Abstract: The invention relates to a workpiece processing machine (1), and to a method for operation of a workpiece processing machine (1). The workpiece processing machine (1) comprises an automatically adjustable stop finger (17), and has, for monitoring adjustment movements of the stop finger (17), a monitoring device (36, 37, 38) that comprises an illuminating device (36) and at least one optical detection device (37). In operation of the workpiece processing machine (1), during an automatically controlled adjustment movement of the stop finger (17), a light beam (38) is radiated into an area ahead of the stop finger (17) in the adjustment direction. Upon detection of a first light image (43) projected onto an object surface (42) by the first light beam (38), a safety measure is triggered.

Abstract: A hauling or towing vehicle has a power take-off shaft that can be activated and deactivated selectively by way of a coupling. The apparatus has drivable elements that can be connected to the power take-off shaft. An electronic control unit of the apparatus is connected via a bus to an electronic control unit of the hauling or towing vehicle. The electronic control unit of the apparatus is connected to a sensor for detecting a living creature present in a danger zone of the machine. In the case that a living creature is detected in the danger zone, the electronic control unit of the apparatus causes the electronic control unit of the hauling or towing vehicle to order an actuator to disconnect the coupling of the power take-off shaft and/or to prevent the actuator from closing the coupling.

Abstract: A safety actuator apparatus for a baling machine comprising an extension member coupled to a baling machine having at least one baling chamber, the extension member having at least one end extending outwardly from the baling machine and a support member comprising a safety actuated retention component that aligns with and is configured to contact and restrain the at least one end of the extension member. The apparatus further comprises a detection device for identifying the presence of an obstacle in a predetermined path or a trajectory of movement of at least one component of the baling machine and a communication device configured to send a signal from the detection device to the safety actuated retention component and engage the safety actuated retention component to restrain the movement of at least one component of the baling machine.

Abstract: A control system for use with a machine having a moving tool arranged to move through a known path of movement. The control system includes a means for detecting the location of objects in or adjacent the path of the tool (12) and a processing and control means arranged to determine the distance between the objects in or adjacent the path of the tool and a leading edge (22) of the tool (12). The control system includes at least one mode of operation in which the processing and control means controls movement of the tool (12) such that the distance between the objects in or adjacent the path of the tool and the leading edge (22) of the tool (12) is maintained within minimum and maximum values.

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 electric press is provided with a main CPU 1 and a sub CPU 3, the main CPU 1 being responsive to a signal from a servo driver 10 to give an detecting signal to a relay 2 when a ram 51 is located in a predetermined position, thereby to give a mute signal to an area sensor 30 and the sub CPU 3 being responsive to a signal from an encoder 9 to give a detecting signal to a relay 4 when the ram is located in a predetermined position, thereby to give a mute signal to the area sensor 30. The main CPU 1 and sub CPU 3 watch each other, that is, the main CPU 1 checks the output of a relay 4 and turns the relay 2 off when the mute signal is not produced from the relay 4. The conditions of sub CPU and main CPU are compared with each other. In case the two conditions are in accord with each other, it is decided that the relay 4 is out of order. The sub CPU 3 makes the same check operation in connection with the relay 2.

Abstract: A thermal insulation system is provided for a component of a bonding system, such as an optical system. The thermal insulation system comprises multiple insulation layers located between the component and a heat source. The multiple insulation layers comprise at least one layer of moving air injected into the layer and a cover layer enclosing the layer of moving air. The multiple insulation layers may further comprise a layer of static air.

Abstract: A method and an optoelectronic sensor are provided for ensuring the safety of a machine tool having a first tool part carrying out working movements in the direction of a second tool part. The sensor monitors a three-dimensional protected field between the tool parts of the machine tool. At the start of a working movement of a first tool part of the machine tool, the extent of the protected field in the direction of the working movement is smaller than the extent of the open gap between the tool parts. On a continued working movement, the extent of the protected field is continuously reduced and the protected field is held in the center of the open gap. Thereafter, on a further continued working movement, the extent of the protected field is maintained and the protected field is held in the center of the open gap. The sensor is finally deactivated.

