Sorting method, sorting device, and assembly comprising said sorting device

Abstract

The invention relates to a sorting method (44) for automatically sorting out workpieces (20, 48a-e) produced in a flat-bed machine tool (12), in particular a laser cutting machine or a punching machine, by means of a sorting device (14) according to a planned sorting sequence (42), having the steps of: - providing (46) at least one piece of process information which is produced as a result of the manufacturing process of the workpieces (20, 48a-e); and - analyzing (50) the at least one piece of process information, wherein it is ascertained whether a sorting disturbance is present, and if a sorting disturbance is ascertained, the sorting sequence (42, 56) is automatically modified. The invention additionally relates to a sorting device (14) and an assembly (10) comprising a flat-bed machine tool (12) and a sorting device (14).

Description

[0001] Sorting method, sorting device and arrangement with sorting device

[0002] Background of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a sorting method for automatically sorting workpieces produced in a flatbed machine tool, in particular a laser cutting machine or a punching machine, according to a planned sorting sequence by a sorting device. The invention also relates to a sorting device and an arrangement comprising the flatbed machine tool and the sorting device.

[0004] Typically, in such sorting processes, the workpieces are first manufactured by the flatbed machine tool from a raw material, such as sheet metal, and positioned in a removal area. The sorting device then automatically removes the workpieces from the removal area according to a sequence specified by the sorting process and places them in a designated storage area. To speed up sorting, the sorting process includes, for example, information about the number of workpieces to be sorted and their target position in the removal area. The sorting process is typically fixed in conventional sorting processes, as it is automatically created, for example, when a production plan for manufacturing the workpieces in the flatbed machine tool is created. Such a sorting process is used, for example, by the "Sort Master" sorting device from Trumpf GmbH & Co.KG (https: / / www.trumpf.com / de_DE / produkte / maschinen-systeme / automatisierung / automatisierung-fuer-2d-laserschneidmaschinen / sortmaster / ).

[0005] However, if events occur during workpiece production that could disrupt or impair the sorting process, the planned sorting process often cannot be adhered to. For example, a collision between a tool on the flatbed machine tool and the sheet metal can cause a workpiece to be displaced, resulting in a different position than the target position of the sorting process and making it difficult or even impossible to remove it by the sorting device.

[0006] In conventional automated sorting processes, the sorting device repeats the removal attempt as standard, which can result in further displacement of the workpiece and / or other workpieces. Furthermore, the workpieces can become jammed and / or tilted, which can lead to no further workpieces being removed. This has a particularly negative impact on the process reliability and speed of the automatic sorting process. Furthermore, in these cases, a specialist must often be called in to manually sort the workpieces. This also reduces the degree of automation of the sorting process.

[0007] From WO 2007 / 124765 A1, a laser processing machine with a thermo-sensitive monitoring sensor system and a method are known in which a faulty cut is detected by measuring a temperature increase of an optical component of the laser processing machine.

[0008] Another method for detecting a miscut is described in WO 2008 / 151838 A1, in which process light is detected in the plate-shaped material during a cutting process. The object of the invention

[0009] It is an object of the invention to increase the process reliability, the process speed and the degree of automation for automatic sorting.

[0010] Description of the invention

[0011] This object is achieved according to the invention by a sorting method of the type mentioned at the outset with the further features according to claim 1, a sorting device according to claim 12 and an arrangement according to claim 14.

[0012] In other words, the underlying problem is solved by a sorting method for automatically sorting workpieces produced in a flatbed machine tool, in particular a laser cutting machine or a punching machine, according to a planned sorting sequence by a sorting device; characterized by the steps:

[0013] - Providing at least one piece of process information created as a result of the manufacture of the workpieces;

[0014] - evaluating the at least one piece of process information, whereby it is determined whether an absorption fault exists;

[0015] - if an absorption fault is detected, the sorting process is automatically changed.

