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: 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