Optimised table for a bending machine

Abstract

The invention relates to a bending machine (1) and a manufacturing method for bending machines (1), wherein the bending machine (1) is intended for manufacturing sheet metal workpieces (3) by means of forming in a bending press operation or a folding press operation, and comprises at least one machine frame (8), a machine table (2), and a press beam (5). The machine table (2) comprises a beam-like support structure (13), wherein the beam-like support structure (13) is fixed on a stand surface (14), extends along a longitudinal direction (9), and is connected to the machine frame (8) at its end regions (15) that are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction (9). The beam-like support structure (13) comprises at least one lower chord element (24) and at least one web element (25), said at least one lower chord element (24) and said at least one web element (25) forming a single-piece welded construction (23). The single-piece welded construction (23) of bending machines (1), which are manufactured using the manufacturing method according to the invention, is designed or constructed for each bending machine (1) in such a way that, in the case of bending machines (1) having a substantially identical machine table length (28) and possibly different pressing forces, a first support surface (19) of the machine table undergoes substantially identical deformations (16) during the bending press operation.

Description

[0001] OPTIMIZED TABLE FOR BENDING MACHINE

[0002] The invention relates to a bending machine for production from sheet metal by forming in a bending press process or a press brake process with a specially designed machine table and to a method for producing bending machines according to the bending machine according to the invention.

[0003] From EP 2509724 B1 a press brake is known in which the side surfaces, the lower support and the upper support are assembled from separate plate, plate stack and / or bar parts, contain tension elements which absorb tensile stresses, pressing elements which absorb pressing stresses, and transmission elements between tension elements and pressing elements for transmitting forces therebetween, wherein the tension elements, the pressing elements and the transmission elements are connected to one another by mechanical connecting elements without welding.

[0004] The design of a bending machine known from this document, in particular the design of the machine table or the press beam of the bending machine, has the disadvantage that the deformation behavior of the machine table due to the pressing forces during the press brake process can only be influenced to a limited extent by the design of the machine table and therefore an individual wedge crowning must be provided for the bending length and machine tonnage in order to compensate for the deformations.

[0005] The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device and a method by means of which the deformation behavior of the machine table or the press beam is or can be improved.

[0006] This object is achieved by a device and a method according to the claims.

[0007] The bending machine according to the invention for producing workpieces from sheet metal by forming in a bending press process or a press brake process comprises

[0008] - a machine frame comprising two frame cheeks spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, wherein respective outer surfaces of the frame cheeks are aligned normal to the longitudinal direction,

[0009] - a machine table comprising a beam-like support structure, wherein the beam-like support structure is fixed on a support surface, extends along the longitudinal direction and is connected at its end regions spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction to a frame cheek of the machine frame,

[0010] - a press beam which is adjustable along guide arrangements on the machine frame and aligned along the longitudinal direction, wherein the press beam is adjustable in the direction towards and from the machine table by at least one drive means,

[0011] - a first support surface on the machine table and a second support surface, opposite the first support surface, on the press beam for bending tools and / or for tool holding devices that can be equipped with bending tools, characterized in that the beam-like support structure comprises at least one lower chord element and at least one web element, which at least one lower chord element and which at least one web element form a one-piece welded construction.

[0012] The machine table, or rather the bending tools supported on it, serve to support the workpiece being produced during the press brake process. Therefore, the machine table must have a certain rigidity and load-bearing capacity to ensure the bending or folding of the workpieces being produced. The forces are absorbed by the supporting structure, or rather the beam-like support structure, of the machine table.

[0013] The rigidity of the supporting structure or the beam-like supporting structure is influenced to a greater extent by the mass portions of the supporting structure that are farther away from the center of mass of the supporting structure than by those that are closer to the center of mass. The inventive design of the supporting structure thus allows, on the one hand, weight and thus manufacturing costs to be saved compared to a one-piece machine table made of solid sheet metal or a solid material machine table. On the other hand, the rigidity of the supporting structure or the machine table is further ensured by the provision of a one-piece welded construction consisting of at least one lower chord section and one web section in accordance with the requirements of the production plant.

