Abstract: A method creates a reference recording of the unloaded state of a workpiece carrier. The method includes: A) creating a recording of the workpiece carrier with a camera; B) determining a loading state of the workpiece carrier by evaluating the recording by an algorithm; and C) storing the recording as a reference recording in a case where the workpiece carrier is determined as being unloaded by the algorithm.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for providing panel planning geometry data for planning a laser cutting process. The methods include producing an image recording of a remaining panel-shaped material, e.g., wherein the remaining panel was processed by a laser flatbed machine and has inner cutout regions, evaluating the image recording to determine a remaining panel outer contour, evaluating the image recording to determine an inner cutout region, wherein the inner cutout region is determined by an inner cutout contour identified in the image recording, deriving a remaining area of the remaining panel using the outer contour and the inner cutout region, wherein a laser cutting process can be based on the remaining area, and outputting panel planning geometry data, which define the geometry of the remaining area. Laser flatbed machines for cutting workpieces out of panel-shaped materials using a laser beam and the methods disclosed herein are also described.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the manufacture of a component with a machine tool. A plurality of cameras cover different fields of view. An algorithm creates a ranking of the relevance of images from the cameras and features only the most relevant image(s) on a monitor. The algorithm can assign a higher relevance to images that: a) depict a known machine tool part that is mentioned in a status or error message; b) have a high optical flow; and/or c) depict an identified machine tool part that is moving. In the event of c), images can be successively assigned higher relevance if an identified machine tool part moves from one field of view to the next. Images assigned lower relevance may be deleted or reduced in size. The algorithm can take the form of artificial intelligence.

Abstract: A method determines an actual state of a supporting bar for supporting a plate-like workpiece on a machine tool for a cutting the workpiece. The method includes: determining a geometry of supporting projections on the supporting bar by a light section method, which includes: projecting a longitudinal line of light onto a longitudinal side of the supporting bar; with the line of light, scanning the longitudinal side over a height region assigned to the supporting projections in the direction of the height of the supporting bar, detecting the scanned extent of the longitudinal side of the supporting bar to generate an image of the longitudinal side of the supporting bar, and determining the geometry of the supporting projections based on the generated image; and comparing the determined geometry of the supporting projections with the defined intended geometry of the supporting projections.

Abstract: A machine management method for performing planned activities on a machine is provided. Workpieces are manufactured by the machine according to a predetermined schedule during a respective planned activity of the machine. Manufactured workpieces are sorted from a removal area of the machine into a deposition area during a further respective planned activity of the machine according to the predetermined schedule. The method includes determining a manufacturing time for the workpieces by a machine management system based on manufacturing process data of the machine, determining a removal time for sorting the workpieces by the machine management system based on removal process data, changing the predetermined schedule to obtain a changed schedule for the planned activities by the machine management system based on a comparison of the manufacturing time with the removal time, and transferring the changed schedule to a controller of the machine.

Abstract: A method for assisting in distinguishing between sheet-metal workpieces includes selecting at least a first item of workpiece information of a first workpiece and a second item of workpiece information of a second workpiece, retrieving the first item and the second item of workpiece information by a computing unit from a memory and comparing the first item and the second item with each other, determining, by the computing unit, at least one difference between the first item and the second item of workpiece information, obtaining a respective drawing of the first workpiece or the second workpiece from each of the first item and the second item of workpiece information, and outputting the drawings of the first item and the second item of workpiece information graphically via an output unit. The at least one difference is highlighted in at least one of the drawings.

Abstract: A method for checking calibration of an image processing system of a sheet metal working machine includes arranging a calibration plate of a predefined shape in a removal region for processed workpieces, capturing, using at least one camera of the imaging processing system, an image of the calibration plate in the removal region, testing whether properties of the image in different test sections of the removal region correspond with stored properties of the calibration plate, and outputting a result of the testing.

Abstract: A method for linking information with a workpiece data record of a workpiece includes registering a selection time relating to a first action of a user that has a spatial relationship with a workpiece, determining a position of a hand of the user in a space at the selection time using a locating system, deriving a selection position in a support plane from the determined position of the hand, selecting a workpiece data record from the workpiece data records by comparing the selection position with relative positions and contours of the workpieces, registering a second action in which the user carries out a gesture movement, wherein an information item to be logged in a database is assigned to the gesture movement, reading the information item from the database, and linking the information item with the selected workpiece data record.