[0016] The process information according to the invention is created as a result of the production of the workpieces, in particular by the flatbed machine tool. In other words, the creation of the process information is causally related to the production of the workpieces. Process information can, for example, include information about a position of the workpieces, a distance of the tool from the workpieces, a state of the tool, or a process sequence.

[0017] Preferably, the process information is only evaluated, in particular only created, when an event deviating from the usual manufacturing process occurs during the production of the workpieces. Furthermore, the process information in this case preferably includes error information, in particular regarding "tool malfunction," "failure to maintain a minimum distance to the workpieces," and / or "tool defect." This allows the amount of process information to be evaluated to be reduced and the process speed to be increased.

[0018] A sorting disruption is defined here and below as an impairment of the sorting process. In other words, circumstances arise that make sorting difficult or impossible according to the planned sorting process. A sorting disruption can occur, for example, if a workpiece to be sorted is missing, a workpiece is not completely removed, a workpiece is incorrectly cut, and / or a workpiece is tilted.

[0019] According to the invention, the sorting fault can be determined by evaluating the process information. In other words, an absorption fault is characterized by one or more predetermined pieces of process information. The evaluation of the process information is preferably carried out by a controller of the sorting device.

[0020] The sorting disturbance preferably has different degrees of disturbance. Disturbance levels can be, for example, low, medium, and / or high, with the degree of disturbance relating to the resulting impairment of the sorting process. For example, slight contact between the tool and a workpiece may cause only a slight displacement and thus a slight impairment of the sorting process, although the workpiece can still be sorted despite the impairment.

[0021] According to the invention, if a sorting malfunction is detected, the sorting process is automatically changed, thus preventing further disruptions. The sorting process is to be understood here and below as a sorting process and can, for example, include a number, sequence, and / or position of the workpieces to be removed, as well as an access direction of the sorting device to the workpieces to be removed.

[0022] The sorting process can be carried out, for example, by readjusting a gripper position when removing a workpiece and / or by changing the sequence for removing the workpieces.

[0023] The invention thus makes it possible to avoid time and thus productivity losses, for example, due to a failed attempt to remove a displaced workpiece, and to increase process reliability and speed. Furthermore, the error-induced adjustment of the sorting process according to the invention, for example by omitting incompletely cut components, can significantly increase process reliability during sorting.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment of the sorting method, the process information is provided by a monitoring sensor system of the flatbed machine tool and transmitted to a controller of the sorting device. The monitoring sensor system is preferably a process sensor system of the flatbed machine tool that is configured to monitor the production of the workpieces. The monitoring sensor system can be a sensor system for capacitively controlling the distance of a tool of the flatbed machine tool from the workpieces and / or a sensor system for checking the tool quality. For example, it can be provided that the flatbed machine tool is designed as a laser cutting machine, wherein the monitoring sensor system uses a sensor system required anyway for the cutting process for monitoring the laser beam and / or for monitoring the laser beam cut.This allows the existing monitoring sensors to be used particularly effectively to support the sorting process.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the sorting method, the process information is assigned to at least one workpiece, and an absorption fault determined from this process information is assigned to the same workpiece. Preferably, the absorption fault is assigned to each workpiece for which an impairment of the sorting process is likely due to the determined absorption fault. This allows the sorting process to be adapted particularly advantageously for the affected workpieces.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the sorting method, a workpiece is removed from the sorting process as a result of the detected sorting malfunction. For example, this allows a miscut and / or missing workpiece to be excluded from the sorting process, effectively preventing unsuccessful removal attempts by the sorting device.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment of the sorting method, each workpiece is assigned a specific fault probability based on the detected sorting fault. The fault probability indicates the probability of unsuccessful removal of the workpiece by the sorting device. In other words, the likelihood of successful removal of the workpiece decreases with increasing fault probability. This allows the workpieces to be prioritized in the sorting process, which has a particularly positive effect on process speed and process reliability.

