Abstract: A machine controller for controlling a machine includes a data memory configured to store maintenance data for at least one of the machine controller or the machine in an electronically processable manner, an imaging processing unit configured to at least partially read the maintenance data from the data memory and to generate image information relating to a graphical representation that includes a first representation area representing a first section of the maintenance data in a form designed for machine readability. The machine controller includes at least one of: a display unit configured to display the graphical representation based on the image information or a data transmission interface configured to transmit the image information indirectly or directly to a service computer to display or evaluate the graphical representation on the service computer.

Abstract: A machine tool for processing workpieces, in particular metal sheets, has a punching device and a laser processing device. The punching device comprises a punch-side positioning device by means of which a punching tool component of a punching tool can be positioned in a definable position along an operating stroke axis of the punching device. The laser processing device has a laser processing unit and a laser accessory unit. The laser accessory unit can be positioned by means of an accessory unit positioning device with an activation movement in an operating position which can be defined by means of the punch-side positioning device. In the context of a method for processing workpieces, in particular metal sheets, which method is carried out using the above machine tool, the operating position of the laser accessory unit is defined by means of the punch-side positioning device.

Abstract: A tool magazine for tools of a machine tool for processing workpieces includes a first magazine unit that is close to a processing station of the machine tool and a second magazine unit that is remote from the processing station of the machine tool. The second magazine unit includes a permanent tool carrier and a temporary tool carrier. The permanent tool carrier is permanently accessible to a tool handling device. The temporary tool carrier is temporarily accessible to the tool handling device.

Abstract: The invention relates to machine tools and methods for processing plate-like workpieces. The machine tool comprises a first movement device for the movement of the workpiece in a first direction, two workpiece supporting surfaces spaced apart by a gap extending in a second direction and configured for supporting the workpiece, and a second movement device for the movement of a pressing tool in the second direction. The pressing tool comprises two tool components that are configured to move in a stroke direction relative to one another in order to process the workpiece in the gap by at least one of stamping and shaping. The machine tool also comprises at least one receiving device configured to move in the second direction one or more of in and along the gap for depositing at least one workpiece part formed when processing the workpiece by at least one of stamping and shaping.

Abstract: Optical arrangements for processing a workpiece include a fiber laser arrangement for emitting laser radiation, a fiber arrangement directly coupled to the fiber laser arrangement and configured to guide the laser radiation in a direction to the workpiece to be processed, the fiber arrangement including a transport fiber having a fiber core and at least one fiber cladding surrounding the fiber core, and at least one coupling device for coupling a portion of the laser radiation guided in the fiber arrangement into at least one fiber cladding of the transport fiber. The coupling device has a spectral bandwidth of at least the same magnitude as a spectral bandwidth of the laser radiation. The fiber laser arrangement is configured to change a beam profile of the guided laser radiation to shift the spectral bandwidth of the laser radiation relative to the spectral bandwidth of the coupling device.

Abstract: This disclosure describes laser machining head cutting gas nozzles that include an inner nozzle having a nozzle opening configured to form a core gas flow, an outer nozzle having an annular gap surrounding the nozzle opening and configured to form an annular gas flow, and a sleeve in the annular gap, wherein the sleeve is arranged to be axially displaceable between a rearward position and a forward position, wherein the sleeve projects beyond the inner nozzle at least when in the forward position, and wherein the sleeve widens a cross-sectional area of the outer nozzle to a variable degree as the sleeve is displaced from the rearward to the forward position. Methods of using a cutting gas nozzle are also described.

Abstract: A laser processing head, by means of which lenses in the beam path of the laser beam may be interchanged for the purposes of changing the beam diameter at the workpiece, wherein the laser processing head may have a structurally simple and compact embodiment.

Abstract: A processing unit of a machine tool for the punching processing of workpieces, in particular metal sheets, has a punching tool carrier configured to receive a punching tool and a stripper carrier for a stripper. The punching tool carrier can be moved by a punch drive along a stroke axis by a transverse drive element being driven by a punch drive motor relative to the punching tool carrier with a transverse drive movement along a transverse movement axis which extends in the transverse direction of the stroke axis. The stripper carrier can be moved along the stroke axis by a stripper drive, and the transverse drive element of the punch drive during the transverse drive movement can be moved relative to the stripper carrier along the transverse movement axis and the punching tool carrier and the stripper carrier can be moved relative to each other along the stroke axis.

Abstract: This disclosure describes laser machining head cutting gas nozzles that include an inner nozzle having a nozzle opening configured to form a core gas flow, an outer nozzle having an annular gap surrounding the nozzle opening and configured to form an annular gas flow, and a sleeve in the annular gap, wherein the sleeve is arranged to be axially displaceable between a rearward position and a forward position, wherein the sleeve projects beyond the inner nozzle at least when in the forward position, and wherein the sleeve widens a cross-sectional area of the outer nozzle to a variable degree as the sleeve is displaced from the rearward to the forward position. Methods of using a cutting gas nozzle are also described.

Abstract: Devices for separating two workpiece parts, e.g., metal sheets, from one another are described and include a workpiece mounting, a lifting device arranged on one side of the workpiece mounting, and a counter-holder arranged on the opposite side of the workpiece mounting. The counter-holder can be transferred into a fixing state and into a releasing state. One of the workpiece parts to be separated from one another is provided as a removal part, the other as a remaining part. For separating the two workpiece parts, the removal part, which is acted upon by the lifting device and supported by the counter-holder, can be moved by means of the lifting device perpendicular to the mounting in relation to the remaining part by a removal movement. At least in the releasing state, the counter-holder forms a rigid abutment in the lifting direction for the removal part. The rigid abutment has the effect that the removal part is aligned parallel to the mounting.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for production of a workpiece. A first workpiece part is cut free from a first plate-shaped material by a separating cut made via the punch-handling tool. The first workpiece part is held in at least one of a clamped manner and tensioned manner via at least one of an upper tool and a lower tool of a punch-handling tool while being cut free. The workpiece part is aligned with the first plate-shaped material, a further plate-shaped material that differs from a material of the first workpiece part, and a second workpiece part and the aligned pieces are clinching with a clinch tool to connect the pieces at a connection point that is free from a filler material.

