CABLE PROCESSING MACHINE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SAMPLING ONE OR MORE CABLES FROM A SAMPLING TRAY OF A CABLE PROCESSING MACHINE SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cable processing machine system and a method for removing one or more cables from a dispensing tray of a cable processing machine system.

[0002] Conventional cable processing machines or systems can fully automatically produce batches of cables, i.e., multiple pieces of an identically assembled cable. However, the removal of these batches is usually done manually by the machine operator.

[0003] Fig. 6 Figure 1 shows a typical cable processing machine of the swiveling type, part of a prior art cable processing machine system. Its operation and construction are described, for example, in patent specification EP 2 442 413 B1.

[0004] The cable processing machine or cable processing machine system 1' comprises a straightening unit 2' for aligning the cable, a cable conveying device 3' for conveying or transporting the cable, and two crimping presses 7', 8' for connecting a crimp contact from a contact roll 10' to the cable. The cable processing machine or cable processing machine system also includes a conveyor belt 25' that moves the cable along the cable processing axis 15'.

[0005] The number of identical cables to be produced is usually divided into smaller production batches, which are individually removed from the cable processing machine. Common cable processing machines have a cable tray into which the finished cables are placed until the quantity for a production batch is reached, and a 28' unloading tray from which the batch can be removed manually.

[0006] Above the cable tray is a conveyor belt 25' which keeps the cable being processed taut during transport. At the end of the processing, the cable falls from the conveyor belt into the cable tray. The cable tray can be swivelled, causing the cables of a production batch to fall into the dispensing tray 28'. The cables must be manually removed from the dispensing tray 28', and the removal of the batches from the dispensing tray 28' must be confirmed by the operator. As a result, the cable processing machine stops after each batch has been processed until the batch has been removed from the dispensing tray 28' by the operator and this has been acknowledged. Often, one operator is responsible for several cable processing machines. This means that the cable processing machine is down for a significantly longer time than the actual dispensing process takes.

[0007] To facilitate the removal of short cables, there are removal trays which can be moved longitudinally parallel to the cable processing axis 15' before removal. Patent EP 2 442 413 B1 describes a cable tray in detail.

[0008] Among other things, there may be a need for a cable processing machine system or a process in which, or by means of which, the cable can be easily and automatically removed from the 28' extraction tray.

[0009] Patent EP0788200 A2 discloses a cable processing machine system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0010] Such a need can be met by a cable processing system or a method according to independent claim 1 or independent claim 13. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. According to one aspect of the invention, a cable processing machine system is proposed comprising a cable processing machine for processing a cable, a cable tray for receiving cables processed by the cable processing machine, and a discharge tray, wherein the cable tray is pivotable such that cables from the cable tray enter the discharge tray when the cable tray is pivoted, characterized in that the discharge tray comprises a movable discharge conveyor for conveying the cables along a transport direction away from the cable processing machine to one end of the discharge tray.

[0011] One advantage of this is that the cable(s) or the production batch of cables can usually be transported relatively easily to a position where they can be removed from the dispensing tray quickly and easily using an automated system, such as a gripper arm. In particular, the cable(s) can typically be moved along the outfeed conveyor belt so that they partially extend beyond the dispensing tray. This allows for even easier automated removal of the cables from the tray. Therefore, the operation of the cable processing machine usually does not need to be interrupted.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, a method for removing one or more cables from a dispensing tray of a cable processing machine system, in particular from a dispensing tray of a cable processing machine system as described above, is proposed, wherein the method comprises the following steps: moving one or more cables located in the dispensing tray away from a cable processing machine of the cable processing machine system to one end of the dispensing tray by means of a conveyor belt; and grasping and removing the cable(s) located at the end of the dispensing tray from the dispensing tray by means of a gripper arm.

[0013] The advantage of this method is that the cable(s) or the production batch of cables is typically transported easily to a position where it can be quickly and easily removed from the dispensing tray by automated means. In particular, the cable(s) can usually be moved by the outfeed conveyor so far that they partially extend beyond the dispensing tray. This allows the cables to be removed even more easily by automated robotic arm. Therefore, the operation of the cable processing machine typically does not need to be interrupted.

[0014] Possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention can be considered, among other things and without limiting the invention, as being based on the ideas and findings described below.