[0014] In general, the one-piece welded construction can be formed or welded together from individual elements, whereby the individual elements need not only comprise a bottom chord element and a web element, but can also comprise other individual elements. Thus, by appropriately dimensioning the individual elements of the support structure and their welded joints, a desired or required deformation behavior of the beam-like support structure or the machine table can be set. In particular, by appropriately dimensioning the individual elements of the support structure and their welded joints, it is possible to set a desired and essentially identical or almost identical deformation behavior of the support structure for a bending length on bending machines with different machine tonnages or with different pressing forces.This has the synergistic advantage that a wedge crowning of the same construction or at least the same requirements can be used for bending machines with the same or at least approximately the same bending length and different machine tonnages.

[0015] Furthermore, it may be expedient for the beam-like support structure to further comprise at least one upper chord element, which forms the one-piece welded construction with the at least one web element. This allows the deformation behavior or rigidity of the beam-like support structure to be further improved or better adapted to the requirements of the bending machine.

[0016] Furthermore, it can be provided that a cross-sectional plane is defined normal to the longitudinal direction, and that the upper chord element has a top chord element width in the cross-sectional plane in the direction parallel to the contact surface, wherein the top chord element width in the cross-sectional plane is greater than a web element width in the direction parallel to the contact surface of the at least one web element, wherein the top chord element width is in particular 1.5 times to 5 times the web element width. This ensures that the mass fractions of the sections of the support element further away from the center of mass of the support structure are increased in order to advantageously influence the rigidity of the machine table.

[0017] Furthermore, it can be provided that a cross-sectional plane is defined normal to the longitudinal direction, and that the lower chord element has a lower chord element width in the cross-sectional plane in the direction parallel to the contact surface, wherein the lower chord element width in the cross-sectional plane is greater than a web element width in the direction parallel to the contact surface of the at least one web element, wherein the lower chord element width is in particular 1.5 times to 5 times the web element width. This ensures that the mass proportions of the sections of the support element further away from the center of mass of the support structure are increased in order to advantageously influence the rigidity of the machine table. Thus, the beam-like support structure is also essentially constructed like an I-beam, or at least its cross-section is similar to an I-beam, which represents a proven and easy-to-manufacture shape, particularly during production thereof.

[0018] Also advantageous is a form of embodiment according to which it can be provided that a cross-sectional plane is defined normal to the longitudinal direction, and that the at least one web element in the cross-sectional plane has a web height in the direction normal to the contact surface, wherein the web height in the cross-sectional plane is greater than a lower chord height in the direction normal to the contact surface, wherein the web height is in particular 2 times to 10 times the lower chord height.

[0019] Analogously, it can be provided that a cross-sectional plane is defined normal to the longitudinal direction, and that the at least one web element in the cross-sectional plane has a web height in the direction normal to the contact surface, wherein the web height in the cross-sectional plane is greater than an upper chord height in the direction normal to the contact surface, wherein the web height is in particular 2 times to 10 times the upper chord height.

[0020] This ensures that the mass proportions of the sections of the support element that are further away from the center of mass of the support structure are increased in order to advantageously influence the rigidity of the machine table.

[0021] According to a further development, it is possible for the beam-like support structure to comprise an odd number, in particular three, five, or seven, preferably three, of web elements arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction, which web elements form the one-piece welded construction. This allows the rigidity of the beam-like support structure to be controlled in the longitudinal direction, further reducing the overall weight of the machine table or bending machine.

[0022] Furthermore, it may be expedient if a cross-sectional plane is defined normal to the longitudinal direction, and for the web elements closest to the end regions of the beam-like support structure to have a smaller web element width in the cross-sectional plane in the direction parallel to the contact surface than the web element arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction of the beam-like support structure. This can increase the transverse stability of the beam-like support structure in the central region, whereby the web element width of the other web elements can subsequently be reduced, if necessary depending on the machine tonnage, while still achieving the same or essentially similar deformation behavior in the press brake process. This also allows weight to be saved, making the manufacture of such a bending machine more economical.

