Automated setting and measuring system, automated setting and measuring procedure and procedure for processing tools

Abstract

The invention relates to an automated setting and measuring system (66) for setting and measuring tools (10) in tool chucks (12), comprising at least one setting and measuring device (14), at least one provisioning device (16), in particular designed and arranged separately from the setting and measuring device (14), for providing several tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12), and at least one transport device (18), which is provided for transporting tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) between the setting and measuring device (14) and the provisioning device (16). It is proposed that the transport device (18) be designed as a space portal robot.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to an automated setting and measuring system according to the preamble of claim 1, an automated setting and measuring method according to the preamble of claim 17 and methods according to claims 18 and 19.

[0002] An automated setting and measuring system for setting and measuring tools in tool chucks, comprising at least one setting and measuring device, at least one provision device for providing a plurality of tools and / or tool chucks and at least one transport device which is provided for transporting tools and / or tool chucks between the setting and measuring device and the provision device, has already been proposed.

[0003] The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide a generic device with advantageous structural properties. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the independent patent claims, while advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention can be found in the subclaims. Advantages of the invention

[0004] The invention is based on an automated setting and measuring system for setting and measuring tools in tool chucks, with at least one setting and measuring device, with at least one provision device, in particular designed and arranged separately from the setting and measuring device, for providing a plurality of tools and / or tool chucks and with at least one transport device which is provided for transporting tools and / or tool chucks between the setting and measuring device and the provision device.

[0005] It is proposed that the transport device be designed as a spatial gantry robot. This makes it possible to achieve advantageous properties with regard to the design of setting and measuring systems, in particular with regard to simplicity of design, utilization of installation space, cost, retrofitability and / or standardization. In particular, the setting and measuring system, preferably the setting and measuring device of the setting and measuring system, is provided for setting and measuring positions, in particular longitudinal positions / length setting positions of tools in tool chucks. In particular, the setting and measuring system, preferably the setting and measuring device of the setting and measuring system, is provided for recording, storing and outputting positions, in particular longitudinal positions / length setting positions of tools in tool chucks.In particular, the setting and measuring system is designed for at least largely automated, preferably fully automated, setting and measuring. In particular, the setting and measuring system performs the measuring and setting operations completely automatically, from the time the tools and / or tool chucks are placed in the supply device to the time the tools and / or tool chucks are removed from the supply device.

[0006] The tool is preferably designed as a shank tool, in particular as a machining tool, in particular a milling and / or turning and / or other cutting tool, for use in a processing machine. The tool, in particular a tool shank of the tool, is preferably provided to form a connection with the tool chuck. A “tool chuck” should be understood in particular to mean a component which is provided to hold a tool and to connect the tool to a machine. In particular, the tool chuck is designed as an interface between the tool and the machine. In particular, the tool chuck is designed as a shrink fit chuck, preferably a heat shrink fit chuck, or as a chuck, such as a hydraulic expansion chuck, a Weldon chuck or a collet chuck."Intended" should be understood in particular to mean specifically programmed, designed, and / or equipped. The fact that an object is intended for a specific function should be understood in particular to mean that the object fulfills and / or performs this specific function in at least one application and / or operating state.

[0007] The provision device provides, in particular, the tools and / or tool chucks, preferably the tools clamped in tool chucks, for pickup by the transport device. In particular, the provision device comprises a shelf for the simultaneous storage of several tools and / or tool chucks, preferably holding devices for tools and / or tool chucks, such as pallets with holders for tools and / or tool chucks. In particular, the setting and measuring device and the provision device form separate sub-stations of the setting and measuring system. In particular, the setting and measuring device and the provision device are mounted on separate base units / bases. In particular, a measuring area and a setting area of ​​the setting and measuring device are located at an approximately comparable height to a provision area of ​​the provision device.Preferably, the measuring area and the setting area of ​​the setting and measuring device are arranged spatially next to the staging area.

[0008] In particular, the spatial gantry robot is designed with at least three axes. In particular, the spatial gantry robot has at least one first axis. The first axis preferably forms an x-axis. The first axis is preferably aligned horizontally. The first axis preferably connects the provision area with the setting area and the measuring area. The transport device is provided in particular for transporting the tools and / or tool chucks between the provision device and the setting and measuring device along the first axis. In particular, the spatial gantry robot has at least one second axis. The second axis preferably forms a y-axis. The second axis is preferably aligned horizontally. The second axis preferably allows moving to different holding positions for tools and / or tool chucks in the provision device. The second axis preferably runs perpendicular to the first axis.The transport device is provided in particular for removing and inserting the tools and / or tool chucks into holding positions of the provision device along the second axis. The second axis is provided in particular for a movement of the transport device, with which tools / tool ​​chucks positioned one behind the other in a pallet can be approached. The second axis is provided in particular for a precise horizontal approach to a spindle unit of the setting and measuring device. In particular, the spatial gantry robot has at least one third axis. The third axis preferably forms a z-axis. The third axis is preferably vertically aligned. The third axis preferably allows tools and / or tool chucks to be raised and lowered.The third axis preferably allows the insertion and removal of tools and / or tool chucks into and / or from holding positions for tools and / or tool chucks in the provision device and / or the insertion and removal of tools and / or tool chucks into and / or from the spindle unit of the setting and measuring device. The third axis preferably runs perpendicular to the first axis. The third axis preferably runs perpendicular to the second axis. In particular, the spatial gantry robot is locally controlled by a programmable logic controller (PLC controller). In particular, the three axes of the spatial gantry robot allow it to move to any three-dimensional point within an imaginary cuboid formed by the maximum ranges of the three axes.

[0009] It is further proposed that the transport device is provided for inserting the tool and / or the tool chuck into a holding unit of the setting and measuring device, which is provided for holding and / or positioning the tool and / or the tool chuck during a measuring process and / or during a setting process of the setting and measuring device. This advantageously enables a particularly precise measuring and setting process, in particular one that is independent of the transport device. In particular, the holding unit of the setting and measuring device is designed as a spindle unit. It is conceivable that the spindle unit can be equipped with an attachment holder that is specifically adapted to a tool chuck type. The holding unit can position the tool or tool chuck, for example, by a rotational movement before, during or after a measuring process or a setting process.

