Processing machine for flat material parts

Abstract

In a processing machine for feeding flat material parts (40) to it, the control unit, in a picking step, activates suction cup units to pick up two or more flat material parts, corresponding to the number of suction cup units, from a transfer table (80). During a multi-stage positioning step, as the frame component (110) moves in the feed direction (17) into the processing machine (10), the control unit activates the individual two or more suction cup units so that they successively place the picked-up flat material parts onto the feed table (15) in such a way that, viewed in the feed direction (27) of the feed table (15), the placed flat material parts do not overlap.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a processing machine for flat material parts, comprising: a machine frame with a frame, a lower part and an upper part, a lower beam, an upper beam, at least one processing tool assigned to the lower beam or upper beam and held on the machine frame, a control unit for controlling a processing sequence with the processing tools, a transfer table to the side of the machine frame, an infeed table on which the flat material part to be processed can be placed for positioning in the processing machine, and a side feed unit with a suction cup unit, with which the flat material part can be picked up from the transfer table and placed on the infeed table for predetermined positioning, wherein the side feed unit has a side sliding rail which is firmly connected to the machine frame and on which a frame component is arranged such that it can be moved in a feed direction,which corresponds to the machining edge of the flat material part, whereby the suction cup unit is mounted on the frame component. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Such a side feed unit is known from EP 3 778 048 A1. This makes it possible to keep individual sheets in stock as flat material on a transfer table and to automatically transport and deposit them in the correct position on the positioning table. To ensure that long sheets can be processed even with the processing edge aligned, a typical processing machine includes processing tools with a length that exceeds the longest length of a sheet to be processed. The speed of the processing machine is limited by the transport speed of the side feed unit, with which the sheets to be processed can be fed into the processing machine. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Based on this prior art, the object of the invention is to increase the processing speed of the processing machine, in particular when the length of the sheets to be processed is only a fraction of the total length of the processing tools.

[0004] This object is achieved in particular in that two or more suction cup units are provided which can be controlled separately from one another by the control unit, that these two or more suction cup units are mounted offset on the frame component transversely to the feed direction, and that the control unit is configured to control the suction cup units for picking up two or more flat material parts from the transfer table, and a maximum number corresponding to the number of suction cup units, and is further configured to control the individual two or more suction cup units when the frame component is moved in the feed direction into the processing machine, so that they successively deposit the picked up flat material parts on the feed table in such a way that, as seen in the feed direction of the feed table, there is no overlap of the deposited flat material parts.

[0005] This allows the number of sections to be utilized, particularly in processing machines with a large number of sections when shorter flat material parts are to be processed, by feeding two or more of these flat material parts to the processing machine simultaneously in one feeding step, since this method involves the corresponding time-consuming process. At the same time, it is possible to move the frame component back out of the processing machine after depositing the multiple flat components, while simultaneously either the infeed table itself aligns the flat material parts, which are offset in its feed direction, to the same side edge or this is done using sliders provided between segments of the infeed table.

[0006] To ensure secure grip, each suction cup unit advantageously comprises a number of suction cups arranged one behind the other in a row in the feed direction. The number of suction cups per suction cup unit can vary between 1 and up to 10. Three to five suction cups per suction cup unit are useful; in the exemplary embodiments, "3+1" is shown.

[0007] The suction cup that is closest to the front in the feed direction can be arranged at a greater distance from the transfer table, i.e. its compressed shape in the suction position can be arranged higher than that of the other suction cups, so that the section of a flat component that is closest to the front in the feed direction is lifted higher from the transfer table. This ensures that when lifting it from a stack of flat components, only one flat component is sucked up and not several flat components that are still stuck to one another. By deforming the flat component in the feed direction during suction, the aforementioned risk of sticking is reduced, as the rear part of the flat component remains on the stack for a short time during suction, while the front part is lifted off. This function can also be achieved if the underside of the suction cups are arranged at the same height, but the first suction cup has a greater stroke during suction.

[0008] As a further possibility, a second suction cup from the series of suction cup units can also have the same function of the larger suction stroke, preferably combined with a smaller stroke than the first suction cup.

[0009] In addition, an outlet nozzle for compressed air can be provided in front of the first suction cup in the feed direction on all suction cup units, which is directed towards the front edge of the suctioned flat component to ensure that a second flat component that may be adhering to it is ejected.

