Abstract: The invention relates to a tool changing device (1) for a forming press (2), in particular a press brake, comprising at least one tool magazine (3, 4) and at least one transfer device (5, 6) for the transfer of the forming tools (7, 8) of the at least one tool magazine (3, 4), which are storable in the at least one tool magazine (3, 4), from the at least one tool magazine (3, 4) to the forming press (2) and in the reverse direction, wherein the at least one transfer device (5, 6) has a drivable thrust chain (9, 10) for the transmission of compressive and tensile forces.

Abstract: The invention relates to a loading method for a machine tool (12), especially for a bending machine, having a tool-transfer device (1), a tool holder (17) of the machine tool (12), and a tool rack (13), wherein the tool holder (17) and the tool rack (13) are connected via a guide rail (4), and the tool-transfer device (1) has a magnetic retaining device (5). The tool-transfer device (1) is moved to a machining tool (18), which is arranged in a pick-up position (20) in a tool holder (17) or in a tool rack (13). The machining tool (18) is picked up and retained by means of a magnetic retaining device (5) of the tool-transfer device (1) and moved along the guide track (4) to a deposition position (21). There the machining tool (18) is deposited by deactivation of the magnetic retaining force (22).

Abstract: Device and method for positioning of a bending tool (1) by means of an electromagnet (2) that can be displaced along a magnetic guide, which bending tool (1) is held on a tool holder (4) by a retaining carriage (3) that can be displaced in a direction of movement along a retaining-carriage guide and which bending tool (1) comprises a magnet holder (5) of a magnetizable material, wherein an adjustable magnetic force acts between the electromagnet and the magnet holder (5).

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool handling system (1) for removing or inserting a bending tool (2) in a tool mounting (3), comprising a bending tool (2) having a gripping recess (16) and a locking device (7) that cooperates with the tool mounting (3), the locking device being deactivatable by an actuating element (10) which is arranged in the gripping recess (16) and is accessible therein, and further comprising a gripper (11) with a gripper base body (12), comprising a first gripper finger (14) arranged on the gripper base body and at least a second gripper finger (15) which is adjustable on the gripper base body (12) by means of an articulation (20). The invention is characterized in that the first gripper finger (14), when positioned in the gripping recess (16), and the adjustable second gripper finger (15), when positioned in a release position, do not contact the actuating element (10) and that the adjustable second gripper finger (15) contacts the actuating element (10) in a gripping position.

Abstract: A forming operation on a workpiece clamps the workpiece between a first clamping jaw with a first shaping edge, and an adjustable second clamping jaw with a second shaping edge so that a portion projects between the shaping edges and afterwards a bending edge of an adjustable bending bar is guided at a distance past the shaping edges, whereby the portion of the workpiece is angled away in relation to the part of the workpiece that is clamped between the clamping jaws. The bending edge is guided on angling along a straight path of movement of the bending edge, and after the bending edge has passed the shaping edges, the shaping edges are adjusted along an adjustment path which approaches the path of movement of the bending edge.

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: The invention relates to a support device (15) for a press brake, comprising a base frame (24) and a support plate (17) with a bearing surface (18) which can be positioned between a base position (26) and a maximum position (27). The support plate (17) is arranged on a lever linkage system (25) which is connected to a drive unit (32) and which is designed as a parallel kinematics system. The drive unit (32) comprises a crank (35), which is connected to a positioning drive (33) designed as a rotary drive (34), and a rocker (54), which is connected to the crank in an articulated manner. The rocker (54) is connected to the crank (35) by means of an eight rotary joint (55) and to the lever linkage system (25) by means of a ninth rotary joint (56).

Abstract: The invention relates to a back gauge (15) for a back gauge positioning system of a bending machine. The back gauge (15) comprises a stop finger (18) on which at least one stop surface (17) is configured, a base unit (21) that is configured for coupling with the back gauge positioning system (14), wherein the stop finger (18) is coupled with the base unit (21) by means of a linear guide (29), and the stop finger (18) can be displaced relative to the base unit (21) between a pushed-forward working position (28) and a retracted position (30), characterized in that the stop finger (18) and the base unit (21) are coupled with a first spring element (34), by means of which the stop finger (18) is pre-loaded into its working position (28), and that a locking device (41) is configured, by means of which the stop finger (18) can optionally be locked in the working position (28) or is released into its retracted position (30) for displacement counter to the spring force of the first spring element (34).