[0010] It is also proposed that the transport device comprise at least one gripper for automated, temporary gripping of the tool and / or the tool chuck. This advantageously allows a high level of flexibility to be achieved. Tools and / or tool chucks of different sizes and / or shapes can advantageously be transported by the transport device. The gripper has, in particular, at least two gripper elements that can be moved relative to one another in a gripping plane of the gripper. The gripper preferably has precisely two gripper elements that can be moved relative to one another in the gripping plane of the gripper. The gripper has a gripping sensor that is provided for detecting whether or not something is currently gripped. The gripping elements can have different gripping surfaces for gripping different tools or tool chucks.For example, the gripping elements can have a first gripping surface at a tip of the gripper, which is designed to grip a tool shank, e.g., by force-fitting clamping. For example, the gripping elements can have a second gripping surface arranged behind the tip of the gripper, separate from the first gripping surface, which is designed to engage in a groove of a tool chuck, e.g., by positive insertion into the groove.

[0011] Furthermore, it is proposed that all gripping planes formed by gripping elements of the gripper be arranged and aligned in space such that all imaginary surface normals of the gripping planes are free of intersection points with the spatial gantry robot, in particular with a gantry carriage of the spatial gantry robot and with transport rails of the spatial gantry robot. This advantageously allows tools and tool chucks of different lengths to be gripped, in particular without colliding with the spatial gantry robot during movement. Particularly long and / or particularly large tools and / or tool chucks can advantageously be measured. In particular, the gripping plane is an imaginary plane in space in which the gripping elements move when the gripper is opened and closed.In particular, the gripping plane is an imaginary plane in space which, when the gripper is in the holding state and gripping a tool or a tool chuck, has the greatest possible sectional overlap with the two gripping elements. The spatial gantry robot has, in particular, a gantry carriage on which the gripper is mounted. The gantry carriage is mounted, in particular, on one of the three axes of the spatial gantry robot, preferably on the third axis. In particular, the gripper is arranged laterally on the gantry carriage. In particular, the gripper elements of the gripper protrude laterally from the gantry carriage. In particular, the gripper elements of the gripper extend in a horizontal plane.

[0012] It is further proposed that the transport device has at least one first horizontal rail and at least one second horizontal rail arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal rail, which are each arranged vertically above one half of a measuring range provided by the setting and measuring device, preferably completely above the measuring range provided by the setting and measuring device. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve high stability and / or high movement accuracy. In particular, the first horizontal rail extends in the direction of the first axis of the spatial gantry robot. In particular, the first horizontal rail forms the first axis of the spatial gantry robot. In particular, the second horizontal rail extends in the direction of the second axis of the spatial gantry robot. In particular, the second horizontal rail forms the second axis of the spatial gantry robot.In particular, the measuring range of the setting and measuring device extends above the holding unit of the setting and measuring device. In particular, the measuring range of the setting and measuring device extends between two horizontally opposite measuring elements of the setting and measuring device, which can be moved vertically along a tower unit of the setting and measuring device. In particular, the second horizontal rail is arranged at an upper end of a stand unit constructed around the setting and measuring device and around the provision device. In particular, the transport device comprises two mutually parallel second horizontal rails. In particular, the second horizontal rails are arranged in a stationary manner. In particular, the first horizontal rail is arranged on the second horizontal rail. In particular, the transport device comprises only a single first horizontal rail.In particular, the first horizontal rail is arranged to be movable along the second horizontal rail. In particular, the transport device comprises a vertical rail. In particular, the vertical rail is arranged on the first horizontal rail. In particular, the transport device comprises only a single vertical rail. In particular, the vertical rail is arranged to be relatively fixed in position to the first horizontal rail. In particular, the gantry carriage is arranged to be movable along the vertical rail. Alternatively, the vertical rail could also be arranged to be movable along the first horizontal rail. In this case, the gantry carriage could be arranged to be relatively fixed in position to the vertical rail. In particular, the first horizontal rail is a transport rail of the spatial gantry robot. In particular, the second horizontal rail is a transport rail of the spatial gantry robot. In particular, the vertical rail is a transport rail of the spatial gantry robot.

[0013] If the setting and measuring device is designed for optical measurement of the tool and / or the tool chuck, a high level of precision can advantageously be achieved. Non-contact measurement can advantageously be enabled. In particular, the setting and measuring device can be designed for incident light measurement of the tool and / or the tool chuck using an incident light measurement system and / or for transmitted light measurement of the tool and / or the tool chuck using a transmitted light measurement system. The setting and measuring device is preferably designed as a Venturion 450 device from E. Zoller Einstell- und Messgeräte GmbH & Co. KG (Pleidelsheim) or as a device of a comparable type.

[0014] Furthermore, it is proposed that the automated setting and measuring system comprise an identification device for identifying a tool and / or a tool chuck. This advantageously makes it possible to achieve particularly high operational reliability and / or a particularly high degree of automation. The identification device can be implemented as a chip reader, such as an RFID reader, or as a barcode reader, such as a data matrix code reader. In particular, the identification device is provided for reading a chip / barcode linked to a tool or a tool chuck, e.g., one attached directly to the tool or the tool chuck.In particular, by reading the chip / barcode, the currently machined tool or tool chuck is identified, and information about the tool or tool chuck is retrieved by a computing unit of the setting and measuring system, in particular the identification device, and transferred to the setting and measuring device and / or to the transport device. From this information, for example, the measuring program and / or setting program suitable for the tool or tool chuck can be set in the setting and measuring device. The areas in which the tool and / or tool chuck are measured, set, identified, and stored are preferably all at approximately the same vertical height above the floor. Alternatively, the identification device could also be provided for tool and / or tool chuck recognition, e.g. by means of image processing.A "computing unit" is understood, in particular, to be a unit with an information input, an information processing unit, and an information output. The computing unit advantageously comprises at least one processor, a memory, input and output means, other electrical components, an operating program, control routines, control routines, and / or calculation routines. The components of the computing unit are preferably arranged on a common circuit board and / or advantageously arranged in a common housing. Alternatively, the computing unit can also be partially formed by a cloud or an external mobile device.

[0015] If the transport device is provided for transporting the tools and / or tool chucks between the provision device and the identification device and / or between the identification device and the setting and measuring device, a particularly high degree of automation can advantageously be achieved. A high level of operational reliability can advantageously be achieved because, in particular, it is always known which tool or which tool chuck is currently being moved by the transport device. In particular, the transport device is provided for moving the tool or the tool chuck into a measuring area of ​​the identification device for identification. The identification device can be designed as a separate station of the setting and measuring system, separate from the setting and measuring device and from the provision device.Alternatively, the identification device may be part of the setting and measuring device or part of the supply device or be attached to the setting and measuring device or the supply device.

