Patents by Inventor Peter Epperlein

Peter Epperlein has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12493097
    Abstract: A method locates a mobile unit in an industrial manufacturing environment. The method includes: A) rough locating of the mobile unit by way of rough position data of a manufacturing execution system (MES); B) moving a sensor unit comprising a sensor to the mobile unit on a basis of the rough position data; C) receiving a coded signal emitted by the mobile unit by way of the sensor and finely locating the mobile unit, wherein the sensor ascertains the position of a first transmitter of the coded signal and provides the first position in the form of signal position data; and D) identifying the mobile unit on a basis of the coded signal and correcting the rough position data on a basis of the signal position data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2025
    Assignee: TRUMPF TRACKING TECHNOLOGIES GMBH
    Inventors: Peter Epperlein, Ferdinand Baaij
  • Publication number: 20230415288
    Abstract: A device for transporting workpieces includes a manufacturing execution system (MES), a driverless transport vehicle controllable indirectly or directly by the MES, a workpiece holder for receiving a workpiece, and a docking station for receiving the workpiece holder. The docking station is reachable by the driverless transport vehicle. The device further includes a position sensor connected indirectly or directly to the MES. The position sensor is configured for detecting a position of the workpiece holder at the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2023
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Ferdinand Baaij, Peter Epperlein
  • Publication number: 20230393233
    Abstract: A method locates a mobile unit in an industrial manufacturing environment. The method includes: A) rough locating of the mobile unit by way of rough position data of a manufacturing execution system (MES); B) moving a sensor unit comprising a sensor to the mobile unit on a basis of the rough position data; C) receiving a coded signal emitted by the mobile unit by way of the sensor and finely locating the mobile unit, wherein the sensor ascertains the position of a first transmitter of the coded signal and provides the first position in the form of signal position data; and D) identifying the mobile unit on a basis of the coded signal and correcting the rough position data on a basis of the signal position data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Peter Epperlein, Ferdinand Baaij
  • Patent number: 11583952
    Abstract: A machine for separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece that has: a first movement unit for moving the workpiece in a first direction (X); a second movement unit for moving a machining head for the separative machining in a second direction (Y); and two workpiece bearing faces for bearing the workpiece. A gap that extends along the second direction (Y) is formed between the workpiece bearing faces. The machine has a push-out unit having a push-out element, wherein the push-out element is movable at least in the second direction (Y) within the gap so as to press, at a predefined push-out position (AP), against a workpiece part that was cut free from the workpiece during separative machining. The disclosure further relates to methods for pushing out a workpiece part which, in particular, was cut free on such a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Magnus Deiss, Peter Epperlein, Jens Ottnad, Frank Schmauder, Dennis Wolf
  • Patent number: 11229980
    Abstract: The invention relates to machines and methods for separative machining of plate-shaped workpieces 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 including 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 one support slide arranged to move in the second direction within the gap and including a support slide bearing face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Magnus Deiss, Peter Epperlein, Simon Ockenfuss, Frank Schmauder, Dennis Wolf
  • Patent number: 11192167
    Abstract: A loading and unloading device for a machine, a machine for machining panel-like workpieces, and a workpiece support for such a machine and a method for loading and unloading such a machine, having a loading and unloading module, wherein the loading and unloading module has a vertically upwardly oriented raising device for lifting a cut-free workpiece part and a vertically downwardly oriented gripping device (38) for holding an unmachined, panel-like workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignees: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG, J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Magnus Deiss, Peter Epperlein, Frank Schmauder, Fabian Gaeckle, Jens Ottnad, Heinz-Juergen Prokop, Stefan Stroebel, Walter Dunkmann, Thomas Eisele, Rainer Hoehn, Dirk Plaueln, Hermann Reinisch
  • Patent number: 11167387
    Abstract: A machine for separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece by a processing beam. The machine has a first movement unit for moving the workpiece in a first direction, a second movement unit for moving a processing head in a second direction, two workpiece bearing supports for bearing the workpiece, and a parts chute. The two workpiece bearing supports are separated from each other by a gap that extends along the second direction. The parts chute is movable between a first chute position and a second chute position so as to move a cut-free workpiece part that has dropped into the gap, laterally away from the gap. The machine includes a receiving unit movable in the second direction, to receive the cut-free workpiece part at a transfer position and transport the workpiece part to one or more discharging positions of the machine along the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Epperlein, Marc Klinkhammer, Johannes Krampfert, Oskar Nahoczky, Frank Schmauder
  • Patent number: 10512965
    Abstract: Devices for separating two workpiece parts, e.g., metal sheets, from one another are described and include a workpiece mounting, a lifting device arranged on one side of the workpiece mounting, and a counter-holder arranged on the opposite side of the workpiece mounting. The counter-holder can be transferred into a fixing state and into a releasing state. One of the workpiece parts to be separated from one another is provided as a removal part, the other as a remaining part. For separating the two workpiece parts, the removal part, which is acted upon by the lifting device and supported by the counter-holder, can be moved by means of the lifting device perpendicular to the mounting in relation to the remaining part by a removal movement. At least in the releasing state, the counter-holder forms a rigid abutment in the lifting direction for the removal part. The rigid abutment has the effect that the removal part is aligned parallel to the mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignees: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG, J. Schmalz GmbH