[0028] Preferably, the probability of a disruption depends on the degree of the sorting disruption. Furthermore, an absorption disruption determined for one workpiece can influence the probability of disruption for the remaining workpieces. For example, in the event of a collision between the tool and a single workpiece, at least a slight displacement of the remaining workpieces can be assumed, and a low to medium probability of disruption can be assigned to each workpiece to be removed.

[0029] Further preferably, the sorting disruption can be localized. For example, a high disruption probability can be assigned to a single workpiece to be removed if the workpiece is inadequately finished, while a low or no disruption probability can be assigned to the remaining workpieces to be removed. This allows the sorting process to be carried out with even greater process reliability.

[0030] In a preferred refinement of the sorting method, a workpiece is assigned a higher failure probability as the number of sorting failures detected for that workpiece increases. In other words, the failure probabilities of various sorting failures can be accumulated. This allows a particularly accurate prediction of the successful removal of the workpieces to be made.

[0031] Furthermore, a preferred development of the sorting method is one in which the sorting sequence of the sorting process is changed, with the workpieces being sorted according to the magnitude of the determined fault probabilities of the workpieces. In other words, the workpieces are sorted in the sorting process based on their value-based level of the assigned fault probability and are sorted with decreasing probability of successful removal by the sorting device. This can reduce the impact on the other workpieces to be removed when a workpiece is removed, thereby increasing the process speed and process reliability. In addition, workpieces that cannot be sorted can be removed together at the end of the sorting process without interrupting the sorting process, thereby further improving the process speed of the sorting method.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the sorting method, the process information is in the form of a workpiece position, a tool distance from the workpieces, a tool status, and / or a process progression. In particular, the process information is embodied as error information. The inventors have found that this can significantly increase process reliability, since the described process information is particularly significant with regard to occurring sorting disruptions. Furthermore, an embodiment of the sorting method is preferred in which an image of a removal area of ​​the flatbed machine tool is created and used to evaluate the process information. This allows the presence of an absorption disruption, the degree of disruption of the absorption disruption, and / or the workpieces affected by the absorption disruption to be determined particularly effectively.

[0033] Alternatively or additionally, a sorting fault that occurs when positioning the workpieces in the removal area can be detected by taking the image of the removal area into account when evaluating the process information. For example, if a workpiece is shifted in the image of the removal area that is not causally attributable to the process information, this can still be taken into account. This allows for even more reliable and faster sorting.

[0034] In a preferred development of the sorting method, image information is determined from the image of the removal area and compared with the process information, wherein a position specification of the workpieces, a design of the workpieces, and / or a number of workpieces is determined from the image information. In other words, the process information can be compared with equivalent image information, whereby an absorption disturbance, the degree of the absorption disturbance, and / or the workpieces affected by the absorption disturbance can be determined even more effectively.

[0035] A particularly preferred development of the sorting method is one in which an offset between a positional indication of the workpieces from the image and a positional indication of the workpieces from the process information is determined, and a sorting fault is detected when a predetermined offset limit is exceeded. In other words, an absolute offset of the workpieces can be determined. The inventors have found that an absolute offset of the workpieces is of great importance for the successful removal of all workpieces. Therefore, it can be provided that if the predetermined offset limit is exceeded, the automatic sorting by the sorting device is aborted.

[0036] The offset limit preferably depends on the material thickness of the workpieces to be removed. For example, the offset limit can be set to a maximum of seven millimeters, in particular a maximum of five millimeters, if the workpieces have a material thickness of less than four millimeters, in particular less than two point five millimeters.

[0037] Furthermore, an embodiment of the sorting method is preferred in which an absorption disturbance in the form of a miscut, tilting, and / or displacement of the workpieces is detected. These absorption disturbances significantly impair the absorption process.