[0016] It is additionally proposed that the automated setting and measuring system have a protective cover which at least encompasses the components of the setting and measuring system, in particular at least the transport device, the provision device and the setting and measuring device. This can advantageously achieve a high level of operator safety and / or a high level of operational reliability. In particular, the protective cover has an opening / protective door for loading and / or unloading the provision device by means of a (autonomous or manually pushed) transport trolley and / or for manual loading and unloading of the provision device. The protective door can be designed such that it can only be opened when the setting and measuring system is not currently active, in particular when no tool or tool chuck is currently being measured, set, identified or transported.Closing the protective door can automatically trigger the start of operation of the setting and measuring system. The protective cover can be designed as a fence, a housing / enclosure, a wall, a cage, or the like. The protective cover encompasses the components of the setting and measuring system at least in the circumferential direction of the setting and measuring system. In addition, the protective cover can also have a roof that covers the components of the setting and measuring system from above. In particular, the protective cover can be designed such that an operator can look into the interior of the protective cover and, in particular, observe the components of the setting and measuring system.

[0017] If the automated setting and measuring system also has an operating unit that is accessible from outside the protective cover, a high level of operator safety and / or operator comfort can advantageously be achieved. In particular, the operating unit forms an interface to the computing unit of the setting and measuring system. In particular, the setting and measuring device can be operated via the operating unit. In particular, the identification device can be operated via the operating unit. In particular, the transport device can be operated via the operating unit. In particular, the provision device can be operated via the operating unit. In particular, the protective door can be operated via the operating unit. The operating unit can comprise an input unit such as a touchscreen, a keypad, or the like.

[0018] It is further proposed that the provision device comprise a pallet receiving unit which is provided for the interchangeable reception and holding of pallets which can be loaded with a plurality of tools and / or tool chucks, in particular in rows. This advantageously enables an orderly transfer of the tools and / or tool chucks. Advantageously, a high level of operational reliability and / or a high level of operator comfort can be achieved. The transport device is in particular provided for clearing the pallets row by row from front to back. In particular, the pallets can be randomly loaded with various tools and tool chucks. The tools and tool chucks and / or the pallets should preferably have chips or barcodes or the like to enable identification by means of the identification device.In particular, the pallets transferred to the staging device do not have to be fully loaded. If, for example, a holding position on a pallet is free, the transport device, in particular a sensor on the gripper, detects this and then automatically moves on to the next holding position for the pallet.

[0019] If the pallet receiving unit has an at least partially automated fastening function for the slip-proof fastening of the pallets and / or an at least partially automated alignment function, in particular a centering function, for a precise positional alignment of the pallets relative to the transport device, a high working precision and / or a high operational reliability can advantageously be achieved.

[0020] Furthermore, it is proposed that the provision device have a plurality of buffer positions which are provided for the intermediate storage of tools and / or tool chucks, in particular those removed from a pallet, in particular after they have been adjusted and / or measured by the setting and measuring device. This advantageously enables efficient processing of pallets. The buffer positions form holding positions for tools and / or tool chucks. In particular, the buffer positions are designed separately from the pallets / the pallet receiving unit. In particular, the buffer positions form a row of holding positions similar to the holding positions of the pallets (pallet positions). Preferably, the provision device comprises an identical number of buffer positions to the number of holding positions in a row of a standard pallet suitable for the provision device.In addition, pallets with fewer holding positions per row can also be used, allowing any excess buffer positions to remain unused. The advantage of using buffer positions is that the supply device does not have to hold a second pallet into which fully measured and / or adjusted tools and tool chucks can be inserted. Another advantage of the buffer positions is that no loading and / or unloading function for the pallet from above is required. This could otherwise severely limit the usable tool diameters and / or the number of tools or tool chucks per pallet. The buffer positions are, in particular, a fixed part of the supply device and are preferably independent of the pallet currently loaded.

[0021] It is further proposed that the supply device have a plurality of reject locations which are provided for storing tools and / or tool chucks, in particular tools removed from a pallet, which could not be identified, measured and / or adjusted by the setting and measuring system and / or which were otherwise marked as rejects by the setting and measuring system. This advantageously achieves a high level of operational reliability. The use of tools and tool chucks which are not or incorrectly adjusted and / or measured can advantageously be avoided. The reject locations form holding locations for tools and / or tool chucks. In particular, the reject locations are designed separately from the pallets / the pallet receiving unit. In particular, the reject locations form a series of holding locations similar to the holding locations of the pallets (pallet locations).The reject stations are, in particular, a fixed part of the provisioning facility and are preferably independent of the pallet currently loaded.

[0022] If the buffer locations and / or reject locations are equipped with occupancy sensors, a high level of operational reliability can be achieved. Damage to tools, tool chucks, or components of the setting and measuring system due to collisions or attempted double occupancy of buffer locations and / or reject locations can be advantageously prevented. In particular, each buffer location and / or reject location has a corresponding occupancy sensor.

[0023] If, in addition, the automated setting and measuring device has a safety device designed to prevent a restart of the setting and measuring system if one of the occupancy sensors detects occupancy of a buffer location or a reject location, a high level of operational reliability can advantageously be achieved.

[0024] Furthermore, an automated setting and measuring method for setting and measuring tools in tool chucks using the automated setting and measuring system is proposed, wherein the tools and / or tool chucks are moved by the spatial gantry robot between the components of the setting and measuring system. This allows advantageous properties to be achieved with regard to the design of setting and measuring systems, in particular with regard to simplicity of design, space utilization, cost, retrofitability, and / or standardization.

[0025] Furthermore, a method is proposed for processing tools and / or tool chucks which have been transferred to a supply device by means of a pallet comprising a number n of rows of pallet positions occupied / occupable by the tools and / or tool chucks, by means of an automated setting and measuring system comprising the supply device with buffer positions, wherein in a first part of the method, the tools and / or tool chucks from the first row of pallet positions are successively removed, measured, adjusted and temporarily stored in the buffer positions of the supply device in the opposite order, along a first row of pallet positions of the pallet, wherein in a second part of the method, the tools and / or tool chucks from the second row of pallet positions are successively removed, measured,set and stored in the opposite order in the pallet positions of the first row of pallet positions, wherein in an nth process step, along an nth row of pallet positions of the pallet that is different from the first row and the second row, the tools and / or tool chucks of the nth row of pallet positions are successively removed, measured, set, and stored in the opposite order in the pallet positions of the (n-1)th row of pallet positions, and wherein, in particular, in an (n+1)th process step, the tools and / or tool chucks temporarily stored in the buffer positions of the provision device are successively removed from the buffer positions and stored in the pallet positions of the (n)th row of pallet positions. This advantageously enables particularly rapid processing of tools and / or tool chucks by the automated setting and measuring system.