[0023] Furthermore, the web elements can be arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction. This further reduces weight, while still allowing the web elements to be arranged in a row to achieve the intended deformation behavior.

[0024] Furthermore, it can be provided that the machine table comprises at least one plate element, wherein the at least one plate element is arranged on a first longitudinal side of the beam-like support structure, which first longitudinal side is opposite a second longitudinal side of the beam-like support structure, and which second longitudinal side is assigned closest to the machine frame, and that the at least one plate element covers the beam-like support structure at least in sections and can be connected to the beam-like support structure by means of at least one fastening means, preferably detachable as needed, such as a plurality of screws. By providing the at least one plate element, the operator of the bending machine can continue to be given the familiar appearance of a solid machine table with a beam-like support structure made of a plate, which gives the operator a feeling of increased safety of the bending machine.Furthermore, the plate element also protects the individual elements of the beam-like supporting structure from contamination. The plate element, or its specific design, can also serve as an indicator of potentially excessive stress on the beam-like supporting structure and, as a result, plastic deformation of the plate element.

[0025] According to a particular embodiment, the machine table can comprise several plate elements spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction and arranged on the first longitudinal side of the beam-like support structure. This facilitates the assembly of the machine table during the manufacture of the bending machine, and also allows plate elements of different geometric dimensions to be arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction. The connection with the respective fastening means can thus contribute to the strength of the beam-like support structure.

[0026] According to an advantageous development, at least one plate element can comprise a holding or guiding device for at least one additional unit, wherein the at least one additional unit is selected from the group consisting of a workpiece support unit, a bending angle measuring device, and a workpiece storage unit. Conveniently, a bending angle measuring device, for example, can be positioned on the holding or guiding device of the at least one plate element, which can also be displaced longitudinally along the holding or guiding device. This increases the functionality of the at least one plate element.In combination with the possibility of providing several plate elements arranged in a row lengthwise, a bending machine with different working areas arranged in a row lengthwise can be equipped with the necessary additional unit for each working area. This multiplies the usability of the bending machine and the workpiece shapes that can be created or manufactured with it, which in turn improves the utilization rate and thus the cost-effectiveness of the bending machine. Furthermore, this can achieve the advantage that a bending machine can also be sold without a plate element, whereby one or more plate elements can be coupled to the bending machine with different additional units as an extension of the bending machine, so that its range of functions can be expanded and adapted.This brings with it economic advantages both in the production of the bending machine and in the use of the bending machine in a workpiece manufacturing plant.

[0027] In particular, it can be advantageous if the machine table comprises an adjusting device for actively adjusting the first support surface between a substantially flat and a curved profile of the support surface, wherein the first support surface is formed by a first beam element of the machine table and is supported on the beam-like support structure. The adjusting device can, for example, be a wedge camber. The advantage here is that, for a specific bending length of the bending machine, with appropriate design in conjunction with the beam-like support structure, a series of adjusting devices or essentially identical adjusting devices can be used for several bending machines with different machine tonnage or with different bending forces.

[0028] Furthermore, the press beam can be provided with a press beam support structure, which, like the beam-like support structure, is formed as another one-piece welded construction. Since the press beam, like the machine table, generally undergoes deformation during the press brake process, the deformation behavior of the press beam can also be influenced by the welded construction of individual elements. This, in turn, results in a reduction in the weight of the bending machine, which lowers the manufacturing costs of the bending machine.

[0029] Furthermore, it can be provided that the press beam comprises a second adjusting device for actively adjusting the second support surface between a substantially flat and a cambered profile, wherein the second support surface is formed by a second beam element of the press beam and is supported on the press beam support structure. Since the press beam support structure as well as the beam-like support structure are each designed as a one-piece welded construction, a substantially uniform deformation behavior of the respective support structure can be set. This creates the possibility that, for example, the adjusting device and the second adjusting device can be designed essentially identically for a specific bending length of the bending machine. This reduces the manufacturing costs of the bending machine.