[0038] The underlying problem is also solved by a sorting device for automatically sorting workpieces produced in a flatbed machine tool after a sorting sequence, in particular configured to carry out the previously described sorting method, comprising a controller for controlling a gripper of the sorting device, wherein the gripper is designed to grip the workpieces; characterized in that the controller is configured to evaluate provided process information and to determine a sorting fault; wherein the controller is configured to automatically change the sorting sequence upon determination of a sorting fault.

[0039] The controller preferably has an evaluation unit and a storage unit. The planned sorting sequence is preferably stored in the controller's storage unit. The evaluation unit preferably has means for evaluating the process information and / or the image of the removal area. For example, the evaluation unit can have means for data comparison and / or image analysis. Furthermore, it can be provided that the evaluation unit has a neural network for evaluating the process information, wherein the neural network has been trained using thousands of pieces of process information and their correspondingly assigned sorting disturbances.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment of the sorting device, it comprises an imaging means for creating an image of a removal area in which the workpieces are positioned for sorting; wherein the controller is configured to determine image information from the image and to detect an absorption disturbance using the image information.

[0041] Preferably, the imaging means is designed for photographic and / or sensory imaging of the removal area. For example, the imaging means can be in the form of a camera and / or a laser scanner. This allows the removal area to be imaged particularly quickly and comprehensively.

[0042] The imaging means is further preferably arranged above the extraction area and directed toward the extraction area in a predominantly vertical direction. This allows for the most unobstructed imaging of the extraction area possible.

[0043] The underlying problem is further solved by an arrangement comprising a flatbed machine tool, in particular a laser cutting machine or punching machine, and a sorting device, in particular as described above, wherein the flatbed machine tool is designed to manufacture workpieces and to position the workpieces in the removal area; wherein the sorting device is designed and configured to sort the workpieces positioned in the removal area after the sorting process. According to the invention, the flatbed machine tool is configured to provide the process information, and the sorting device has a controller configured to evaluate the process information, to determine an absorption fault from the process information, and to automatically change the sorting process upon detection of an absorption fault.In a preferred embodiment of the arrangement, the flatbed machine tool has a monitoring sensor system designed to determine the process information and transmit it to the controller of the sorting device. This allows the process information to be provided particularly quickly and directly. The flatbed machine tool is preferably configured to automatically transmit the process information. This allows the degree of automation to be further increased.

[0044] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description, the claims, and the drawings. According to the invention, the above-mentioned and further-described features can be used individually or in combination in any convenient way. The embodiments shown and described are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are exemplary in nature for describing the invention.

[0045] Detailed description of the invention and drawing

[0046] Fig. 1 shows an arrangement with a flatbed machine tool and a sorting device according to the invention in a perspective view.

[0047] Fig. 2 shows the method according to the invention in a schematic

[0048] Flowchart.

[0049] Fig. 3 shows an exemplary removal area with exemplary arranged workpieces to explain process information;

[0050] Fig. 4 shows an exemplary planned sorting process;

[0051] Fig. 5 shows an example of a modified sorting process.

[0052] Fig. 1 shows an arrangement 10 with a flatbed machine tool 12 in the form of a laser cutting machine, a sorting device 14, a removal area 16, and a storage area 18. The exemplary flatbed machine tool 12 is designed to manufacture workpieces 20 according to a production plan. To monitor the manufacture of the workpieces 20, the flatbed machine tool 12 has a monitoring sensor system 22. The monitoring sensor system 22 can have a plurality of measuring devices configured to measure various process variables during the manufacture of the workpieces 20. For example, a distance measurement between a processing head of the laser cutting machine and / or a measurement of the cutting quality can be performed. Furthermore, the features described here can be transferred analogously to a punching machine.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 1, the workpieces 20 previously manufactured in the flatbed machine tool 12 are positioned on a workpiece support 24 in the removal area 16. The workpiece support 24 has a web support 26.

[0054] The exemplary sorting device 14 has a gripper 28, which is movably arranged on a boom 30 and can be moved along an axis 34 between the removal area 16 and the storage area 18 via a rail guide 32. The gripper 28 can be moved translationally and rotationally relative to the boom 30.

