Abstract: A method for pressing a workpiece with a predetermined pressing force uses a forming tool coupled with an electric motor via a spindle drive that converts the rotational movement of the electric motor drive shaft to a translational movement of the forming tool. The method includes: accelerating the electric motor in a first rotational direction to a predetermined maximal speed of rotation; operating the electric motor at the maximal speed until the drive shaft has completed a predetermined number of revolutions; reducing the speed of rotation of the electric motor to a predetermined reduced speed of rotation; operating the electric motor at the reduced speed until a pressing force increase exceeding a predetermined threshold value is detected by a measuring unit that follows the electric motor; forming the workpiece with constant detection of the pressing force by the measuring unit until the predetermined pressing force has been reached.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for driving a screw (4) with a predetermined tightening torque by means of a screwdriving tool (3), which is coupled with an electric motor (2), which is activated by a regulation (8). The method comprises the following method steps: acceleration of the electric motor (2) in screwing-in direction (15) to a predetermined maximum rotational speed, operation of the electric motor (2) at maximum rotational speed until a drive shaft (11) of the electric motor (2) has completed a specified number of spindle revolutions, reduction of the rotational speed of the electric motor (2) to a predetermined reduced rotational speed; operation of the electric motor (2) at reduced speed until a torque increase that exceeds a predetermined threshold value is detected by a measuring unit (14) connected downstream from the electric motor (2); subsequent turning of the screw (4) or nut until the predetermined tightening torque is reached.

Abstract: A method for pressing a workpiece with a predetermined pressing force uses a forming tool coupled with an electric motor via a spindle drive that converts the rotational movement of the electric motor drive shaft to a translational movement of the forming tool. The method includes: accelerating the electric motor in a first rotational direction to a predetermined maximal speed of rotation; operating the electric motor at the maximal speed until the drive shaft has completed a predetermined number of revolutions; reducing the speed of rotation of the electric motor to a predetermined reduced speed of rotation; operating the electric motor at the reduced speed until a pressing force increase exceeding a predetermined threshold value is detected by a measuring unit that follows the electric motor; forming the workpiece with constant detection of the pressing force by the measuring unit until the predetermined pressing force has been reached.

Abstract: A method for transferring a workpiece carrier in a manufacturing facility from a first conveying portion, which is controlled by a first controller, to a second conveying portion, which is controlled by a second controller is provided. The conveying portions each have a toothed belt. On the basis of an internal timer in the two controllers, a desired position of a virtual tooth space in the transfer region of the conveying portions is calculated, taking the predefined movement speed of the workpiece carrier into consideration and taking the tooth pitch of the toothed belts into consideration. The toothed belts are controlled and synchronized by the respective controller via the drive units such that a first tooth space of the first toothed belt and a second tooth space of the second toothed belt are synchronized with the desired position of the virtual tooth space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transferring a workpiece carrier (5) in a manufacturing facility (1) from a first conveying portion (2), which is controlled by a first controller (26), to a second conveying portion (3), which is controlled by a second controller (27), the conveying portions (2, 3) each comprising a toothed belt (9, 10).

Abstract: The invention concerns a workpiece carrier (4) for a production unit (1) with at least one conveying section (2). The workpiece carrier (4) comprises a workpiece carrier body (13), a workpiece receptacle (16) arranged on the workpiece carrier body (13), a guide device (14) which is arranged on the workpiece carrier body (13) by means of which the workpiece carrier (4) can be received and displaced in the production unit (1), in particular in the conveying section (2), and a code element (20) which is arranged on the workpiece carrier body (13) which is designed to identify the workpiece carrier (4) by means of a detection means (11) arranged in the production unit (1). For identification, the code element (20) has inhomogeneous material properties in its longitudinal orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding device (1), in particular a laser welding device, for welding metal workpieces (3) by means of at least one welding head (2), in particular a laser welding head, which defines a working area (4). The welding device is characterized by at least one heating device (5) which acts on the working area (4) to heat up the workpiece (3), in particular before and/or after the welding process.

