Development and Fabrication of Sheet Metal Cutting Machine Using Pantograph Mechanism

Traditional sheet metal cutting dies were able to cut only on a shape of punch of that particular die and could not generate the replica of already existing object. This kind of machine has large workspace, high sleight and good manoeuvrability; it can be widely used in field sheet metal cutting and wood/metal engraving. However due to its cantilever type structure, the manipulator is inherently not very rigid and thus the link connecting the assembly to the bed is the most vulnerable to failure due to bending load. It is poor in dynamic performance in high speed and heavy duty operations. Hence suitable for light duty and medium speed operations. The mechanical efficiency of pantograph mechanisms and conventional open-chain and closed-chain type manipulators are studied and evaluated using the concept of modified geometric work. The kinematics of 2-DOF pantograph type manipulators are studied and special: mechanisms which simplify the kinematics are introduced. Keywords-Pantograph Mechanism, Degree of Freedom, Links, Sheet Metal Cutting, Dies.