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 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 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 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 grinding arm for grinding workpieces with an inner profile with a grinding wheel. The grinding arm has a tube-shaped base body with a longitudinal axis, in which the grinding wheel is supported at one axial end region. A first drive for the grinding wheel is arranged in its other axial end region. A first transmission system transmits the rotation from the first drive to the grinding wheel. In order to adjust arbitrary angles of inclination of the grinding wheel in the grinding arm, the grinding wheel is arranged on a grinding spindle driven by the first transmission system and rotating around an axis of rotation. The grinding spindle is supported in a carrier body arranged in the base body rotatable around an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis as well as perpendicular to the axis of rotation, wherein the axis of rotation and the axis intersect.

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: A method for the dressing of a multi-thread grinding worm by a dressing roll, wherein the grinding worm has at least two screw channels which are arranged parallel to another, which screw channels extend helically around an axis of the grinding worm and wherein the dressing roll has at least two adjacent dressing profiles which are arranged along an axis of the dressing roll, wherein the dressing profiles of the dressing roll are guided simultaneously through adjacent screw channels of the grinding worm during the dressing of the grinding worm.

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.

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 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: 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: 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.