[0030] The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing bending machines. A bending machine comprises

[0031] - a machine frame comprising two frame cheeks spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction, wherein respective outer surfaces of the frame cheeks are aligned normal to the longitudinal direction,

[0032] - a machine table with a machine table length in the longitudinal direction, the machine table comprising a beam-like support structure, wherein the beam-like support structure is fixedly positioned on a support surface, extends along the longitudinal direction and is connected to a frame cheek of the machine frame at its end regions spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction,

[0033] - a press beam which is adjustable along guide arrangements on the machine frame and aligned along the longitudinal direction and has a press beam length extending in the longitudinal direction, wherein the press beam is adjustable in the direction towards and from the machine table by at least one drive means,

[0034] - a first support surface on the machine table and a second support surface on the press beam opposite the first support surface, each for bending tools and / or for tool holder devices that can be equipped with bending tools, characterized in that

[0035] - that the beam-like supporting structure is formed from individual elements, which individual elements comprise at least one lower chord element and at least one web element, wherein a one-piece welded construction is formed from the individual elements by welding the individual elements together, and

[0036] - that the individual elements of the one-piece welded construction of bending machines with a substantially identical machine table length are dimensioned in such a way that the first support surface has a substantially identical deformation of the first support surface or a substantially identical total deformation of the first support surface and the second support surface during the bending press process or the press brake process, regardless of the pressing forces that can be applied by means of the drive means of the bending machine.

[0037] The advantage here is that the individual elements can be easily welded together to form a one-piece welded construction, although the beam-like support structure can be manufactured by appropriately selecting the individual elements in such a way that a uniform or essentially identical deformation behavior can be achieved during the press brake process for bending machines with different machine tonnage or with different bending forces and at the same bending length. This enables the use of essentially identical adjusting devices or wedge crowning devices. Thus, manufacturing costs are reduced by using a range of adjusting devices and by the weight reduction due to replacing the conventionally used solid plates with the beam-like support structure or the one-piece welded construction.

[0038] Furthermore, it may be expedient to provide an upper chord element as an additional individual element for the one-piece welded construction. This allows the deformation behavior or rigidity of the beam-like support structure to be further improved or better adapted to the requirements of the bending machine. Furthermore, it may be provided that additional web elements are provided as additional individual elements for the one-piece welded construction, with a total of three, five, or seven web elements arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction being provided for the one-piece welded construction. This allows the rigidity of the beam-like support structure to be controlled in the longitudinal direction, further reducing the overall weight of the machine table or bending machine.

[0039] Also advantageous is a form of embodiment according to which it can be provided that the press beam comprises a press beam support structure, which press beam support structure, like the beam-like support structure, is designed as a further one-piece welded construction from individual elements, wherein the individual elements of the further one-piece welded construction of bending machines with a substantially identical press beam length are dimensioned such that the second support surface, regardless of a pressing force that can be applied by means of the drive means of the bending machine, has a substantially identical deformation of the second support surface or a substantially identical total deformation of the first support surface and the second support surface during the bending press process or the press brake process, and that the individual elements are welded together to form the further one-piece welded construction.Since the press beam support structure and the beam-like support structure are each constructed as a one-piece welded construction, a substantially uniform deformation behavior of the respective support structure can be achieved. This makes it possible, for example, for the adjusting device and the second adjusting device to be constructed essentially identically for a specific bending length of the bending machine. This reduces the manufacturing costs of the bending machine.

[0040] For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail using the following figures.

[0041] They show in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0042] Fig. 1 a bending machine;

[0043] Fig. 2 shows a view of a bending machine according to Fig. 1 with deformations occurring during the press brake process; Fig. 3 shows a possible design of the machine frame with a beam-like supporting structure of the machine table;

[0044] Fig. 4 shows a partial section through a possible design of a machine table of the bending machine in a cross-sectional plane;

[0045] Fig. 5 shows a possible design of the beam-like supporting structure with a plate element.

