Analysis of high speed bending operations as basis for integrating self-correcting components to increase process reliability

When employing forming processes like punch bending for producing parts for electrical connection technology, unintended geometrical deviations can occur. Currently, the manual setup and adjustment of the bending machines is based on operator experience and is a highly time-consuming and expensive process. Furthermore the unintentional geometrical deviations lead to high scrap rates and long downtimes for the production machines. To solve these problems, self-correcting control strategies based on a closed-loop control approach are thus under development. In combination with additional measurement devices and actuators, it will be possible to take corrective action during the process so as to guarantee a consistent product quality on a continuous basis.