[0015] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the dispensing tray has side walls. This typically guides the cable(s) particularly securely within the dispensing tray, while the cable(s) are transported to one end of the dispensing tray by means of the discharge conveyor.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the side walls are firmly connected to the discharge conveyor belt in such a way that the side walls move together with the conveyor belt. This allows the side walls to be moved at the same speed as the conveyor belt with ease. Furthermore, it essentially eliminates the risk of a cable becoming jammed or caught between one of the side walls and the discharge conveyor belt.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the side walls have an accordion-like shape in a cross-section parallel to the surface of the discharge conveyor, allowing the side walls to be at least partially stretched and compressed along a direction parallel to the transport direction. The discharge trough includes a deflection roller for redirecting the discharge conveyor and the side walls. This typically allows the discharge conveyor and side walls to be easily turned or redirected without causing significant mechanical stress in the side walls, enabling the discharge conveyor and side walls to be moved, for example, on the underside of the discharge trough in a direction antiparallel to the transport direction or the direction of movement of the cables on the discharge conveyor.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the dispensing tray has at least one bundle gripper, and in particular two bundle grippers, at one end for gripping and holding one or more cables. This allows the cable(s) to be held at the end of the dispensing tray or at the end of the discharge conveyor in a technically simple manner. Thus, falling out of the dispensing tray is technically prevented.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the bundle gripper(s) is designed such that the gripping force with which each bundle gripper grasps the one or more cables is adjustable. An advantage of this is that the cable can typically slide through the respective closed bundle gripper. Thus, cable routing is typically technically simple.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the distance between the bundle grippers in the transport direction can be increased or decreased to clamp a portion of the cable(s) between the bundle grippers. The advantage of this is that a portion of the cable(s) can usually be clamped between the bundle grippers with relative ease. This generally simplifies the process of gripping the cables with a gripper arm or similar device that grasps the clamped portion of the cable(s) between the bundle grippers.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the dispensing tray at the end of the outfeed conveyor, to which the cables can be conveyed by the conveyor belt, has a support surface that is fixed relative to the cable tray for supporting a portion of the cable or cables. The advantage of this is that the cables can be moved beyond the end of the outfeed conveyor, typically without contacts attached to the cable, such as crimp contacts, becoming entangled. Furthermore, the friction between the support surface and the cable or cables generally prevents them from falling out of the dispensing tray at the end. The support surface typically keeps them in place at the end of the dispensing tray, with a portion of the cable or cables resting on the support surface.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the dispensing tray has side walls that laterally delimit the support surface. The advantage of this is that the cables are typically held particularly securely on the support surface and are especially well protected against falling off sideways.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the discharge conveyor of the dispensing tray is movable parallel to a direction that runs in the longitudinal direction of the cable tray, the cable tray having its greatest extent along this longitudinal direction. An advantage of this is that the cable(s) on the discharge conveyor can typically be moved away from the cable processing machine with relative ease.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the dispensing tray is arranged and designed such that it extends further away from the cable processing machine than the cable tray. Because the dispensing tray extends beyond the cable tray, the cables transported to the end furthest from the cable processing machine are typically in a position where they can be gripped automatically without the cable tray obstructing the movement of the gripper arm. Thus, the cables can generally be gripped even more easily and automatically at the end of the dispensing tray.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the cable processing machine system, the transport direction extends parallel to a cable processing axis, along which the cables are moved during processing by the cable processing machine. This generally allows the cables to be placed in the cable tray in a particularly simple manner, such that they can be transported or conveyed along their longitudinal direction (or along their greatest extent) by means of the conveyor belt without rotation or similar action.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the method, the cable(s) are held at one end of the dispensing tray by one or two bundle grippers, while the gripper arm grasps the cable(s). An advantage of this method is that a portion of the cable(s) can typically be grasped by a gripper arm or similar device with particular ease.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the method, the cable(s) are held under tension by two bundle grippers while the gripper arm grasps the cable(s). An advantage of this method is that grasping the cables by a gripper arm or similar device that grasps the tensioned portion of the cable(s) between the bundle grippers is generally technically simplified.

[0028] It is noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments of the cable processing system or the method for removing one or more cables from a dispensing tray of a cable processing machine. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features can be suitably combined, adapted, or exchanged to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0029] Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby neither the drawings nor the description are to be interpreted as limiting the invention. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the cable processing system according to the invention with a dispensing tray; Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the dispensing tray made of Fig. 1 Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of a dispensing tray of a second embodiment of the cable processing system according to the invention; Fig. 4 shows a further detailed view of the dispensing tray made of Fig. 3 Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of the dispensing tray made of Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 with a gripper arm; Fig. 6 showed a cable processing system according to the prior art.

