The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 14, 2007
Filed:
Jul. 27, 2005
Ravinder Venugopal, Montréal, Quebec, CA;
Sameer Anand Joshi, Norristown, PA (US);
Ananthakrishnan Surianarayanan, Lansdale, PA (US);
Ravinder Venugopal, Montréal, Quebec, CA;
Sameer Anand Joshi, Norristown, PA (US);
Ananthakrishnan Surianarayanan, Lansdale, PA (US);
Other;
Abstract
A reconfigurable variable blank-holder force system (and method) for producing sheet metal stampings comprises a portable hydraulic unit, controlled by a digital control system and a knowledge-based expert system to enable reconfigurability and an easy transition from the try-out stage to production. The knowledge-base has a hierarchical structure and includes stored information about part geometry, material properties and press parameters. The expert system enables an operator to determine optimal blank-holder forces, and to fine-tune through a graphical interface unit. The optimal blank-holder forces are generated by hydraulic force actuators, using a controller running a nonlinear algorithm that accounts for valve nonlinearities, variable flow-rate and numbers of operational cylinders. The portable hydraulic unit preferably comprises hydraulic cylinders with quick disconnect hoses, a manifold, servo-valves and a pump unit. A structured method to utilize this system to produce sheet metal stampings is also described. An article embodying the method is included.