[0046] By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the variously described embodiments, identical parts are provided with identical reference symbols or component designations. The disclosures contained throughout the description can be applied analogously to identical parts with identical reference symbols or component designations. Furthermore, the positional information chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refers to the directly described and illustrated figure, and these positional information must be applied analogously to the new position in the event of a change in position.

[0047] Fig. 1 to Fig. 5 show a bending machine 1 and system components of the bending machine 1 as well as a partial section through a possible embodiment of a machine table 2 of the bending machine 1 in a highly schematically simplified representation. In the present case, the bending machine 1 is designed in particular for the free bending of workpieces 3 to be made from sheet metal by means of die bending or by means of a bending press process or a press brake process. The starting material is usually a metallic material which, in its undeformed state, can be referred to as a flat material or flat element. In Fig. 1, some system components of the bending machine 1 have been omitted for the sake of clarity.

[0048] The bending machine 1 comprises a fixed machine frame 8 with two frame cheeks 10 spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 9. The frame cheeks 10 each have an outer surface 11, wherein the frame cheeks 10 are positioned at a distance from one another such that the outer surfaces 11 are aligned normal to the longitudinal direction 9.

[0049] In conjunction with Fig. 1, Fig. 2 shows the front view of the bending machine 1, with which rectilinear bending operations or, in special cases, the forming of free surfaces can be carried out on a workpiece 3. The bending machine 1 comprises two press beams that are adjustable relative to one another and act on the workpiece 3 with bending tools in the form of a bending punch and a bending die. The lower fixed press beam shown in Figs. 1 and 2 is referred to below as the machine table 2, which, together with a bending die 4, serves as a support for the workpiece 3 and interacts with the adjustable press beam 5 and a bending punch 6 arranged thereon. The press beam 5 is adjustably mounted on the fixed machine frame 8 of the bending machine 1 by means of a guide arrangement 7 or by means of guide assemblies 7 and is driven by a drive means 12, for example in the form of hydraulic cylinders.

[0050] As Fig. 2 shows, an elastic deformation 16 or deflection, indicated by dashed lines, will generally occur on the press beam 5 during a bending process, since the lines of action of the forces of the drive means 12 and the force exerted by the workpiece 3 on the press beam 5 do not coincide. Likewise, a deformation 16 or deflection is possible on the machine table 2, since the lines of action of the forces exerted by the workpiece 3 on the machine table 2 and the forces exerted by a support surface 14 on the machine table 2 do not coincide. Provision can be made for the bending machine 1 to be mounted on a total of four support surfaces of the frame cheeks 10 on the support surface 14. Accordingly, the deformation 16 can affect the entire machine table 2.

[0051] Such a deformation 16 or deflection of the press beam 5 or the machine table 2 causes a workpiece 3 to be pressed less deeply into the bending die 4 by the bending punch 6 of the machine table 2 in the center of the edge to be bent than at the ends of the bending edge. This is why different bending angles can arise on the bent workpiece 3 along the bending edge, and such a workpiece 3 may require rework or may not be usable. The forces 17 causing the respective deformation 16 or deflection are shown in Fig. 2 in simplified form by arrows on the machine table 2 or the press beam 5.

[0052] To avoid the adverse effects on a workpiece 3 due to deformation 16 of the machine table 2 or the press beam 5, it is known from the prior art to provide active countermeasures on the machine table 2. For example, a uniform penetration depth of the bending punch 6 into a workpiece 3 can be achieved by actively inducing a crowning on the machine table 2 by means of an adjusting device 18 to compensate for a deformation 16 on the press beam 5, which crowning approximately corresponds to the deformation 16 on the press beam 5.

[0053] As a result of this measure, a second support surface 20 of the press beam 5, which is concave due to the deformation 16, interacts with a convex, cambered first support surface 19 of the machine table 2, resulting in a uniform penetration depth of the bending punch 6 into the workpiece 3 along the bending edge and thus also a largely constant bending angle along the bending edge. The first support surface 19 and the second support surface 20 are provided for supporting bending tools 21, such as a bending die 4 or a bending punch 6, or tool holders 22 for bending tools 21, so that the cambering described above can be transferred accordingly.

