Abstract: A computer-implemented method is described, comprising receiving data that represents a workpiece part type to be produced on a machine tool for machining flat starting materials. The method includes preparing a first numerical control program which is adapted for producing the workpiece part type from a flat starting material on the machine tool, and attaching one or more extractable data sets prepared from the received data to the first numerical control program, wherein the extractable data sets represent one or more parameters including the tools, tool steps and associated machining parameters for producing a single workpiece the workpiece part type on the machine tool. The method further includes extracting the extractable data sets from the attached first numerical control program for adjusting the one or more parameters, integrating the adjusted one or more parameters into a second numerical control program; and providing the second numerical control program to the machine tool.

Abstract: A plate workpiece processing tool includes a first tool portion and a second tool portion. The first and second tool portions are arranged along an application axis in spaced relation to each other such that a plate workpiece can be disposed therebetween. The tool also includes two or more processing devices that are carried by the first tool portion, and one or more counter-devices that are carried by the second tool portion. The processing devices are rotatable, relative to the first tool portion, about a first rotational axis that extends perpendicular to the application axis and are arranged to follow each other along an axis extending perpendicularly to the application axis. The processing devices and the one or more counter-devices are selectively alignable to form a plurality of alternative device pairings for processing plate workpieces therebetween.

Abstract: Machine tools for processing plate-like workpieces by punching include a punching tool including a punch and a punching die, a drive unit for moving the punch and the punching die relative to each other along a stroke axis for cutting a workpiece part free from a plate-like workpiece, a hold-down device that is movable along the stroke axis and that includes a stripper that contacts an upper surface of the plate-like workpiece while the plate-like workpiece is punched through by the punch, a detection device for detecting a reference position of the hold-down device along the stroke axis, wherein the stripper contacts the upper surface of the workpiece at the reference position, and a numerical control unit for positioning the stripper at a particular distance from the reference position such that a workpiece part that has been cut off can be moved away from a processing region.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for allocation of a pipe or several pipes with several pipe parts to be cut for a laser cutting installation, wherein the pipe parts to be cut are selected from an order table. Methods include measuring a length of each of the one or more pipes, calculating, before measuring, a nesting of a pipe part relative to the same pipe part or a different pipe part of the order table, calculating a plurality of pipe allocation variants for a particular pipe of the one or more pipes with the pipe parts to be cut based on the nesting and the measured pipe length of the particular pipe, selecting one of the plurality of calculated pipe allocation variants as a desired pipe allocation, and initiating cutting of the particular pipe based on the desired pipe allocation.

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: This invention relates to a mechanism for tooth clearance adjustment and linear actuation. In certain aspects of the invention, a mechanism for gear clearance adjustment comprises a retaining element, on which a first gear wheel is mounted, and a carrier element, on which a gear rack or a second gear wheel is mounted. The carrier element or on the retaining element includes at least one clearance adjustment device arranged by a fastening device.

Abstract: In some aspects of the invention, a punching tool includes a punching stamp including a stamp shaft and an axial stop; and an adjustment ring having a center opening configured to receive the stamp shaft and abut the axial stop, where a first mark is located along a cylindrical portion of the stamp shaft adjoining the axial stop, and at least a portion of the first mark remains visible when the adjustment ring is abutted against the axial stop.

Abstract: In some aspects of the disclosure, a workpiece retention device for securing plate-like workpieces to a workpiece movement unit of a machine tool includes first and second workpiece clamping elements and a clamping drive by which the workpiece clamping elements can be moved towards one another starting from an initial relative position in order to clamp a workpiece that is arranged between the workpiece clamping elements. The workpiece retention device also includes an adjustment device that can adjust the initial relative position of the workpiece clamping elements.

Abstract: A method for orientating a focused laser cutting beam eccentrically relative to the nozzle axis of a cutting gas nozzle and a laser processing machine for performing the same, the method including: arranging a redirecting mirror in a beam path of the laser cutting beam upstream of the cutting gas nozzle, the mirror being rotated about a direction which is coaxial with the nozzle axis and/or about a direction which is perpendicular relative to the nozzle axis and which corresponds to the beam incidence direction of the laser beam on the redirecting mirror. The cutting gas nozzle and the redirecting mirror are arranged in a second structural unit of a laser processing head, for rotation about the direction corresponding to the beam incidence direction relative to a first structural unit.