[0026] Alternatively, a further method is proposed for processing tools and / or tool chucks, which have been transferred to a supply device by means of a plurality of rows of pallet spaces comprising the tools and / or tool chucks, occupied / occupable by the tools and / or tool chucks, by means of an automated setting and measuring system comprising the supply device with buffer spaces, wherein in a method step along a first row of pallet spaces of the pallet, the tools and / or tool chucks of the first row of pallet spaces are successively removed, measured, set and temporarily stored in the buffer spaces of the supply device in the opposite order,In a further method step, the tools and / or tool chucks temporarily stored in the buffer locations of the provisioning device are successively removed from the buffer locations and returned to their original pallet locations in the first row of pallet locations, and the two aforementioned method steps are repeated, in particular, n-1 times, until all rows of the pallet have been processed. This advantageously allows the existing pallet sorting to be maintained. This advantageously prevents two large tools or tool chucks that do not fit next to each other from being positioned next to each other due to reorganization within the pallet. Advantageously, the same tools always remain adjacent. Advantageously, tool and / or tool chuck organization can be facilitated.

[0027] It is also proposed that initially unoccupied pallet locations be detected and / or that when a tool and / or tool chuck is placed in a reject location of the supply device, the actually associated pallet location and / or buffer location remains unoccupied in the respective process step and / or process section. This can advantageously improve tool and / or tool chuck organization.

[0028] The automated adjustment and measuring system according to the invention, the automated adjustment and measuring method according to the invention, and the further methods according to the invention are not intended to be limited to the application and embodiment described above. In particular, the automated adjustment and measuring system according to the invention, the automated adjustment and measuring method according to the invention, and the further methods according to the invention may have a number of individual elements, components, and units that differs from the number stated herein in order to fulfill a functionality described herein. Drawings

[0029] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. The drawings illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The drawings, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. Those skilled in the art will also expediently consider the features individually and combine them into useful further combinations.

[0030] They show: Fig. 1 a schematic perspective view of an automated setting and measuring system, Fig. 2 a schematic perspective view of a section of a pallet receiving unit of a supply device of the setting and measuring system with a pallet, Fig. 3 a schematic flow diagram of an automated setting and measuring process, Fig. 4 a schematic flow diagram of sub-steps of a process step of the setting and measuring process in which a machining cycle of the setting and measuring system is carried out, Fig. 5 a schematic flow diagram of a process used in the setting and measuring process of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 usable method for machining tools and / or tool chucks in the setting and measuring system, Fig. 6 a schematic plan view of the supply device with the pallet, Fig. 7 a table illustrating the provisioning facility of the Fig. 6 applied procedure of Fig. 5 and Fig. 8 is a schematic flow diagram of a process used in the setting and measuring process of Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 usable alternative methods for machining the tools and / or tool chucks. Description of the embodiment

[0031] The Fig. 1 schematically shows a perspective view of an automated setting and measuring system 66. The automated setting and measuring system 66 is intended for automated setting of tools 10 in tool chucks 12. The automated setting and measuring system 66 is intended for measuring tools 10, tool chucks 12, and / or tools 10 in tool chucks 12.

[0032] The automated setting and measuring system 66 has a setting and measuring device 14. The setting and measuring device 14 is provided for optically measuring the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12. The setting and measuring device 14 is embodied, for example, as a Venturion 450 device from Zoller Einstell- und Messgeräte GmbH & Co. KG (Pleidelsheim). The setting and measuring device 14 has a base unit 90. The base unit 90 is stationary and / or mounted on a base. The setting and measuring device 14 has a holding unit 20. The holding unit 20 is provided for holding and / or positioning the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 during a measuring process and / or during a setting process of the setting and measuring device 14. The holding unit 20 is embodied as a spindle unit. The holding unit 20 is mounted at least rotatably.The holding unit 20 is configured to rotate the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 during the measuring process and / or during the setting process. The holding unit 20 is mounted on the base unit 90 in a translationally fixed manner. The setting and measuring device 14 has a turret unit 56. The turret unit 56 is mounted so as to be translationally movable relative to the holding unit 20. The turret unit 56 is mounted so as to be movable in a horizontal plane. The turret unit 56 is translatable / displaceable parallel to / along a first axis 92 of the setting and measuring system 66. The turret unit 56 is translatable / displaceable parallel to / along an x-axis of the setting and measuring system 66. The setting and measuring device 14 has a measuring carriage 94. The measuring carriage 94 has an optical unit 96 for optically measuring the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12.The optical unit 96 has a transmitted light measuring unit and / or a reflected light measuring unit, each of which can comprise at least one light source 98 and a camera 100. The measuring carriage 94 is mounted for translational movement. The measuring carriage 94 is mounted for vertical movement along the turret unit 56. The measuring carriage 94 is translatable / movable parallel to / along a third axis 102 of the setting and measuring system 66. The measuring carriage 94 is translatable / displaceable parallel to / along a z-axis of the setting and measuring system 66. The setting and measuring device 14 provides a measuring range 38. The optical unit 96, in particular the mobility of the optical unit 96, limits the measuring range 38 of the setting and measuring device 14.

[0033] The automated setting and measuring system 66 has a provision device 16. The provision device 16 is provided for the provision of a plurality of tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 within the setting and measuring system 66. For the provision, the provision device 16 stores the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12 in such a way that they can be picked up by a transport device 18 of the setting and measuring system 66 and / or stored again in the provision device 16. The provision device 16 has a pallet receiving unit 46. The pallet receiving unit 46 is provided for the exchangeable reception and holding of pallets 48, in particular tool pallets and / or tool chuck pallets. The pallets 48 are storage devices that can be equipped with a plurality of tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12, in particular in rows.The pallets 48, together with the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 stored therein, can be removed from the provision device 16 and stored in the provision device 16. In the . Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the pallet 48 has four rows 68, 74, 80, 82, each with six pallet positions 70. Alternatively, the pallet 48 could also have more or fewer than four rows 68, 74, 80, 82 of pallet positions 70. Alternatively, the pallet 48 could also have more or fewer than six pallet positions 70 per row 68, 74, 80, 82, whereby, in particular, with more than six pallet positions 70 per row 68, 74, 80, 82, more than six buffer positions 50 could be necessary.

