Method and machine assembly for dividing a plate-shaped workpiece

Abstract

In the context of the method for dividing a plate-shaped workpiece according to the invention, a kerf is produced on the workpiece by means of a dividing beam, which extends along a feed axis over a machining length which is greater than the maximum working length of the dividing beam, in such a way that, in addition to the active working movement of the dividing beam, an active working movement of the workpiece carrier along the feed axis is carried out together with the workpiece, wherein the active working movement of the workpiece carrier is counter to the active working movement of the dividing beam, the active working movement of the workpiece carrier along the feed axis is superimposed on at least a portion of the active working movement of the dividing beam along the feed axis, and the magnitude of the active working movement of the dividing beam and the magnitude of the active working movement of the workpiece carrier together amount to the machining length which exceeds the maximum working length of the dividing beam. The invention also proposes a machine assembly for carrying out the method, a computer program, a method for creating a computer program and a computer program product.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a method for splitting a workpiece, in particular a sheet, which is plate-shaped, by means of a splitting beam,

[0002] • wherein the workpiece is supported in the splitting process by means of a workpiece carrier,

[0003] • wherein the splitting beam is directed onto the workpiece, which is supported by the workpiece carrier, in a beam direction which extends perpendicularly to the main plane of the workpiece when the workpiece is split,

[0004] • wherein the workpiece and the splitting beam directed onto the workpiece are moved relative to one another along a feed axis perpendicularly to the beam direction of the splitting beam over a machining length and thereby produce a slit on the workpiece by means of the splitting beam when the workpiece is split, which slit extends along the feed axis over the machining length,

[0005] • wherein the splitting beam is moved relative to the workpiece carrier supporting the workpiece over a working length limited by a maximum working length along the feed axis when the workpiece is split.

[0006] The invention also relates to a machine assembly for splitting a workpiece, in particular a sheet, which is plate-shaped, by means of a splitting beam, having

[0007] • a workpiece carrier for supporting the workpiece when it is split,

[0008] • a machining machine having a splitting unit by means of which the splitting beam can be directed onto the workpiece, which is supported by the workpiece carrier, in a beam direction which extends perpendicularly to the main plane of the workpiece when the workpiece is split,

[0009] • a motorized feed drive by means of which the workpiece carrier supporting the workpiece and the splitting unit directing the splitting beam onto the workpiece can be moved relative to one another along a feed axis perpendicularly to the beam direction of the splitting beam and thereby produce a slit on the workpiece by means of the splitting beam when the workpiece is split, which slit extends along the feed axis over a machining length,

[0010] • wherein the motorized feed drive has a motorized splitting unit feed drive by means of which the splitting unit directing the splitting beam onto the workpiece can be moved relative to the workpiece carrier supporting the workpiece along the feed axis with active splitting unit longitudinal movement limitation, whereby the splitting beam can be moved relative to the workpiece carrier supporting the workpiece over a working length limited by a maximum working length along the feed axis when the workpiece is split.

[0011] The application also relates to a computer program for operating the aforementioned machine component, a method for creating such a computer program and a computer program product for executing the last-mentioned method. BACKGROUND

[0012] A prior art of the same kind is known from EP 3560652 A1. This document, like the present application, relates to a method and a device for hyper- dimensioning.

[0013] In the case of the prior art, a workpiece is cut out of a sheet-like material on a machining machine by means of a cutting beam emitted by a cutting head of the machining machine. For this purpose, the sheet-like material is moved in a linear conveying direction into a working area of the machining machine, in which the cutting head moves biaxially relative to the stationary sheet-like material and the cutting beam emitted by the cutting head performs a parting machining on the stationary sheet-like material. Along the conveying direction, the sheet-like material to be machined has an excess amount relative to the working area of the machining machine. When cutting a hyper-dimensioned workpiece, i.e. a workpiece whose extension in the conveying direction is greater than the extension of the working area of the machining machine in the conveying direction, the workpiece contour is divided in sections in sub-lengths along the conveying direction, which correspond to the maximum extension of the working area of the machining machine in the conveying direction. After the parting machining of one sub-length of the workpiece contour, the sheet-like material is moved in the conveying direction with the not yet machined part nachgesetzt into the working area of the machining machine with the cutting beam switched off, after which the stationary sheet-like material is parting machined by means of the cutting beam on a sub-length of the workpiece contour which adjoins the divided sub-length in the conveying direction. Based on the temporary interruption of the cutting process, a discontinuity, a so-called "nachgesetz mark", is formed in the transition area between the sub-lengths of the workpiece contour which adjoin one another on the hyper-dimensioned workpiece. SUMMARY

[0014] It is the task of the present application to improve the machining quality when parting hyper-dimensioning.

[0015] According to the application, this task is solved by the machining method according to the application, the machine component according to the application, the computer program according to the application, the method for creating a computer program according to the application and the computer program product according to the application.

[0016] In the case of the application, the contour along the feed axis which exceeds the maximum working length of the segmentation beam or segmentation unit and thus the range of action thereof can be continuously and thus without interruption of the segmentation process completed on the basis of the superimposition of the active working movement of the segmentation beam or segmentation unit along the feed axis and the counteractive working movement of the workpiece carrier supporting the workpiece along the feed axis. Supplementary movement marks on the edges extending along the feed axis of the workpiece parts completed in the segmentation machining of the workpiece are thus avoided. According to the application, even if the range of action of the segmentation beam or segmentation unit is limited and thus the structural length of the machining center according to the application is relatively small, an excellent machining quality in the case of oversize machining can be ensured.

