Abstract: A tool magazine for tools of a machine tool for processing workpieces includes a first magazine unit that is close to a processing station of the machine tool and a second magazine unit that is remote from the processing station of the machine tool. The second magazine unit includes a permanent tool carrier and a temporary tool carrier. The permanent tool carrier is permanently accessible to a tool handling device. The temporary tool carrier is temporarily accessible to the tool handling device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for coding and identifying plate-type workpieces are provided. The methods include: coding a workpiece by producing a code with a local modification in a material structure of a base material of the workpiece within a coding region, reading out the code by performing an eddy-current measurement of a local distribution of an electrical conductivity and/or a permeability of the base material by an eddy-current sensor along a reading-out section in a reading region at least partially including the coding region, a signal calibrated to a distance of the eddy-current sensor from a surface of the reading region being determined for reading out the code, storing the read-out code in a storage device, repeating the reading out of the code by repeatedly performing the eddy-current measurement, and identifying the workpiece by comparing the stored read-out code in the storage device and the repeated read-out code.

Abstract: A method for determining a reference focal position of a laser beam for processing a plate-like member, the method comprising producing at least two incisions in the plate-like member with the laser beam set at different focal positions, irradiating the plate-like member with the laser beam, detecting edges of the incisions by measuring one or more parameters relating to the irradiation of the plate-like member, and establishing a width of the at least two incisions using the detected one or more parameters.

Abstract: A method for assisting a user with sorting workpieces disposed on a sorting table uses a positioning system for determining a spatial position of a user's hand. The position can be determined by a sorting assistance unit worn near a hand of the user and the position of which is detected by the positioning system, or by image-based positioning using one or more cameras. The method comprises providing a position data set that includes the positions of the workpieces produced of the machining plan on the sorting table; by the positioning system, detecting a position of the user's hand and comparing it with the positions of the position data set; identifying at least one workpiece that is paired with the position of the user's hand; and outputting a sorting signal which comprises information about the at least one workpiece paired with the position of the user's hand.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for piercing workpieces at a piercing point using a laser beam, which exits from a laser processing nozzle with a process gas, whereby a bulge is formed on the workpiece surface around the piercing point during the piercing. A distance between the laser processing nozzle and the bulge is determined during the piercing and at least one piercing parameter is changed in dependence on the distance determined.

Abstract: A method for supporting a sorting process of workpieces arranged on a sorting table that have been produced on a machine tool by a processing plan, comprising providing of a processing image data set of the processing plan based on the arrangement of at least one workpiece. The method further relates to an imaging-based capturing of the sorting table having a plurality of adjacent workpieces to each other and generating a first sorting image data set, and repeated image-based capturing of the sorting table and generating of a second sorting image data set once at least one workpiece has been removed from the sorting table. The method comprises comparing of the sorting image data sets, incorporating the processing image data set, wherein a sorting signal is generated which contains information that comprises the type, the position and/or the shape of the at least one removed workpiece.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the cutting processing of a panel-type material in a machine which comprises a processing station in a machine base frame, and the processing station is assigned a loading and unloading station. The panel-type material is laid on a pallet which is movable between the processing station and the loading and unloading station, and the pallet is moved into the processing station for subsequent processing and is positioned on a pallet carrier of the machine base frame for the subsequent processing of the panel-type material, wherein, before the start of the processing process of the panel-type material by the processing unit, the pallet is lifted from the pallet carrier by an air spring device and is positioned in a manner decoupled from the pallet carrier, and after the processing process of the panel-type material, the pallet is coupled to the pallet carrier.

Abstract: An example device for monitoring and controlling a laser cutting process on a workpiece includes an image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, in which the region of the workpiece to be monitored includes a region of interaction of a laser beam with the workpiece, and an evaluation apparatus for detecting material boundaries of the workpiece using the captured image. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine at least one characteristic value of the laser cutting process based on a geometric relationship between at least two of the detected material boundaries, the region of interaction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for switching between different operating modes on a processing machine. The operating modes are different from one another in respect of operator intervention requirements of an operator of the processing machine, One of the methods includes switching from a first operating mode to a second operating mode, looking up stored operating settings specific to the second operating mode and related to one or more potential operator interventions, changing operation of the processing machine in accordance of the stored operating settings specific to the second operating mode, and providing feedback to the operator of the machine, indicating whether a switch to the second operating mode is complete or whether at least one of the potential operator interventions is required.

Abstract: A laser processing machine has a processing area and a laser processing device. A workpiece can be processed by the laser processing device at a processing location via emission of laser radiation to generate a processing product. An environment of the processing area is shielded against the laser radiation by a protective housing. The processing product can be moved in a discharge direction to pass a boundary of the protective housing that is flexible in the discharge direction. A product rest, arranged below the processing location in the vertical direction and extending in the discharge direction, functions to store the processing product. In the vertical direction below the processing location, the protective housing extends in the discharge direction, forming an extension with which the protective housing extends over the product rest. The boundary limits the extension in the discharge direction and is arranged above the product rest.