[0034] The provision device 16 has a plurality of buffer locations 50. In the Fig. 1, the supply device 16 has six buffer spaces 50. Preferably, a number of buffer spaces 50 of the supply device 16 corresponds to a maximum number of pallet spaces 70 per row 68, 74, 80, 82 of a pallet 48 that can be inserted into the pallet receiving unit 46. The buffer spaces 50 are each provided for the intermediate storage of tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12. The buffer spaces 50 are provided for the intermediate storage of tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 removed from the pallet 48 after setting and / or measuring by the setting and measuring device 14. The supply device 16 has a plurality of reject spaces 52. In the Fig. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the provisioning device 16 has six reject locations 52. However, more or fewer than six reject locations 52 are also conceivable. Alternative arrangements of the buffer locations 50 and / or the reject locations 52 are also conceivable. The reject locations 52 are each provided for storing tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 that could not be identified, measured, and / or adjusted by the setting and measuring system 66 and / or that were otherwise marked as rejects by the setting and measuring system 66.The reject locations 52 are provided for storing tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 removed from the pallet 48 positioned in the provision device 16, which could not be identified, measured, and / or adjusted by the setting and measuring system 66 and / or which were otherwise marked as rejects by the setting and measuring system 66. The reject locations 52 and / or the buffer locations 50 are each arranged in a further row running parallel to the rows 68, 74, 80, 82 next to the pallet receiving unit 46.

[0035] The buffer locations 50 have occupancy sensors 54. The reject locations 52 have occupancy sensors 54. The occupancy sensors 54 register whether a buffer location 50 or a reject location 52 is occupied or not. Each of the buffer locations 50 and each of the reject locations 52 of the staging device 16 is assigned an occupancy sensor 54. The setting and measuring system 66 has a computing unit 62. The computing unit 62 is provided for controlling and / or regulating the setting and measuring system 66. The computing unit 62 can be formed integrally with a computing unit of the setting and measuring device 14 or spatially separated therefrom and in communication with it. The setting and measuring system 66 has a safety device 64. The safety device 64 can be formed as part of the computing unit 62 or by the computing unit 62.The safety device 64 is designed to prevent a restart of the setting and measuring system 66 if one of the occupancy sensors 54 detects occupancy of one of the buffer locations 50 or one of the reject locations 52. For example, after an emergency stop of the setting and measuring system 66, the entire staging device 16 must be returned to a basic state in which the buffer locations 50 and the reject locations 52 are unoccupied. Only then does the computing unit 62 allow the setting and measuring system 66 to be restarted.

[0036] The automated setting and measuring system 66 has the transport device 18. The transport device 18 is provided for transporting tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 between the setting and measuring device 14 and the provision device 16. The transport device 18 is provided for inserting the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12 into the holding unit 20 of the setting and measuring device 14. The transport device 18 is provided for removing the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12 from the holding unit 20 of the setting and measuring device 14. The transport device 18 is provided for inserting the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12 into the pallet 48 provided by the provision device 16. The transport device 18 is provided for removing the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12 from the pallet 48 provided by the provision device 16.

[0037] The transport device 18 is designed as a spatial gantry robot. The transport device 18 has a gripper 22. The gripper 22 is provided for automated, temporary gripping of the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12. The gripper 22 has a first gripping element 24. The first gripping element 24 forms a first gripper finger. The gripper 22 has a second gripping element 26. The second gripping element 26 forms a second gripper finger. The second gripper finger can be moved in the opposite direction to the first gripper finger. The gripping elements 24, 26 form a gripping plane. The gripper fingers can be moved in the opposite direction to one another in the gripping plane, in particular for opening and closing the gripper 22.All gripping planes formed by the gripping elements 24, 26 of the gripper 22 are arranged and aligned in space such that all imaginary surface normals 28 of the gripping planes are free of intersection points with the spatial gantry robot, in particular with a gantry carriage 104 of the spatial gantry robot and with transport rails 30 of the spatial gantry robot. The transport device 18, in particular the spatial gantry robot, has the gantry carriage 104. The gantry carriage 104 is provided for supporting the gripper 22. The gantry carriage 104 is provided for moving the gripper 22 along the transport rails 30.

[0038] The transport device 18, in particular the spatial gantry robot, has the transport rails 30. The transport device 18 has a second horizontal rail 32. The second horizontal rail 32 is a transport rail 30 of the spatial gantry robot. The second horizontal rail 32 forms the second axis 106 of the adjustment and measuring system 66. The second horizontal rail 32 is set up and / or mounted in a fixed position on the substrate. The transport device 18 has a stand unit 58. The second horizontal rail 32 is mounted on the stand unit 58. The second horizontal rail 32 is set up and / or mounted in a fixed position relative to the substrate via the stand unit 58. The transport device 18 has a first horizontal rail 34. The first horizontal rail 34 is a transport rail 30 of the spatial gantry robot. The first horizontal rail 34 forms the first axis 92 of the adjustment and measuring system 66.The first horizontal rail 34 is arranged perpendicular to the second horizontal rail 32. The second horizontal rail 32 is aligned parallel to / along a y-axis of the adjustment and measuring system 66. The first horizontal rail 34 is arranged on the second horizontal rail 32 so as to be translationally movable.

[0039] The transport device 18 has a vertical rail 60. The vertical rail 60 is a transport rail 30 of the spatial gantry robot. The vertical rail 60 forms the third axis 102 of the setting and measuring system 66. The vertical rail 60 is arranged perpendicular to the first horizontal rail 34. The vertical rail 60 is arranged perpendicular to the second horizontal rail 32. The vertical rail 60 is arranged on the first horizontal rail 34 for translational movement. The gantry carriage 104 is arranged on the vertical rail 60 for translational movement. The gripper 22 is arranged on the vertical rail 60 for translational movement. The first horizontal rail 34 is arranged above one half of the measuring range 38 provided by the setting and measuring device 14, as viewed in a vertical direction 36 of the setting and measuring system 66.The first horizontal rail 34 is arranged completely above the measuring area 38, as viewed in the vertical direction 36 of the setting and measuring system 66. The second horizontal rail 32 is arranged above one half of the measuring area 38 provided by the setting and measuring device 14, as viewed in the vertical direction 36 of the setting and measuring system 66. The second horizontal rail 32 is arranged completely above the measuring area 38, as viewed in the vertical direction 36 of the setting and measuring system 66.