Abstract: A safety system for use with a machine having a moving tool arranged to move through a known path of movement. The safety system is arranged to detect the presence of an obstruction in a region (20) around a portion of said path deemed to be hazardous. The safety system is characterised by comprising a light emitting means (16), a light receiving means (18) and a processing and control means. The light emitting means (16) is arranged to emit light generally parallel to the path of movement of the tool such that the region (20) is illuminated. The light receiving means (18) is arranged to receive light from the light emitting means (16) which has passed through the region (20).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for securing a machine tool comprising a first tool part that carries out work movements in the direction of a second tool part in order thereby to carry out a machining process on a workpiece, wherein an optoelectronic sensor monitors a three-dimensional protected field between the tool parts in that light is transmitted along an open gap formed between the tool parts by means of a transmitter device and is detected by means of a receiver device which includes a matrix of light-sensitive elements, wherein the first tool part is stopped if individual light-sensitive elements or specific groups of the light-sensitive elements do not receive any light. In the method in accordance with the invention, relative positions between individual workpiece areas or measured values related to individual workpiece areas are determined from the signals delivered by the light-sensitive elements.

Abstract: A container having a compactor and bin for waste is disclosed permitting on-premises and remote monitoring of the system and collection is disclosed. The system can also detect non-complaint materials placed therein and act thereon. Methods are further disclosed for inventorying identification tags for tracking packages, merchandise and tags disposed of.

Abstract: A control system for use with a machine having a moving tool arranged to move through a known path of movement. The control system includes a means for detecting the location of objects in or adjacent the path of the tool (12) and a processing and control means arranged to determine the distance between the objects in or adjacent the path of the tool and a leading edge (22) of the tool (12). The control system includes at least one mode of operation in which the processing and control means controls movement of the tool (12) such that the distance between the objects in or adjacent the path of the tool and the leading edge (22) of the tool (12) is maintained within minimum and maximum values.

Abstract: A safety device for a machine has a first machine part for carrying out a working movement towards a second machine part. It also has at least a first and a second optical barrier moving along with the first machine part during the working movement. The first optical barrier runs ahead of the first machine part by a first distance, and the second optical barrier is arranged at a second distance from the first optical barrier. A control unit is designed to stop the working movement of the first machine part when the first optical barrier is interrupted. A test unit allows to test whether the second optical barrier has been interrupted once the first machine part has been stopped. A blocking unit serves for blocking the working movement as a function of the test result from the test unit. Using this safety device it is possible to determine an overtravel of the first machine part in a simple and reliable manner.

Abstract: A press forming machines includes displacement measuring means for measuring a displacement between a slide plate and a reference plate. Control means measures a positional displacement of each of the driving sources by using the displacement measuring means in each of a plurality of operating steps during the molding operation, detects a desired displacement position of the entire slide plate, extracts control data including a correction amount to maintain the entire slide plate at the desired displacement position, the correction amount corresponding to a change in load on each of the driving sources, stores the control data in the memory, supplies the control data to the driving sources, and separately drives the driving sources. Since an actual molding operation can be performed using control data generated in a trial molding operation, the cycle time of the actual molding can be shortened.

Abstract: An approach sensor 2 is provided to give a signal to a control device, that is, CPU 1, when the approach sensor 2 detects an operator approaching a region predetermined in consideration of a region where a ram 20 is driven. The CPU 1 is operated in response to the signal from the approach sensor 2 to turn a relay 6 off, thereby to intercept the power supply to a servo motor 8 from a power source, wherein the servo motor 8 is controlled to return the ram 20 to an operation point when an instruction is given from an operating device 4 to turn the relay 6 on to supply the power to the servo motor 8 from the power source.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety apparatus for a machine such as a press brake. The machine has a first and a second machine part which perform a working movement towards each other. The first machine part has a leading edge in the direction of movement, and the leading edge defines a plane of movement. The safety apparatus has a plurality of first light barriers which run with the first machine part during the working movement, with the light beams of the first light barriers extending parallel to the plane of movement and being distributed in the region of the plane of movement in such a way that they run in advance of the leading edge with an increasing distance as viewed in the direction of the working movement. Furthermore, there is a control unit which stops the working movement in response to the first light barriers. There is also a configuration device, by means of which selected ones from the first light barriers can be deactivated at least for the duration of the working movement.