[0055] An imaging means 36 of the sorting device 14, designed as a camera, can be mounted above the removal area 16. In this case, the imaging means 36 is directed vertically downward toward the removal area 16 and is designed to image it holistically.

[0056] A storage pallet 38 is positioned in the storage area 18, which serves to store and transport the workpieces 20.

[0057] To sort the workpieces 20, the gripper 28 is moved, for example, according to a planned sorting sequence 42 (see Fig. 4) stored in a controller 40 of the sorting device 14, until the workpieces 20 have been removed from the removal area 16 and deposited in the deposit area 18. The gripper 28 moves, for example, along the axis 34 over the removal area 16 and is deflected in the vertical direction up to the workpieces 20. The gripper 28 then continues to grip one of the workpieces 20, for example, and is subsequently moved upwards in the vertical direction. The gripper 28 is then moved along the axis 34 into the deposit area 18 and deflected there in a similar manner in order to deposit the picked-up workpiece 20.

[0058] The planned sorting sequence 42 is stored in the controller 40 before the start of sorting, for example, manually, and can subsequently be modified by the controller 40, in particular during the sorting process. Preferably, the planned sorting sequence 42 is created when a production plan is created for the flatbed machine tool 12 and is automatically stored by the flatbed machine tool 12.

[0059] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a sorting method 44 according to the invention, which will be explained by way of example with reference to the remaining Figs. 1, 3, 4 and 5.

[0060] In a method step "providing process information" 46, process information is provided that was created as a result of the production of the workpieces 20. The process information is created, for example, by the monitoring sensor system 22 (see Fig. 1) during the cutting of a sheet metal by a laser beam of the laser cutting machine. The process information is preferably only created if an event occurs during production that does not occur and / or is not foreseen in the normal production process.

[0061] For example, a tool of the flatbed machine tool 12 can come into contact with a workpiece 20. The monitoring sensor system 22 can generate process information regarding the tool distance. Furthermore, contact is not provided for in the normal manufacturing process, and the error information "minimum distance not reached" or "collision" can be generated. The process information, in particular the error information, preferably includes partial information that, for example, makes the position of the process information detectable.

[0062] Furthermore, for example, a workpiece 20 can be damaged by faulty

[0063] Production settings and / or a machine defect may have been incompletely separated from the other workpieces 20. The faulty

[0064] Manufacturing settings can be recognized by the flatbed machine tool 12 and used to create process information, in particular error information, on the tool status.

[0065] A schematic representation of these and other events is shown, for example, in Fig. 3, which shows the removal area 16 with exemplary workpieces 20 positioned and arranged on the workpiece support 24. A workpiece 48a is only incompletely separated from a residual skeleton designated as workpiece 48b. A workpiece 48c and a workpiece 48d are correctly manufactured. A workpiece 48e is displaced in position and rotated beneath the residual skeleton 48b. The inadequate manufacture of the workpiece 48a can be attributed, for example, to a tool defect that was identified and remedied during production. The workpiece 48e can, for example, have been displaced and rotated due to a collision with the tool of the flatbed machine tool 12 (see Fig. 1).

[0066] The process information provided according to method step 46 is preferably transmitted automatically by the flatbed machine tool 12. This allows the degree of automation to be further improved.

[0067] In a subsequent method step "Evaluating the process information with determination of an absorption fault" 50, the process information is evaluated, whereby a possible absorption fault is detected. The process information is analyzed in the controller 40 (see Fig. 1) and compared with stored reference information assigned to predetermined absorption faults. For example, in the case of a laser cutting machine, an absorption fault can be determined if the process information is provided in the form of the error information "beam break of the laser beam" and a comparison with the reference information shows that the "beam break of the laser beam" represents an insufficient separation of the workpiece 20 from the other workpieces 20, whereby the workpiece 20 cannot be removed.