[0040] The automated setting and measuring system 66 has an identification device 40. The identification device 40 is provided for identifying the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12. The identification device 40 is provided for identifying the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12 by means of identification elements assigned to the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12, such as ID chips or barcodes or the like. Fig. 1, the identification device 40 is designed as a data matrix code reader, which reads ID chips with lasered data matrix codes attached to the tools 10 and the tool chucks 12. The identification device 40 is mounted on the setting and measuring device 14. The identification device 40 is arranged below the measuring area 38 of the setting and measuring device 14, as viewed in the vertical direction 36. The identification device 40 is arranged next to the measuring area 38 of the setting and measuring device 14. The transport device 18 is provided for transporting the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12 between the provision device 16 and the identification device 40. The transport device 18 is provided for transporting the tools 10 and / or the tool chucks 12 between the identification device 40 and the setting and measuring device 14.

[0041] The automated setting and measuring system 66 has a protective cover 42. The protective cover 42 surrounds the components of the setting and measuring system 66. The protective cover 42 surrounds the transport device 18. The protective cover 42 surrounds the provision device 16. The protective cover 42 surrounds the setting and measuring device 14. The protective cover 42 surrounds the identification device 40. The protective cover 42 is in the Fig. 1 is designed as a protective fence. The protective cover 42 is shown in the illustration of Fig. 1 partially designed to allow a view of the components of the setting and measuring system 66. The protective cover 42 has a protective door (not shown). The loading and unloading of the pallet receiving unit 46 takes place through the protective door. The automated setting and measuring system 66 has an operating unit 44. The operating unit 44 is arranged outside the protective cover 42. An operator of the setting and measuring system 66 can access at least functions of the setting and measuring system 66, in particular the computing unit 62, from outside the protective cover 42 using the operating unit 44.

[0042] The Fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a section of the pallet receiving unit 46 of the provision device 16 with a pallet 48. The pallet receiving unit 46 has an at least partially automated fastening function. The fastening function is provided for a slip-proof fastening of the pallet 48 in the provision device 16. The pallet receiving unit 46 has at least one liftable and lowerable support element 108 to carry out the fastening function. The support element 108 can be moved up and down in a controlled manner by means of a motor-driven or pneumatically driven lifting unit 110. The Fig. The lifting unit 110 shown as an example in Figure 2 comprises a rotary cylinder for generating the lifting and lowering movements.

[0043] The pallet receiving unit 46 has an at least partially automated alignment function, in particular a centering function. The alignment function is provided for a precise positional alignment of the pallet 48 relative to the transport device 18, in particular to the centimeter, preferably to the millimeter. The pallet receiving unit 46 has a positioning pin 112 to perform the alignment function. The positioning pin 112 is designed to engage in a positioning recess 114 of the pallet 48. Alternatively, the arrangement of the positioning pin 112 and the positioning recess 114 could also be reversed. The positioning pin 112 has a tapered shape. The positioning recess 114 has a funnel shape corresponding to the positioning pin 112.By lifting the pallet 48 by means of the lifting unit 110 to secure the pallet 48 in the pallet receiving unit 46, the positioning pin 112 is inserted into the positioning recess 114 and causes the pallet 48 to deflect until the optimal relative position of the positioning pin 112 and the positioning recess 114 is reached. Preferably, the pallet receiving unit 46 has a positioning pin 112 at more than one corner, in particular at all four corners.

[0044] The Fig. 3 shows a schematic flow diagram of an automated setting and measuring method. The setting and measuring method is provided for setting and measuring the tools 10 in the tool chucks 12 using the automated setting and measuring system 66. In at least one method step 116, a pallet 48 is loaded by an operator or by a robot outside the setting and measuring system 66. The pallet 48 can be loaded randomly or in an orderly manner with various tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12. In at least one method step 118, the operator or an autonomous transport device (not shown) moves the loaded pallet 48 to the setting and measuring system 66. In at least one further method step 120, the operator or the autonomous transport device logs into the setting and measuring system 66, e.g., via the control unit 44.If another pallet 48 is currently being processed in the setting and measuring system 66, its processing cycle is terminated before the setting and measuring system 66 can be loaded with the new pallet 48. As soon as the processing cycle is completed, the protective door of the protective cover 42 is unlocked. In at least one further method step 122, the operator or the autonomous loading device loads the supply device 16. For this purpose, the protective door of the protective cover 42 is opened. For this purpose, the finished product is removed from the setting and measuring system 66. In addition, if necessary, all buffer locations 50 and reject locations 52 that are still occupied are cleared. The newly loaded pallet 48 is then inserted or pushed into the pallet receiving unit 46.In at least one further method step 124, the new pallet 48 is moved into a designated position within the setting and measuring system 66 by the alignment function and the fastening function. In at least one further method step 126, the protective door of the protective cover 42 is closed, and the machining cycle of the setting and measuring system 66, in which all tools 10 and tool chucks 12 of the pallet 48 are machined, is started. The tools 10 and tool chucks 12 of the pallet 48 are machined according to one of the schemes from the described method for machining tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12. The setting and measuring system 66 can automatically start the machining cycle upon detecting the closing of the protective door or wait for a start command from the operator or the autonomous transport device.In at least one further method step 128, the machining cycle of the setting and measuring system 66 is carried out. The tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 are moved from the pallet 48 by the spatial gantry robot between the components of the setting and measuring system 66. In at least one further method step 152, at the end of the machining cycle, removal of the pallet 48 containing the now set and measured tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 is permitted.