[0030] The figures are schematic only and not to scale. Identical reference symbols in the different figures denote identical or equivalent features. Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the cable processing system according to the invention with a dispensing tray 30. Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the sampling tray 30. Fig. 1 .

[0031] The cable processing machine system 1 comprises a straightening unit 2 for aligning the cable 12, a cable conveying device 3 for conveying or transporting the cable 12, and two crimping presses 7, 8 for connecting a crimp contact from a contact roll 10 to the cable 12. The cable processing machine 5, or cable processing machine system 1, also includes a conveyor belt 25 that moves the cable 12 along the cable processing axis 15. Furthermore, the cable processing machine system 1 includes a dispensing trough 30.

[0032] A conveyor belt 25 is located diagonally above the cable tray 20. This belt keeps the cable 12 to be processed taut during transport through the cable processing machine 5 and during processing within the machine. Upon completion of processing, the cable 12 falls from the conveyor belt into the cable tray 20. The cable tray 20 can be pivoted or tilted, allowing the cables 12 from a production batch to fall from the tray 20 into the discharge tray 30.

[0033] The removal tray 30 includes an outfeed conveyor 35. The outfeed conveyor 35 is (on the top of the removal tray 30) movable in a transport direction 13 parallel to the cable processing axis 15 (=the axis along the longitudinal direction of the cables 12 during processing in the cable processing machine 5) or cable storage 20 away from the cable processing machine 5.

[0034] The discharge conveyor 35 is an endless conveyor belt that is deflected around a deflection roller 50 at the front end 33 of the dispensing tray 30 and runs back along the underside of the dispensing tray 30. Side walls 40, 41, which laterally delimit the discharge conveyor 35, are also deflected by means of the deflection roller 50 and run back along the underside of the dispensing tray 30.

[0035] The outfeed conveyor 35 is driven by a feed motor 52. The feed motor 52 drives the deflection roller 50.

[0036] At the opposite end of the discharge conveyor 35 there is another deflection roller, on which or by means of which the discharge conveyor 35 and the side walls 40, 41 are deflected again and in this way return to the top of the discharge tray 30, where the discharge conveyor 35 moves again in the transport direction 13.

[0037] One of the two deflection rollers 50 can be moved linearly parallel to the transport direction 13 in order to tension the discharge conveyor 35 and / or the side walls 40, 41.

[0038] The batch of cables 12 is represented in the drawings, in a simplified manner, by a cylindrical body. The batch of cables 12 can comprise, for example, 5-20 cables 12, particularly those processed in the same way.

[0039] At one end of the outfeed conveyor 35, more precisely at the end of the outfeed conveyor 35 facing away from the cable processing machine 5, a support surface 60 is formed, which also forms the end 33 of the discharge tray 30. The support surface 60 is rigidly arranged relative to the cable processing machine 5, i.e., the outfeed conveyor 35 moves relative to the support surface 60. The support surface 60 also has side walls 65, 66, which are fixed relative to the support surface 60. The side walls 65, 66 of the support surface 60 can be part of the enclosure 53 into which the side walls 40, 41 of the outfeed conveyor 35 move before being deflected by approximately 180° by means of the deflection pulley 50.

[0040] The discharge conveyor 35 moves the cables 12 so that they are partly on the discharge conveyor 35, partly on the support surface 60, and partly protrude beyond the discharge tray 30, as shown in Fig. 3 The receiving tray, through the friction between the cables 12 on the one hand and the support surface 60 on the other, ensures that even with further movement of the discharge conveyor 35, the cables 12 are not transported further over the end 33 of the removal tray 30 and thus do not fall out of the removal tray 30.

[0041] The outfeed conveyor belt 35 can be a flat belt.

[0042] The dispensing tray 30 has two side walls 40, 41 that laterally define the interior of the dispensing tray 30. The side walls 40, 41 are firmly connected to the discharge conveyor 35 in such a way that when the discharge conveyor 35 moves, the side walls 40, 41 move along with it. Thus, moving the discharge conveyor 35 also moves the side walls 40, 41.

[0043] The side walls 40, 41 each have a height that is higher than the height of the cable 12 or the batch of cables 12, respectively. In particular, the side walls 40, 41 can have a height that is at least half the width of the discharge conveyor 35. The width of the discharge conveyor 35 runs horizontally and perpendicular to the transport direction 13. This allows production batches, each comprising a large number of units, to be transported safely by means of the unloading tray 22.

[0044] The side walls 40, 41 can be bellows-like or formed as corrugated edges.

