Bending machine, in particular press brake

Abstract

The invention relates to a bending machine, in particular a press brake, with a machine body (10) having two side elements (8, 8') extending in a first direction (x) from an operator side to a rear side of the bending machine (1) facing away from the operator side, and with an upper beam (2) and a lower beam (5) arranged on the operator side of the bending machine (1) and both extending between the side elements (8, 8') in a second direction (y) running perpendicular to the first direction (x), and with an actuator system (9, 9') for moving the upper beam (2) relative to the lower beam (5) and for forming a workpiece between the upper beam (2) and the lower beam (5) by a bending process along a bending line (B) running in the second direction (y).The bending machine (1) is designed in such a way that, deviating from a symmetrical alignment in which the bending line (B) already lies in a normal plane (NE) in which the upper beam (2) and the lower beam (5) extend before the bending process, the bending line (B) is offset from the normal plane (NE) towards the rear of the bending machine (1) before the bending process.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a bending machine and in particular to a press brake.

[0002] Bending machines are used to form or bend workpieces. For this purpose, a bending machine consists of an upper beam and a lower beam arranged between two side elements of a machine body. During the bending process, the workpiece is positioned between the upper beam and lower beam, and the upper beam, with its attached upper tool, is moved toward the lower beam and its attached lower tool pull to exert force on the workpiece.

[0003] During bending processes, the upper beam exerts considerable forces on the workpiece to be bent, which typically leads to deformation or springback of the side elements of the bending machine body. This deformation negatively impacts the bending result and should be prevented or compensated for as far as possible.

[0004] The document EP 3 208 007 B1 discloses a bending machine in which a deformation of the machine body of the bending machine occurring during the bending process is counteracted by means of compensating actuators.

[0005] Furthermore, EP 2 908 961 B1 discloses a bending machine in which an alignment frame with a concave opening is provided on each side element of the machine body of the bending machine. The alignment frame has a sliding means between the upper beam and the upper part of the alignment frame. The alignment frame ensures that the bending tools on the upper beam move along a predetermined path during the bending process, even if the side elements deform.

[0006] The object of the invention is to provide a bending machine which compensates for a deformation of the machine body occurring during the bending process in a different way than the solutions known from the prior art, in particular in a less complex way.

[0007] This object is achieved by the bending machine according to claim 1. Further developments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

[0008] The bending machine according to the invention, which in a preferred variant is a press brake, includes a machine body having two side elements extending in a first direction from an operator side to a rear side of the bending machine facing away from the operator side. Furthermore, the bending machine includes an upper beam and a lower beam arranged on the operator side of the bending machine, both extending between the side elements in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Furthermore, the bending machine includes an actuator for moving the upper beam relative to the lower beam and for forming a workpiece between the upper beam and lower beam by means of a bending process along a bending line extending in the second direction.

[0009] The bending machine according to the invention is designed in such a way that, in contrast to a symmetrical alignment in which the bending line already lies in a normal plane in which the upper beam and the lower beam extend before the bending process, the bending line before the bending process is offset from the normal plane towards the rear of the bending machine. The rear side is understood to be the side of the bending machine facing away from the operator. The normal plane here is understood to be the plane in which, with a symmetrical alignment, the movement of the upper beam takes place relative to the lower beam. With a symmetrical alignment, the bending line lies in this normal plane before the bending process. In this case, the normal plane correlates with a tool plane along which one or more upper tools provided on the upper beam move towards the workpiece to be bent.

[0010] According to the invention, the bending line or the tool plane is offset from the normal plane before the bending process. This offset compensates for a shift of the bending line away from the machine body towards the operator side, which is caused by the deformation or springback of the side elements during the bending process. In other words, the offset of the bending line compensates for the deformation or springback of the side elements occurring during the bending process in a technically simple manner. In one embodiment, the offset of the bending line is selected such that the bending line is essentially back in the normal plane during the bending process, in particular at least when the bending force is at its strongest. In another embodiment, the bending line is not in the normal plane during the bending process, analogous to conventional bending machines, but is offset towards the operator side of the bending machine.In this case, the bending machine according to the invention does not improve the bending results compared to conventional bending machines. However, less rigid side elements, which are generally smaller and / or lighter, can be installed in the bending machine without impairing the bending results compared to conventional bending machines.