[0017] In the preferred configuration of the application, the reversal of the direction of the active working movement of the segmentation beam or segmentation unit and the workpiece carrier can be achieved by a corresponding control change of the feed drives involved.

[0018] Depending on the specific machining task, the segmentation beam can be subjected to an active working movement over the maximum feed length or over a feed length which is smaller than the maximum feed length. On the basis of the generally significantly increased dynamics of the segmentation unit compared to the workpiece carrier, it is advantageous, especially in the case of rapid workpiece machining, to make the most of the feed length of the segmentation beam along the feed axis.

[0019] The active working movement of the workpiece carrier can be superimposed on the active working movement of the segmentation beam or the active segmentation unit generating the active working movement of the segmentation beam during the entire active working movement of the segmentation beam or in a part of the active working movement of the segmentation beam.

[0020] In the case of the application, the segmentation machining of the workpiece can be carried out with different segmentation beams. As segmentation beams according to the application, for example, high-pressure water beams or thermal segmentation beams such as plasma arc beams or laser segmentation beams can be envisaged. Preferred according to the application is a laser segmentation beam and a corresponding laser machining center as machining center, the laser machining center having a laser cutting head as segmentation unit.

[0021] The drive controller of the machine assembly according to the application relates in particular to a programmable digital controller.

[0022] The machining method according to the application and the automation of the machine assembly according to the application are implemented by means of the computer program according to the application. The computer program according to the application is run on the drive controller of the machine assembly according to the application, wherein the motorized feed drives of the machine assembly and, if necessary, the motorized segmentation unit transverse drives are controlled by the drive controller in a suitable method.

[0023] The computer program according to the application is matched to the application case to be completed according to the method according to the application. The computer program product according to the application is used here to enable the user, inter alia, to generate a computer program on site for controlling the machining method according to the application and the machine assembly according to the application in relation to the application.

[0024] Particular embodiments of the machining method according to the application and the machine assembly according to the application are also proposed.

[0025] In a preferred configuration of the application, the segmented machining, which does not exceed the machining length of the segmented beam or segmented unit along the feed axis, is carried out only under the movement of the segmented beam and thus with the workpiece carrier stationary along the feed axis. This feature of the invention is advantageous, inter alia, in view of the difference between the dynamics of the active work movement of the segmented beam and the dynamics of the active work movement of the workpiece carrier mentioned above.

[0026] In an extended version of the application, the respective advantages result from the fact that the workpiece segmentation machining perpendicular to the feed axis is carried out only by the segmented beam carrying out an active work movement perpendicular to the feed axis. On the basis of the movability of the segmented beam or segmented unit along the feed axis and perpendicular to the feed axis according to the application, a kerf with an arbitrary biaxial course can be generated on the workpiece to be machined by corresponding actuation of the feed drive and the segmented unit transverse drive of the machine assembly according to the application.

[0027] It is particularly meaningful for obtaining a high-quality result of the workpiece segmentation machining to be able to ensure a constant machining speed of the segmented beam relative to the workpiece to be segmented, which is ensured, for example, in the method and the machine assembly described in the application. The magnitude of the machining speed to be achieved is predetermined depending on the specific machining task. In the case of the application, the constant longitudinal machining speed along the feed axis is achieved in such a way that the magnitude of the deceleration or acceleration of the segmented beam or segmented unit is the same as the magnitude of the increase or decrease in the speed of the workpiece carrier. The inertia of the workpiece carrier can be compensated by the dynamics of the segmented beam or segmented unit.

[0028] Also for the high-quality result of the workpiece segmentation machining, in a further preferred configuration of the application, a feed drive with two drive motors is provided for the workpiece carrier, which have drive directions opposite to each other along the feed axis and can be spanned against each other. By the mutual span of the drive motors of the workpiece carrier feed drive, the active working movement of the workpiece carrier relative to the segmentation beam is carried out with minimal drive play and thus with high accuracy along the feed axis. This possibility is present in particular also in the case of a workpiece carrier feed drive used which is, for example, like a pin rack drive, due to the construction form, playy. In a preferred configuration of the application, for the generation of the mutual span of the drive motors, the motor torque of the drive motor acting as drive is opposite to the motor torque of the second drive motor, the magnitude of the motor torque of the second drive motor being 10% to 20% of the magnitude of the motor torque of the drive motor acting as drive.

[0029] The mutual span of the two drive motors of the workpiece carrier feed drive for statically fixing the workpiece carrier during the active working movement of the segmentation beam or segmentation unit provides the advantage that a possible active working movement of the initially stationary workpiece carrier can be initiated with minimal delay. Only the motor torque of the drive motor of the workpiece carrier feed drive adjusted accordingly is allowed to change the movement state of the workpiece carrier. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0030] The application is explained in detail below on the basis of exemplary schematic drawings. The drawings show:

[0031] Figure 1 a machine assembly for segmentation machining of a sheet metal by means of a laser,

[0032] Figure 2 a machine assembly for Figure 1 the motorized feed drive of the workpiece carrier of the machine assembly, and

[0033] Figure 3 an example of an oversize segmentation machining by means of Figure 1 the machine assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] According to Figure 1 , a machine assembly 1 for segmentation machining of a workpiece in the form of a sheet metal 2 comprises a laser platform machine 3 as machining machine and also a machine-type supply device 4 for the laser platform machine 3.