[0045] The Fig. 4 schematically shows a flow diagram of substeps of method step 128, in which the machining cycle of the setting and measuring system 66 is carried out. In a substep 130, the spatial gantry robot removes a tool 10 and / or a tool chuck 12 from a row 68, 74, 80, 82 of the pallet 48 using the gripper 22. In a further substep 132, the spatial gantry robot, in particular a sensor element of the gripper 22, checks whether a tool 10 and / or a tool chuck 12 has been gripped by a removal movement. If no tool 10 and / or tool chuck 12 has been gripped, the spatial gantry robot moves to the next position in the row 68, 74, 80, 82 of the pallet 48 in a further substep 134. When a tool 10 and / or tool chuck 12 has been gripped, the spatial gantry robot moves with the gripped tool 10 and / or tool chuck 12 to the identification device 40 in a further sub-step 136.The spatial gantry robot positions an ID chip or a barcode of the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 in a readout area of ​​the identification device 40. In at least one further sub-step 138, the ID chip or the barcode of the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 is read by the identification device 40. If the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 cannot be identified or the identification device 40 produces another error message, the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 is inserted into one of the reject stations 52 by the spatial gantry robot in a further sub-step 140. If the tool 10 could be identified, the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 is inserted into the holding unit 20 of the setting and measuring device 14 by the spatial gantry robot in a further sub-step 142.In addition, in sub-step 142, the data stored for the identified tool 10 and / or tool chuck 12 are transmitted to the setting and measuring device 14, which sets the appropriate setting and / or measuring program based on this data. In a further sub-step 144, the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 is measured and / or adjusted using the setting and measuring device 14. If the measuring process and / or the adjustment process could not be carried out successfully, the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 is inserted into one of the reject locations 52 by the spatial gantry robot in a further sub-step 146. If the measuring process and / or the adjustment process could be carried out successfully, the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 is inserted into one of the buffer locations 50 or into one of the pallet locations 70 of the pallet 48 by the spatial gantry robot in a further sub-step 148.In a further sub-step 150, the spatial gantry robot moves to the next tool 10 and / or the next tool chuck 12 of the row 68, 74, 80, 82 of the pallet 48 or the next row 68, 74, 80, 82 of the pallet 48. The aforementioned steps are now repeated for the next tool 10 and / or tool chuck 12. This process is repeated until all tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 of the pallet 48 have been measured and adjusted and reinserted into the pallet positions 70 of the pallet 48 or have been marked as rejects by being placed in the reject positions 52.

[0046] The Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic flow diagram of a process used in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 usable method for machining the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12, which are arranged by means of a pallet 48, which has a number n (in the pallet 48 of the Fig. 1, the number n corresponds to the value 4) rows 68, 74, 80, 82 of pallet locations 70 occupied / occupable by the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12, were transferred to the provision device 16. In a first part 72 of the method, the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 of the first row 68 of pallet locations 70 are removed one after the other along a first row 68 of pallet locations 70 of the pallet 48, measured, adjusted and temporarily stored in the opposite order in the buffer locations 50 of the provision device 16.In a second part 76 of the method, the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 of the second row 74 are successively removed from the pallet positions 70 along the second row 74 of pallet positions 70 of the pallet 48, which is different from the first row 68, and are then stored in the opposite order in the pallet positions 70 of the first row 68 of pallet positions 70. This continues until, in an n-th part 78, the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 of the n-th row 82 are successively removed from the pallet positions 70, measured, adjusted, and then stored in the opposite order in the pallet positions 70 of the (n-1)-th row 80 of pallet positions 70 along an n-th row 82 of pallet positions 70 of the pallet 48, which is different from the first row 68 and the second row 74.In an (n+1)-th process part 84, the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 temporarily stored in the buffer locations 50 of the provision device 16 are then removed one after the other from the buffer locations 50 and stored in the pallet locations 70 of the n-th row 82 of pallet locations 70.

[0047] The Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic plan view of the supply device 16 with the pallet 48 and with the buffer locations 50 and reject locations 52. The buffer locations 50 are labeled with the letters A, B, C, D, E and F. The pallet locations 70 of the pallet 48 are labeled column by column with the numbers 1 to 24, whereby the numbers 1 to 6 are assigned to the pallet locations 70 of the first row 68, the numbers 7 to 12 to the pallet locations 70 of the second row 74, the numbers 13 to 18 to the pallet locations 70 of the (n-1)th row 80, i.e. here the third row, and the numbers 19 to 24 to the pallet locations 70 of the nth row 82, i.e. here the fourth row. The table of Fig. 7 illustrates the letters and numbers of the Fig. 6 which in connection with the Fig. 5. Work step numbers are entered in a first column 156 of the table. A second column 158 of the table lists the respective pallet locations 70 from which a tool 10 and / or a tool chuck 12 is removed in the respective work step (removal locations). A third column 160 of the table lists the respective pallet locations 70 into which the tool 10 and / or the tool chuck 12 is stored after successful measurement and / or adjustment in the respective work step (deposit locations).

[0048] The Fig. Figure 8 shows a schematic flow diagram of a process used in the method of Fig. 3 and Fig.4 for processing the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12. The alternative method is also intended for processing the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 that were transferred to the provision device 16 by means of the pallet 48 comprising the majority of rows 68, 74, 80, 82 of pallet locations 70 occupied / occupable by the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12, but differs in the proposed processing scheme. In a method step 86, the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 from the first row 68 of pallet locations 70 are removed one after the other along the first row 68 of pallet locations 70 of the pallet 48, measured, adjusted, and temporarily stored in the opposite order in the buffer locations 50 of the provision device 16.Then, in a further method step 88, the tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 temporarily stored in the buffer locations 50 of the provision device 16 are successively removed from the buffer locations 50 and returned to their original pallet locations 70 of the first row 68 of pallet locations 70. These two aforementioned method steps 86, 88 are then repeated n-1 times in a subsequent method part 154 until all rows 68, 74, 80, 82 of the pallet 48 have been processed and all tools 10 and / or tool chucks 12 that have been adjusted and measured and not assigned to the reject locations 52 are again arranged in the original pallet locations 70 in the pallet 48, which they had already occupied in the pallet 48 prior to being measured and adjusted using the adjustment and measuring system 66.

[0049] Generally, initially unoccupied pallet locations 70 are detected during processing of pallet 48. Furthermore, when a tool 10 and / or a tool chuck 12 is placed in one of the reject locations 52, the actually associated pallet location 70 and / or buffer location 50 generally remains unoccupied in the respective process step 86, 88 and / or process part 72, 76, 78, 84. Reference symbol 10 tools 12 tool chucks 14 Setting and measuring device 16 Provisioning facility 18 Transport device 20 holding unit 22 grippers 24 gripping element 26 gripping element 28 surface normals 30 transport rail 32 horizontal rail 34 Horizontal rail 36 Vertical direction 38 measuring range 40 Identification device 42 protective cover 44 Control unit 46 pallet receiving unit 48 pallets 50 buffer space 52 Committee seats 54 occupancy sensor 56 tower units 58 Stand unit 60 vertical rail 62 computing unit 64 Safety device 66 Setting and measuring system 68 row 70 pallet spaces 72 procedural part 74 row 76 Procedural Part 78 Procedural part 80 row 82 row 84 Procedural part 86 Process step 88 Process step 90 base unit 92 First Axis 94 measuring slides 96 optical unit 98 light source 100 Camera 102 Third Axis 104 portal carriages 106 Second Axis 108 support element 110 lifting unit 112 positioning bolts 114 Positioning recess 116 Process step 118 Process step 120 process steps 122 Process step 124 process steps 126 process steps 128 process steps 130 sub-steps 132 substeps 134 sub-steps 136 sub-steps 138 substeps 140 sub-steps 142 sub-steps 144 sub-steps 146 sub-steps 148 substeps 150 sub-steps 152 Process step 154 Procedural part 156 column 158 column 160 columns