Abstract: A protective device for securing to a component movable along a track and for the monitoring of a protected zone moving with the component includes a light transmitter for the radiation of a divergent transmitted light beam into a spatial zone containing the protected zone, a light receiver for the reception of at least some of the light of the transmitted light beam of the light transmitter radiated into the spatial zone and for the emitting of corresponding received signals, and a restriction device which is arranged in the direction of a transmitted light path after a section of the transmitted light path which contains the protected zone and by means of which the transmitted light beam can be restricted to a less divergent received light beam defining the width of the protected zone in at least one direction.

Abstract: A press forming machine having a slide plate which reciprocates by driving sources between a lower support stand and an upper support plate and has a forming space between the lower support stand and the slide plate. In the press forming machine, a reference plate for a displacement reference for the slide plate is supported on the lower support stand. The driving sources are engaged with the slide plate by the drive shafts of the driving sources to drive and press the slide plate. The drive shaft is provided with a through hole axially extending in a shaft center thereof, and displacement measuring devices each for each of the drive shafts measures the displacement of the slide plate portion corresponding to the through hole with respect to the reference plate, through the through hole. As a result, the displacements at the pressurized points on the slide plate can be measured.

Abstract: A guard device for machines such as bending presses, cutting machines, stamping machines or the like, has a first machine part which performs operative movements toward a second machine part. A laser photoelectric detector arrangement is attached to the first machine part and possesses at least one photoelectric detector, whose light beam shines in an adjustable secure distance from this machine part. On interruption of the light beam the operative motion is arrested. An abutment arrangement on the second machine part prevents interruption of the light beam. The photoelectric detector arrangement is either so laterally offset that an interruption of the light beam by the first machine part is excluded during further movement or the photoelectric detector arrangement is arranged on the first machine part in the working path thereof. A switch, able to be worked on reaching the abutting position, deactivates photoelectric detector.

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 safety apparatus and method for protecting an object entering into the path of a moving blade in a press brake (10) is provided, which includes laser emitters (22) and receivers (24) for mounting in fixed relationship to the leading edge (36) of the blade (18) to provide a plurality of light beams (26) in advance of the blade (18). A controller (51) including halting means (57) for halting advancing movement of the blade in response to certain contingencies is also provided, wherein the contingencies may include those involving interruption or obstruction of the light beams (26) and those which are indicative of a fault with the press or the safety apparatus itself. The controller (51) also includes laser control and processing means (54), blade movement control means (56), blade position processing means (58) and vibration sensing means.

Abstract: A part measurement system includes a press machine, a material measurement sensor, and a press controller. The press machine includes a lower die coupled to an upper die, wherein the lower die includes a top surface supporting a strip of material to be formed into a part after a stripper plate coupled to the upper die contacts the strip of material. The part measurement sensor is located in the lower die and measures a critical dimension of the part while the part is in the lower die. The part forming rail is coupled to the lower die. The forming rail and the upper die form the critical dimension of the part. The press controller is coupled to the press machine and the sensor. The controller processes a measurement signal from the part measurement sensor of the critical dimension of the part, compares the measurement signal to a predetermined threshold value, and generates a command signal to the press machine to adjust the forming rail based on the measurement signal.

Abstract: The present invention is a portable, compact hot press. The hot press includes a frame that has a press unit attached thereto. The press unit has a crown plate, a bolster plate, and a base plate. An upper press unit is attached to the crown plate and a lower press unit is attached to the bolster plate. The lower press unit is configured to contact the upper press unit when the press is in a closed position. The press further includes a control unit attached to the frame. The control unit is configured to manually or automatically control press operation. Additionally, the press includes a hydraulic unit that is attached to the frame and is configured to facilitate motion of the press operation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling a light grid with a monitored zone for the securing of a hazardous zone pre-determined by a tool movement which is activated with the tool movement. A closed region of the monitored zone is activated as an active field. This active field is moved within the monitored zone such that the hazardous zone is initially only partly secured during the tool movement.

Abstract: The present invention provides an operation apparatus for a press, of simple structure with lower cost.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fail-safe automatic sliding operation control apparatus for a press. The entrance and withdrawal behaviors of an operator's hand relative to danger zones (D, D.sub.N) on a bolster of the press are detected by an output generation configuration of two optical curtains. A signal for permitting a lowering operation of the slide is generated when the operator's hand is withdrawn from the danger zones (D, D.sub.N).