[0068] In a further process step "Changing the sorting process" 52, the planned sorting process 42 (see Fig. 4) is changed as a result of the determined sorting disturbance.

[0069] According to the exemplary configuration of the workpieces 20 from Fig. 3, a planned sorting process 42 can be schematically illustrated, for example, as in Fig. 4. According to the planned sorting process 42, it can be provided, for example, that the sorting steps 54a-d are carried out sequentially, beginning with the sorting step 54a. According to Fig. 4, the workpiece 48a is sorted first, followed by the workpieces 48d and 48e, and finally the workpiece 48c. However, since the workpieces 48a and 48e are difficult or impossible to remove from the removal area 16 (see Fig. 3), considerable delays occur and, if necessary, the sorting process may be aborted.

[0070] An exemplary modified sorting sequence 56 of the planned sorting sequence 42 shown in Fig. 4 is shown in Fig. 5. As shown, the modified sorting sequence 56 now has the sequence 54b - 54d - 54c for the sorting steps 54b-d. The sorting step 54a was removed from the modified sorting sequence 56 because the workpiece 48a cannot be removed. The correctly manufactured workpieces 48c and 48d were prioritized for removal because their removal is not expected to cause any further impairment of the remaining workpieces 48c and 48e. The workpiece 48e, which is difficult to remove, was placed at the end of the modified sorting sequence 56 so that possible displacements during removal, for example due to the residual skeleton, cannot have any effect on the remaining workpieces 20 to be removed.

[0071] According to the example, the sorting sequence 56 was modified by changing the order in which the workpieces were removed and by removing a workpiece from the sorting sequence. In other words, the planned sorting sequence 42 was updated by the controller 40.

[0072] When changing the planned sorting process 42, a fault probability determined for the workpieces 20 in method step 50 is preferably taken into account. For example, it can be provided that the workpiece 48a is assigned a fault probability of 100 percent due to the sorting fault affecting this workpiece 48a.

[0073] Furthermore, for example, due to the sorting disturbance "collision with workpiece," workpiece 48e can be assigned a disturbance probability of 80 percent. Since the collision of the tool can also affect the disturbance probability of the remaining workpieces 20, workpieces 48c and 48d can, for example, be assigned a disturbance probability of 10 percent. The disturbance probability is preferably further dependent on the degree of disturbance of the sorting disturbance. Thus, it can be provided that workpiece 20 (here workpiece 48e) and / or the remaining workpieces 20 are assigned a high disturbance probability in the event of significant contact between the tool and a workpiece 20 and a low disturbance probability in the event of slight contact.

[0074] The modified sorting process 56 thus has, for example, for the sequence of the sorting steps 54a-d, an increasing probability of failure in the workpieces 20 to be removed.

[0075] 10 arrangement;

[0076] 12 flatbed machine tool;

[0077] 14 sorting device;

[0078] 16 withdrawal area;

[0079] 18 storage area;

[0080] 20 workpiece;

[0081] 22 Monitoring sensors of the flatbed machine tool 12;

[0082] 24 workpiece support;

[0083] 26 web support of the workpiece support 24;

[0084] 28 grippers of the sorting device 14;

[0085] 30 boom of the sorting device 14;

[0086] 32 Rail guide of the sorting device 14;

[0087] 34 Axis of the rail guide 32;

[0088] 36 imaging means of the sorting device 14;

[0089] 38 storage pallet;

[0090] 40 Control of the sorting device 14;

[0091] 42 planned sorting process;

[0092] 44 sorting methods;

[0093] 46 Process step “Providing process information”;

[0094] 48a-e workpieces;

[0095] 50 Process step “Evaluating the process information”;

[0096] 52 Process step “Changing the sorting process”; 54a-d Sorting step;

[0097] 56 changed sorting process.

