotating installation (7) between its first end and its second end passes a plane (E), which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the tool guide (9) and contains the rotation axis (8), and/or wherein the first end and the second end of the at least one tool guide (9) of the rotating installation (7) essentially have the same distances from the rotation axis (8).

9. The storage device according to claim 2, wherein the at least one tool guide (9) of the rotating installation (7) comprises a distance (A) from the rotation axis (8) at the position at which it is closest to the rotation axis (8), wherein the distance (A) preferably amounts to at least a quarter of the length of the tool guide (9).

10. The storage device according to claim 3, wherein the tool guides (9) of the rotating installation (7) extend along the sides of a preferably equilateral polygon, preferably an equilateral triangle or a square.

11. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage locations (4) each comprise a tool guide (14) for retaining and guiding at least one bending tool (2).

12. The storage device according to claim 11, wherein the tool guides (14) of the storage locations (4) are tilted towards the tool guide (11) of the supply path (10), preferably by an angle of at least 45, particularly preferred by an angle of at least 60, in particular by an angle of 60 or by an angle of 90.

13. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first transfer device (5) comprises a tool holder (15), by means of which the storage locations (4) and the transfer point (6) can be approached, for holding a bending tool (2).

14. The storage device according to claim 13, wherein the tool holder (15) comprises a tool guide (16) for retaining and guiding at least one bending tool (2), wherein the tool guide (16) of the tool holder (15) can be brought into aligned orientation with the tool guides (14) of the storage locations (4).

15. The storage device according to claim 14, wherein the tool guide (16) of the tool holder (15) is pivotable about a pivot axis (13) that is parallel to the rotation axis (8) of the rotating installation (7), preferably by an angle of at least 45, particularly preferred by an angle of at least 60, in particular by an angle of 60.

16. The storage device according to claim 13, wherein the first transfer device (5) comprises a manipulator (12), which can be displaced with the tool holder (15), by means of which a bending tool (2) can be moved along the tool guide (14, 16) into the and/or out of the tool holder (15).

17. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device (1) comprises at least one second transfer device (20) by means of which a bending tool (2) can be moved along the tool guide (11) of the supply path (10), wherein preferably the second transfer device (20) can be controlled independently of and/or temporally parallel to the first transfer device (5).

18. The storage device according to claim 17, wherein the second transfer device (20) comprises a shuttle (21), preferably in the form of a carriage or trolley, displaceable along the tool guide (11), preferably in the tool guide (11) of the supply path (10), wherein preferably the shuttle (21) comprises a releasable coupling for connecting a bending tool (2) to the shuttle (21).

19. The storage device according to claim 17 wherein the second transfer device (20) comprises an extendable elongated traction and pressure transfer means (32), preferably in the form of a chain, a rope or a belt, which can be moved along the tool guide (11), preferably in the tool guide (11) of the supply path (10).

20. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage locations (4) of a first group (22) of storage locations are formed by first tool guides (14) parallel to one another and storage locations of a second group (23) of tool guides are formed by second tool guides (24) parallel to one another, wherein the first tool guides (14) are tilted towards the second tool guides (24), preferably by an angle of at least 45, particularly preferred by an angle of at least 60, in particular by an angle of 60.

21. The storage device according to claim 20, wherein the rotating installation (7) is arranged between storage locations (4) of the first group (22) and storage locations (4) of the second group (23).

22. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the rotating installation (7) is supported by the rack (3), wherein the rotating installation (7) is preferably arranged in a shelf compartment of the rack (3).

23. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the supply path (10) comprises a first guiding section (25) and a second guiding section (26), wherein at least a part of the second transfer device (20) is arranged in the first guiding section (25) in its retracted position and wherein a bending tool (2) can be moved out of and/or into the storage device (1) along the second guiding section (26), and in that wherein at least a part of the rotating installation (7) is arranged between the first guiding section (25) and the second guiding section (26) of the supply path (10).

24. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage locations (4) are arranged in at least two planes, wherein preferably several storage locations (4) are arranged in one shelf compartment of the rack (3) and/or wherein at least a part of the storage locations (4) is arranged below and/or above the rotating installation (7).

25. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first transfer device (5) is arranged on a first side of the rack (3) and the supply path (10) is arranged on a side of the rack (3) opposing the first side, wherein the rotating installation (7) forms a passage between the opposing sides of the rack (3).

26. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the first transfer device (5), the second transfer device (20) and the rotating installation (7) each comprise at least one drive and/or actuator and can be controlled by means of a controller.

27. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device (1) can be extended in a modular manner and/or is formed by at least two storage modules (30, 31) that are connected to one another in a detachable manner and each comprise a plurality of storage locations (4).

28. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device (1) comprises at least one loading station (29) accessible from outside the storage device (1), preferably via a loading hatch, for in particular manually loading the storage device (1) with bending tools (2), wherein preferably the loading station (29) can be approached by the first transfer device (5) and/or is formed by at least one tool guide.

29. A method for loading a bending press (27) with bending tools (2) and/or for changing bending tools (2) in a bending press (27), wherein the bending press (27) is connected to a bending tool storage device (1), wherein the bending tool storage device (1) is designed according to claim 1 and wherein bending tools (2) are output to the bending press (27) and/or taken in by the bending press (27) between the storage locations (4) of the bending tool storage device (1) and the tool mount (28) of the bending press (27) by actuation of the first transfer device (5), actuation of the rotating installation (7) and movement of the bending tools (2) along the supply path (10).

Description

[0061] For the purpose of better understanding of the invention, it will be elucidated in more detail by means of the figures below.

[0062] These show in a respectively very simplified schematic representation:

[0063] FIG. 1 a bending tool storage device as viewed from a first side;

[0064] FIG. 2 the bending tool storage device as viewed from the opposite side;

[0065] FIG. 3 a bending press connected to the storage device;

[0066] FIG. 4 a rotating installation with four tool guides;

[0067] FIG. 5 a rotating installation with two crossing tool guides;

[0068] FIG. 6 a variant of a storage device;

[0069] FIG. 7 a variant of a rotating installation with pivotable tool guides;

[0070] FIG. 8 a variant of a rotating installation with three tool guides;

[0071] FIG. 9 a further variant of a storage device;

[0072] FIG. 10 an enlarged detail from FIG. 1;

[0073] FIG. 11 a variant with loading station and modular construction;

[0074] FIG. 12 a shuttle coupled to a bending tool in the tool guide of the supply path.

[0075] First of all, it is to be noted that in the different embodiments described, equal parts are provided with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations, where the disclosures contained in the entire description may be analogously transferred to equal parts with equal reference numbers and/or equal component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure and in case of a change of position, these specifications of location are to be analogously transferred to the new position.

[0076] The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, and it should be noted in this respect that the invention is not restricted to these particular illustrated embodiment variants of it, but that rather also various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possible and that this possibility of variation owing to the teaching for technical action provided by the present invention lies within the ability of the person skilled in the art in this technical field.

[0077] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings are to be adduced for construing the claims. Individual features or feature combinations from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions may be gathered from the description.

[0078] All indications regarding ranges of values in the present description are to be understood such that these also comprise random and all partial ranges from it, for example, the indication 1 to 10 is to be understood such that it comprises all partial ranges based on the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e. all partial ranges start with a lower limit of 1 or larger and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, for example 1 through 1.7, or 3.2 through 8.1, or 5.5 through 10.

[0079] Finally, as a matter of form, it should be noted that for ease of understanding of the structure, elements are partially not depicted to scale and/or are enlarged and/or are reduced in size.

[0080] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 show a bending tool storage device 1 for storing bending tools 2. A plurality of storage locations 4 with bending tools 2 (here: upper and lower tools) are arranged on a shelf-type rack 3.

[0081] Below, the components relating to lower tools of the storage device 1 will be described in more detail. The components relating to upper tools function according to same principle, except for the fact that the upper tools are transported and stored while hanging (not standing).

[0082] FIG. 2 shows a supply path 10 in the form of a tool guide 11 along which the bending tools 2 are output and taken in.

[0083] A first transfer device for transferring bending tools 2 between the storage locations 4 and a transfer point 6 is arranged on the opposite side (FIG. 1).

[0084] The storage device comprises a rotating installation 7 for rotating the bending tools 2 between the transfer point 6 and the supply path 10. The rotating installation represents a connector between the first transfer device 5 and a second transfer device 20 (described in more detail below).

[0085] The rotating installation 7 comprises at least one tool guide 9 that is rotatable about a preferably vertical rotation axis 8 and is in aligned orientation with the supply path 10 in a first rotational position and points towards the transfer point 6 in a second rotational position (see FIGS. 1 and 10). The rotational angle between the first rotational position and the second rotational position preferably amounts to at least 45, preferably at least 60 (also see the variants according to FIGS. 4, 5 and 8 in which this rotational angle amounts to 90 and/or 120).

[0086] It is preferred if the rotating installation 7 comprises at least two tool guides 9 rotatable about the rotation axis 8, wherein the tool guides 9 are tilted towards one another, preferably by an angle of at least 60. An embodiment with two tool guides 9 is shown in FIG. 5, with three tool guides 9 in FIGS. 7 and 8 and with four tool guides 9 in FIG. 4.