[0035] The laser bed machine 3 has in a general manner a housing 5, inside of which a separation unit embodied as a laser cutting head 6 can carry out a biaxial active working movement. For this purpose, the laser cutting head 6 is arranged on a portal crossbar 7 of the laser bed machine 3. The portal crossbar 7 is motorically drivable in opposite directions along a feed axis 8, wherein the movement path of the portal crossbar 7 along the feed axis 8 is limited in the length dimension. The laser cutting head 6 is motorically drivable in opposite directions along the portal crossbar 7 perpendicular to the feed axis 8.

[0036] For the separation machining, the laser cutting head 6 directs a laser separation beam, not shown in the drawing, onto the sheet 2, wherein the laser separation beam extends perpendicular to the main plane of the sheet 2.

[0037] A machine feed device 4 serves for moving the sheet 2 along the feed axis 8. For this purpose, the sheet 2 is supported on a workpiece carrier configured as a workpiece carriage 9. The workpiece carriage 9 is drivable in both directions along the feed axis 8 on a bearing and guide structure 10 of the machine feed device 4.

[0038] In Figure 1 The motor drives 11 of the machine assembly 1 are shown very schematically, by means of which the movement of the laser cutting head 6 and the workpiece carriage 9 along the feed axis 8 and the movement of the laser cutting head 6 perpendicular to the feed axis 8 are generated for the separation machining of the sheet 2.

[0039] In detail, there are provided as components of the separation unit: a motorized cutting head longitudinal drive 12 as separation unit feed drive; a motorized cutting head transverse drive 13 as separation unit transverse drive; and, as components of the machine feed device 4: a motorized carriage longitudinal drive 14 as workpiece carrier feed drive. By means of the cutting head longitudinal drive 12, the laser cutting head 6 and the laser separation beam emitted by it are moved along the feed axis 8 by the corresponding movement of the portal crossbar 7 of the laser bed machine 3. The cutting head and separation beam movement perpendicular to the feed axis 8 is generated by means of the cutting head transverse drive 13 along the portal crossbar 7. For the movement of the workpiece carriage 9 along the feed axis 8, the carriage longitudinal drive 14 is provided.

[0040] The carriage movement and the cutting head movement or rather separation beam movement caused by means of the cutting head longitudinal drive 12, the cutting head transverse drive 13 and the carriage longitudinal drive 14 can relate to active working movements or positioning movements. During the active working movements, the sheet 2 is separated machined by means of the laser separation beam. The positioning movements serve for transferring the laser cutting head 6 and the workpiece carriage 9 loaded with the sheet 2 relative to one another to a position, which is in particular driven to as a starting point of the active working movements, usually with the laser separation beam switched off.

[0041] The longitudinal drive 14 of the bracket includes a first drive motor 15 and a second drive motor 16. The drive motors 15 and 16 of the longitudinal drive 14 of the bracket can run in drive directions that are opposite to each other along the feed axis 8 and resist each other along the feed axis 8.

[0042] The cutting head longitudinal driver 12, the cutting head transverse driver 13, and the bracket longitudinal driver 14 can be switched in their driving directions.

[0043] Like all other functional units of machine component 1, the cutting head longitudinal drive 12, the cutting head transverse drive 13, and the carriage longitudinal drive 14 are also connected via... Figure 1 The programmable digital machine controller 17, which is also schematically shown in the diagram, is particularly configured as a drive controller.

[0044] The digital machine controller 17 includes a first measurement unit 18, a second measurement unit 19, and a third measurement unit 20.

[0045] During the segmentation operation of machine assembly 1, the first measuring unit 18 of the digital machine controller 17 continuously measures the longitudinal speed of the segmentation unit, or cutting head. The cutting head longitudinal driver 12 uses this longitudinal speed to cause the laser cutting head 6 to actively move relative to the workpiece carrier 9 along the feed axis 8 when segmenting the processed sheet material 2. During the segmentation operation of machine assembly 1, the second measuring unit 19 continuously measures the longitudinal speed of the workpiece carrier, or carrier. The carrier longitudinal driver 14 uses this longitudinal speed to cause the workpiece carrier 9 to actively move relative to the laser cutting head 6 along the feed axis 8. The third measuring unit 20 is used to continuously measure the transverse speed of the segmentation unit, or cutting head. The laser cutting head 6, driven by the cutting head transverse driver 13, performs an active working motion perpendicular to the feed axis 8 at this transverse speed when segmenting the processed sheet material 2.