[0054] Possible embodiments of a machine table 2 according to the invention are described below, wherein the structural features and measures can also be transferred analogously to an adjustable press beam 5 and thus not only in a machine table 2 but also in a press beam 5 the support surface for a bending die 4 or a bending punch 6 can be actively adjusted from a flat starting position into a convex, outwardly curved shape.

[0055] Fig. 3 shows a possible embodiment of the machine frame 8 with a beam-like support structure 13 of the machine table 2. The support structure 13 is fixedly positioned on the support surface 14 and extends along the longitudinal direction 9.

[0056] At the end regions 15 of the beam-like support structure 13, which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction 9, the latter is connected to the frame cheeks 10. It can be provided that the frame cheeks 10 have a total of four support surfaces, by means of which support surfaces the machine frame 8 is placed or supported on the support surface 14.

[0057] The beam-like support structure 13 is designed as a one-piece welded construction 23, which one-piece welded construction 23 can be composed of individual elements or can be formed by welding individual elements together. The individual elements can comprise at least one lower chord element 24 and at least one web element 25. The individual elements can further comprise at least one upper chord element 26. The dimensions of the individual elements, namely at least the cross-sectional dimensions of the individual elements in a cross-sectional plane 27 normal to the longitudinal direction 9, can be selected such that, in the manufacture of bending machines, such as the bending machine 1 according to the invention, with a substantially equal or identical machine table length 28 in the longitudinal direction 9 and with different pressing forces 17, substantially the same deformations 16 orDeflections of at least the first support surface 19 occur during the bending press process or during the press brake process, wherein a cumulative deformation relating to the press beam 5 and the machine table 2 is decisive for the identically set deformation 16. This creates the possibility that essentially identical or essentially identical or very similar adjusting devices 18 can be installed or used for the crowning of at least the first support surface 19, respectively for the bending machines 1 with different pressing forces 17 and almost identical machine table lengths 28.

[0058] The cross-sectional dimensions of the individual elements can include an upper chord element width 29, a web element width 30, a lower chord element width 31 as well as a web height 32, a lower chord height 33 and an upper chord height 34.

[0059] With regard to the crowning, the machine table 2 can comprise an adjusting device 18. The adjusting device 18 can be used to actively adjust the first support surface 19 between a substantially flat and a crowned profile of the first support surface 19. The first support surface 19 can be formed by a first beam element 41 of the machine table 2.

[0060] Irrespective of this, it can be provided that not just one web element 25, but a plurality of web elements 25 are provided, wherein the plurality of web elements 25 are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction 9 and form the one-piece welded construction 23. In this case, one possible embodiment of the beam-like support structure 13 is conceivable in which the individual plurality of web elements 25 each have a different web element width 30. Another possible embodiment is also conceivable in which the plurality of web elements 25 are arranged at a distance from one another along the longitudinal direction 9. Furthermore, combinations of the two embodiments are conceivable. In any case, a desired deformation behavior or a desired deformation 16 of the beam-like support structure 13 can be brought about in a simple and cost-effective manner during the press brake process.Furthermore, the beam-like support structure 13 is always manufactured as a one-piece welded construction 23 from the individual elements, which also comprise the plurality of web elements 25. Preferably, it can also be provided that an odd number of the plurality of web elements 25 is provided. Thus, in each case, a supporting effect is realized in the central region of the bending edge by a web element 25. It can be provided that the centrally arranged web element 25 has a larger web element width 30 relative to the further web elements 25 spaced from the central web element 25 in the direction of the end regions 15 of the beam-like support structure 13.