[0011] The bending machine according to the invention has the advantage that a deformation of the side elements during the bending process is compensated in a very simple manner by an offset of the bending line with respect to the normal plane towards the rear of the bending machine.

[0012] The offset of the bending line can be achieved in different ways depending on the design of the bending machine according to the invention. In one variant, the upper beam and / or an upper tool holder provided on the upper beam for fastening at least one upper tool and / or one or more upper tools inserted in the upper tool holder are inclined toward the rear of the bending machine, deviating from the symmetrical alignment relative to the normal plane. In a preferred variant, the inclination of the upper beam or the upper tool holder or the upper tool(s) relative to the normal plane is between 0.1° and 5°.

[0013] In a further embodiment, the offset of the bending line is achieved by the lower beam and / or a lower tool holder provided on the lower beam for fastening at least one lower tool and / or one or more lower tools inserted in the lower tool holder being inclined toward the rear of the bending machine, deviating from the symmetrical alignment relative to the normal plane. In a preferred variant, the inclination of the lower beam or the lower tool holder or the lower tool(s) relative to the normal plane is between 0.1° and 5°.

[0014] In a preferred variant, on the one hand the upper beam and / or the upper tool holder provided on the upper beam and / or the upper tool(s) inserted in the upper tool holder and on the other hand the lower beam and / or the lower tool holder provided on the lower beam and / or the lower tool(s) inserted in the lower tool holder are inclined towards the rear of the bending machine, deviating from the symmetrical alignment with respect to the normal plane. The offset can therefore be achieved by measures on both the upper beam and the lower beam. Nevertheless, if necessary only the upper area (i.e. upper beam and / or the upper tool holder and / or upper tools) or only the lower area (i.e. lower beam and / or lower tool holder and / or lower tools) can be inclined. The inclination of the upper area is particularly preferred since the spring-back is usually caused at a pivot point below the upper beam.

[0015] In a further preferred embodiment, not only is the bending line offset from the normal plane, but the bending machine further comprises one or more compensation actuators designed to exert a force on the side elements that counteracts the deformation of the side elements during the bending process. The compensation actuator(s) are thus provided as an additional measure alongside the offset of the bending line to compensate for the deformation or springback of the side elements. Preferably, the compensation actuators serve only to supplement the fine compensation of the deformation of the side elements. The main compensation is achieved by offsetting the bending line from the normal plane. The compensation actuators can therefore be made smaller, thereby reducing costs.

[0016] Preferably, a compensation actuator is provided for each side element of the bending machine according to the invention. Depending on the configuration, the compensation actuators can comprise, for example, one or more hydraulic actuators, in particular lifting cylinders, and / or one or more electromechanical actuators. Furthermore, a compensation actuator can contain, for example, a wedge device.

[0017] In a further preferred embodiment, the bending machine according to the invention includes a control device configured to control the compensation actuator(s) based on a set of bending parameters for a bending process to be performed and / or based on sensor data from which the deformation of the side elements during the bending process results. The control is carried out in such a way that the force exerted on the side elements compensates for the deformation of the side elements up to a predetermined extent. With this embodiment, the springback of the side elements during the bending process is compensated very precisely and reliably.

[0018] Depending on the embodiment, the above bending parameters can include different variables. The bending parameters can, in particular, include parameters of the workpiece to be bent, such as the workpiece material, and / or parameters relating to the bending tools used.

[0019] The sensor data described above can be acquired in various ways. In particular, the sensor data can represent measurement data from a sensor system that directly measures the deformation of the side elements. It is also possible for the deformation of the side elements to be calculated by the control device from sensor data from a sensor system that does not directly measure the deformation. For example, the deformation can be determined from the hydraulic pressures of the (hydraulic) actuators for moving the upper beam. Another indirect determination of the deformation is possible through the direct measurement of the bending angle, followed by a comparison of the desired bending angle with the target bending angle.