Abstract: Tools for punching machines for reshaping at least one portion of a plate-shaped workpiece are described. The tools have a first tool portion that includes a first device configured to be held in a first tool holder of the punching machine and a bending stamp having a bending edge and a second tool portion including a second device configured to be held in a second tool holder of the punching machine and a bending roller configured to cooperate with the bending stamp to reshape the plate-shaped workpiece. The bending roller is rotatable around a rotation axis running parallel to the bending edge. The bending roller includes a sector-shaped notch formed along the rotation axis and formed, at least in part, by first and second bending shank edges. The bending roller includes a plurality of second bending segments positioned on the rotation axis to rotate about the rotation axis.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for machine maintenance using a service computer, particularly using different maintenance applications feature at least one machine controller configured to control an associated machine and a computing system defining at least one virtual machine and comprising at least one application server on which is installed application software for at least one of the machine controller or the associated machine. The machine controller is connectable with the virtual machine via a first communication link so as to enable remote communication between the virtual machine of the computer and the machine controller. The virtual machine is connectable with the application server via a further communication link by a remote-desktop-protocol, such that at least one of the application server and the application software installed on the application server is operable via the virtual machine.

Abstract: A method for removal of a workpiece part from a residual workpiece of a sheet-like workpiece includes detecting an interlocking of the workpiece part with the residual workpiece. The workpiece is fixed for machining by a holding device and movable in an X-Y plane of the workpiece. The workpiece part is formed by cutting machining on the workpiece resting on a workpiece support. Before or after the cutting, a gripper device is positioned in a removal position relative to the workpiece part, and the gripper device is activated and the workpiece part is gripped in its position resting on the workpiece support. The method includes initiating at least one release strategy for automatic workpiece removal. At least one travelling movement with at least one travel path of at least one of the holding device and the gripper device is activated with at least one movement component in the X-Y plane.

Abstract: A machine tool for processing workpieces includes a processing device from which processed products to be discharged can be produced from a workpiece; and a discharge device including a discharge flap that can be pivoted into a discharge position inclined downwards relative to a horizontal position in order to discharge processed products and which defines a discharge direction in the discharge position, the discharge flap comprising a part support disposed along the upper side of the discharge flap along which the processed products move during discharge in the discharge direction, where the part support has at least two support regions which extend in the discharge direction and which are configured to accommodate different types of processed products.

Abstract: A method for the production of workpieces includes positioning and holding a first plate-shaped material with a gripping device in a working region of a processing station so that the first plate-shaped material is moveable relative to a workpiece support, positioning and holding a second plate-shaped material with an additional gripping device in the working region of the processing station so that the second plate-shaped material is moveable relative to the workpiece support, producing a first workpiece part from the first plate-shaped material, positioning the first workpiece part with respect to the second plate-shaped material, connecting the first workpiece part to the second plate-shaped material or to a second workpiece part produced from the second plate-shaped material, wherein the second workpiece part is at least partially processed, and finishing the at least the second workpiece part that is connected to the first workpiece part in the processing station.

Abstract: The invention relates to devices and methods for monitoring or regulating a cutting process on a workpiece. A focusing element focuses a high-energy beam onto the workpiece. An image capture apparatus captures a region at the workpiece to be monitored. The region includes an interaction region of the high-energy beam with the workpiece. An evaluation apparatus determines at least one characteristic variable of the cutting process, in particular of a kerf formed during the cutting process, on the basis of the captured interaction region.

Abstract: A method and a machine tool for processing workpieces is described, comprising a workpiece movement device and a workpiece support that supports both a workpiece during a processing operation and a workpiece remainder produced from the workpiece during the processing operation, wherein the workpiece support comprises a first support portion and an additional support portion, wherein the first support portion comprises a loading-side support portion arranged in a loading region of the machine tool, wherein the additional support portion is arranged to move relative to the loading-side support portion between the loading region and an unloading region of the machine tool, wherein the unloading region is offset in a horizontal direction from the loading region, wherein the loading-side support portion is arranged to move in a vertical direction between a loading level and a bypass level located above or below the loading level.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a focusing element arranged to focus a high-energy beam on a workpiece, an image detector for recording at least one image of an area to be monitored on the surface of the workpiece and/or the reference contour; imaging optics arranged to (a) receive process radiation radiation through the focusing element, from an area of the workpiece and/or the reference contour to be monitored, in the form of a first monitoring beam that is non-coaxial with the high-energy beam between the workpiece and the imaging optics and (b) redirect the first monitoring beam to the image detector to provide the at least one image of the area to be monitored and/or the reference contour; and an evaluation device operable to determine the focus position of the high-energy beam based on the at least one recorded image.

Abstract: Tools and methods for the handling of workpieces in a processing machine are provided herein. The tools have a tool body, having a clamping pin that is fixedly arranged on the tool body and having an indexing wheel that is arranged between the clamping pin and the tool body. At least one suction element is provided, to which a fluid channel leads, and the at least one suction element can be transferred by the indexing wheel or the tool body into an active position, in which the fluid channel is closed and, due to lengthening of the at least one suction element, the at least one suction element is attached by suction to the workpiece, and the at least one suction element can be transferred by the indexing wheel or the tool body into a rest position, in which the fluid channel is open.