[0061] The beam-like support structure 13 can have a first longitudinal side 36 and a second longitudinal side 37, wherein the first longitudinal side 36 is opposite the second longitudinal side 37 and wherein the second longitudinal side 37 is closest to the machine frame 8. At least one plate element 35, which is encompassed by the machine table 2, can be arranged on the first longitudinal side 36. The at least one plate element 35 covers the beam-like support structure 13 at least in sections and can be connected to the beam-like support structure 13 by means of a fastening means 38, such as one or more screws, preferably detachably if necessary.

[0062] It can also be provided that the first longitudinal side 36 is covered by a plurality of plate elements 35, wherein the plurality of plate elements 35 can each be connected to the beam-like support structure 13 by fastening means 38. The plate element 35 or each plate element 35 of the plurality of plate elements 35 can have a holding or guiding device 39, or a holding or guiding device 39 can be positioned or held on the plate element 35, which holding or guiding device 39 can be provided for receiving an additional unit 40. An additional unit 40 can be, for example, a workpiece support unit, a bending angle measuring device, or a workpiece storage unit.Furthermore, analogous to what has been described above, it can be provided that the second longitudinal side 37 is covered by a plate element 35 or by a plurality of plate elements 35, wherein the plurality of plate elements 35 can each be connected to the beam-like support structure 13 by fastening means 38. It is also conceivable that plate elements 35 covering the first longitudinal side 36 are coupled to plate elements 35 covering the second longitudinal side 37, so that a clear relationship to one another can be established, for example in order to use additional units 40 in a positionally related manner.

[0063] Analogous to the design of the beam-like support structure 13 of the machine table 2, the press beam 5 can comprise a press beam support structure 42, wherein the press beam support structure 42 can be formed in the same way as the beam-like support structure 13 as a further one-piece welded construction 43 like the one-piece welded construction 23 from individual elements.

[0064] Analogous to the machine table 2, the press beam 5 can comprise a second adjusting device 44 for actively adjusting the second support surface 20 between a substantially flat and a cambered course of the second support surface 20.

[0065] If the dimensions of the individual elements of the press beam support structure 42 and the beam-like support structure 13 are designed accordingly to achieve a respective intended deformation 16 during the press brake process, the same or a structurally similar adjusting device 18 can be used for the press beam 5 as well as for the machine table 2.

[0066] The embodiments show possible embodiments, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments with each other are also possible and this possibility of variation lies within the skill of the person skilled in the art in this technical field due to the teaching of technical action by means of the objective invention.

[0067] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the various embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying the independent inventive solutions can be derived from the description. For the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