[0020] In a further preferred embodiment, at least one of the side elements, and preferably each side element, has a gap in which at least one of the compensation actuators engages to force the gap apart by applying force, thereby counteracting the deformation of the side elements during the bending process. This achieves a simple and reliable transmission of force from the compensation actuators to the side elements. The compensation actuators can be activated either directly during the bending process or as pre-compensation before the bending process. With pre-compensation, the amount of compensation is determined in advance from known bending data for a bending step.

[0021] In a preferred variant of the embodiment just described, the gap extends from one end of the side element, which is adjacent to the rear of the bending machine, into the side element. This allows the force of the compensation actuators to be transmitted very efficiently into the side elements.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment of the bending machine according to the invention, at least one of the side elements, and preferably each side element, is a one-piece component. This enables simple production of the corresponding side element.

[0023] In a preferred variant, the above-described gap, in which at least one compensation actuator engages, is provided as a recess in the one-piece component. The gap can thus be easily formed during the manufacture of the one-piece component.

[0024] In a further preferred embodiment, at least one of the side elements, and preferably each side element, comprises two separate components. Preferably, one separate component is an upper component on which the upper beam is arranged, and the other separate component is a lower component on which the lower beam is arranged. These separate components allow the deformation of the side elements occurring during the bending process to be precisely adjusted.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the above-described intermediate space, in which at least one compensation actuator engages, is formed between the separate components.

[0026] In a further preferred variant, the separate components are mechanically connected to one another via one or more connecting components. Preferably, the connecting component(s) are connected to the separate components via a material connection, in particular a welded connection, and / or a positive connection, in particular via bolts, and / or a force-fit connection, in particular via screws.

[0027] In a further preferred embodiment, the separate components are connected to one another via a pair of connecting components, wherein the connecting components of the pair are arranged next to one another in the second direction, and a portion of each separate component is arranged between the connecting components of the pair. This achieves a good mechanical connection between the separate components.

[0028] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached figures.

[0029] They show: Fig. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of a bending machine according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a side view of the bending machine from Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a side view of a second embodiment of a bending machine according to the invention; Fig. 4 a detailed view of the bending machine from Fig. 3 , which shows the sections of the upper beam and lower beam in the vicinity of the bending line in an enlarged manner; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a bending machine according to the invention; Fig. 6 is a side view of the bending machine from Fig. 5 and Fig. 7 a side view of a fourth embodiment of a bending machine according to the invention.

[0030] In all of the following Figuren 1 bis 7 The corresponding spatial directions are indicated by a Cartesian coordinate system with x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis. The direction of the x-axis corresponds to the direction from the front (operator side) to the rear of the bending machine 1. The direction of the y-axis is the transverse direction of the bending machine 1 and corresponds to the direction of the bending line B (see Fig. 2 ), along which a corresponding workpiece is bent by means of the bending machine 1. The direction of the z-axis is the height direction or vertical direction. The direction of the x-axis corresponds to the first direction within the meaning of claim 1, and the direction of the y-axis corresponds to the second direction within the meaning of claim 1.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a front view of a first embodiment of a bending machine 1 according to the invention. Fig. 1 and also in the further Figuren 2 bis 7 Only components of the bending machine 1 that are essential to the invention are shown. The bending machine 1 comprises a machine body 10 with two side elements 8 and 8', which are one-piece components and offset from one another in the y-direction. An upper beam 2 and a lower beam 5 extend between the side elements 8 and 8'. An upper tool 4 is located on an upper tool holder 3 of the upper beam 2, and a lower tool 7 is attached to a lower tool holder 6 of the lower beam 5. An actuator 9 is provided on the side element 8, and an actuator 9' is provided on the side element 8'. By means of these actuators 9, 9', the upper beam 2 can be moved along the z-axis relative to the lower beam 5. The upper beam 2 is guided on the side elements 8 and 8' (the guides are not shown). During the bending process, the movement of the upper beam also has a component in the x-direction.In contrast to the upper beam 2, the lower beam 5 is rigidly connected to the side elements 8 and 8'.

