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: Disclosed is a method for loading a sheet placement device of a flat bed machine tool with a material sheet, wherein the material sheet is supplied to the machining operation carried out by the flat bed machine tool, starting from a target position assigned to the machining operation in a machine coordinate system, and the flat bed machine tool comprises a camera system having at least one camera. The camera system is designed to produce captured images of the sheet placement device, which are calibrated three-dimensionally in relation to the machine coordinate system of the flat bed machine tool. The method comprises the steps: producing a captured image of the material sheet in the region of the sheet placement device; evaluating the captured image to determine an actual sheet position in the machine coordinate system; measuring a deviation of the determined actual sheet position from the target position; and using the measured deviation to align and position the material sheet.

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 method visualizes manufacturing process information during manufacturing of workpieces with a flatbed machine tool. The workpieces are output as cut material on a pallet of the flatbed machine tool, a sorting table, or a conveyor belt. Workpiece image data is provided in a control system. The image data is associated with a workpiece and is for display on a display unit. Workpiece-specific manufacturing process information is provided in the manufacturing control system, and is acquired during manufacturing of the workpieces and includes features of cutting processes. A database of illustration options is provided in the manufacturing control system, the options are associated with a specific manufacturing feature and are applicable to the workpiece image data to cause an illustration of the respective workpiece image data on the display unit. The workpiece image data is displayed on the display unit, while taking into account illustration options in the workpiece-specific manner.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (10) for recognizing an article. This involves at least one shot (14), in particular in the form of a photograph, of the article being produced. The shot (14) is used to ascertain shot features (22) by means of a shot extraction algorithm (20). Stored article data (12) are used to ascertain article features (28) and to compare them with the shot features (22) in order to output association information (36). There is in particular provision according to the invention for a user rating (42) to be provided to improve both the shot extraction algorithm (20) and the article extraction algorithm (26). Alternatively or additionally, there is in particular provision according to the invention for both the shot extraction algorithm (20) and the article extraction algorithm (26) to be produced on the basis of interconnected, preferably weighted, data aggregation routines.

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 identifies an article by associating an image of the article with stored article data. The method includes: A) creating the image of the article; B) extracting image features from the image; and C) extracting article features from the stored article data. The method step C) are configured to be carried out before, during, or after method steps A) and B). The following method steps are then carried out: D) comparing the image features to the article features; E) output of association information of the image with the stored article data.

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: A method for assigning a workpiece to be processed to a mobile unit of an indoor location system used in a manufacturing hall in industrial processing of workpieces is provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for loading a sheet placement device of a flat bed machine tool with a material sheet, wherein the material sheet is supplied to the machining operation carried out by the flat bed machine tool, starting from a target position assigned to the machining operation in a machine coordinate system, and the flat bed machine tool comprises a camera system having at least one camera. The camera system is designed to produce captured images of the sheet placement device, which are calibrated three-dimensionally in relation to the machine coordinate system of the flat bed machine tool. The method comprises the steps: producing a captured image of the material sheet in the region of the sheet placement device; evaluating the captured image to determine an actual sheet position in the machine coordinate system; measuring a deviation of the determined actual sheet position from the target position; and using the measured deviation to align and position the material sheet.

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.

Abstract: A method visualizes manufacturing process information during manufacturing of workpieces with a flatbed machine tool. The workpieces are output as cut material on a pallet of the flatbed machine tool, a sorting table, or a conveyor belt. Workpiece image data is provided in a control system. The image data is associated with a workpiece and is for display on a display unit. Workpiece-specific manufacturing process information is provided in the manufacturing control system, and is acquired during manufacturing of the workpieces and includes features of cutting processes. A database of illustration options is provided in the manufacturing control system, the options are associated with a specific manufacturing feature and are applicable to the workpiece image data to cause an illustration of the respective workpiece image data on the display unit. The workpiece image data is displayed on the display unit, while taking into account illustration options in the workpiece-specific manner.

Abstract: A method for assigning a workpiece to be processed to a mobile unit of an indoor location system used in a manufacturing hall in industrial processing of workpieces is provided.