[0010] Therefore, the transfer table is advantageously height-adjustable to position the surface of the next flat component to be removed at approximately the same height for a stack of flat components during sequential removal. A series of flat components can also be removed before a height adjustment is performed if the suction cup units are sufficiently flexible.

[0011] In particular, one or more ultrasonic sensors can be provided in front of or between individual suction cups in order to detect the said distance of the side feed unit and, if necessary, to adjust the height of the side feed unit and / or the transfer table in order to reliably detect the uppermost flat component of the stack when the side feed unit is lowered.

[0012] The designs shown in the drawings have four suction cup units, meaning they can pull in and deposit four flat material parts one after the other in the feed direction. Two or three, or even five or six such suction cup units can be used. With two units, the time savings are limited to longer flat material part units; with six units, the processing machine must be comprised of a large number of sections.

[0013] Each of the suction cup units can be mounted on its own crossbeam, which can be moved independently of each other along the frame component perpendicular to the feed direction. This allows even flat material parts of different widths to be easily picked up. The crossbeams can be driven and moved by a spindle drive or a magnetic linear guide.

[0014] A parking area for the side feed unit can be provided between the setup area and the processing machine so that the processing machine can carry out the clamping movement of the cheeks necessary for the folding movement of a flat material part without this side feed unit spatially obstructing such a movement.

[0015] In a working method for feeding flat material parts to a processing machine, the control unit controls the suction cup units in a picking-up step to pick up two or more flat material parts from the transfer table, a maximum number corresponding to the number of suction cup units. The control unit then controls the individual two or more suction cup units in a multi-stage positioning step during a movement of the frame component in the feed direction into the processing machine so that they successively deposit the picked-up flat material parts on the feed table such that, as viewed in the feed direction of the feed table, there is no overlap of the deposited flat material parts. A predetermined distance can be defined.

[0016] Because the side feed unit is connected laterally within the associated cheek transversely to the processing tool(s) for a feeding movement of the flat material part in the direction of the processing edge of the flat material part, a loading movement can be accomplished via a rail pivotally connected to the upper part, thus enabling the flat material part to be lifted from a loading table. The purpose of the side feed unit here is to ensure a feeding movement of the flat material part in the direction of the processing edge of the flat material part. For this purpose, the side feed unit is movable transversely to the processing tool(s), i.e., parallel to the processing edges of the processing tool(s), and is connected to this cheek within the associated cheek.This allows the feeding movement of a flat material part in the direction of the processing edge of the flat material part, which enables the device to be loaded directly after a processed flat material part has been ejected to the front of the machine.

[0017] Advantageously, the loading or transfer table is arranged in a parallel plane and higher than the plane defined by the positioning table, so that the transfer of the flat material part is possible without additional pivoting movement of the side feed unit.

[0018] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a processing machine according to embodiments of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the frame component of a lateral guide unit for a processing machine according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the frame component according to Fig. 2 from the side from below; Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of the frame component of a lateral guide unit for a processing machine according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a setup area of ​​a processing machine according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the frame component of a lateral guide unit for a processing machine according to a further embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 7 shows a schematic sketch of the movement sequences when using the processing machine according to Fig. 1 . DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a processing machine 10 according to embodiments of the invention. More specifically, the Fig. 1on the left side a setup area 20 and on the right side the left part of the first section of the processing machine 10 with its upper part 13 and its lower part 12, which are arranged on a transverse frame 14. Processing machines 10 with four, six or eight sections are common, in which a transfer table 80 for a feed unit 100 is arranged on the left end of the frame 14. The frame 14 runs in a direction of the arrow 17, which direction is also the direction of the bending edges that can be produced with the processing machine 10. This direction runs transversely to the feed direction 27 of a flat material part 40, which, after being positioned by the feed unit 100, is pushed in this feed direction 27 between the processing tools 22 and 24.

[0021] The Fig. 1The section shown on the left is the front section in front of the setup area 20. Here, a side feed unit 100 is provided, which protrudes from this front section and is arranged above a transfer table 80 of the setup area 20. Stops 90 and 91 (see Fig. 5 ) for the flat material parts 40.