[0045] The side walls 40, 41 are each self-contained and are deflected by approximately 180° via the deflection roller 50 together with the discharge conveyor 35, so that they run back along the underside of the discharge tray 30 together with the discharge conveyor 35, i.e., in the opposite direction to the transport direction 13. The deflection of the side walls 40, 41 and / or the discharge conveyor 35 and the return of the side walls 40, 41 and / or the discharge conveyor 35 take place in a housing 53, so that unintentional contact of the side walls 40, 41 and / or the discharge conveyor 35 during the deflection or during the return towards the cable processing machine 5 is essentially prevented.

[0046] The side walls 40, 41 are deflected together with the outfeed conveyor 35.

[0047] The side walls 40, 41 have a cross-sectional shape parallel to the surface of the discharge conveyor belt 35, resembling a movable part of an accordion. For illustrative purposes, only a portion of the side walls 40, 41 are shown as accordion-shaped in the drawings. However, the side walls 40, 41 exhibit this accordion-like shape along their entire length. This means that the side walls 40, 41 maintain this accordion-like shape over the entire length of the conveyor belt 35.

[0048] This shape allows the length of each side wall 40, 41 on the side facing away from the outfeed conveyor 35 (i.e., the upper part of each side wall 40, 41) to be increased or decreased parallel to the transport direction 13. The part of each side wall 40, 41 closest to the outfeed conveyor 35 is fixed or rigidly connected to the outfeed conveyor 35, so that this part cannot change its length parallel to the transport direction 13.

[0049] The discharge conveyor 35 and the side walls 40, 41 can be formed as a single piece. It is also conceivable that the side walls 40, 41 are welded to the discharge conveyor 35. Other types of permanent connection between the discharge conveyor 35 and the side walls 40, 41, such as gluing, riveting, or similar methods, are also conceivable.

[0050] When deflecting around the deflection pulley 50, the side walls 40, 41, or rather the part of the side walls 40, 41 facing away from the outfeed conveyor 35 (the upper part of the respective side wall 40, 41), must travel a longer distance than the outfeed conveyor 35, since the upper part of the respective side wall 40, 41 is further away from the deflection pulley 50 during the deflection than the outfeed conveyor 35. Due to the accordion-like shape of the side walls 40, 41, no significant mechanical stresses occur in the side walls 40, 41 when they are deflected around the deflection pulley 50 together with the outfeed conveyor 35, since the length of the side walls 40, 41, or rather the part of the side walls 40, 41 facing away from the outfeed conveyor 35 or the deflection pulley 50, changes during the deflection. Deflection increases the length. After deflection, the length decreases again to the length before deflection.Thus, breaking and / or tearing of the side walls 40, 41 during deflection, as well as fatigue of the material of the side walls 40, 41 due to deflection around the deflection pulley 50, is reliably and technically easily prevented.

[0051] However, it is also conceivable that the side walls 40, 41 are fixed, i.e., not moved. For example, the side walls 40, 41 could each have a fixed sheet metal panel or similar component.

[0052] The discharge conveyor 35 and / or the side walls 40, 41 can comprise or consist of a plastic (e.g. polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and / or polyurethane (PU)).

[0053] Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of a removal tray 30 of a second embodiment of the cable processing system according to the invention. Fig. 4 shows another detailed view of the sampling tray 30. Fig. 3 .

[0054] The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment only in that the discharge trough 30 additionally comprises two bundle grippers 55, 56, which are attached to a rail 58. The bundle gripper 56 of the two bundle grippers 55, 56 that is furthest from the discharge conveyor 35 is movable along the rail 58, so that the distance between the bundle gripper 55, which is closer to the discharge conveyor 35, and the bundle gripper 56 located further from the discharge conveyor 35 can be increased or decreased. The rail runs parallel to the transport direction 13.

[0055] One of the two bundle grippers 55, 56 is located directly adjacent to the support surface 60.

[0056] In Fig. 3 The distance between the bundle grippers 55, 56 is as small as possible. Fig. 4 The distance between the bundle grippers 55 and 56 is as large as possible. The bundle gripper 56, which is furthest from the outfeed conveyor 35, is located at the outermost end of the rail 58.

[0057] The bundle grippers 55, 56 each comprise two jaws which are in an open position (see Fig. 3 ) may be located and which are in a closed position (see Fig. 4 ) can be located. In the open position, the bundle gripper 55, 56, or rather the jaws of the bundle gripper 55, 56, have an opening at the top. In the closed position, both jaws of the bundle gripper 55, 56 surround the cables 12 held by the bundle gripper 55, 56.

