Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for punching workpieces. A punching tool is configured to move during a punching stroke along a stroke axis towards a workpiece to be punched. The punching tool is configured to move away from the punched workpiece during a return stroke. The punching tool includes first and second components configured to be coupled hydraulically for concurrent movement along the stroke axis. The punching tool includes a punching drive for moving the first component along the stroke axis. The punching apparatus is configured to move the second component relative to the first component at a first transmission ratio during the punching stroke. The punching apparatus is configured to move the second component relative to the first component at a second transmission ratio in response to a reaction force of the workpiece exceeding a threshold value of the punching drive during the punching stroke.

Abstract: The invention relates to pallet changers and methods for processing sheet-like materials with at least two movably arranged pallets movably positioned in a main frame and having a support surface for receiving a sheet-like material. The pallets are moved in alternation with a drive from the main frame into a material processing machine and back to the main frame. The drive comprises a motor, which drives a drive element, which moves the pallets. A processing device is provided on the main frame to process sheet-like material positioned on the pallets in the main frame.

Abstract: A laser cutting machine for cutting a workpiece having a first thickness (using a first processing laser beam having a first laser beam characteristic and a workpiece having a different second thickness using at least a second processing laser beam having a different second laser beam characteristic includes a laser source for producing a unprocessed laser beam having a laser wavelength of less than 4 ?m, a device which forms from the unprocessed laser beam the processing laser beams, and a control unit which controls the device in dependence on the thickness of the workpiece to be cut.

Abstract: Sheet metal processing machines having a chip suctioning device and a control device are provided. The chip suctioning device has a chip space connected to a die orifice of a punching die for collecting chips, wherein the chip space is provided with a chip flap and a extraction line, and the extraction line comprises at least one sieve, a vacuum generator, e.g., an extraction fan, connected to the extraction line for generating a vacuum in the chip suction device, and a vacuum sensor, connected to the extraction line between the downstream last sieve and the vacuum generator, being configured to supply signals to the control device.

Abstract: A method for machining a plate-like workpiece with a processing machine includes forming a receptacle in the plate-like workpiece for an insert part and machining the receptacle based on one or both of an orientation at which the insert part is to be inserted into the receptacle and a side of the plate-like workpiece from which the insert part is to be inserted into the receptacle. The method further includes running a machining program to carry out the forming and the machining of the receptacle. A computer program product is provided to configure a programming system by which the machining program is generated.

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 machines and methods for separative machining of workpieces. The machines include a first movement unit to move the workpiece in a first direction, a second movement unit including a machining head to emit the processing beam, and a third movement unit. The second movement unit moves the machining head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to direct the processing beam onto the workpiece. The machines include a first workpiece support unit including a first workpiece-bearing face and a second workpiece support unit including a second workpiece-bearing face spaced apart by a gap. One or more of at least a part of the first workpiece support unit, at least a part of the second workpiece support unit and at least one support element are configured to move with respect to one another in the first direction to vary the width of the gap.

Abstract: The invention relates to machines and methods for separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece by a processing beam. The machines include a first movement unit configured to move the workpiece in a first direction and a second movement unit configured to move a machining head configured to emit the processing beam. The second movement unit is configured to move the machining head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to direct the processing beam onto the workpiece. The machines include a first workpiece support unit including a first workpiece-bearing face and a second workpiece support unit including a second workpiece-bearing face spaced apart by a gap from the first workpiece support unit and the first workpiece-bearing face. The gap extends along the second direction. The machines include at least two support slides configured to move in the gap in the second direction mutually independent of one another.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods and systems for piercing, drilling, or cutting metal workpieces in a laser processing operation. The methods include focusing a pulsed laser beam onto a processing location on a workpiece; detecting process radiation emitted from the processing location; determining an intensity of the process radiation at a plurality of temporally sequential times during pulse pauses; determining an intensity gradient of the process radiation; comparing the intensity gradient with a gradient threshold value; and detecting a spontaneous material removal on the workpiece when the number of times the gradient threshold value has been exceeded is above a predetermined limit value. When a spontaneous material removal is detected, the system changes one or both of a laser parameter and a processing parameter of the laser processing operation. The disclosure also relates to processing machines for carrying out the methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to machines for the separative machining of plate-shaped workpieces using a machining tool. The machines include two workpiece support surfaces for supporting the workpiece, between which a gap is formed, and at least one carriage that is movable in or along the gap, and is connected to at least one covering element. The covering element at least partially covers the gap and includes a chain with a plurality of chain links. The chain links can have a brush support on an upper side and are designed to pivot with respect to one another, wherein at least two mutually adjacent chain links have a pivot-limiting angle (?) with respect to the longitudinal axis of each of the chain links such that, with a rectilinear orientation to one another and without exposure to force, the chain links assume a non-planar profile.

