Abstract: Methods and related computer program products for processing a workpiece on a machine tool, including changing at least one control parameter of the machine tool based on a quantity of waste and/or good components discharged from the machine tool during processing of the workpiece, the at least one control parameter causing a change of at least one waste and/or good component container of the machine tool, wherein the quantity of waste and/or good components generated as a function of time during processing of the workpiece is determined before processing of the workpiece begins, and is stored in a numerical control program of the machine tool.

Abstract: A dialogue system for examining a processing operation carried out on a machine tool and establishing a proposal for improving at least one quality feature of a subsequent processing operation, the dialogue system having input means to predetermine the quality feature to be improved and a proposal module which, by accessing stored expert knowledge, can establish at least one proposal for improving the quality feature. In some implementations, the proposal module is operable to read data established by one or more of a machine tool sensor system and image data of a processed workpiece together with associated material and processing data to provide the proposal.

Abstract: Cutting a workpiece with a laser beam includes using the laser beam to melt and/or vaporize at least a portion of the workpiece, and moving at least one of the workpiece and the laser beam relative to one another to form a cutting front on the workpiece, in which the laser beam includes either at least two different radially polarized beam portions offset relative to each along an advancing direction of the laser beam, or multiple laser beam strips extending along the advancing direction of the laser beam. Each laser beam strip has a different linear polarization direction, and the advancing direction corresponds to a direction along which the workpiece is cut by the laser beam.

Abstract: A method for processing workpieces with a laser processing machine including a laser processing head having a nozzle receiving member configured to receive a laser nozzle. The method includes holding a workpiece on a workpiece support plane of a workpiece support, transferring a laser nozzle between a nozzle magazine of a nozzle changing device located at a first side of the workpiece support and a nozzle receiving member of the laser processing head located at a second side of the workpiece support such that the laser nozzle is assembled on or disassembled from the nozzle receiving member, and moving the laser nozzle through a through-opening defined in the workpiece support along a transverse direction to the workpiece support.

Abstract: A plate workpiece processing tool including a workpiece support defining a support plane for supporting a workpiece, a tool punch, a tool die, and a control unit configured to control movements of the tool punch and the tool die along a stroke axis. The tool punch and the tool die are displaceable, along the stroke axis, to a processing position above the support plane of the workpiece support such that the tool punch and the tool die are capable of processing a region of a workpiece having a formed shape that extends upwardly from the workpiece support.

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 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 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: A supply line routing device is described, for routing supply lines between connection points on components which are movable relative to each other, and having a sheathing with a changeable course. The supply line routing device comprises at least one guide channel for a supply line in the interior of the sheathing; and a plurality of retaining elements disposed in succession in the longitudinal direction of the sheathing on the outside thereof, which are configured to fasten at least one additional supply line to the outside of the sheathing.