Abstract: A sorting method automatically sorts workpieces arranged in a removal area of a flatbed machine tool, in particular a laser cutting machine or a punching machine, into a deposit area after a sorting process. The method includes: creating at least one actual image that depicts an actual state of the removal area; and analyzing the actual image to identify process disruptions. A measure to adjust the sorting process is automatically initiated upon identifying a process disruption.

Abstract: A method for displaying a sequence of workpiece-illustrations and/or order information for supporting a sorting process during manufacturing of workpieces with a manufacturing system includes transporting manufactured workpieces with the conveyor system to the sorting point according to a sequence and arrangement specified by the processing plan. The method further includes receiving, in the processor of the display unit, workpiece image data and/or order data provided by the machine tool control system for the workpieces transported to the sorting point. The method additionally includes displaying the workpiece image data and/or the order data on the monitor of the display unit in a sequence and/or an arrangement such that the sequence and/or the arrangement of the workpiece image data and/or the order data corresponds to the sequence and/or the arrangement of the workpieces transported from the conveyor system to the sorting point.

Abstract: A method creates a reference recording of the unloaded state of a workpiece carrier. The method includes: A) creating a recording of the workpiece carrier with a camera; B) determining a loading state of the workpiece carrier by evaluating the recording by an algorithm; and C) storing the recording as a reference recording in a case where the workpiece carrier is determined as being unloaded by the algorithm.

Abstract: A method determines an actual state of a supporting bar for supporting a plate-like workpiece on a machine tool for a cutting the workpiece. The method includes: determining a geometry of supporting projections on the supporting bar by a light section method, which includes: projecting a longitudinal line of light onto a longitudinal side of the supporting bar; with the line of light, scanning the longitudinal side over a height region assigned to the supporting projections in the direction of the height of the supporting bar, detecting the scanned extent of the longitudinal side of the supporting bar to generate an image of the longitudinal side of the supporting bar, and determining the geometry of the supporting projections based on the generated image; and comparing the determined geometry of the supporting projections with the defined intended geometry of the supporting projections.

Abstract: A method for linking information with a workpiece data record of a workpiece includes registering a selection time relating to a first action of a user that has a spatial relationship with a workpiece, determining a position of a hand of the user in a space at the selection time using a locating system, deriving a selection position in a support plane from the determined position of the hand, selecting a workpiece data record from the workpiece data records by comparing the selection position with relative positions and contours of the workpieces, registering a second action in which the user carries out a gesture movement, wherein an information item to be logged in a database is assigned to the gesture movement, reading the information item from the database, and linking the information item with the selected workpiece data record.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods for providing panel planning geometry data for planning a laser cutting process. The methods include producing an image recording of a remaining panel-shaped material, e.g., wherein the remaining panel was processed by a laser flatbed machine and has inner cutout regions, evaluating the image recording to determine a remaining panel outer contour, evaluating the image recording to determine an inner cutout region, wherein the inner cutout region is determined by an inner cutout contour identified in the image recording, deriving a remaining area of the remaining panel using the outer contour and the inner cutout region, wherein a laser cutting process can be based on the remaining area, and outputting panel planning geometry data, which define the geometry of the remaining area. Laser flatbed machines for cutting workpieces out of panel-shaped materials using a laser beam and the methods disclosed herein are also described.

Abstract: A method for displaying a sequence of workpiece-illustrations and/or order information for supporting a sorting process during manufacturing of workpieces with a manufacturing system includes transporting manufactured workpieces with the conveyor system to the sorting point according to a sequence and arrangement specified by the processing plan. The method further includes receiving, in the processor of the display unit, workpiece image data and/or order data provided by the machine tool control system for the workpieces transported to the sorting point. The method additionally includes displaying the workpiece image data and/or the order data on the monitor of the display unit in a sequence and/or an arrangement such that the sequence and/or the arrangement of the workpiece image data and/or the order data corresponds to the sequence and/or the arrangement of the workpieces transported from the conveyor system to the sorting point.