Abstract: The invention relates to production planning systems and methods. A production optimization system is provided which has the following: a production environment with at least one first machine, a second machine, a distribution unit configured to be connected to the first machine and the second machine via a communication network and to ascertain the machine state thereof, and an optimization unit configured to generate a production plan where at least one task for producing a product is separated into machine-specific sub-tasks for the first machine or the second machine, said sub-tasks being provided with a sequence for the first machine or the second machine. The distribution unit ascertains the next occurring sub-task for the first machine or the second machine from the optimization unit while taking into consideration the respective machine state, to remove the sub-task from the production plan, and to assign the sub-task to the respective machine.

Abstract: A method for cutting a workpiece includes cutting the workpiece along a predefined cutting contour to separate a workpiece part from a scrap part, and checking whether the workpiece part has been fully separated from the scrap part during the cutting. The workpiece is re-cut along an additional cutting contour laterally offset from the predefined cutting contour if it is found during the checking that the workpiece part has not been fully separated from the scrap part. The disclosure also relates to an associated machine for cutting a workpiece.

Abstract: In the method according to the disclosure for the unloading of a workpiece part from a workpiece, in parallel with processing time, by means of an unloading element, e.g. a vacuum sucker, the workpiece part is cut from an especially plate-form workpiece by means of a laser beam. The movement of the laser beam relative to the workpiece at least along a first movement axis (X) is divided into a movement of the workpiece and a movement of the laser beam. Before executing a final cut, which separates the workpiece part from the workpiece, the workpiece is decelerated until standstill and the final cut is then executed for example, by moving the laser beam. The workpiece part is being unloaded by an unloading element that operates at least partially during cutting of the workpiece. The unloading element operates according to one of three operating options.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for production of a workpiece. A first workpiece part is cut free from a first plate-shaped material by a separating cut made via the punch-handling tool. The first workpiece part is held in at least one of a clamped manner and tensioned manner via at least one of an upper tool and a lower tool of a punch-handling tool while being cut free. The workpiece part is aligned with the first plate-shaped material, a further plate-shaped material that differs from a material of the first workpiece part, and a second workpiece part and the aligned pieces are clinching with a clinch tool to connect the pieces at a connection point that is free from a filler material.

Abstract: A tool includes first and second tool parts that move toward one another, at least one processing device provided on the first tool part, and at least two counter devices provided on the second tool part. The processing device and the counter devices are rotatable relative to one another about at least one positioning axis, and the counter devices are aligned relative to one another along a direction of relative rotational movement of the processing device and the counter devices. The processing device and a first counter device are allocated to one another by at least a first defined processing parameter, and the processing device and a second counter device are allocated to one another by at least a second defined processing parameter. The first processing parameter is different than the second processing parameter.

Abstract: This disclosure describes laser machining head gas nozzles that have an exit opening for passage of a laser beam onto a workpiece; an annular gap surrounding the exit opening; and a sleeve disposed and guided displaceably within the annular gap for axial displacement between a rearward and a forward position. The sleeve projects beyond the exit opening at least in the forward position, and the sleeve is tiltably mounted in the annular gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to machines and methods for the separative machining of a plate-shaped workpieces. The machine includes a first movement device for moving the workpiece in a first direction (X), a second movement device for moving a machining head, which directs the machining beam onto the workpiece, along a second direction (Y), Between workpiece bearing faces there is formed a gap for the passage of the machining beam. In the machine, mutually facing side edges of at least two of the workpiece bearing faces are oriented non-perpendicularly and non-parallel with respect to the first direction (X).

Abstract: A laser processing head comprising a focusing device for focusing a processing laser beam onto a workpiece, the focusing device arranged in a processing beam path, an optical imaging device comprising a detector, wherein the optical imaging device is configured to image observation radiation from a processing region of the workpiece onto the detector along an observation beam path passing through the focusing device, a beam splitter for separating the observation beam path from the processing beam path of the processing laser beam, imaging optics arranged in the observation beam path between the beam splitter and the detector; and a stop arranged between the imaging optics and the detector, wherein the imaging optics produces an image of the stop in the processing beam path of the processing laser beam between the beam splitter and the workpiece.

Abstract: Methods, sensors, and machines for transmitting machine access data of a machine to a wireless measurement sensor attached to the machine. A method of transmitting access data of a communication interface of a machine to a wireless measurement sensor attached to the machine includes: controlling a machine component of the machine which influences the measurement signals of the measurement sensor, according to specific information associated with the access data and evaluating the measurement signals to determine the access data of the communication interface of the machine.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods for cutting metal workpieces in sheet form with a thickness of at least 2 mm. A laser beam is positioned in a nozzle opening of a cutting gas nozzle configured to cut via the laser beam and a cutting gas so that a beam axis of the laser beam along a direction of propagation of the laser beam is at least a distance of 3 mm from a rear opening wall portion of the nozzle opening. Cutting gas configured for concurrently exiting the nozzle opening with the laser beam is emitted through the nozzle opening at a cutting gas pressure (p) of at most 10 bar.