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 oblique laser beam cutting of a workpiece and system for performing the same, in which a supersonic flow of cutting gas discharged from a cutting gas nozzle is orientated at an oblique cutting angle with respect to a surface of a workpiece, and in which the workpiece and the laser beam are moved relative to each other during the oblique laser beam cutting operation. The oblique cutting angle extends along a plane that is perpendicular to a direction of advance. During operation, the position of the laser beam on the workpiece surface is adjusted in such a manner that the laser beam strikes the workpiece surface in a high-pressure region formed within the supersonic flow of the cutting gas.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a processing region of a workpiece on which laser processing is being carried out, in which method the radiation emitted by the processing region is detected by a detector system in a space-resolved manner, wherein the radiation of the processing region is detected for each elemental area of the processing region imaged onto the detector system at least two wavelengths simultaneously. Accurate process monitoring may thereby be carried out.

Abstract: Cutting a workpiece with a laser beam includes using the laser beam to melt and/or vaporize at least a portion of the workpiece, and moving at least one of the workpiece and the laser beam relative to one another to form a cutting front on the workpiece, in which the laser beam includes either at least two different radially polarized beam portions offset relative to each along an advancing direction of the laser beam, or multiple laser beam strips extending along the advancing direction of the laser beam. Each laser beam strip has a different linear polarization direction, and the advancing direction corresponds to a direction along which the workpiece is cut by the laser beam.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products and devices for displaying a current task list on a graphical user interface of a control computer of a processing machine. In implementations, a running task list is provided, each task of the running task list including a task that is running on the control computer, a release task list is defined, each task of the release task list being selectively provided in the release task list based on predetermined, dynamically monitored selection criteria, the current task list is defined, each task of the current task list being provided in the running task list and in the release task list, and the current task list is displayed on the graphical user interface.

Abstract: In some aspects, an unloading device for a pipe processing system includes a depositing carriage having a depositing surface for depositing a pipe during and/or after a pipe processing operation, the depositing carriage being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, and a supporting carriage having a supporting member for the pipe, the supporting member having a wall for radially supporting the pipe, and the supporting carriage being configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the pipe, where the depositing surface of the depositing carriage and/or the supporting member of the supporting carriage is configured to move in at least one other direction in addition to the longitudinal direction of the pipe so that the depositing carriage and the supporting carriage can be at least partially moved past each other along the longitudinal direction of the pipe.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for producing composite fiber/metal workpieces. In one aspect, a method includes locating a metal workpiece on a workpiece support of a machine tool, processing the metal workpiece located on the workpiece support to produce one or more shaped features on the metal workpiece, fitting a fiber fabric to the metal workpiece in a region of the shaped features, and connecting the fiber fabric to the metal workpiece in at least one of a non-positive-locking connection or a positive-locking connection to produce a composite fiber/metal workpiece.

Abstract: A machining tool, such as a forming, embossing, punching or pinching tool carries at least two tool elements at radial external faces for processing sheet metal. The tool elements are fixed to a tool body, either as separate pieces or integrated therein, and the tool body is rotatably supported in a receptacle. The tool body is rotatable about a rotation axis which is not perpendicular to the sheet metal during processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and systems for keyhole-free fusion cutting of a workpiece, wherein the workpiece is melted by a laser beam along a cutting joint and the molten mass produced is expelled from the produced cutting joint, e.g., by a gas jet at high pressure. According to the new methods at least one laser beam follows the laser beam in the cutting direction and influences the molten mass in such a manner that at least one of the two cutting flanks of the workpiece has a better cutting quality than when cutting without the trailing laser beam.

Abstract: Machines for machining workpieces, especially metal sheets, include a machining device, a main drive, and an auxiliary drive that is different therefrom. Both drives serve to generate a relative movement between the machining device and a workpiece, wherein the machining device is movable relative to the workpiece and/or the workpiece is movable relative to the machining device with a main movement by means of the main drive and wherein the machining device is movable relative to the workpiece with an auxiliary movement by means of the auxiliary drive. Machines with high adaptability to different machining tasks are provided. Methods of machining workpieces include corresponding method steps.