[0022] The upper part 13 is also referred to as the upper machine part, and the lower part 12 as the lower machine part of such a sheet metal bending machine 10. This upper part 13 and / or this lower part 12 are arranged so as to be movable relative to one another perpendicular to the feed direction 17 of a workpiece or flat material part 40 to be bent. "Perpendicular" refers to a pivoting movement around a horizontal axis that essentially comprises a vertical component.

[0023] In this case, a lower holding cheek 21 and a lower bending cheek, also referred to as the lower processing tool 22, are assigned to the lower machine part 12, and an upper holding cheek 23 and an upper bending cheek, also referred to as the upper processing tool 24, are assigned to the upper machine part 13, wherein the four cheeks are aligned transversely to the said feed direction 17 and the flat material part 40 to be bent can be inserted between the said four cheeks between the machine parts, wherein the upper holding cheek clamps the work piece 40 to be bent in a clamping position relative to the lower holding cheek.In the said clamping position, the lower bending jaw is configured to bend the flat material part 40 to be bent upwards around the front edge of the upper holding jaw, wherein in a double bender, a further clamping position is configured such that the upper bending jaw 24 can bend the flat material part 40 to be bent downwards around the front edge of the lower holding jaw 21.

[0024] The upper parts 13 and lower parts 12 can be driven and articulated in a variety of ways, in particular according to the applicant's EP 3 403 738 A1. The processing machine 10 does not have to be a double bending unit with a lower processing tool 22 and an upper processing tool 24, as shown here. Fig. 1 shown. It can also be a single processing tool, which is assigned to the feeding and turning unit 50 as a side feeding unit.

[0025] The side insertion rail 120 is firmly connected to the upper part 13. This results in the elimination of a moving axis, since the flat material part 40 can be lifted by the suction cups 51 of the side feed unit 100 simply by slightly opening it (and thus tilting the rail 120). To help the user easily achieve the correct position of the flat material part 40 for insertion into the processing machine 10, a fixed transfer table 80 with stops 90, 91 is provided. The term "fixed" refers to the stops of the transfer table 80 and not to the height of the support surface of the transfer table 80 for flat material parts 40.The transfer table 80 is movable in its height for this support surface in order to be able to process stacks of flat material parts 40 with this variable height, i.e. to move them into the processing machine without feeding new flat material parts 40 onto the transfer table 80 with the side feed unit 100.

[0026] The lateral stop 91 is not necessary because the position of the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 in the direction of arrow 17 is not critical, as the cutting length of the bending machine 10 always far exceeds the sum of the lengths of the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44, i.e., four times the length of a flat material part. In other designs, flat material parts of different lengths can also be provided, so that the individual flat material parts are deposited at correspondingly different distances from one another.

[0027] Several flat material parts are arranged on the transfer table 80; in the front line, four laterally touching flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44, followed by four narrower flat material parts 41', 42', 43', 44' in the later feed direction. Behind them, three wider and touching wider flat material parts 141, 142, 143 are arranged behind them, and finally, two adjacently arranged, possibly irregularly wide flat material parts 141', 142', and then, at a distance, a flat material part 40. This last flat material part has been specifically given the reference numeral, which is to be considered representative in the following when a "flat material part" as such is referred to. Essential to the invention, however, is the possibility of feeding two, three, or four flat material parts with one loading movement to the processing machine 10 per feeding step of the side feed unit 100.

[0028] The flat material parts 41 to 44 occupy the entire width of the transfer table 80, which is designed such that its width with respect to the reception of the flat material parts corresponds to the extension of the frame component 110 of the side feed unit 100.

[0029] The frame component 110 is arranged below the side insertion rail 120, which is arranged in the feed direction 17 between the upper part 13 and the lower part 12 and extends to the last section of the processing machine 10 to enable the positioning of flat material parts 40 from the transfer table 80 of the setup area 20 in the direction of the feed direction 17 up to the area of ​​the most opposite and distant areas of the processing tools 22 and 23, respectively. In the present exemplary embodiment, the side insertion rail 120 is attached to the upper part 13 of the first section with at least one L-profile 121.

[0030] The width of the frame component 110 in turn has a width to be movable back and forth between the upper part 13 and the feed table 15, i.e. at the same time above the lower part 12, between the sections in the feed direction.