[0046] Using the measurement values ​​obtained by means of the first measurement unit 18, the second measurement unit 19, and the third measurement unit 20, the analysis and evaluation unit 21 of the digital machine controller 17 determines the actual processing speed, at which the dividing beam pointed from the laser cutting head 6 onto the plate 2 performs the dividing processing on the plate 2. The analysis and evaluation unit 21 compares this actual processing speed with the application-related desired processing speed stored in the digital machine controller 17. Based on the comparison result, the control unit 22 of the digital machine controller 17 causes the following adjustment to the cutting head longitudinal driver 12 and / or the cutting head transverse driver 13 and / or the bracket longitudinal driver 14: this adjustment causes the dividing processing of the plate 2 by the dividing beam pointed from the laser cutting head 6 onto the plate 2 to proceed at a uniform speed at the desired processing speed.

[0047] In the example shown, the cutting head longitudinal drive 12 involves a conventional high-precision rack drive, the cutting head transverse drive 13 involves a conventional and likewise high-precision linear drive, and the carriage longitudinal drive 14 involves a conventional pin-rack drive.

[0048] The pin-rack drive for the workpiece carriage 9 is shown in highly simplified form in Figure 2 .

[0049] On the motor shaft of the drive motor 15, 16 of the carriage longitudinal drive 14, in the present case an electric one, there is a conventional pin-rack gearwheel 23, 24, which engages into a conventional pin-rack 25. The pin-rack 25 is mounted on the carriage frame 26 of the workpiece carriage 9 and extends there along the feed axis 8.

[0050] Not shown in Figure 2 is the support plate strip 27 of the workpiece carriage 9, which is shown in Figure 1 , extends in conventional fashion on the carriage frame 26 perpendicular to the feed axis 8 and parallel to one another and is spaced apart from one another along the feed axis 8. The sheet metal 2 is supported on the tips of the support plate strip 27 during laser-parting machining.

[0051] For design reasons, the movement path of the laser cutting head 6 along the feed axis 8 and perpendicular to the feed axis 8 is limited. From the biaxial limitation of the movement path of the laser cutting head 6, a corresponding limitation of the working area of the laser-parting beam emitted by the laser cutting head 6 results.

[0052] The parting machining of the sheet metal 2 performed by means of the machine assembly 1 is shown in Figure 3 exemplarily and intuitively.

[0053] The maximum working length of the laser-parting beam, i.e. the path length which the laser-parting beam can be moved at maximum by the movement of the gantry crossbeam 7 and the laser cutting head 6 along the feed axis 8 is marked as wl max in Figure 3 . Consequently, the sheet metal 2 to be machined is oversized along the feed axis 8 with respect to the working area of the laser-parting beam.

[0054] From the sheet metal 2, finished pieces 28, 29, 30, 31 are to be cut by parting machining of the sheet metal 2 by means of the laser-parting beam emitted by the laser cutting head 6.

[0055] In order to cut out the outer contour of each of the finished pieces 28, 29, 30, 31, upper cut seams 32 and lower cut seams 33 are produced on the sheet 2 by means of the laser separation beam and, in order to connect the upper cut seams 32 and the lower cut seams 33, front cut seams 34 and rear cut seams 35 are to be produced. Furthermore, sheet openings 36 and sheet openings 37 are to be made on the finished pieces 28, 29, 30, 31 as inner contours. In Figure 3 the finished pieces 28, 29, 30, 31 are shown in the as-yet uncut state in dashed lines and in the cut state in solid lines.

[0056] The finished pieces 28, 29, 30, 31 or the corresponding upper cut seams 32 and the corresponding lower cut seams 33 extend along the feed axis 8 over a greater extent than the respective extent of the working region of the laser cutting head 6 and the laser separation beam. As a result, in order to produce the finished pieces 28, 29, 30, 31, the sheet 2 is to be machined along the feed axis 8 over machining lengths ml1, ml2 which are greater than the maximum working length wl max of the laser separation beam.

[0057] The sheet openings 36 and the sheet openings 37 are to be made on the machining lengths ml3 and ml4 within the outer contour of the corresponding finished pieces 28, 29, 30, 31. The machining lengths ml3 and ml4 are less than the maximum working length wl max of the laser separation beam. The machining length ml4 is greater than the machining length ml3.

[0058] The movement direction of the laser cutting head 6 and of the sheet 2 and of the workpiece carrier 9 supporting the sheet 2 along the feed axis 8 is shown directly in Figure 1 and 3 by means of the arrows 38, 39.

[0059] Before the start of the separation process, the sheet 2 which is placed on the workpiece carrier 9 and which is not yet machined is moved by means of the carrier longitudinal drive 14 along the feed axis 8 in the movement direction 38 from a position outside the laser platform machine 3 into its working region. The sheet 2 which is not yet machined and the laser cutting head 6 are positioned relative to one another along the feed axis 8 in such a way that the machining length ml3 is within the maximum working length wl max of the laser separation beam, wherein the end of the machining length ml3 of the sheet 2 in the movement direction 38 is immediately adjacent to the end of the maximum working length wl max of the laser separation beam in the movement direction 38. The start position of the laser separation beam along the feed axis 8 is at the end of the machining length ml3 in the movement direction 38 and perpendicular to the feed axis 8 on the finished piece 28 which is not yet cut.

[0060] Based on the relative positioning of the sheet metal 2 and the laser cutting head 6 at the start of the segmentation process, the laser segmentation beam emitted by the laser cutting head 6 can complete all the sheet metal openings 36 on the sheet metal 2 during the subsequent segmentation process, with only the laser cutting head 6 moving. Here, starting with the sheet metal opening 36 of the finished part 28 that is in front along the direction of movement 38, the laser segmentation beam produces the sheet metal openings 36 of all finished parts 28, 29, 30, and 31.