Claims

[1] Automated setting and measuring system (66) for setting and measuring tools (10) in tool chucks (12), with at least one setting and measuring device (14), with at least one provision device (16), in particular designed and arranged separately from the setting and measuring device (14), for providing a plurality of tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) and with at least one transport device (18) which is provided for transporting tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) between the setting and measuring device (14) and the provision device (16), characterized by that the transport device (18) is designed as a spatial portal robot. [2] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 1, characterized bythat the transport device (18) is provided for inserting the tool (10) and / or the tool chuck (12) into a holding unit (20) of the setting and measuring device (14), which is provided for holding and / or positioning the tool (10) and / or the tool chuck (12) during a measuring process and / or during a setting process of the setting and measuring device (14). [3] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that the transport device (18) comprises at least one gripper (22) for automated temporary gripping of the tool (10) and / or the tool chuck (12). [4] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 3, characterized bythat all gripping planes formed by gripping elements (24, 26) of the gripper (22) are arranged and aligned in space in such a way that all imaginary surface normals (28) of the gripping planes are free of intersection points with the spatial gantry robot, in particular with a gantry carriage (104) of the spatial gantry robot and with transport rails (30) of the spatial gantry robot. [5] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the transport device (18) has at least one first horizontal rail (34) and at least one second horizontal rail (32) arranged at least substantially perpendicular to the first horizontal rail (34), which are each arranged in the vertical direction (36) above one half of a measuring range (38) provided by the setting and measuring device (14), preferably completely above the measuring range (38) provided by the setting and measuring device (14). [6] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the setting and measuring device (14) is provided for optically measuring the tool (10) and / or the tool chuck (12). [7] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an identification device (40) for identifying a tool (10) and / or a tool chuck (12). [8] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 7, characterized by that the transport device (18) is provided for transporting the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) between the provision device (16) and the identification device (40) and / or between the identification device (40) and the setting and measuring device (14). [9] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bya protective cover (42) which at least encompasses the components of the setting and measuring system (66), in particular at least the transport device (18), the provision device (16) and the setting and measuring device (14). [10] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 9, characterized by an operating unit (44) which is accessible from outside the protective cover (42). [11] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the supply device (16) has a pallet receiving unit (46) which is provided for the exchangeable reception and holding of pallets (48) which can be equipped with a plurality of tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12), in particular in rows. [12] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 11, characterized bythat the pallet receiving unit (46) has an at least partially automated fastening function for slip-proof fastening of the pallets (48) and / or an at least partially automated alignment function, in particular centering function, for a precise positional alignment of the pallets (48) relative to the transport device (18). [13] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the provision device (16) has a plurality of buffer locations (50) which are provided for the intermediate storage of tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12), in particular removed from a pallet (48), in particular after adjustment and / or measurement by the adjustment and measuring device (14). [14] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the provision device (16) has a plurality of reject locations (52) which are provided for storing tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12), in particular removed from a pallet (48), which could not be identified, measured and / or adjusted by the setting and measuring system (66) and / or which were otherwise marked as rejects by the setting and measuring system (66). [15] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized by that the buffer locations (50) and / or the reject locations (52) have occupancy sensors (54). [16] Automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 15, characterized bya safety device (64) which is provided to prevent a restart of the setting and measuring system (66) if one of the occupancy sensors (54) detects occupancy of a buffer location (50) or a reject location (52). [17] Automated setting and measuring method for setting and measuring tools (10) in tool chucks (12) by means of an automated setting and measuring system (66) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) are moved by a spatial gantry robot between the components of the setting and measuring system (66). [18] Method for processing tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) which have been transferred to a supply device (16) by means of a pallet (48) comprising a number n of rows (68, 74, 80, 82) of pallet locations (70) occupied / occupable by the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12), by an automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 13, which has the supply device (16) with buffer locations (50), wherein in a first part of the method (72) along a first row (68) of pallet locations (70) of the pallet (48), the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) of the first row (68) of pallet locations (70) are successively removed, measured, adjusted and temporarily stored in the buffer locations (50) of the supply device (16) in the opposite order,wherein in a second process part (76) along a second row (74) of pallet spaces (70) of the pallet (48) different from the first row (68), the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) of the second row (74) of pallet spaces (70) are successively removed, measured, adjusted and stored in the opposite order in the pallet spaces (70) of the first row (68) of pallet spaces (70), wherein in an n-th process part (78) along an n-th row (82) of pallet spaces (70) of the pallet (48) different from the first row (68) and the second row (74), the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) of the n-th row (82) of pallet spaces (70) are successively removed, measured, adjusted and stored in the opposite order in the pallet spaces (70) of the (n-1)-th row (80) of pallet spaces (70) are stored,and wherein, in particular in an (n+1)-th process part (84), the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) temporarily stored in the buffer spaces (50) of the supply device (16) are successively removed from the buffer spaces (50) and stored in the pallet spaces (70) of the n-th row (82) of pallet spaces (70). [19] Method for processing tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) which have been transferred to a supply device (16) by means of a plurality of rows (68, 74, 80, 82) of pallet locations (70) comprising the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12), by an automated setting and measuring system (66) according to claim 13, comprising the supply device (16) with buffer locations (50), wherein in a method step (86) along a first row (68) of pallet locations (70) of the pallet (48), the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) of the first row (68) of pallet locations (70) are successively removed, measured, set and temporarily stored in the buffer locations (50) of the supply device (16) in the opposite order,wherein in a further method step (88) the tools (10) and / or tool chucks (12) temporarily stored in the buffer locations (50) of the provision device (16) are successively removed from the buffer locations (50) and stored back in their original pallet locations (70) of the first row (68) of pallet locations (70), and wherein the two aforementioned method steps (86, 88) are repeated, in particular n-1 times, until all rows (68, 74, 80, 82) of the pallet (48) have been processed. [20] Method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized by that initially unoccupied pallet positions (70) are detected and / or that when a tool (10) and / or a tool chuck (12) is placed in a reject position (52) of the supply device (16), the actually associated pallet position (70) and / or buffer position (50) remains unoccupied in the respective method step (86, 88) and / or method part (72, 76, 78, 84).

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