[0031] The side feed unit 100 comprises a series of suction cups 51, 52, 53, 54 connected to a pneumatically operated vacuum source, with this connection being controlled, for example, via hydraulically activated valves. The suction cups 51 can also be referred to as suction cup units if, instead of one suction cup 51, three suction cups are arranged in the feed direction 17. Behind these three suction cups 51, the virtual sensor cone 61 of an ultrasonic sensor is shown, which is provided in an aligned line in the frame component 110 and faces downwards onto the flat material part. This optional ultrasonic sensor sends ultrasound in a cone shape to the flat component 40 in order to detect the distance from the side feed unit 100 to this flat component 40 and to move the transfer table 80, which is advantageously adjustable in height, into the correct height position in order to pick up the flat component 40 opposite the suction cups 51, 52, 53 or 54.This makes particular sense when there is a stack of prepared flat components 40 lying one above the other, as indicated in the figure.

[0032] Behind this ultrasonic sensor, another suction cup 51' is then arranged at a different height. In particular, this additional suction cup 51' is arranged at a greater distance from the above-mentioned stack of flat components 40 and can optionally have a longer bellows in order to grip the surface of the uppermost flat component 40 of a stack simultaneously with the other three suction cups 51. However, due to its higher arrangement with respect to the transfer table 80, it then lifts the portion of the flat component 40 that is foremost in the feed direction 17 (i.e., the portion to be drawn in first) further away from the transfer table 80 and thus away from the further flat component 40 of the stack located below the now drawn-in flat component 40. Since this is done for the front area, adhesion of the said further flat component 40 of the stack to the flat component 40 that is now to be inserted can be more successfully prevented.Of course, this additional suction cup 51' can and will also be advantageously provided on the other suction cup rows with the reference numerals 52, 53, 54, 151, 152, 153, 154.

[0033] The suction cup units are activated when one or a group of the four suction cups lowers onto the flat material part 40 and rests on it, so that the flat material part 40 adheres to the suction cups through subsequent suction of air contained within the individual suction cups. Typically, a vacuum is generated pneumatically and applied to the suction cups via hydraulically operated valves, which is then continuously maintained. The suction cups can be equipped with bellows, which simplify placement and facilitate the effective functioning of the additional suction cup 51'.

[0034] In the Fig. 1The first suction cups 52, 53, and 54 can then also be seen, which are provided on the frame component 110 in the position of the flat material parts 42, 43, and 44 to be gripped, respectively, above and below the frame component 110. This predetermines the distance, visible in the feed direction 27, between two rows of suction cups 51 and 52, or 52 and 53, or 53 and 54, and thus the positioning of the maximum of four flat materials 41, 42, 43, 44, or 41', 42', 43', and 44', which can be positioned "simultaneously" here.

[0035] If a system user has a processing machine 10 with, for example, six sections, they may also consider feeding six individual flat materials, which would then require a closer spacing of the suction cup units from one another or a wider side feed unit 100. To ensure that this side feed unit 100 can still be inserted between the cheeks 21 and 23, a lateral section 105 is advantageously designed with a lower height profile. This lateral section 105 is oriented toward the processing edge of the processing machine 10 and utilizes the smaller clearance between the two cheeks 21 and 23 in this area.

[0036] The side insertion rail 120 can be activated when, in the parking position of the upper beam or the lower beam, the subsequently activated suction cups 51, 52, 53, 54 of the four parallel suction cup units are placed on the up to four flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 or 41', 42', 43, 44', respectively, which are provided individually or, as shown here, as a stack of corresponding flat material parts on the transfer table 80, and the up to four flat material parts are gripped by pivoting upwards. The side insertion rail 120 is then advanced in the feed direction into the processing machine 10. It is possible, but not necessary, for the flat material parts to be rigid or to be held by the suction cups across their entire surface.It is also possible for the flat material parts to be longer in the feed direction 17 than the associated suction cup unit, and thus a free end of the flat material parts is pulled along the transfer table 80 and then pulled accordingly onto the feed table 15 arranged higher or lower than the transfer table 80. A flat material part is then placed down at each of four longitudinal positions on the side feed rail 120 moving the flat material parts in the feed direction 17. The flat material part placed down or up is placed on the extending positioning table either by pivoting the frame component downwards or upwards, so that processing by the bending tools then begins, particularly after the positioning table has returned and the flat material part has been aligned.