[0061] To create the opening 36 in the sheet metal, the laser cutting head 6 and the laser segmenting beam move relative to the stationary sheet metal 2 and the stationary workpiece holder 9 supporting the sheet metal 2 both along the feed axis 8 and in the direction of motion 38 and 39 by means of the cutting head longitudinal driver 12, and perpendicular to the feed axis 8 by means of the cutting head transverse driver 13. Here, the laser segmenting beam performs both dual-axis active working motion and dual-axis positioning motion along and perpendicular to the feed axis 8. During the cutting of the sheet metal opening 36, the holder longitudinal driver 14 keeps the workpiece holder 9 stationary.

[0062] After the sheet metal openings 36 of all finished parts 28, 29, 30, and 31 are made, sheet metal 2 is formed by... Figure 3 The subview (1) is shown.

[0063] Finally, the plate opening 36, which is in front of the finished part 31 along the movement direction 39, is cut out. Thus, along the feed axis 8, the laser dividing beam is at the end of the processing length ml3 facing the movement direction 39 when the final plate opening 36 is made.

[0064] When the laser segmentation beam is turned off, the plate 2 supported by the workpiece holder 9 is moved along the feed axis 8 in the motion direction 38 by means of the holder longitudinal drive 14 until the processing length ml4 at the front end in the motion direction 38 is aligned with the maximum working length wl of the laser segmentation beam. max The end of the laser cutting head 6 is aligned with the end of the laser cutting head 2 along the feed axis in the direction of motion 39 until it is aligned with the end of the laser cutting head 4 in the direction of motion 39. The laser cutting head 6 then moves perpendicularly to the feed axis 8 to a position where, after the laser beam is activated, it first cuts the final part 31 into the plate opening 37 in the direction of motion 38 of the plate. The remaining plate openings 37 of the final parts 28, 29, 30, and 31 are then successively created using the laser beam.

[0065] In order to create the opening 37 in the plate, only the laser dividing beam moves, while the workpiece holder 9 and the plate 2 supported by it remain stationary during the creation of the opening 37. The laser dividing beam moves along the feed axis 8 in the direction of motion 38, 39 by means of the cutting head longitudinal driver 12 and perpendicular to the feed axis 8 by means of the cutting head transverse driver 13, while the holder longitudinal driver 14 does not generate any driving motion.

[0066] The sheet metal opening 37 leading along the movement direction 38 of the finished part 28 is cut out as the final sheet metal opening 37. After the final sheet metal opening 37 is formed, the laser segmentation beam is processed along the feed axis 8 adjacent to the sheet metal 2 by a processing length ml4 and a maximum working length wl of the laser segmentation beam. max The end of the direction of movement 38.

[0067] Based on this scenario, with the laser segmentation beam turned off, the laser cutting head 6 and the plate 2 are positioned relative to each other by means of the cutting head longitudinal driver 12, the cutting head transverse driver 13 and the bracket longitudinal driver 14, so that after the laser segmentation beam is turned on, it penetrates into the plate 2 at the starting point 40 of the upper cut 32 of the finished part 28.

[0068] In detail, for positioning relative to the plate 2, the laser cutting head 6 moves along the feed axis 8 in the direction of motion 38 by means of a longitudinal driver 12 and moves perpendicular to the feed axis 8 by means of a transverse driver 13. Along the feed axis 8, the laser cutting head 6 is moved to a position where the laser segmentation beam subsequently emitted by the laser cutting head 6 is arranged along the feed axis 8 at the maximum working length wl of the laser segmentation beam. max The end of the laser segmentation beam is in the direction of motion 38. When the laser segmentation beam is off, the plate 2 moves along the feed axis 8 in the direction of motion 39 by means of the bracket longitudinal driver 14 until the starting point 40 of the upper slit 32 of the finished part 28 occupies a position along the feed axis 8, at which the laser segmentation beam loads the starting point 40 after it is turned on. Therefore, along the feed axis 8, the starting point 40 of the upper slit 32 of the finished part 28 is also at the maximum working length wl of the laser segmentation beam. max The end of the direction of movement 38.

[0069] The locations involved in the openings 36 and 37 of the sheet metal 2 and all finished parts 28, 29, 30, and 31 are determined by... Figure 3 The subview (2) is shown.

[0070] After the laser separation beam has pierced, the cutting head longitudinal drive 12 generates an active working movement of the laser separation beam relative to the workpiece carrier 9 and the sheet metal 2 supported thereby along the feed axis 8 in the direction of movement 39. At the same time, the carrier longitudinal drive 14 introduces an active working movement of the workpiece carrier 9 and the sheet metal 2 supported thereby, which is opposite to the active working movement of the laser separation beam and is carried out along the feed axis 8 in the direction of movement 38. The active working movement of the laser separation beam perpendicular to the feed axis 8 required to complete the cut 32 is generated by means of the cutting head transverse drive 13 and is superimposed here on the active working movement of the laser separation beam carried out along the feed axis 8.