Abstract: A system for transmitting data between laser apparatuses or machine tool apparatuses that have communication devices. The system includes a first laser or machine tool apparatus with a first communication device for setting up a first connection that is a local wireless point-to-point connection, and a second laser or machine tool apparatus including a second communication device for setting up a second connection that is a local wireless point-to-point connection, and a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal includes a terminal data memory, and a terminal communication device for setting up local wireless point-to-point connections to the first apparatus and the second apparatus. The system is configured to transmit data of the first apparatus through the first connection to the mobile terminal, buffer-store the data in the terminal data memory, and, after the first connection terminates, transmit the data from the mobile terminal through the second connection to the second apparatus.

Abstract: A method for the recovery of energy from a laser machining system and a device for performing the same, in which the method includes operating the laser machining system and generating thermal energy having a maximum temperature Tmax, removing at least a portion of the thermal energy, and recirculating the at least a portion of the thermal energy to the laser machining system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are implemented for forming a through hole in a workpiece using a laser beam and a process gas, such as oxygen or nitrogen, coming from a gas nozzle. A hole is formed in the workpiece using the laser beam and a process gas emerging from a gas nozzle, such that the formed hole extends only partially through the workpiece. A bulge deposited while forming the hole partially through the workpiece is removed from the workpiece surface by directing a flow of gas through the nozzle toward the workpiece surface as the nozzle is moved with the laser beam switched off, the flow of gas being delivered to the nozzle at a higher pressure than the process gas is delivered to the nozzle during forming the hole partially through the workpiece. Then, the hole is fully pierced through the workpiece by the laser beam using the process gas.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods for remotely operating machine tools that include a stationary operating device that can operate in a control mode for controlling the machine tool or in a mode without control authorization. The methods include activating a first communication connection between a mobile communication device and the stationary operating device. The methods also include configuring the stationary operating device to operate in a mode without control authorization. The methods further include transferring control authorization from the stationary operating device to the mobile communication device by configuring the mobile communication device to operate in a remote control mode for controlling the machine tool based on transferred control authorization.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to systems and methods for automatically detecting three-dimensional shaping in a three-dimensional model of a sheet-metal part. Therein, data of a three-dimensional model of the sheet-metal part, which extends in a plane spanned by a first direction and a second direction, is detected, wherein the sheet-metal part comprises a bulge in a third direction which is different from the first and the second directions. Then, a horizontal cut is made through the bulge, as well as a vertical cut perpendicular to the plane spanned by the directions, so that closed cross-sectional contours of the bulge are formed. After a transformation, e.g., a Fourier transformation, of the cross-sectional contours, a tool that produces the bulge can be allocated to the Fourier coefficients.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for producing a foil slitting cut in a foil of a foiled metal sheet. A foil slitting tool is moved along a predetermined path with a tool tip resting on the metal sheet and thereby mechanically produces the foil slitting cut by displacing foil material along the path. The foil slitting cut has at least one acute-angled tooth for forming at least one foil corner detached from the metal sheet.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatuses for determining a material type and/or a surface condition of a workpiece. A surface of the workpiece is illuminated with illuminating radiation. At least one image of the illuminated surface is recorded. The material type and/or the surface condition of the workpiece is determined on the basis of a statistical analysis of the at least one image converted into a spatial frequency domain.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for monitoring and for controlling a laser cutting process on a workpiece, and a method of using the same. The device includes an image capturing apparatus for capturing an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, in which the region of the workpiece to be monitored includes a region of interaction of a laser beam with the workpiece, and an evaluation apparatus for detecting material boundaries of the workpiece using the captured image. The evaluation apparatus is configured to determine at least one characteristic value of the laser cutting process based on a geometric relationship between at least two of the detected material boundaries, the region of interaction, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A forming tool for pressure forming a connecting web between incompletely separated workpiece parts of a plate-like workpiece from a cutting operation, in particular a metal sheet, comprises two tool parts, of which each is provided with a forming unit. The tool parts are able to move towards each other along a stroke axis with a processing stroke to a stroke end position. Each of the forming units has a forming surface on a web side facing away from the respective workpiece part, wherein the said forming surface, starting from a front face of the forming unit extends along the stroke axis away from a workpiece side facing the respective workpiece part.