[0058] The bundle grippers 55 and 56 can be opened and closed pneumatically and / or with electric motors. In particular, when the bundle grippers 55 and 56 are driven by an electric motor, the jaws can be positioned in a variety of intermediate positions between fully open and fully closed. These various intermediate positions can be programmed.

[0059] The force with which the bundle grippers 55, 56 grip the cables 12 can be adjusted so that the cables 12, while being held by the bundle grippers 55, 56, can slide in the bundle grippers 55, 56 or move relative to the respective bundle gripper 55, 56.

[0060] The bundle grippers 55, 56 each enclose the cable 12 or the cables 12 in the closed position. The bundle grippers 55, 56 form the multiple cables 12 into a compact bundle, so that this can be easily grasped and held by a gripper arm 70 and transported from the dispensing tray 30 by the gripper arm 70.

[0061] The bundle or lot of cables 12, or a portion thereof, can be clamped between the bundle grippers 55, 56, so that it can be easily grasped by a gripper arm 70 by the gripper arm 70 engaging between the bundle grippers 55, 56 and thus grasping the cables 12. After the gripper arm 70 has grasped the cables 12, the two bundle grippers 55, 56 open, allowing the gripper arm 70 to move the held cables 12, or the lot of cables 12, upwards out of the dispensing tray 30 or the bundle grippers 55, 56.

[0062] Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of the sampling tray 30. Fig. 3 or Fig. 4 with a gripper arm 70.

[0063] In Fig. 5 The respective production batches of cables 12 or bundles of cables 12 are represented as cylinders for graphical simplification.

[0064] In Fig. 5 On the left, a bundle of cables or a lot of cables 12, each with a part near its ends, is already attached or clamped in a holder of a cable rack 80.

[0065] Fig. 5 shows a situation after the front end of another cable bundle or another lot of cables 12 has already been moved to one end of the removal tray 30, gripped by a gripper arm 70 and secured in a receptacle or holder of a cable rack 80.

[0066] The gripper arm 70 can be moved in space by means of a device not shown.

[0067] The rear end of the cable bundle, or the batch of cables 12, is held in a closed position by the two bundle grippers 55, 56, or rather by the jaws of the two bundle grippers 55, 56, with the bundle grippers 55, 56 positioned as far apart from each other as possible. Previously, the outer bundle gripper 56, i.e., the one furthest from the discharge conveyor 35, grasped a portion of the cable bundle, while the inner bundle gripper 55 was in a partially closed position and the cables 12 slid through the inner bundle gripper 55. Due to the friction between the cables 12 and the inner bundle gripper 55, the portion of the cable 12 between the bundle grippers 55, 56 became taut and did not hang loosely, but ran essentially horizontally. This allows the gripper arm 70 to easily grasp and hold this portion.

[0068] After gripping the rear part of the cable 12, the two bundle grippers 55, 56 open, so that the cable 12 is now secured or clamped by the gripper arm 70 in a holder or fastening of the cable rack 80.

[0069] The automated removal of the production batches of cables 12 or the cables 12 themselves allows downstream systems for the storage and / or transport of the production batches or cables 12 to be automatically fed into the cable processing machine 5. These systems can be designed very differently depending on the desired logistics process. For example, after being moved from the removal tray 30, the production batches or the cables 12 can be placed in stationary intermediate storage units, which can hold a limited number of batches, and / or in transportable storage units such as cable racks with wheels (see Fig. 5), transport boxes or similar items are moved, which serve to bring the cables 12 or production batches to a subsequent processing station.

[0070] Because the removal tray 30 moves the cables 12 or loose pieces of cables 12 away from the cable processing machine 5, the cables 12 or loose pieces of cables 12 can be removed from the removal tray 30 in a particularly simple automated process, e.g., by means of a gripper arm 70. The cable processing machine 5 then does not obstruct the gripper arm 70 during its movements.

[0071] In particular, because after transporting the cable 12 or cables 12, a part of the cable 12 or cables 12 protrudes beyond the end 33 of the extraction tray 30, the cable 12 or cables 12 can be grasped by a technically simple gripping arm.