[0071] In order to achieve a uniform relative movement of the laser separation beam as one part and the sheet metal 2 or the workpiece carrier 9 as the other part as far as possible, the digital machine controller 17 controls the superimposed active working movements of the laser separation beam and the workpiece carrier 9 such that the measurements for the cutting head longitudinal speed, the cutting head transverse speed and the carrier longitudinal speed provided by the speed measuring units 18, 19, 20, so that the upper cut 32 is produced on the sheet metal 2 at a constant and application-related machining speed stored in the digital machine controller 17.

[0072] The digital machine controller 17 in particular brings about that the acceleration of the laser separation beam, which has a high dynamics based on the respective dynamics of the laser cutting head 6, and the acceleration of the workpiece carrier 9, which is relatively sluggish due to the mass, are coordinated with one another such that the extent of the deceleration of the movement of the laser separation beam along the feed axis 8 generated by means of the cutting head longitudinal drive 12 is the same as the extent of the acceleration of the workpiece carrier 9 along the feed axis 8 by the carrier longitudinal drive 14, and such that the extent of the acceleration of the laser separation beam along the feed axis 8 by the cutting head longitudinal drive 12 is the same as the extent of the deceleration of the workpiece carrier 9 along the feed axis 8 by the carrier longitudinal drive 14.

[0073] In order to make maximum use of the dynamics of the laser separation beam, the digital machine controller 17 controls the superimposed movements of the laser separation beam and the workpiece carrier 9 or the sheet metal 2 such that the laser separation beam utilizes its maximum movement possibilities along the feed axis 8. In the present example, therefore, the laser separation beam reaches the end of the upper cut 32 in the direction of movement 39 at the end point 41 of the upper cut 32 in the direction of movement 39. max The end point 41 of the cut 32 at the same time constitutes the start point of the lower cut 35. Since the lower cut 35 extends only slightly along the feed axis 8, it is only cut out by the active working movement of the laser separation beam generated by means of the cutting head longitudinal drive 12 and the cutting head transverse drive 13 as a biaxial movement.

[0074] The end point 41 of the cut 32 at the same time constitutes the start point of the lower cut 35. Since the lower cut 35 extends only slightly along the feed axis 8, it is only cut out by the active working movement of the laser separation beam generated by means of the cutting head longitudinal drive 12 and the cutting head transverse drive 13 as a biaxial movement.

[0075] The end point 42 of the rear slit 35 is at the same time the start point of the lower slit 33. The lower slit 33 is produced in the same manner as the upper slit 32, whereby in particular a superimposed and counter-directed active work movement of the laser separation beam and the workpiece carrier 9 along the feed axis 8 is carried out. In contrast to the production of the upper slit 32, the driving direction of the cutting head longitudinal drive 12 and the carrier longitudinal drive 14 is reversed in the production of the lower slit 33.

[0076] From the end point 43 of the lower slit 33, the front slit 34 is finally slit out. Since the front slit 34 extends monaxially perpendicularly to the feed axis 8, only the transverse active work movement of the laser separation beam, produced by means of the cutting head transverse drive 13, perpendicular to the feed axis 8, is carried out in order to slit out the front slit 34.

[0077] After the finished piece 28 has been completely slit out, the finished pieces 29, 30, 31 are successively slit out from the plate material 2, wherein the production of the finished pieces 29, 30, 31 corresponds to the production of the finished piece 28.

[0078] The stationary state of the workpiece carrier 9 in the slitting of the plate material 2 is established in such a way that the drive motors 15, 16 of the carrier longitudinal drive 14 counteract one another along the feed axis 8 with mutually identical motor torques. In the case of the counteracting drive motors 15, 16, the workpiece carrier 9 likewise carries out an active work movement, in which one of the drive motors 15, 16 forms the driving drive motor, whose motor torque is counter-directed to the motor torque of the second drive motor 15, 16, and the driving motor torque of the second drive motor 15, 16 is in the order of magnitude of 10% to 20% of the driving motor torque.

Claims

1. A method for splitting machining a plate-shaped workpiece (2) by means of a splitting beam, • wherein the workpiece (2) is supported by means of a workpiece carrier (9) during the splitting machining, • wherein, the splitting beam is directed onto the workpiece (2) supported by the workpiece carrier (9) during the splitting machining of the workpiece (2) in a beam direction extending perpendicular to a main plane of the workpiece (2), • wherein the workpiece (2) and the splitting beam directed onto the workpiece (2) are moved relative to one another along a feed axis (8) through a machining length perpendicular to the beam direction of the splitting beam and thereby produce a kerf on the workpiece (2) by means of the splitting beam during the splitting machining of the workpiece (2), the kerf extending along the feed axis (8) through the machining length • wherein the splitting beam is moved through a working length limited by a maximum working length relative to the workpiece carrier (9) supporting the workpiece (2) along the feed axis (8) with an active working movement along the feed axis (8) during the splitting machining of the workpiece (2), characterized in that a kerf is produced on the workpiece (2) by means of the splitting beam, the kerf extending along the feed axis (8) through a machining length greater than the maximum working length of the splitting beam in such a way that, in addition to the active working movement of the splitting beam along the feed axis (8), an active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8) relative to the splitting beam is carried out by the workpiece carrier (9) together with the workpiece (2) supported by the workpiece carrier (9) during the splitting machining of the workpiece (2), • wherein the active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8) is counter to the active working movement of the splitting beam along the feed axis (8), • wherein at least a portion of the active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8) is superimposed on the active working movement of the splitting beam along the feed axis (8), • wherein the magnitude of the active working movement of the splitting beam along the feed axis (8) and the magnitude of the active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8) add up to the machining length which exceeds the maximum working length of the splitting beam.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the workpiece (2) is split machined by means of the splitting beam along the feed axis (8) over a machining length not greater than the maximum working length of the splitting beam in such a way that the splitting beam is moved along the feed axis (8) relative to the workpiece carrier (9) which is stationary along the feed axis (8) together with the workpiece (2).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, a kerf is produced on the workpiece (2) by means of the splitting beam, the kerf extending through a machining width perpendicular to the feed axis (8) in such a way that the splitting beam is moved through the machining width relative to the workpiece carrier (9) which is stationary perpendicular to the feed axis (8) together with the workpiece (2) with a transverse active working movement perpendicular to the feed axis (8).