[0037] Fig. 7 shows a schematic sketch of the movement sequences when using the processing machine according to Fig. 1According to an exemplary embodiment. The upper section of the drawing shows the movement of the four flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 from the setup area 20 to various longitudinal positions 71, 72, 73, 74 on the feed table 15 of the processing machine 100. Lines 20 and 100 schematically indicate the longitudinal alignment and position of the setup area (left) and the processing machine (right). The side insertion rail 120 of the side feed unit 100 is indicated by dashed lines, and the frame component 110 docked to it is shown shortly after the start of the operating process, i.e., after leaving any existing parking position and moving into a receiving position 122 above the four flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 to be picked up.As explained above, the frame component 110 can be lowered or the entire side insertion rail 120 on the upper part 13 is pivoted downwards in order to receive the four flat material components 41, 42, 43, 44 after activation of the suction cup units in four rows of suction cups 51, 52, 53, 54.

[0038] The frame component 110 is then advanced in the direction of the feed direction 17. At the first longitudinal position 71, the first flat material part 41 is deposited at the specified position by lowering the frame component 110 and / or the side insertion rail 120 and releasing the suction cup units. The suction cup units can also be simply triggered at the movement position, and the flat material part 41 falls onto the feed table 15 at this point, unless it has already been partially pulled onto the feed table 15. At the second longitudinal position 72, the second flat material part 42 is deposited at the specified position by lowering the frame component 110 and / or the side insertion rail 120 and releasing the suction cup units.The suction cup units can also be simply triggered at the movement position, and the flat material part 42 falls onto the feed table 15 at this point, provided it has not already been partially pulled along the feed table 15. For the third and fourth flat material parts 43 and 44, respectively, this process step is repeated at the third and fourth longitudinal positions 73 and 74, so that subsequently all four flat material parts 43 and 44 come to rest on the feed table 15, but at different positions opposite the feed direction 27 of the processing machine 100. Between each flat material part 41 to 44 and its neighbor there is an intermediate distance 75 in the feed direction 17. This intermediate distance 75 can be reduced to almost zero. However, it is more advantageous to have an intermediate distance 75 so that the second process step can be carried out reliably with appropriate play.

[0039] The feed table 15 usually has interruptions at various longitudinal positions in the feed direction, whereby these interruptions are then continuous in the feed direction 27. In these interruptions, in particular, sliders 16 are provided, with which the flat material part to be processed is pushed between the cheeks in the feed direction 27 in order to have it folded by the processing tools 22 and / or 42. In this case, as in Fig. 7As shown, the fourth flat material 44 is advanced furthest according to the movement arrow 19. When the fourth flat material part 44 has reached the height of the third flat material part 43, it is carried along the remaining distance by the sliders 16, so that this arrow 19 is shorter. The second flat material part 42 is pulled along even less and the first flat material part 41 remains in place. For better control of the movement, the first flat material part 41 is advantageously pushed further into a processing position together with the other flat material parts in this alignment step. In the sketch of the Fig. 7 The slider is drawn as a continuous element. Typically, it consists of stops protruding from beneath the feed table 15 and moving in slots located thereon for the back of the respective flat material parts 40, 41, 42, 43, 44.

[0040] It should also be noted that the sequence of depositing the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, and 44 does not have to be as shown. For example, the sequence of depositing the flat material parts can also be deposited in the sequence of flat material parts 44, 42, 41, and 43, in which the two "middle" flat material parts deposited in the longitudinal direction 17 are advanced only slightly by the slider 16 if the two flat material parts to be processed at the edge of the processing machine 10 are the flat material parts to be advanced the furthest. This also ensures that the difference in advance between two adjacent flat material parts is a maximum of two distances between the suction cup units. This also works in reverse with the sequence of flat material parts 41, 43, 44, and 42, where the flat material parts to be processed at the edges are displaced transversely the least, and those deposited in the middle are displaced transversely the most.

[0041] The Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the frame component 110 of a lateral guide unit 100 for a processing machine 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. Identical features are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures, regardless of their degree of schematization.

[0042] The frame component 110 has on its upper side a fastening surface 119, to which the frame component 110 can be fastened on the movable carriage of a side insertion rail 120. As already mentioned in connection with the Fig. 1explained, there are four rows of four suction cups 51, 52, 53 and 54. Here too, the frontmost suction cup in the feed direction 17 is another suction cup 51' with a higher position of its bellows mouth when the flat material part 40 is completely sucked on, for the secure holding of a single piece of a flat material part 40. The individual suction cup units of four suction cups 51 or 52 or 53 or 54 can be controlled individually in order to distribute the flat material parts 41, 42, 43 and 44 one after the other.