[0072] The distance that the production batch of cables 12, or the cables 12 themselves, must travel by means of the outfeed conveyor 35 to reach, for example, the end of the outfeed conveyor 35, can be calculated, for example, by a machine control system, since the length of the cables 12 and the desired position of the production batch of cables 12, or the cables 12 themselves, after outfeed or conveying are known. Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "encompassing," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as limitations. Reference symbol list

[0073] 1, 1' Cable processing machine system 2, 2' Straightening unit 3, 3' Cable conveying device 5 Cable processing machine 7, 8, 7', 8' Crimping press 10, 10' Contact roller 12 Cable 13 Cable transport direction 15, 15' Cable processing axis 20 Cable storage 25, 25' Conveyor belt 28' Prior art dispensing tray 30 Dispensing tray 33 End of dispensing tray 35 Outfeed belt 40, 41 Side wall of dispensing tray 50 Deflection roller 52 Feed motor 53 Cover 55, 56 Bundle gripper 58 Rail of bundle gripper 60 Support surface 65, 66 Side wall of support surface 70 Gripping arm 80 Cable rack

Claims

1. A cable processing machine system (1), comprising a cable processing machine (5) for processing a cable (12), a cable storage means (20) for receiving cables (12) processed by the cable processing machine (5), and a removal trough (30), wherein the cable storage means (20) is designed so as to be pivotable such that cables (12) from the cable storage means (20) reach the removal trough (30) when the cable storage means (20) is pivoted, characterized in that the removal trough (30) comprises a movable exit conveyor belt (35) for conveying the cables (12) away from the cable processing machine (5) to one end (33) of the removal trough (30) along a transport direction (13).

2. The cable processing machine system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the removal trough (30) has sidewalls (40, 41).

3. The cable processing machine system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the sidewalls (40, 41) are firmly connected to the exit conveyor belt (35) in such a way that the sidewalls (40, 41) are moved together with the exit conveyor belt (35).

4. The cable processing machine system (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sidewalls (40, 41) each have an accordion-like shape in a cross section parallel to the surface of the exit conveyor belt (35), so that the sidewalls (40, 41) can be at least partially extended and compressed along a direction that runs parallel to the transport direction (13), and the removal trough (30) has a deflection roller (50) for deflecting the exit conveyor belt (35) and the sidewalls (40, 41).

5. The cable processing machine system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the removal trough (30) has at least one bundle gripper (55, 56) at one end (33) of the removal trough (30), in particular two bundle grippers (55, 56), for gripping and holding one or more cables (12).

6. The cable processing machine system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the bundle gripper (55, 56) or the bundle grippers (55, 56) is / are designed such that the gripping force with which the respective bundle gripper (55, 56) grips the one or more cables (12) is adjustable.

7. The cable processing machine system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between the bundle grippers (55, 56) in the transport direction (13) for tensioning part of the cable (12) or cables (12) between the bundle grippers (55, 56) can be increased and decreased.

8. The cable processing machine system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the removal trough (30) at the end of the exit conveyor belt (35) to which the cables (12) can be conveyed by means of the exit conveyor belt (35) has a support surface (60) which is immovable relative to the cable tray (20) for supporting part of the cable (12) or cables (12).

9. The cable processing machine system (1) according to claim 8, wherein the removal trough (30) has sidewalls (65, 66) laterally delimiting the support surface (60).

10. The cable processing machine system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the exit conveyor belt (35) of the removal trough (30) can be moved parallel to a direction which runs in a longitudinal direction of the cable tray (20), the cable tray (20) having its greatest extent along the longitudinal direction.

11. The cable processing machine system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the removal trough (30) is arranged and designed such that the removal trough (30) extends further away from the cable processing machine (5) than the cable tray (20).

12. The cable processing machine system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transport direction (13) extends parallel to a cable processing axis (15) along which the cables (12) are moved during the processing of the cables (12) by the cable processing machine (5).

13. A method for removing one or more cables (12) from a removal trough (30) of a cable processing machine system (1), in particular from a removal trough (30) of a cable processing machine system (1) according to any of claims 1-12, wherein the method comprises the following steps: moving one or more cable (12) located in the removal trough (30) by means of an exit conveyor belt (35) away from a cable processing machine (5) of the cable processing machine system (1) to an end (33) of the removal trough (30); and gripping and removal of the cable or the cables (12) located at the end (33) of the removal trough (30) from the removal trough (30) by means of a gripper arm (70).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the cable (12) or cables (12) are held by a bundle gripper (55, 56) or two bundle grippers (55, 56) at one end (33) of the removal trough (30), while the gripper arm (70) grips the cable or cables (12).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the cable (12) or cables (12) is / are held under tension by two bundle grippers (55, 56) while the gripper arm (70) grips the cable or cables (12).