Abstract: The invention relates to a production plant (1) comprising a brake press (3) having press beams (13, 16), slot-shaped tool holders (19, 20) disposed and/or arranged on the press beams (13, 16), bending tools (4), a tool magazine (31) for at least one bending tool (4), a first manipulation device (30) for transporting the bending tool (4) between the tool magazine (31) and the tool holders (19, 20), and a second manipulation device (33) for positioning the bending tool (4) in the tool holder (19, 20). The second manipulation device (33) comprises at least one traction means (37) guided via two deflection means (35, 36), on which traction means (37) at least one pusher element (38) is disposed. The bending tool (5, 6) has a slot (46) extending in a direction (48) parallel with a bending edge (47) through which the at least one traction means (37) is run. The at least one slot (46) is further dimensioned such that the at least one pusher element (38) cannot be run through the slot (46).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press (18) for carrying out a forming operation on a workpiece (1), comprising a first clamping beam (27), which has a first clamping jaw (2) with a first forming edge (5), and an adjustable second clamping beam (28), which has a second clamping jaw (3) with a second forming edge (6), and also at least one bending beam (7, 38), which is adjustable in relation to the machine frame (19) along a bending beam guide (33) and has at least one bending edge (8, 39), the path of movement (12) of which passes by the forming edges (5, 6) at a distance (10) and with which a portion (4) of the workpiece (1) can be angled away in relation to the part of the workpiece (1) that is clamped between the clamping jaws (2, 3).

Abstract: A bending machine with a work area image capture apparatus has a machine frame, a longitudinally extended, fixed machine table, and a longitudinally extended press beam moved by a drive relative to the frame and guided therein. The longitudinal expanse and the press beam movement direction define a working plane establishing a front working and manipulation space and a rear machine space. An image capture apparatus above the machine table in the machine space has a capture region oriented toward the machine space and is connected with a display configured to represent the captured image of the capture region. The capture apparatus is connected with the display by an image processing processor having a coordinate transformation module configured the captured image perspective. The coordinate transformation module is connected with a wireless position determination system configured to determine the machine operator position in the working and manipulation space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending tool (1) comprising a tool body (2) having an upper (3) and an opposite lower end region (4), wherein an attachment extension (5) is configured in the upper end region (3), and a working tip (6) is configured in the lower end region (4). A tool identification marker (11) is disposed in the tool body (2), and a communication interface (9) is disposed in the attachment extension (5) on at least one side surface (8) and not projecting beyond it, which interface is connected with the tool identification marker (11) by way of a connection line (10). An electronics unit (12) is disposed in the tool body (2). A voltage supply contact (14) that is electrically insulated relative to the tool body (2) is is disposed on the attachment extension (5), which contact is connected with a voltage supply module (15) of the electronics unit (12).

Abstract: A bending machine has a work area image capture apparatus. A longitudinal expanse and the movement direction of the press beam define a working plane, which establishes a front working and manipulation space and a rear machine space, which is distinguished from the former and, in particular, closed off. An image capture apparatus is disposed in the working and manipulation space above the machine table, in a center section of the longitudinal expanse of the press beam, which apparatus is connected with a display, which is configured for representation of the captured image of the capture region. The image capture apparatus is disposed in a press beam casing, and has two image capture devices, wherein each image capture device captures a partial section in the direction of the machine table.