Abstract: The invention concerns a workpiece carrier (4) for a production unit (1) with at least one conveying section (2). The workpiece carrier (4) comprises a workpiece carrier body (13), a workpiece receptacle (16) arranged on the workpiece carrier body (13), a guide device (14) which is arranged on the workpiece carrier body (13) by means of which the workpiece carrier (4) can be received and displaced in the production unit (1), in particular in the conveying section (2), and a code element (20) which is arranged on the workpiece carrier body (13) which is designed to identify the workpiece carrier (4) by means of a detection means (11) arranged in the production unit (1). For identification, the code element (20) has inhomogeneous material properties in its longitudinal orientation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-line method for producing workpieces or assemblies (2), in which method the workpieces or assemblies (2) pass through a number of successive workstations (4) by means of a conveyor device (3). Said method is characterised by a hardening step that is carried out in one of the workstations (4), during which step at least one region of the workpiece or assembly (2) is hardened by the application of at least one laser hardening trace (6) by means of a laser device (5), in particular, a laser with programmable focusing optics (PFO) or a linear laser. The invention also relates to a corresponding in-line production plant.

Abstract: The invention relates to a welding device (1), in particular a laser welding device, for welding metal workpieces (3) by means of at least one welding head (2), in particular a laser welding head, which defines a working area (4). The welding device is characterized by at least one heating device (5) which acts on the working area (4) to heat up the workpiece (3), in particular before and/or after the welding process.

Abstract: A method positions a first movable unit of a machine system and a second movable unit of the machine system in a definable relative position to each other. For this purpose, the first movable unit is moved to a first position within a first travel space with the aid of a first measuring system. The second movable unit is moved to a second position within a second travel space with the aid of a second measuring system. The first movable unit and/or the second movable unit is moved to the predetermined relative position to each other with the aid of a third measuring system. A machine system carries out the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a universal closure device (1) for openings (2) of sample containers (3) having different cross-sections (4). The closure device (1) comprises a shaft part (6) extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis (5) and a plurality of sealing elements (12, 16), which are disposed in the region of an outer surface (9) of the shaft part (6) and are intended for applying to an inner lateral surface (11) of the sample container (3) to be closed, wherein said lateral surface faces the longitudinal axis (5). The sealing elements (12, 16) arranged on the shaft part (6) are arranged in succession in a circumferential plane and in the circumferential direction of the shaft part (6). At least one supporting element (31, 33) is arranged and extends between the sealing element (12, 16) and the outer surface (9) of the shaft part (6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a universal closure device (1) for openings (2) of sample containers (3) having different cross-sections (4). The closure device (1) comprises a shaft part (6) extending in the direction of a longitudinal axis (5) and a plurality of sealing elements (12, 16), which are disposed in the region of an outer surface (9) of the shaft part (6) and are intended for applying to an inner lateral surface (11) of the sample container (3) to be closed, wherein said lateral surface faces the longitudinal axis (5). The sealing elements (12, 16) arranged on the shaft part (6) are arranged in succession in a circumferential plane and in the circumferential direction of the shaft part (6). At least one supporting element (31, 33) is arranged and extends between the sealing element (12, 16) and the outer surface (9) of the shaft part (6).

Abstract: A method for optimized thermal energy current guidance has a thermal energy source, a plurality of energy sinks and an energy circuit. In this case the amount of primary energy to be removed from the energy source is determined and a first energy sink is connected to the energy circuit and the amount of energy flow into the first energy sink is controlled. On exceeding the take up capacity of the energy sink coupled to the energy circuit, the method steps are repeated and additional energy sinks are connected. On exceeding the holding capacity of the energy sink coupled to the energy circuit the method steps are repeated and additional energy sinks are connected.

Abstract: The invention describes a turntable (10) with a transfer means (17) for guiding and transmitting a driving force to a parts carrier (1) which can be displaced along guide tracks between a first conveying section (15) and a second conveying section (16) (5), and the transfer means (17) can be pivoted about a pivot axis (19) oriented perpendicular to a transport plane (20). The parts carrier (2) is provided with guide elements (7) by means of which the parts carrier (2) is guided along the guide tracks (5) and the transfer means (17) has a guide track along which the parts carrier (2) is guided by one of the guide elements (7). The invention further relates to a transport system (1) and a method of handling parts carriers (2) by means of a transfer apparatus (14) incorporating the described turntable (10).