[0043] The side feed unit 100 then retracts after the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 have been deposited. In an alternative embodiment, the feed table 15 can be extended during the deposit of the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44. The flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 are then introduced into the machine 10 in an alignment step by retracting the feed table 15. After stopping against the depth stops forming the slide 16, they are advanced in the feed direction 27 between sections of the feed table 15 for predetermined processing. In other words, instead of an active slider 16, this can also be designed as a depth stop and the alignment step is carried out by the feed table 15 responsible for the feed movement necessary for the folding step, which can then be moved directly forward again without interruption in order to enable the processing of the four sheets in this case simultaneously.

[0044] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the frame component 110 according to Fig. 2 from the side, from below. The regular distribution of the four rows of suction cup units with suction cups 51, 52, 53, and 54, as well as the four ultrasonic sensor cones 61, 62, 63, and 64 for the individual rows, are particularly noticeable.

[0045] Fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the frame component 210 of a lateral guide unit 200 for a processing machine according to a further embodiment of the invention. Here, there is a frame component 210, of which only the two outer fixed supports are shown, which are connected to the side insertion rail (not shown here). Four cross members 211, 212, 213, 214 are mounted on this outer fixed support so as to be displaceable in the feed direction 27. Below the cross members 211, 212, 213 and 214, as in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 and 2Suction cup units are mounted, here referred to as suction cups 151, 152, 153, or 154. The units 61, 62, 63, 64 shown in the first embodiment are not shown here, but may also be provided. Four spindle drives 225 are fixedly mounted on the frame component 210, each driving a spindle 221, 222, 223, or 224, respectively. Each spindle is connected to an associated cross member 211, 212, 213, 214 to move it on the frame component 210 in the direction of the feed direction 27. In the Fig. 4 The two outer cross members 211 and 214 are moved to the edge of the frame component 210, while the inner cross members 212 and 213 are moved close to each other in the middle. This makes it possible to produce different configurations of flat material parts, in particular, for example, three flat material parts 141, 142 and 143 as shown in Fig. 1The three flat material pieces can be picked up and positioned as shown when the crossbeams are aligned accordingly. One of the three flat material pieces can then be gripped, for example, by two suction cup units.

[0046] When picking up the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44, the upper part 13 of the processing machine 10 is slightly closed, i.e., towards the lower beam 21, not for clamping, but for docking the suction cups 51, 52, 53, 54 onto the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44. It is thus clear that the transfer table 80 is arranged parallel to the positioning and feed table 15. It can be arranged higher relative to the horizontal, or it can be arranged lower and has a corresponding magazine of pre-arranged flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 and is then gradually raised manually or automatically in height to securely pick up the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 presented to the machine 10.After the group of flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 has been sucked in, the upper part 13 is opened slightly, whereby the insertion rail 120 is raised and inclined about the same axis of rotation, so that the picked up flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 are lifted from the transfer table 80 and then moved by the frame component 110 along the side insertion rail 120 in the feed direction 17 until all flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 have been gradually deposited in the processing machine 10.

[0047] After releasing the two or more flat material parts 40 positioned in the feed direction 17, these flat material parts can also be advanced precisely by the aforementioned depth stops, which are located between segments of the feed table 15 divided in the feed direction, without using the feed table 15, in order to then allow folding of all now positioned flat material parts. For this purpose, the frame component 110 is extended laterally. Fig. 5shows the position of the frame component 110 laterally next to the frontmost section of the processing machine 10, but in the direction of the feed direction 17 behind the transfer table 80, i.e., in a free space between the transfer table 80 and the section of the processing machine 10, so that the frame component 110 can move freely when the upper part 3 is lowered to a clamping position without being obstructed by the transfer table 80 or a subsequent flat material part 40 already placed on it. This also addresses the time-saving advantage of simultaneously reloading the machine 10 on the transfer table 80 while the clamping and folding processing steps are still ongoing.