Abstract: An elongated bending beam for a swivel bending machine has an approximately C-shaped beam cross section and two bending tools, which are opposite one another relative to a preferably horizontal central plane), and which run facing one another in the longitudinal direction of the bending beam, between which a workpiece portion of a workpiece to be bent can be introduced. An angle-measuring system for contactlessly measuring a bending angle is arranged inside the C-shape beam cross section, with which a bending angle can be measured relative to a reference plane at a workpiece section bent by one of the bending tools. The angle-measuring system also includes a first angle-measuring unit arranged below the central plane and having a first measuring region positioned substantially above the central plane, and a second angle-measuring unit arranged above the central plane and having a second measuring region positioned substantially below the central plane.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool magazine (1) for a manipulator (4) comprising a plurality of tool holding fixtures (2) which are distributed in a preparation area (7), especially in a substantially vertical preparation plane (11). The tool magazine (1), on one side (9) of the preparation area (7), comprises a first access opening (10) facing the manipulator (4) and, on the other side (15) of the preparation area (7), a second access opening (16) facing an operator (13) and the first access opening (10) is associated with a first protective device (17) and the second access opening (16) is associated with a second protective device (18).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending tool (3) for inserting into a tool mount (2). The bending tool comprises a tool body (4), a locking element (8) which is connected to an activating element (7) accessible outside of the tool mount (2) and which has a locking tab (9) for securing the bending tool (3) in the tool mount (2) by engaging in a recess arranged therein, wherein a base position of the activating element (12) corresponds to a unlocking position of the locking element (16) and an actuating position of the activating element (13) corresponds to a locking position of the locking element (15). Furthermore, there is a tool position securing element (17) attached displaceably in the tool body (4), which tool position securing element, in a securing position (18) that protrudes with respect to the tool body (4), establishes a connection for fixing the position of the tool body (4) with respect to a displacement direction (5) in the tool mount (2).

Abstract: The invention relates to a gripper system (16) for a press brake (2), having a gripping device (11) for manipulating a bending tool (6). The gripping device (11) comprises a first gripping arm (21) and a second gripping arm (22) that is displaceable in the clamping direction (26) relative to the first gripping arm (21), said gripping arms (21) being configured to engage in a gripping groove (17, 18) of a bending tool (6) and to clamp the bending tool (6). The gripping device (11) is arranged on a carriage system (46), said carriage system (46) comprising a horizontal linear guide (47) by means of which the gripping device (11) is displaceable towards the gripping groove (17, 18) or away from the gripping groove (17, 18) in the longitudinal direction (35) of the gripping arms (21, 22).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending press (3), in particular a press brake, comprising a machine frame (7) and pressing bars (13, 16), and tool holders (19, 20) and bending tools (4) arranged or formed on the pressing bars (13, 16) in the form of a bending punch (5) or a bending die (6), wherein a receiving portion (35) of the bending tools (4) is accommodated in a receiving groove (34) of the tool holder (19, 20). The tool holder (19, 20) and a driver device (41) assigned to the bending tool (4) are designed as a linear motor, as a result of which the bending tool (4) can be positioned in a direction (32) that is parallel to a bending edge (31).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending tool storage device (1) for storing bending tools (2), comprising at least one storage unit (3), which comprises an outer tool storage (4) which is ring-shaped or partial-ring-shaped and has a plurality of guide rails (14) for holding and guiding bending tools (2), characterized in that the storage unit (3) comprises at least one inner tool storage (5, 6) which is arranged inside the outer tool storage (4) and has a plurality of guide rails (15, 16) for holding and guiding bending tools (2), and in that the outer tool storage (4) and the inner tool storage (5, 6) are rotatable relative to one another, wherein, in different positions of relative rotation between outer tool storage (4) and inner tool storage (5), at least one guide rail (14) of the outer tool storage (4) is in each case in aligned orientation with another guide rail (15, 16) of the inner tool storage (5, 6).

Abstract: The invention relates to a bending machine (1) for metal sheets (3). The bending machine (1) comprises a machine frame (4) and a support device (15) which is designed to hold the metal sheet (3) to be bent, a support surface (16) of the support device (15) being arranged in a horizontal plane with the support surface (7) of a clamping base (5). The support device (15) has at least a first support module (17) and a second support module (18) having a first support surface (19) and a second support surface (20). At least one of the support modules (17, 18) is horizontally displaceable in the longitudinal direction (21) of the bending machine (1) and as a result a first gap (22) extending at right angles to the blank-holder edge (12) can be set between the two support modules (17, 18).