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that • the splitting beam is moved along the feed axis (8) relative to the workpiece carrier (9) supporting the workpiece (2) with a splitting beam longitudinal speed during the active working movement of the splitting beam along the feed axis (8), • the workpiece carrier (9) supporting the workpiece is moved relative to the segmentation beam along the feed axis (8) with a workpiece carrier longitudinal speed in the active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8), • the segmentation beam longitudinal speed and the workpiece carrier longitudinal speed are continuously measured, • the segmentation beam longitudinal speed and the workpiece carrier longitudinal speed are continuously determined from the measured segmentation beam longitudinal speed and the measured workpiece carrier longitudinal speed as a resultant longitudinal speed with which the segmentation beam produces a slit extending along the feed axis (8) on the workpiece (2) in the segmentation of the workpiece (2) • the segmentation beam longitudinal speed and the workpiece carrier longitudinal speed are adjusted such that a constant longitudinal machining speed is obtained.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the slit extending over the machining width perpendicular to the feed axis (8) on the workpiece (2) is produced by means of the segmentation beam in such a way that the segmentation beam is moved over the machining width with a transverse active working movement perpendicular to the feed axis (8) relative to the workpiece carrier (9) which is stationary with the workpiece (2) perpendicular to the feed axis (8), in addition to the segmentation beam longitudinal speed and the workpiece carrier longitudinal speed, the segmentation beam transverse speed is continuously measured with which the segmentation beam is moved perpendicular to the feed axis (8) in the transverse active working movement, and the segmentation beam longitudinal speed, the segmentation beam transverse speed and the workpiece carrier longitudinal speed are adjusted such that a constant machining speed is obtained with which the segmentation beam produces a slit extending along the feed axis (8) and perpendicular to the feed axis (8) on the workpiece (2) in the segmentation of the workpiece (2).

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, To implement the active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8), the workpiece carrier (9) is driven by means of a motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) having two drive motors (15, 16) having drive directions which are opposite to one another along the feed axis (8), wherein one of the two drive motors (15, 16) of the motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) serves as a driving drive motor (15, 16) for implementing the active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8), while the other one of the two drive motors (15, 16) counteracts the driving drive motor (15, 16).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The workpiece (2) is segmented by means of the segmentation beam along the feed axis (8) over a machining length which is not greater than the maximum working length of the segmentation beam in such a way that the segmentation beam is moved along the feed axis (8) relative to the workpiece carrier (9) which is stationary along the feed axis (8) with the workpiece (2), the workpiece carrier (9) being stationary fixed along the feed axis (8) by means of the motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) in such a way that the two drive motors (15, 16) of the motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) counteract one another along the feed axis (8).

8. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The workpiece is a sheet.

9. Machine assembly for splitting a plate-shaped workpiece (2) by means of a splitting beam, the machine assembly having: • a workpiece carrier (9) for supporting the workpiece (2) during splitting, • a machining machine (3) having a splitting unit (6) by means of which the splitting beam can be directed onto the workpiece (2) supported by the workpiece carrier (9) during splitting of the workpiece (2) in a beam direction extending perpendicular to a main plane of the workpiece (2), • a motorized feed drive by means of which the workpiece carrier (9) supporting the workpiece (2) and the splitting unit (6) directing the splitting beam onto the workpiece (2) can be moved relative to one another along a feed axis (8) perpendicular to the beam direction of the splitting beam and by means of which a kerf can be produced on the workpiece (2) by means of the splitting beam during splitting of the workpiece (2), the kerf extending along the feed axis (8) over a machining length, the motorized feed drive having a motorized splitting unit feed drive (12) by means of which the splitting unit (6) directing the splitting beam onto the workpiece (2) can be moved relative to the workpiece carrier (9) supporting the workpiece (2) along the feed axis (8) with a positive splitting unit longitudinal movement during splitting of the workpiece (2) by means of the splitting beam, whereby the splitting beam during splitting of the workpiece (2) can be moved relative to the workpiece carrier (9) supporting the workpiece (2) along the feed axis (8) with a positive work movement over a feed length limited by a maximum work length, characterized in that the motorized feed drive has a motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) by means of which the workpiece carrier (9) together with the workpiece (2) supported by the workpiece carrier (9) can be moved relative to the splitting unit (6) directing the splitting beam onto the workpiece (2) along the feed axis (8) with a positive work movement counter to the positive splitting unit longitudinal movement produced by means of the motorized splitting unit feed drive (12), in that a drive controller (17) is provided by means of which the motorized splitting unit feed drive (12) and the motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) can be controlled such that the positive work movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8) is superimposed on at least a portion of the positive splitting unit longitudinal movement, and in that the magnitude of the positive splitting unit longitudinal movement and the magnitude of the positive work movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8) are combined into a resultant magnitude, on the basis of which a kerf can be produced on the workpiece (2) by means of the splitting beam, the kerf extending along the feed axis (8) over a machining length greater than the maximum work length of the splitting beam along the feed axis (8). ​ ​ ​ • wherein, ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 10. The machine assembly of claim 9, wherein, The motorized segmentation unit feed drive (12) and the motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) can be controlled by means of a drive control (17) as a function of the machining length, wherein, in the case of a machining length which is not greater than the maximum working length of the segmentation beam along the feed axis (8), the motorized segmentation unit feed drive (12) is controlled by means of the drive control (17) to carry out the segmentation unit longitudinal movement, but the motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) is not controlled by means of the drive control (17) to carry out the active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9).