[0032] In Fig. 1 A control device 16 is also shown schematically, with which the bending machine 1 is controlled. This control device 16 is also shown in the Fig. 2 bis Fig. 7 reproduced bending machines 1, but not shown there for reasons of clarity. The control device 16 controls, among other things, the actuation of the actuators 9, 9' during a bending process. To carry out the bending process, a workpiece, such as a metal sheet, is pushed by a human operator or by a connected automation unit via the front or operator side into the bending machine 1 between the upper tool 4 and the lower tool 7. The upper beam 2 with the upper tool 4 is then moved towards the lower tool 7 by means of the actuators 9, 9', whereby a force is exerted on the workpiece and thereby a bending of the same along the bending line B running in the y-direction.

[0033] Fig 2 shows a side view of the bending machine 1 from Fig. 1 . It can be seen that the side element 8 is shaped in such a way that a bulge 11 is formed in it, arranged adjacent to the operator side. The side element 8' is shaped analogously. Furthermore, Fig 2 a so-called normal plane NE is visible, which in the embodiment of the Fig 2 describes the plane in which the upper beam 2 moves relative to the upper beam 5 or in which the upper beam 2 and the lower beam 5 extend. The normal plane NE runs through the centers of the upper beam 2 with the actuators 9, 9' and the lower beam 5. In addition, one can see in Fig. 2 a so-called tool plane WE, in which the upper tool 4 moves relative to the lower tool 7 and in which the bending line B is arranged.

[0034] In a conventional symmetrical alignment of the bending machine 1, the tool plane WE coincides with the normal plane NE, so that the bending line B is also located in the normal plane NE. Deviating from this symmetrical alignment, in the bending machine 1 the Fig. 2 the tool plane WE is offset from the normal plane NE towards the rear of the bending machine 1. This means that the bending line B is also offset towards the rear of the bending machine 1. In the bending machine 1 of the Fig. 2 The offset of the bending line B is achieved by tilting both the upper tool holder 3 and the lower tool holder 6 diagonally away from the operator side towards the rear, whereas the upper beam 2 and the lower beam 5 continue to run vertically in the normal plane NE. The inclination of the upper tool holder 3 relative to the normal plane NE takes place in the bending machine of the Fig. 2 around the inclination point NP1. The inclination of the lower tool holder 6 relative to the normal plane NE is carried out in the bending machine of the Fig. 2 around the inclination point NP2. The inclination of the upper tool holder is preferably between 0.1° and 5° relative to the normal plane NE. Similarly, the inclination of the lower tool holder is preferably between 0.1° and 5° relative to the normal plane NE.

[0035] By offsetting the bending line B, or the tool plane WE, the deformation of the side elements 8, 8', which occurs when the bending force is exerted by the upper tool 4 on the workpiece to be bent, moves the bending line B back into the normal plane NE, so that the bending process essentially takes place along a bending line B in the normal plane NE, thus avoiding negative bending results. In an alternative embodiment, the bending line B is located during the bending process at a position that is offset from the normal plane towards the operator side, as in a conventional bending machine. Although the bending results are not improved in this case compared to a conventional bending machine, less rigid side elements, which are generally smaller and / or lighter, can be installed in the bending machine.

