Abstract: A method includes removing material from a die and thereby changing a location of a cutting edge of the die in a punch entry direction and changing a cutting edge cross-section of the die; and assigning a punch and/or a workpiece thickness to the die based, at least in part, on the change in the cutting edge cross-section of the die.

Abstract: A machine tool for processing workpieces comprises a stroke drive device with a pressing tool, with a motorized drive including two motorized drive units which are controlled independently and wedge gear elements between the motorized drive and the pressing tool. The wedge gear elements comprise two drive-side wedge gear elements, each one being associated with a motorized drive unit, and two output-side wedge gear elements attached to the pressing tool, with each output-side wedge gear element opposite to an associated respective drive-side wedge gear element and forming a gear element pair. The wedge gear elements of each gear element pair are opposite each other inclined at a wedge angle with respect to a positioning axis and inclined in opposing directions with respect to the positioning axis. The motorized drive is configured to move the pressing tool along a stroke axis and position the stroke drive device along the positioning axis.

Abstract: A method of discharging workpieces cut from a planar material on a processing machine. A workpiece discharge device has several holding elements to receive and carry respective workpieces. After receiving a cut workpiece, the discharge device is moved to a waiting position outside and adjacent a processing region of the machine, and may then be moved back into the processing region to receive a subsequently cut workpiece before being moved to an unloading station.

Abstract: A drive system for a machine tool comprises two, at least equally long drive spindles, extending parallel to each other and being structurally identical with regard to their torsional rigidity and their axial rigidity, which are each supported to rotate about a spindle axis, and which can be driven about the spindle axis concerned. Each of the drive spindles has a fixed bearing at one end, acting in its longitudinal direction. Spindle nuts, which are seated on the drive spindles can be moved simultaneously with longitudinal movements in the longitudinal direction of the drive spindles.

Abstract: A drive device for a movement unit of a machine tool includes a first toothed element driven by a drive motor and provided as a drive pinion including a first tooth arrangement and a second toothed element provided as a toothed rack including a second tooth arrangement. One of the first and second toothed elements is connected to a machine frame, and the other of the first and second toothed elements is connected to the movement unit. The first and second toothed elements are moved relative to each other along a movement axis of the first and second toothed elements by the drive motor via a meshing between the first and second tooth arrangements and via an engagement between the first and second tooth arrangements along an engagement axis that extends perpendicularly to the movement axis.

Abstract: A dialog system for examining a processing operation carried out on a machine tool and establishing a proposal for improving at least one quality feature of a subsequent processing operation, the dialog system having input means to predetermine the quality feature to be improved and a proposal module which, by accessing stored expert knowledge, can establish at least one proposal for improving the quality feature. In some implementations, the proposal module is operable to read data established by one or more of a machine tool sensor system and image data of a processed workpiece together with associated material and processing data to provide the proposal.

Abstract: An apparatus for focusing a laser beam on a workpiece includes at least one transmissive optical element which is arranged at a tilting angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to a beam axis of the laser beam, the transmissive optical element comprising a first side and a second side through which the laser beam passes, a spatially-resolving detector configured to detect laser radiation reflected from the transmissive optical element, and an image evaluation device coupled to the detector, the image evaluation device configured to distinguish laser radiation reflected from the first side of the optical element from laser radiation reflected from the second side of the optical element.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for detecting an incomplete cutting action when cutting a workpiece with a high-energy beam are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes taking an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, the region including an interaction region of the high-energy beam with the workpiece, evaluating the image taken in order to detect pooled slag at an end of the interaction region opposite a cutting front, and detecting whether a related cutting action is incomplete based on an occurrence of detection of pooled slag.

Abstract: Machine tools for processing plate-like workpieces by punching include a punching tool including a punch and a punching die, a drive unit for moving the punch and the punching die relative to each other along a stroke axis for cutting a workpiece part free from a plate-like workpiece, a hold-down device that is movable along the stroke axis and that includes a stripper that contacts an upper surface of the plate-like workpiece while the plate-like workpiece is punched through by the punch, a detection device for detecting a reference position of the hold-down device along the stroke axis, wherein the stripper contacts the upper surface of the workpiece at the reference position, and a numerical control unit for positioning the stripper at a particular distance from the reference position such that a workpiece part that has been cut off can be moved away from a processing region.