[0087] The tool guides 9 of the rotating installation 7 are arranged on a disc-shaped platform 17 mounted so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis 8.

[0088] A first tool guide 9 of the rotating installation 7 is in aligned orientation with the supply path 10 and a second tool guide 9 of the rotating installation 7 points towards the transfer point 6 in at least one rotational position of the rotating installation.

[0089] FIG. 7 shows a particular embodiment in which the tool guides 9 of the rotating installation 7 are pivotable relative to the platform 17 about pivot axes 19, which are spaced from the rotation axis 8 and parallel to the rotation axis 8. Henceas is shown in FIG. 6the bending tool can be passed to the rotating installation or unloaded from the rotating installation at two positions, whereby the possibilities for loading and storing operations are extended. In particular, the transfer device 5 can pass a bending tool to a tool guide 9 of the rotating installation 7, then move to the second position and remove another bending tool from the rotating installation 7 from another tool guide 9 of the rotating installation 7 there and bring it to a storage location 4.

[0090] The pivoting movement of the tool guides 9 about the pivot axis 19 can be limited by a stop 18 preferably provided on the platform 17. A drive (not depicted) can be controlled by means of a controller to effect this pivoting movement about the pivot axis 19.

[0091] The tool guides of the rotating installation 7 are designed such that each tool guide between its first end and its second end passes a plane, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the respective tool guide and contains the rotation axis 8. The first end and the second end of the respective tool guides 9 of the rotating installation 7 essentially have the same distances from the rotation axis 8 in all represented embodiments.

[0092] While the tool guides 9 cross in FIG. 5, the tool guides 9 in FIGS. 4 and 8 are arranged without crossing. They comprise a distance A to the rotation axis 8 at the point where they come closest to the rotation axis 8, wherein the distance A preferably amounts to at least a quarter of the length of the tool guide 9.

[0093] It is particularly preferred for the tool guides 9 of the rotating installation 7 to extend along the sides of a preferably equilateral polygon, preferably an equilateral triangle or a square.

[0094] Below, the storage locations 4 and the first transfer device 5 will be described in more detail:

[0095] The storage locations 4 each comprise a tool guide 14 for retaining and guiding at least one bending tool 2 (FIGS. 1, 6 and 9).

[0096] The tool guides 14 of the storage locations 4 are tilted towards the tool guide 11 of the supply path 10, preferably by an angle of at least 45, particularly preferred by an angle of at least 60. In FIG. 1, this angle amounts to 90, in FIG. 6 this angle amounts to 60.

[0097] The first transfer device 5 for holding a bending tool 2 comprises a tool holder 15 by means of which the storage locations 4 and the transfer point 6 can be approached. The tool holder 15 comprises a tool guide 16 for retaining and guiding at least one bending tool 2. The tool guide 16 of the tool holder 15 can be brought into aligned orientation with the tool guides 14 of the storage locations 4, such that a bending tool 2 can be moved from a storage location 4 approached into the tool holder 15.

[0098] In the particular embodiment of FIG. 9, the tool guide 16 of the tool holder 15 is pivotable about a pivot axis 13 that is parallel to the rotation axis 8 of the rotating installation 7 (here by an angle of at least 60). Hence, two tool guides 9 of the rotating installation 7 can be loaded (see the two arrows tilted by 60 in FIG. 9) without the rotating installation 7 having to be rotated.

[0099] The first transfer device 5 can comprise a manipulator 12 displaceable with the tool holder 15 (schematically represented in FIGS. 1 and 8) by means of which a bending tool 2 can be moved along the tool guide 14, 16 into the and/or out of the tool holder 15.

[0100] The storage device 1 also comprises a second transfer device 20 by means of which a bending tool 2 can be moved along the tool guide 11 of the supply path 10 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0101] The second transfer device 20 can comprise a shuttle 21, preferably in the form of a carriage or trolley, displaceable along the tool guide 11, preferably in the tool guide 11 of the supply path 10. The shuttle 21 can comprise a detachable (for example mechanical or magnetic or suction) coupling for connecting a bending tool 2 to the shuttle 21. The shuttle 21 can be selfdriving or be displaced by means of an elongated traction/pressure transfer means (in particular a chain) (not depicted). The traction/pressure transfer means can also be displaceable in the tool guide 11 of the supply path 10.

[0102] Ifas is shown in FIG. 9storage locations 4 of a first group 22 of storage locations are formed by first tool guides 14 parallel to one another and storage locations of a second group 23 of tool guides are formed by second tool guides 24 parallel to one another, wherein the first tool guides 14 are tilted towards the second tool guides 24 (here by an angle of 60), best use can be made of the available space. This in particular holds true if the rotating installation 7 is arranged between storage locations 4 of the first group 22 and storage locations 4 of the second group 23.