[0036] Fig. 3 and 4show a side view of a second embodiment of a bending machine 1 according to the invention. This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment according to Fig. 2 in that the offset of the bending line B towards the rear of the bending machine 1 is not achieved by inclining the upper tool holder 3 and the lower tool holder 6. Instead, the upper beam 2 and the lower beam 5 are inclined or tilted as a whole, with the angle of inclination relative to the normal plane NE preferably being between 0.1° and 5°. The inclination of the upper beam 2 relative to the normal plane NE takes place in the bending machine of the Fig. 3 around the inclination point NP3. The inclination of the lower beam 5 relative to the normal plane NE is carried out in the bending machine of the Fig. 3 around the inclination point NP4. Due to the inclination of the upper beam 2 and the lower beam 5, the axis A1 of the upper beam 2 and the axis A2 of the lower beam 5 run diagonally backwards. The axis A1 is the axis of the upper beam 2, which extends along the upper beam 2 perpendicular to the bending line B. Analogously, the axis A2 is the axis of the lower beam 5, which extends along the lower beam 5 perpendicular to the bending line B.

[0037] Due to the inclined position of the upper beam 2 and the lower beam 5, the bending machine 1 Fig. 3 analogous to the embodiment of the Fig. 2 The effect is achieved that the tool plane WE and thus the bending line B are offset from the normal plane NE before the bending process, as can be seen very clearly from the detailed view of the Fig. 4 In contrast to the design of the Fig. 2 However, in the bending machine 1 of the Fig. 3 the movement of the upper beam 2 no longer in the normal plane NE, but in a plane inclined backwards in which the axis A1 runs.

[0038] The first embodiment according to Fig. 1 and 2 and the second embodiment according to Fig. 3 can also be combined with each other, i.e., both the upper tool holder 3 or the lower tool holder 6 and the upper beam 2 or lower beam 5 can be inclined to achieve the offset of the bending line B relative to the normal plane NE before the bending process. Alternatively or additionally, the offset of the bending line B can also be achieved by inclining the upper tool 4 and / or the lower tool 7.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of a bending machine 1 according to the invention. A side view of the bending machine 1 from Fig. 5 is in Fig. 6 In analogy to the second embodiment according to Fig. 3 is the bending line B (see Fig. 6 ) due to an inclination of the upper beam 2 and lower beam 5 relative to the normal plane NE.

[0040] A significant difference in the design of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 compared to the variant of Fig. 3 consists in the fact that, in addition to the offset of the bending line B, compensation actuators 13 are also used for additional fine compensation of the deformation of the side elements 8, 8'. These actuators need only exert lower forces compared to the prior art, since the main compensation is already achieved by the offset of the bending line relative to the normal plane. Furthermore, the side elements 8, 8' differ from the embodiment of the Fig. 3 are no longer designed as a single piece, but each comprise an upper component 801 and a lower component 802, which are connected to one another via a pair of connecting components 12. One connecting component 12 of the pair is located on the outside of the side stand 8 or 8', and the other connecting component 12 of the pair is arranged on the inside of the side element 8 or 8'.

[0041] Lower sections of the connecting components 12 of the corresponding pair are connected to the upper end of the lower component 802 via a material connection, for example, via a welded connection. In contrast, upper sections of the connecting components 12 of the corresponding pair are connected to the lower end of the upper component 801 via a force-locking connection. This force-locking connection is achieved via fixing elements 17, which in the embodiment of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 Screw bolts are inserted into aligned openings in the connecting components 12 and the upper component 801 and screwed there.

[0042] Out of Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 It can also be seen that a gap 14 is formed between the upper component 801 and the lower component 802 of the side elements 8, 8' adjacent to the rear of the bending machine 1. The compensation actuator 13 already mentioned above is arranged in this gap 14 and can be designed, for example, as a hydraulic or electromechanical actuator. With the respective compensation actuators 13 on the two side elements 8 and 8', the springback of the side elements 8, 8' that occurs during the bending of a workpiece is compensated - in addition to the measure of offsetting the bending line B. This ensures that the bending line B remains in the normal plane NE during the bending of the workpiece.

[0043] The compensation actuators 13 are controlled via the control device 16. The control device 16 acts on the compensation actuators 13 in such a way that, in the event of a deformation or springback of the side elements 8, 8', which occurs when the upper beam 2 exerts force on the workpiece that has just been bent, the compensation actuators 13 are moved apart in the z-direction, so that any deformation or springback that may still be present is counteracted.