Abstract: An optical element for installation in a laser processing machine has a surface that is optically unused and/or not subject to a laser beam during operation of the laser processing machine when the optical element is installed in the laser processing machine, and a transponder disposed in a region on or near the surface and containing readable information relating to the optical element.

Abstract: A method of reshaping a portion of a plate-like workpiece lying on a workpiece support of a machine tool, with the workpiece being movable with respect to the workpiece support. The method comprises folding the portion of the workpiece such that the folded portion of the workpiece has several sides and it is only folded at a side connected to a residual portion of the workpiece lying on the workpiece support, and the folded workpiece portion is raised at a predetermined angle with respect to the residual portion, and reshaping the folded portion of the workpiece to have a segment directed downwardly with respect to the folded portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: A laser processing machine for processing workpieces includes a beam guide containing a gas atmosphere, and also includes an apparatus for investigating the gas atmosphere in the beam guide for impurities. The investigation apparatus makes use of the photoacoustic effect. The measuring apparatus has a measuring chamber and at least one measuring head, where the beam guide acts as the measuring chamber. As a measuring chamber, the beam guide contains the gas atmosphere that is to be investigated and also a modulated laser beam modulated. The measuring head(s) are integrated into the beam guide and are used to detect the photoacoustic effect in the measuring chamber.

Abstract: In some aspects, a tool for a sheet metal processing machine for penetrating a foil disposed on a surface of workpiece to be processed includes a rotatably supported ball for cutting the foil by rolling the ball along the workpiece.

Abstract: A beam shaping unit for focusing a divergent laser beam includes a first optical element to receive the laser beam, a second optical element to receive the beam from the first optical element, an optical focusing unit to receive the beam from the second optical element, a first focal point adjustment device coupled to the first optical element, the first focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust the beam focal point diameter by manipulating the first optical element, and a second focal point adjustment device coupled to the second optical element, the second focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust, in the beam propagation direction, the beam focal position by manipulating the second optical element, and in which the beam shaping unit is configured to image the beam from the first optical element through an intermediate focal point onto the second optical element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implementations of apparatus and methods for controlling a machining system by means of a control program. In some implementations, apparatus include a data storage, in which standard machining parameters are stored to which the control program refers, an adjustment device can be activated in accordance with the invention for adjusting the machining parameters in a preset fashion based on the material properties of a workpiece to be processed and/or a selectable machining target value.

Abstract: In some aspects, a tool cartridge for detachably holding tool parts includes a cartridge base body, a punch holder configured to detachably hold a processing punch, and a die holder configured to detachably hold a processing die. The punch holder and the die holder project from a front side of the cartridge base body and are arranged one above another to form an intervening space. The cartridge base body is defined along a rear side that is opposite from free ends of the punch holder and the die holder by a base body rear wall. The base body rear wall defines, within the intervening space, a wall opening that is open for receiving a third tool part holder. A base-body-side fastening device is provided on the cartridge base body, by which the third tool part holder received in the wall opening is connected to the cartridge base body.

Abstract: A tool retention device of a machine tool includes a tool receiving member, at least one tool abutment, an axial tensioning device, and a radial clamping device. The tool receiving member serves to at least partially receive a processing tool. At least one axial tensioning element of the axial tensioning device pulls the processing tool against an associated tool abutment along a direction of a tensioning axis. While the radial clamping device is decoupled therefrom, the radial clamping device clamps the processing tool by at least one radial clamping element in a direction perpendicular to the tensioning axis of the axial tensioning device. A machine tool may also be provided with the tool retention device.

Abstract: A machining tool, such as a forming, embossing, punching or pinching tool carries at least two tool elements at radial external faces for processing sheet metal. The tool elements are fixed to a tool body, either as separate pieces or integrated therein, and the tool body is rotatably supported in a receptacle. The tool body is rotatable about a rotation axis which is not perpendicular to the sheet metal during processing.

Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described, comprising receiving data that represents a workpiece part type to be produced on a machine tool for machining flat starting materials. The method includes preparing a first numerical control program which is adapted for producing the workpiece part type from a flat starting material on the machine tool, and attaching one or more extractable data sets prepared from the received data to the first numerical control program, wherein the extractable data sets represent one or more parameters including the tools, tool steps and associated machining parameters for producing a single workpiece the workpiece part type on the machine tool. The method further includes extracting the extractable data sets from the attached first numerical control program for adjusting the one or more parameters, integrating the adjusted one or more parameters into a second numerical control program; and providing the second numerical control program to the machine tool.