11. Machine assembly according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The drive control (17) comprises: • a first measuring unit (18) by means of which the segmentation unit longitudinal velocity can be continuously measured with which the segmentation unit (6) moves relative to the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8) in the active segmentation unit longitudinal movement, • a second measuring unit (19) by means of which the workpiece carrier longitudinal velocity can be continuously measured with which the workpiece carrier (9) moves relative to the segmentation unit (6) along the feed axis (8) in the active working movement of the workpiece carrier (9) along the feed axis (8), • an analysis evaluation unit (21) by means of which the longitudinal machining velocity can be continuously determined from the segmentation unit longitudinal velocity and the workpiece carrier longitudinal velocity as a combined longitudinal velocity with which the segmentation beam generates a slit extending along the feed axis (8) on the workpiece (2) when segmentation machining the workpiece (2), and • a control unit (22) by means of which the motorized segmentation unit feed drive (12) and the motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) can be controlled in such a way that a constant longitudinal machining velocity is obtained.

12. Machine assembly according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that a motorized segmentation unit transverse drive (13) is provided, by means of which the segmentation unit (6) which directs the segmentation beam onto the workpiece (2) can be moved relative to the workpiece carrier (9) which is stationary together with the workpiece (2) in an active segmentation unit transverse movement perpendicular to the feed axis (8) when segmentation machining the workpiece (2) by means of the segmentation beam, and in order to carry out the active segmentation unit transverse movement, the motorized segmentation unit transverse drive can be controlled by means of the drive control (17) in such a way that, on the basis of the active segmentation unit transverse movement, a slit can be generated on the workpiece (2) by means of the segmentation beam, which slit extends over the machining width on the workpiece (2) perpendicular to the feed axis (8).

13. The machine assembly of claim 12, wherein, The drive control (17) comprises a third measuring unit (20) by means of which the segmentation unit transverse velocity can be continuously measured with which the segmentation unit (6) moves relative to the workpiece carrier (9) perpendicular to the feed axis (8) in the active segmentation unit transverse movement, and the drive control (17) comprises a third measuring unit (20) by means of which the segmentation unit transverse velocity can be continuously measured with which the segmentation unit (6) moves relative to the workpiece carrier (9) perpendicular to the feed axis (8) in the active segmentation unit transverse movement, and By means of a control unit (22) of the drive controller (17) it is possible to control the motorized segmentation unit feed drive (12), the motorized segmentation unit traverse drive (13) and the motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) in such a way that a constant machining speed is achieved along the feed axis (8) and perpendicular to the feed axis (8), with which segmentation beam, when segmenting the workpiece (2), produces a slit extending along the feed axis (8) and perpendicular to the feed axis (8) on the workpiece (2).

14. The machine assembly of claim 9 or 10, wherein, The motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) comprises two drive motors (15, 16) which have mutually opposite drive directions along the feed axis (8) and which can be braced against one another along the feed axis (8).

15. Machine assembly according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The motorized segmentation unit feed drive (12) is configured as a rack drive; and / or The motorized workpiece carrier feed drive (14) is configured as a pin-rack drive; and / or The motorized segmentation unit traverse drive (13) is configured as a linear drive.

16. The machine assembly of claim 9 or 10, wherein, The plate-shaped workpiece is a sheet.

17. The machine assembly of claim 9 or 10, wherein, A digital drive controller is provided as the drive controller (17).

18. A method for creating a computer program, characterized by, A computer program for producing control commands for the motorized feed drives of a machine assembly according to claim 12 and, if necessary, for the motorized segmentation unit traverse drive (13) of this machine assembly, which, when the computer program is run on a digital drive controller (17) of a machine assembly (1), causes the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 to be carried out.

19. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product has an encoder which is adapted to carry out all the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when the computer program product is run on a data processing device. The computer program product has an encoder which is adapted to carry out all the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8 when the computer program product is run on a data processing device.

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