[0044] In the embodiment of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 The control device 16 accesses data from a sensor (not shown) that measures the deformation of the side elements 8 or 8' during the bending process. Depending on the magnitude of the deformation, the stroke of the compensation actuators 13 is then suitably adjusted so that the bending line B remains in the normal plane NE during the bending process. As already mentioned above, the compensation actuators 13 serve only for fine compensation, and the main compensation is effected by the offset of the bending line.

[0045] The control device 16, in combination with the compensation actuators 13 and a corresponding sensor system, actively performs fine compensation of the springback of the side elements 8, 8'. Nevertheless, it is also possible, if necessary, for the fine compensation of the springback to be effected passively. In this case, the control device 16 reads in corresponding bending parameters, such as parameters relating to the workpiece to be bent and / or the upper tool 4 and / or the lower tool 7. These parameters can, for example, be entered by an operator via a user interface (not shown). Based on the bending parameters, the control device 16 then determines the expected deformation of the side elements. Based on this expected deformation, the compensation actuators 13 are then controlled accordingly in order to perform the fine compensation in addition to the measure of offsetting the bending line B.

[0046] Fig. 7 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of a bending machine 1 according to the invention, which is a modification of the third embodiment according to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 The design of the Fig. 7 differs from the design of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 in that the side elements 8 and 8' are formed in one piece and the intermediate space 14 for receiving the compensation actuator 13 is now formed as a recess in the one-piece side element 8 and 8'. A support element 15 is provided on the outside of the side element 8, 8' below a horizontally extending lower edge of the intermediate space 14. This support element 15 comprises an upper support surface 15a which runs horizontally and is located in the plane of the lower edge of the intermediate space 14. A corresponding support element 15 is formed analogously on the inside of the side element 8. The compensation actuator 13, which is arranged in the intermediate space 14, rests on the support surfaces 15a of the two support elements 15.

[0047] Otherwise, the design corresponds to the Fig. 7 the embodiment from Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 , ie an offset of the bending line B is achieved by inclining the upper beam 2 and lower beam 5. Furthermore, the compensation actuators 13 are operated in the same way as in the embodiment of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 Analogous to the design of the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 The compensation actuators 13 of the variant according to Fig. 7 only for fine compensation of the deformation of the side elements 8, 8'.

[0048] The embodiments of the invention described above have a number of advantages. In particular, springback or deformation of the side elements 8, 8' of a bending machine 1 is counteracted in a simple manner by arranging the bending line B offset from a normal plane NE before the bending process, in which plane the upper beam 2 moves relative to the lower beam 5 when the bending machine 1 is symmetrically aligned. In one variant of the invention, the offset of the bending line B during the bending process causes the bending line B to move back into the normal plane NE due to the springback of the side elements 8, 8', thereby avoiding negative bending results. In another variant, the bending line B does not lie in the normal plane NE during the bending process, similar to conventional bending machines, but is offset from the normal plane NE in the direction toward the operator side of the bending machine.In this case, the bending results are not improved compared to conventional bending machines, but less rigid side elements can be used in the bending machine without this having a negative impact on the bending results. List of reference symbols:

[0049] 1 Bending machine 2 Upper beam 3 Upper tool holder 4 Upper tool 5 Lower beam 6 Lower tool holder 7 Lower tool 8, 8' Side element 801 Separate (upper) component of the side element 802 Separate (lower) component of the side element 9, 9' Actuators 10 Machine body 11 Bulge in the side element 12 Connecting component 13 Compensation actuator 14 Intermediate space 15 Support element 15a Support surface of the support element 16 Control device 17 Fixing elements B Bending line NE Normal plane WE Tool plane NP1, NP2, NP3, NP4 Inclination points A1 Upper beam axis A2 Lower beam axis