[0048] Fig. 5shows a perspective view of a setup area 20 of a processing machine 10 according to another embodiment of the invention. Here, a parking area 30 is provided between the setup area 20 and the processing machine 10, into which the side feed unit 100 can be lowered into a parking position for processing steps and the movement of the upper beam. Furthermore, the side feed unit 100 is provided with side and top cover plates 101, so that the lateral section 105 with a lower height profile stands out clearly. The side feed unit 100 is placed on a table in the parking area 30.

[0049] The setup area 20 has the transfer table 80, which is delimited here by two stops 90 and 91 forming an L. The rear stop 91 allows flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 (or in another embodiment 141, 142, 143) to be stacked next to one another. Here, five such flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 are shown schematically one above the other and adjacent to one another. The stop 90 in the direction of movement 27, on the other hand, has the function of arranging the flat material parts 41, 42, 43, 44 (or 41', 42', 43', 44' or 141, 142, 143) so that they are picked up in the direction of the suction cup units in the same position with respect to the feed direction 27. The flat material parts are picked up by the frame component 110 (or 210) and lifted up to such an extent that they can be moved over the stop 90 into the parking area 30 and then into the processing machine 10.In doing so, they are moved over wiper brushes 92 arranged on the upper edge of the stop 90. These, in addition to the arrangement of the first and second rows of suction cup units, ensure that two flat material parts lying one above the other in the stack are not lifted into the processing machine 10 due to adhesion. This is because the suction cup units, through the wiper brushes 92 forming an edge, cause the held flat material part to bend and hold back any lower flat material part that may be present and pulled along with it with greater friction. Furthermore, the brushes, as edge finishers, protect the flat material parts from scratches and damage.

[0050] Fig. 6shows a perspective view of the frame component 310 of a lateral guide unit 300 for a processing machine according to a further embodiment of the invention, which is a magnetically guided linear guide. Here, four cross members 311, 312, 313 and 314 are also provided on the frame component 310, which, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 4 also arranged in a sequence 311, 312, 313 and 314 from one to the opposite end of the frame component and are movable on the supports of the frame component. They are each firmly connected to a magnetically guided bearing unit 351, 352, 353 and 354. The bearing units 351 and 353 are guided below the support rail 321 and the bearing units 352 and 354 are guided below the support rail 322. Thus, as in the embodiment according to Fig. 4The suction cup units (not shown here), which are to be arranged below the cross members 311, 312, 313, 314, can be moved across almost the entire width of the frame component 310. The advantage here is that even all four cross members can be positioned in one half of the frame component 310, so that, for example, four narrower flat material parts 41', 42', 43', 44' can be stacked close to one another, and then gripped in groups of four and positioned in the processing machine. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 10 processing machine 63 Ultrasonic sensor 12 lower part 64 Ultrasonic sensor 13 Top 71 first longitudinal position 14 Frame 72 second longitudinal position 15 Feed table 73 third longitudinal position 16 slider 74 fourth longitudinal position 17 Feed direction 75 Intermediate distance 19 Movement arrow 80 transfer table 20 Setup area 90 Stop (direction of movement) 21 lower cheek 22 lower 91 rear stop Editing tool 92 scraper brush 23 Upper beam 100 Side feed unit 24 upper 101 cover plate Editing tool 105 side section with 27 Feed direction lower elevation profile 30 Parking area 110 frame component 40 Flat material part (generic) 119 Mounting surface 41 Flat material part (wide) 120 Side insertion rail 42 Flat material part (wide) 121 L-profile 43 Flat material part (wide) 122 Recording position 44 Flat material part (wide) 141 Flat material part (wider) 41' Flat material part (narrow) 142 Flat material part (wider) 42' Flat material part (narrow) 143 Flat material part (wider) 43' Flat material part (narrow) 141' Flat material part (irregular) 44' Flat material part (narrow) 51 suction cup 142' Flat material part (irregular) 51' additional suction cup (to prevent sticking) 151 suction cup 52 suction cup 151' additional suction cup 53 suction cup 152 suction cup 54 suction cup 153 suction cup 61 Ultrasonic sensor 154 suction cup 62 Ultrasonic sensor 200 Side feed unit 210 frame component 311 first traverse 211 first traverse 312 second traverse 212 second traverse 313 third traverse 213 third traverse 314 fourth traverse 214 fourth traverse 321 Mounting rail 221 spindle 322 Mounting rail 222 spindle 351 storage unit 223 spindle 352 storage unit 224 spindle 353 storage unit 225 spindle drive 354 storage unit 300 Side feed unit 310 frame component

