Abstract: Methods, devices and systems for detecting an incomplete cutting action when cutting a workpiece with a high-energy beam are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes taking an image of a region of the workpiece to be monitored, the region including an interaction region of the high-energy beam with the workpiece, evaluating the image taken in order to detect pooled slag at an end of the interaction region opposite a cutting front, and detecting whether a related cutting action is incomplete based on an occurrence of detection of pooled slag.

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: An optical element for installation in a laser processing machine has a surface that is optically unused and/or not subject to a laser beam during operation of the laser processing machine when the optical element is installed in the laser processing machine, and a transponder disposed in a region on or near the surface and containing readable information relating to the optical element.

Abstract: A method for hard fine machining of a workpiece with a worm-shaped cutting tool, wherein the workpiece has a profiling along its circumference. The cutting tool has a machining surface. A hard machining process of the profiling is carried out at simultaneous synchronized rotation of the workpiece around its axis and of the cutting tool around its axis with given meshing of the machining surface into the profiling by moving the cutting tool in the direction of the axis of the cutting tool. A shift movement is superposed to the cutting tool in the direction of the axis of the cutting tool during the hard machining. The shift movement includes at least one first section at which the cutting tool is moved in one of its axial directions and of at least one second section at which the cutting tool is moved in the other of its axial directions.

Abstract: A laser processing machine for processing workpieces includes a beam guide containing a gas atmosphere, and also includes an apparatus for investigating the gas atmosphere in the beam guide for impurities. The investigation apparatus makes use of the photoacoustic effect. The measuring apparatus has a measuring chamber and at least one measuring head, where the beam guide acts as the measuring chamber. As a measuring chamber, the beam guide contains the gas atmosphere that is to be investigated and also a modulated laser beam modulated. The measuring head(s) are integrated into the beam guide and are used to detect the photoacoustic effect in the measuring chamber.

Abstract: A method of reshaping a portion of a plate-like workpiece lying on a workpiece support of a machine tool, with the workpiece being movable with respect to the workpiece support. The method comprises folding the portion of the workpiece such that the folded portion of the workpiece has several sides and it is only folded at a side connected to a residual portion of the workpiece lying on the workpiece support, and the folded workpiece portion is raised at a predetermined angle with respect to the residual portion, and reshaping the folded portion of the workpiece to have a segment directed downwardly with respect to the folded portion of the workpiece.

Abstract: In some aspects, a tool for a sheet metal processing machine for penetrating a foil disposed on a surface of workpiece to be processed includes a rotatably supported ball for cutting the foil by rolling the ball along the workpiece.

Abstract: A beam shaping unit for focusing a divergent laser beam includes a first optical element to receive the laser beam, a second optical element to receive the beam from the first optical element, an optical focusing unit to receive the beam from the second optical element, a first focal point adjustment device coupled to the first optical element, the first focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust the beam focal point diameter by manipulating the first optical element, and a second focal point adjustment device coupled to the second optical element, the second focal point adjustment device being configured to adjust, in the beam propagation direction, the beam focal position by manipulating the second optical element, and in which the beam shaping unit is configured to image the beam from the first optical element through an intermediate focal point onto the second optical element.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to implementations of apparatus and methods for controlling a machining system by means of a control program. In some implementations, apparatus include a data storage, in which standard machining parameters are stored to which the control program refers, an adjustment device can be activated in accordance with the invention for adjusting the machining parameters in a preset fashion based on the material properties of a workpiece to be processed and/or a selectable machining target value.

Abstract: In some aspects, a tool cartridge for detachably holding tool parts includes a cartridge base body, a punch holder configured to detachably hold a processing punch, and a die holder configured to detachably hold a processing die. The punch holder and the die holder project from a front side of the cartridge base body and are arranged one above another to form an intervening space. The cartridge base body is defined along a rear side that is opposite from free ends of the punch holder and the die holder by a base body rear wall. The base body rear wall defines, within the intervening space, a wall opening that is open for receiving a third tool part holder. A base-body-side fastening device is provided on the cartridge base body, by which the third tool part holder received in the wall opening is connected to the cartridge base body.

Abstract: A tool retention device of a machine tool includes a tool receiving member, at least one tool abutment, an axial tensioning device, and a radial clamping device. The tool receiving member serves to at least partially receive a processing tool. At least one axial tensioning element of the axial tensioning device pulls the processing tool against an associated tool abutment along a direction of a tensioning axis. While the radial clamping device is decoupled therefrom, the radial clamping device clamps the processing tool by at least one radial clamping element in a direction perpendicular to the tensioning axis of the axial tensioning device. A machine tool may also be provided with the tool retention device.

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: A method for punching and straightening sheet metal in a punching machine includes the steps that a die is accommodated in a first tool holder of a punching machine, an upper tool part with a stamp is accommodated in a second tool holder, and a sheet metal is positioned between the stamp and the die at a location to be machined. The stamp comprises an end face at an end opposite to an accommodated end of the upper tool part, wherein a bevel has an angle and a height extending from a rim of the face to the end face. Then, a punching operation is performed by the stamp, wherein radial forces are simultaneously applied to the sheet metal during cutting so that an evenness of the sheet metal is maintained even at high grades of punching.

Abstract: A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value.

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.