Claims

1. Bending machine, in particular a press brake, comprising a machine body (10) having two side elements (8, 8') extending in a first direction (x) from an operator side to a rear side of the bending machine (1) facing away from the operator side, and comprising an upper beam (2) and a lower beam (5) arranged on the operator side of the bending machine (1) and both extending between the side elements (8, 8') in a second direction (y) running perpendicular to the first direction (x), and comprising an actuator system (9, 9') for moving the upper beam (2) relative to the lower beam (5) and for forming a workpiece between the upper beam (2) and the lower beam (5) by a bending process along a bending line (B) running in the second direction (y), characterized in thatthe bending machine (1) is designed in such a way that, deviating from a symmetrical alignment in which the bending line (B) already lies in a normal plane (NE) in which the upper beam (2) and the lower beam (5) extend before the bending process, the bending line (B) is offset from the normal plane (NE) towards the rear of the bending machine (1) before the bending process.

2. Bending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper beam (2) and / or an upper tool holder (3) provided on the upper beam (1) for fastening at least one upper tool (4) and / or one or more upper tools (4) inserted in the upper tool holder (3) are inclined towards the rear of the bending machine (1) in a manner deviating from the symmetrical alignment relative to the normal plane (NE).

3. Bending machine according to claim 2, characterized in thatthe inclination of the upper beam (1) relative to the normal plane (NE) is between 0.1° and 5° and / or that the inclination of the upper tool holder (3) relative to the normal plane (NE) is between 0.1° and 5° and / or that the inclination of the upper tool(s) (4) relative to the normal plane (NE) is between 0.1° and 5°.

4. Bending machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower beam (5) and / or a lower tool holder (6) provided on the lower beam (5) for fastening at least one lower tool (7) and / or one or more lower tools (7) inserted in the lower tool holder (6) are inclined towards the rear of the bending machine (1) in a manner deviating from the symmetrical alignment relative to the normal plane (NE).

5. Bending machine according to claim 4, characterized in thatthe inclination of the lower beam (5) relative to the normal plane (NE) is between 0.1° and 5° and / or that the inclination of the lower tool holder (6) relative to the normal plane (NE) is between 0.1° and 5° and / or that the inclination of the lower tool(s) (7) relative to the normal plane (NE) is between 0.1° and 5°.

6. Bending machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bending machine (1) comprises one or more compensation actuators (13) which are intended to exert a force on the side elements (8, 8') which counteracts the deformation of the side elements (8, 8') during the bending process.

7. Bending machine according to claim 6, characterized in thatthe bending machine (1) comprises a control device (16) which is configured to control the compensation actuator(s) (13) based on a set of bending parameters for a bending operation to be carried out and / or based on sensor data from which the deformation of the side elements (8, 8') during the bending operation results, in such a way that the force exerted on the side elements (8, 8') compensates for the deformation of the side elements (8, 8') up to a predetermined extent.

8. Bending machine according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least one of the side elements (8, 8') has a gap (14) into which at least one of the compensation actuators (13) engages in order to force the gap (14) apart by the action of force, thereby counteracting the deformation of the side element (8, 8') during the bending process.

9. Bending machine according to claim 8, characterized in thatthe intermediate space (14) extends from one end of the side element (8, 8') which is adjacent to the rear of the bending machine (1) into the side element (8, 8').

10. Bending machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the side elements (8, 8') is a one-piece component.

11. Bending machine according to claim 10 in combination with claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the intermediate space (14) is provided as a recess in the one-piece component.

12. Bending machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the side elements (8, 8') comprises two separate components (801, 802).

13. Bending machine according to claim 12, characterized in that one separate component (801) is an upper component on which the upper beam (2) is arranged, and the other separate component (802) is a lower component on which the lower beam (5) is arranged.

14. Bending machine according to claim 12 or 13 in combination with claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the intermediate space (14) is formed between the separate components (801, 802).

15. Bending machine according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the separate components (801, 802) are mechanically connected to one another via one or more connecting components (12).

16. Bending machine according to claim 15, characterized in that the separate components (801, 802) are connected to one another via a pair of connecting components (12), wherein the connecting components (12) of the pair are arranged next to one another in the second direction (y) and a section of each separate component (801, 802) is arranged between the connecting components (12) of the pair.

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