    Inventors: Heinz-Juergen Prokop, Peter Epperlein, Thomas Eisele, Walter Dunkmann, Magnus Deiss, Frank Schmauder
  • Patent number: 10427253
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Magnus Deiss, Peter Epperlein, Heinz-Juergen Prokop, Frank Schmauder
  • Publication number: 20190091799
    Abstract: A machine for separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece that has: a first movement unit for moving the workpiece in a first direction (X); a second movement unit for moving a machining head for the separative machining in a second direction (Y); and two workpiece bearing faces for bearing the workpiece. A gap that extends along the second direction (Y) is formed between the workpiece bearing faces. The machine has a push-out unit having a push-out element, wherein the push-out element is movable at least in the second direction (Y) within the gap so as to press, at a predefined push-out position (AP), against a workpiece part that was cut free from the workpiece during separative machining. The disclosure further relates to methods for pushing out a workpiece part which, in particular, was cut free on such a machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Magnus Deiss, Peter Epperlein, Jens Ottnad, Frank Schmauder, Dennis Wolf
  • Publication number: 20190091817
    Abstract: A machine for separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece by a processing beam. The machine has a first movement unit for moving the workpiece in a first direction, a second movement unit for moving a processing head in a second direction, two workpiece bearing supports for bearing the workpiece, and a parts chute. The two workpeice bearing supports are separated from each other by a gap that extends along the second direction. The parts chute is movable between a first chute position and a second chute position so as to move a cut-free workpiece part that has dropped into the gap, laterally away from the gap. The machine includes a receiving unit movable in the second direction, to receive the cut-free workpiece part at a transfer position and transport the workpiece part to one or more discharging positions of the machine along the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Peter Epperlein, Marc Klinkhammer, Johannes Krampfert, Oskar Nahoczky, Frank Schmauder
  • Publication number: 20190091754
    Abstract: A loading and unloading device for a machine, a machine for machining panel-like workpieces, and a workpiece support for such a machine and a method for loading and unloading such a machine, having a loading and unloading module, wherein the loading and unloading module has a vertically upwardly oriented raising device for lifting a cut-free workpiece part and a vertically downwardly oriented gripping device (38) for holding an unmachined, panel-like workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Publication date: March 28, 2019
    Inventors: Magnus Deiss, Peter Epperlein, Frank Schmauder, Fabian Gaeckle, Jens Ottnad, Heinz-Juergen Prokop, Stefan Stroebel, Walter Dunkmann, Thomas Eisele, Rainer Hoehn, Dirk Plaueln, Hermann Reinisch
  • Patent number: 10220475
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Schmauder, Simon Ockenfuss, Peter Epperlein, Magnus Deiss, Dennis Wolf, Johannes Krampfert
  • Publication number: 20180043479
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Magnus Deiss, Peter Epperlein, Heinz-Juergen Prokop, Frank Schmauder
  • Publication number: 20170066033
    Abstract: Devices for separating two workpiece parts, e.g., metal sheets, from one another are described and include a workpiece mounting, a lifting device arranged on one side of the workpiece mounting, and a counter-holder arranged on the opposite side of the workpiece mounting. The counter-holder can be transferred into a fixing state and into a releasing state. One of the workpiece parts to be separated from one another is provided as a removal part, the other as a remaining part. For separating the two workpiece parts, the removal part, which is acted upon by the lifting device and supported by the counter-holder, can be moved by means of the lifting device perpendicular to the mounting in relation to the remaining part by a removal movement. At least in the releasing state, the counter-holder forms a rigid abutment in the lifting direction for the removal part. The rigid abutment has the effect that the removal part is aligned parallel to the mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 9, 2017
    Inventors: Heinz-Juergen Prokop, Peter Epperlein, Thomas Eisele, Walter Dunkmann, Magnus Deiss, Frank Schmauder
  • Publication number: 20160311069
    Abstract: The invention relates to machines and methods for separative machining of plate-shaped workpieces 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 including 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 one support slide arranged to move in the second direction within the gap and including a support slide bearing face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Magnus Deiss, Peter Epperlein, Simon Ockenfuss, Frank Schmauder, Dennis Wolf
  • Publication number: 20160297036
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Frank Schmauder, Simon Ockenfuss, Peter Epperlein, Magnus Deiss, Dennis Wolf, Johannes Krampfert
  • Patent number: 9044826
    Abstract: A laser processing machine includes a workpiece support, a movement unit that is movable relative to the workpiece support, the movement unit being configured to move a laser processing head over the workpiece support, and a switch cabinet in which one or more control components of the laser processing machine are provided. An arrangement of the switch cabinet provides a free movement space disposed underneath at least a portion of the switch cabinet, wherein at least a portion of the movement unit is disposed within the free movement space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: TRUMPF Maschinen Gruesch AG
    Inventors: Peter Epperlein, Stefan Stroebel
  • Publication number: 20140216223
    Abstract: Methods for producing workpieces from a plate-shaped material by a severing process on a machine tool having a workpiece support comprising first and second support surfaces that can be arranged relative to each other to define a cutting gap positioned below a processing area of the machine. Cuts for waste parts and/or parts of a skeleton are made in the plate-shaped material in order to produce the at least one workpiece, such that at least one last severing cut for the one or more workpieces for completely separating the one or more workpieces from the plate-shaped material remains. The waste parts and/or parts of a skeleton are removed through the cutting gap, and then the one or more workpieces are cut free from the plate-shaped material as a last severing cut in such a way that a movement of a cut workpiece over the cutting gap again is omitted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: TRUMPF Werkzeugmaschinen GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Peter Epperlein