[0103] It can further be seen from FIG. 1 that the rotating installation 7 is supported by the rack 3 and is arranged in a shelf compartment of the rack 3.

[0104] The supply path 10 can comprise a first guiding section 25 and a second guiding section 26, wherein at least a part of the second transfer device 20 (here the shuttle 21) is arranged in the first guiding section 25 in its retracted position and wherein a bending tool 2 can be moved out of the and/or into the storage device 1 along the second guiding section 26. At least one section of the rotating installation 7 is arranged between the first guiding section 25 and the second guiding section 26 of the supply path 10 (see for example FIG. 4).

[0105] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the storage locations 4 are arranged in at least two planes, wherein several storage locations 4 can be arranged in a shelf compartment of the rack 3. In the represented embodiment, at least a part of the storage locations 4 is arranged below and/or above the rotating installation 7.

[0106] A preferred aspect also is that the at least one first transfer device 5 is arranged on a first side of the rack 3 (FIG. 1) and the supply path 10 is arranged on a side of the rack 3 opposing the first side (FIG. 2). The rotating installation 7 forms a passage between the opposing sides of the rack 3.

[0107] FIG. 3 shows an arrangement of a bending press 27 and a bending tool storage device 1 connected to the bending press. In a method for loading a bending press 27 with bending tools 2 and/or for changing bending tools 2 in the bending press 27, bending tools 2 are output to the bending press 27 and/or taken in by the bending press 27 between the storage locations 4 of the bending tool storage device 1 and the tool mount 28 of the bending press 27 by actuation of the first transfer device 5, actuation of the rotating installation 7 and movement of the bending tools 2 along the supply path 10 (by means of the second transfer device 20).

[0108] It is to be considered a great advantage that the first and second transfer devices can operate independently, whereby the cycle times in the production of workpieces can be significantly reduced.

[0109] While FIG. 3 merely shows a storage device 1 connected to the bending press 27, two storage devices could be connected to the bending press in a further embodiment. In this regard, it is preferred if a first storage device is connected on one side of the bending press (see FIG. 3) and a second storage device is connected at the opposite side of the bending press. By providing two storage devices, the equipping and changing operations can be further abbreviated.

[0110] FIG. 11 shows a storage device 1 which can be extended in a modular manner and/or is formed by at least two storage modules 30, 31, that are connected to one another in a detachable manner and each comprise a plurality of storage locations 4. In this regard, the rotating installation 7 can be placed in the first storage module 30 while the second storage module 31 can accommodate storage locations 4 only. The first transfer device 5 (not shown in FIG. 11) can be designed such that it can approach the storage locations of the first and second storage modules.

[0111] FIG. 11 also shows a loading station 29 accessible from outside the storage device 1, for example via a loading hatch, for in particular manually loading the storage device 1 with bending tools 2 (here for upper and lower tools). The loading station 29 can be approachable by means of the first transfer device 5 and is preferably formed by at least one tool guide. Hence, the bending tools that are placed in the loading station can be collected by the first transfer device in the same way as the bending tools that are arranged in the storage locations. The tool guide of the loading station 29 is preferably parallel to the tool guides of the storage locations 4.

[0112] FIG. 12 lastly shows the second transfer device 20. A shuttle 21 is displaceable along the tool guide 11, here even in the tool guide 11 of the supply path 10 and/or (in the further course) in the tool mount 28 of a connected bending press 27 (see FIG. 3). The shuttle 21 is pushed and/or pulled by means of an elongated traction/pressure transfer means 32. The transfer means 32 is preferably formed of chain links. The traction and pressure transfer means 32 is displaceable along the tool guide 11, here in the tool guide 11 of the supply path 10 and/or (in the further course) in the tool mount 28 of a connected bending press 27 (see FIG. 3).

[0113] Ultimately, it should be noted that the components, in particular the first transfer device, the second transfer device and the rotating installation can be controlled by means of a controller. The interaction between these components can thus be optimized.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers 1 bending tool storage device 2 bending tool 3 rack 4 storage location 5 first transfer device 6 transfer point 7 rotating installation 8 rotation axis 9 tool guide 10 supply path 11 tool guide 12 manipulator 13 pivot axis 14 tool guide 15 tool holder 16 tool guide 17 platform 18 stop 19 pivot axis 20 second transfer device 21 shuttle 22 first group of storage locations 23 second group of storage locations 24 tool guides 25 first guiding section 26 second guiding section 27 bending press 28 tool mount 29 loading station 30 first storage module 31 second storage module 32 traction/pressure transfer means