Abstract: The invention describes a safety system (22) for a production unit (1) for bending a sheet metal part (3), in particular for a bending press (2), with a stationary bench beam (13) and a bending tool (4, 5) for a displaceable press beam (13), and with a light beam transmitter and receiver system (23) monitoring an operating region to prevent trapping of a foreign body. The bending tool (5) disposed in the press beam (13) is provided in the form of a slat pack (34) comprising at least one reference slat (35) and at least one tool slat (33) which can be displaced relative to it, which are provided with recesses (60) traversing them in the direction of a thickness (32). When oriented in alignment, these form a beam passage (65) for a light beam (9), in particular a laser light beam, extending parallel with an end face (8) of the press beam (13). An embodiment of the bending tool is possible in the form of a skeleton tool.

Abstract: The invention relates to as gripping device (1) for a manipulation system (5), particularly for a robot, for receiving parts and feeding manufacturing equipment, for example a metal sheet folding machine, punching press, welding plant etc., with workpieces (2) from a readied stack (3) of workpieces (2), with a gripper head (6) fitted with gripping means (7), e.g. suction cups (9), magnets, tongs, etc., and with a detection system (17) for the workpeice (2) received by the gripping means. The detection system (12) and at least one pulse emitter acting upon the workpiece (2) as a vibration exciter, and at least one vibration sensor (15) are arranged on the gripper head (6). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a gripper device (1).

Abstract: A method of operating a bending press, in particular an edging press, and a bending press for carrying out this method. For each drive of a drive arrangement, the actual pressing force is detected for the displaceable press beam during a bending process for the workpiece and a relative position of the pressing tool or tools by reference to the longitudinal extension of the press beams is determined on the basis of a force ratio. Different displacement paths of the drives and the displaceable press beam at the respective force-application point of the drive are then determined in an evaluation and/or computer unit, which is provided with a data memory for production and machine data, and corresponding control signals for the drive system are generated in the control unit and actuator elements of the drives are displaced by the displacement paths determined for each drive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a production unit (1), in particular a bending press, and a method of operating the latter in order to shape workpieces of sheet metal between two press beams (15, 16) equipped with bending tools (36, 37) and displaceable relative to one another by means of a drive system (27), and having a control unit (47). The control unit (47) incorporates a detection system and has at least one detection means which is connected so as to communicate with the detection system in order to transmit data and/or signals.

Abstract: The invention describes a safety device (45), in particular a beam-emitting and beam-receiving system for a production machine (1), e.g. an edging press, with a retaining mechanism (51) for the safety device (45) on a press beam (16) to which bending and/or pressing tools can be attached. The retaining mechanism (51) has at least one retaining means (52) designed to be received in a tool holder device (35). A detection system (66) wired to the machine control system of the production machine (1) is provided between the tool holding device (35) and the retaining means (52).

Abstract: A tool-clamping device for a forming tool, in particular a bending punch or bending die, on a compression beam, in particular an edging press, comprising a tool adapter attached to the compression beam and designed to releasably hold the forming tool. At least one resiliently elastic return means is provided between a receiving region of the tool adapter and a connecting region of the tool adapter or between the beam and the tool adapter to counteract a relative displacement between the tool adapter and forming tool and the compression beam in the longitudinal direction of the beam.

Abstract: The invention describes a safety device (45), in particular a beam-emitting and beam-receiving system for a production machine (1), e.g. an edging press, with a retaining mechanism (51) for the safety device (45) on a press beam (16) to which bending and/or pressing tools can be attached. The retaining mechanism (51) has at least one retaining means (52) designed to be received in a tool holder device (35). A detection system (66) wired to the machine control system of the production machine (1) is provided between the tool holding device (35) and the retaining means (52).

Abstract: A method of operating a bending press, in particular an edging press, and a bending press for carrying out this method. For each drive of a drive arrangement, the actual pressing force is detected for the displaceable press beam during a bending process for the workpiece and a relative position of the pressing tool or tools by reference to the longitudinal extension of the press beams is determined on the basis of a force ratio. Different displacement paths of the drives and the displaceable press beam at the respective force-application point of the drive are then determined in an evaluation and/or computer unit, which is provided with a data memory for production and machine data, and corresponding control signals for the drive system are generated in the control unit and actuator elements of the drives are displaced by the displacement paths determined for each drive.

Abstract: A tool-clamping device for a forming tool, in particular a bending punch or bending die, on a compression beam, in particular an edging press, comprising a tool adapter attached to the compression beam and designed to releasably hold the forming tool. At least one resiliently elastic return means is provided between a receiving region of the tool adapter and a connecting region of the tool adapter or between the beam and the tool adapter to counteract a relative displacement between the tool adapter and forming tool and the compression beam in the longitudinal direction of the beam.