Claims

1. A processing machine (10) for flat material parts (40; 41, 42, 43, 44; 41', 42', 43', 44', 141, 142, 143) comprising: a machine frame (12, 13) with a frame, a lower part (12) and an upper part (13), a lower beam (21), an upper beam (23), at least one processing tool (22 or 24) associated with the lower beam (21) or with the upper beam (23) and held on the machine frame (12, 13), a control unit for controlling a processing sequence with the processing tools (22, 24), a transfer table (80) positioned to the side of the machine frame (12, 13), a feed table (15) on which the flat material part to be processed can be placed for positioning in the processing machine (10), and a side feed unit (100, 200, 300) with a suction cup unit (51, 52, 53, 54; 151, 152, 153, 154) with which the flat material part can be picked up from the transfer table (80) and placed on the feed table (15) for predetermined positioning, wherein the side feed unit (100, 200, 300) has a side push rail (120) which is fixedly connected to the machine frame (12, 13) and on which a frame component (110, 210, 310) is arranged to be movable in a feed direction (17) corresponding to the processing edge of the flat material part, wherein the suction cup unit is mounted on the frame component (110, 210, 310), characterized in that that two or more suction cup units (51, 52, 53, 54; 151, 152, 153, 154) are provided which can be controlled separately from each other by the control unit, in that the two or more suction cup units are mounted offset transversely to the feed direction (17) on the frame component (110, 210, 310), and in that the control unit is configured to control the suction cup units for picking up two or more and at most the number of flat material parts corresponding to the number of suction cup units from the transfer table (80), and is further configured to control the individual two or more suction cup units, when the frame component (110, 210, 310) moves in the feed direction (17) into the processing machine (10), that they sequentially deposit the picked up flat material parts on the feed table (15) in such a way that, viewed in the feed direction (27) of the feed table (15), there is no overlapping of the deposited flat material parts.

2. Processing machine (10) according to claim 1, in which each suction cup unit comprises a single suction cup or a number of suction cups (51, 52, 53, 54) arranged in a row one behind the other in the feed direction (17).

3. Processing machine (10) according to claim 1, in which each suction cup unit comprises two or more, advantageously three to five, suction cups (51, 52, 53, 54; 151, 152, 153, 154) arranged in a row one behind the other in the feed direction (17), wherein the foremost suction cup (51', 151') in the feed direction (17) is positioned higher than the other suction cups (52, 53, 54), so that a foremost section of the flat material part (40) in the feed direction (17) is sucked in higher.

4. Processing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one ultrasonic sensor (61, 62, 63, 64) is provided in each suction cup unit for a distance measurement of the side feed unit (100) from the surface of a one or uppermost flat material part (40) resting on the transfer table (80).

5. Processing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the height of the upper side of the transfer table is adjustable.

6. Processing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which two to six suction cup units are provided parallel to one another for parallel reception of a corresponding number of flat material parts (40).

7. Processing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each of the suction cup units is mounted on its own crossbar (211, 212, 213, 214; 311, 312, 313, 314) which can be moved independently of one another transversely to the feed direction (17) on the frame component (210, 310).

8. Processing machine (10) according to claim 7, wherein the crossbars are each driven and movable by a spindle drive or a magnetic linear guide.

9. Processing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a parking area (30) being provided between the set-up (20) area and the processing machine (10).

10. Processing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the transfer table (80) has a stop (90) in the feed direction (17) for flat material parts moving in the feed direction (17).

11. Processing machine (10) according to claim 10, wherein a wiper brush (92) is provided on the upper edge of the stop (90).

12. Processing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the transfer table (80) has a rear stop (91) for flat material parts in the opposite direction to the feed processing direction (27).

13. Method for feeding flat material parts (40) to a processing machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the control unit controls the suction cup units in a picking-up step to pick up two or more and up to the number of suction cup units corresponding number of flat material parts from the transfer table (80), and in that the control unit controls the individual two or more suction cup units in a multi-stage positioning step during a movement of the frame component (110, 210, 310) in the feed direction (17) into the processing machine (10) in a way that each one of the two or more suction cup units successively deposit the picked-up flat material parts on the feed table (15) that no overlapping of the deposited flat material parts occurs when viewed in the feed processing direction (27) of the feed table (15).

Images