Claims

Claims Sorting method (44) for automatically sorting workpieces (20, 48a-e) produced in a flatbed machine tool (12), in particular a laser cutting machine or a punching machine, according to a planned sorting sequence (42) by a sorting device (14); characterized by the steps: Providing (46) at least one process information that has been created as a result of the manufacture of the workpieces (20, 48a-e); Evaluating (50) the at least one piece of process information, whereby it is determined whether a sorting fault exists; wherein, upon detection of a sorting fault, the sorting sequence (42, 56) is automatically changed. Sorting method (44) according to claim 1, characterized in that the process information is provided by a monitoring sensor (22) of the flatbed machine tool (12) and transmitted to a controller (40) of the sorting device (14). Sorting method (44) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the process information is assigned to at least one workpiece (20, 48a-e) and a sorting fault determined from the process information is assigned to the same workpiece (20, 48a-e). Sorting method (44) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a workpiece (20, 48a-e) is removed from the sorting sequence (42, 56) as a result of the detected sorting fault.Sorting method (44) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each workpiece (20, 48a-e) is assigned a specific probability of defect as a result of the determined sorting defect. Sorting method (44) according to claim 5, characterized in that a workpiece (20, 48a-e) is assigned a specific probability of defect with an increasing number of defects. A higher probability of defect is assigned to workpieces with identified sorting defects. Sorting method (44) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the sorting sequence of the sorting process (42, 56) is changed, wherein the sorting of the workpieces (20, 48a-e) is carried out according to the magnitude of the determined defect probabilities of the workpieces (20, 48a-e). Sorting method (44) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the process information is provided in the form of a workpiece position, a tool distance to the workpieces (20, 48a-e), a tool state and / or a process sequence. Sorting method (44) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an image of a removal area (16) of the flatbed machine tool (16) is created and used to evaluate the process information.Sorting method (44) according to claim 9, characterized in that image information is determined from the image and compared with the process information, wherein a position of the workpieces (20, 48a-e), a design of the workpieces (20, 48a-e) and / or a number of workpieces (20, 48a-e) is determined from the image information. Sorting method (44) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sorting defect in the form of a miscut, a tilting and / or a displacement of the workpieces (20, 48a-e) is detected. Sorting device (14) for automatically sorting workpieces (20, 48a-e) produced in a flatbed machine tool (12) according to a planned sorting sequence (42), in particular configured for carrying out a sorting method (44) according to any one of the preceding claims. A control unit (40) for controlling a gripper (28) of the sorting device (14), wherein the gripper (28) is configured for gripping the workpieces (20, 48a-e); characterized in that the control unit (40) is configured to evaluate provided process information and to detect a sorting fault; wherein the control unit (40) is configured to automatically change the sorting sequence (42, 56) upon detection of a sorting fault. Sorting device (14) according to claim 12, comprising an imaging means (36) for creating an image of a removal area (16) in which the workpieces (20, 48a-e) are positioned for sorting; wherein the control unit (40) is configured to determine imaging information from the image and to detect a sorting fault by means of the imaging information.Arrangement (10) comprising a flatbed machine tool (12), in particular a laser cutting machine or punching machine, and a sorting device (14), in particular configured according to one of claims 12 to 13, wherein the flatbed machine tool (12) is configured for producing workpieces (20, 48a-e) and for positioning the workpieces (20, 48a-e) in a removal area (16); wherein the sorting device (14) is configured and set up for sorting the workpieces (20, 48a-e) positioned in the removal area (16) after a sorting sequence (42, 56); characterized in that the flatbed machine tool (12) is configured for providing the. process information is set up; the sorting device (14) has a control (40) which is set up to evaluate the process information, to determine a sorting fault from the process information and to automatically change the sorting sequence (42, 56) when a sorting fault is detected. Arrangement (10) according to claim 14, wherein the flatbed machine tool (12) has a monitoring sensor system (22) designed to transmit the process information to the control system (40) of the sorting device (14).

Images