[0068] Reference symbol list

[0069] Bending machine 32 web height

[0070] Machine table 33 bottom chord height

[0071] Workpiece 34 top chord height

[0072] Bending die 35 plate element

[0073] Press beam 36 first long side

[0074] Bending punch 37 second long side

[0075] Guide arrangement 38 fasteners

[0076] Machine frame 39 Holding or guiding device

[0077] Longitudinal direction 40 additional unit

[0078] Frame stringer 41 first beam element

[0079] Exterior surfaces 42 press beam support structure

[0080] Drive means 43 further one-piece welding con¬

[0081] Supporting structure construction

[0082] Contact surface 44 second adjusting device

[0083] End areas 45 Pres bar length

[0084] deformation

[0085] Press forces

[0086] Adjustment device first support surface second support surface

[0087] Bending tool

[0088] Tool holder one-piece welded construction

[0089] Lower chord element

[0090] web element

[0091] Upper belt element

[0092] Cross-sectional plane

[0093] Machine table length

[0094] Upper belt element width

[0095] S tile width

[0096] Undergirth element width

Claims

Patent claims 1. Bending machine (1) for producing workpieces (3) from sheet metal by forming in a bending press process or a press brake process, comprising - a machine frame (8) comprising two frame cheeks (10) spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction (9), wherein respective outer surfaces (11) of the frame cheeks (10) are aligned normal to the longitudinal direction (9), - a machine table (2) comprising a beam-like support structure (13), wherein the beam-like support structure (13) is fixed on a support surface (14), extends along the longitudinal direction (9) and is connected at its end regions (15) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction (9) to a frame cheek (10) of the machine frame (8), - a press beam (5) which is adjustable along guide arrangements (7) on the machine frame (8) and aligned along the longitudinal direction (9), wherein the press beam (5) is adjustable by at least one drive means (12) in the direction towards and from the machine table (2), - a first support surface (19) on the machine table (2) and a second support surface (20) on the press beam (5), opposite the first support surface (19), for bending tools (21) and / or for tool holding devices (22) that can be equipped with bending tools (21), characterized in that the beam-like support structure (13) comprises at least one lower chord element (24) and at least one web element (25), which at least one lower chord element (24) and which at least one web element (25) form a one-piece welded construction (23).

2. Bending machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the beam-like support structure (13) further comprises at least one upper chord element (26) which forms the one-piece welded construction (23) with the at least one web element (25).

3. Bending machine (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that a cross-sectional plane (27) is defined normal to the longitudinal direction (9), and in that the upper chord element (26) in the cross-sectional plane (27) has an upper chord element width (29) in the direction parallel to the contact surface (14), wherein the upper chord element width (29) in the cross-sectional plane (27) is greater than a web element width (30) in the direction parallel to the contact surface (14) of the at least one web element (25).

4. Bending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cross-sectional plane (27) is defined normal to the longitudinal direction (9), and in that the lower chord element (24) in the cross-sectional plane (27) has a lower chord element width (31) in the direction parallel to the contact surface (14), wherein the lower chord element width (31) in the cross-sectional plane (27) is greater than a web element width (30) in the direction parallel to the contact surface (14) of the at least one web element (25).

5. Bending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cross-sectional plane (27) is defined normal to the longitudinal direction (9), and in that the at least one web element (25) in the cross-sectional plane (27) has a web height (32) in the direction normal to the contact surface (14), wherein the web height (32) in the cross-sectional plane (27) is greater than a bottom flange height (33) in the direction normal to the contact surface (14).

6. Bending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beam-like support structure (13) comprises an odd number, in particular three, five or seven, preferably three, of web elements (25) arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction (9), which web elements (25) form the one-piece welded construction (23).

7. Bending machine (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that a cross-sectional plane (27) is defined normal to the longitudinal direction (9), and that the web elements (25) which are closest to the end regions (15) of the beam-like support structure (13) have a smaller web element width (30) in the direction parallel to the contact surface (14) in the cross-sectional plane (27) than the web element (25) arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction (9) of the beam-like support structure (13).

8. Bending machine (1) according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the web elements (25) are arranged at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction (9).

9. Bending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine table (2) comprises at least one plate element (35), wherein the at least one plate element (35) is arranged on a first longitudinal side (36) of the beam-like support structure (13), which first longitudinal side (36) is opposite a second longitudinal side (37) of the beam-like support structure (13), and which second longitudinal side (37) is closest to the machine frame (8), and in that the at least one plate element (35) covers the beam-like support structure (13) at least in sections and can be connected to the beam-like support structure (13) by means of at least one fastening means (38).

10. Bending machine (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the machine table (2) comprises a plurality of plate elements (35) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction (9) and arranged on the first longitudinal side (36) of the beam-like support structure (13).

11. Bending machine (1) according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that at least one plate element (35) comprises a holding or guiding device (39) for at least one additional unit (40), wherein the at least one additional unit (40) is selected from the group consisting of workpiece support unit, bending angle measuring device and workpiece storage.

12. Bending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the machine table (2) comprises an adjusting device (18) for actively adjusting the first support surface (19) between a substantially flat and a cambered course of the first support surface (19), wherein the first support surface (19) is formed by a first beam element (41) of the machine table (2) and is supported on the beam-like support structure (13) 13. Bending machine (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the press beam (5) comprises a press beam support structure (42), which press beam support structure (42) like the beam-like support structure (13) is designed as a further one-piece welded construction (43) according to one of claims 1 to 8.

14. Bending machine (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the press beam (5) comprises a second adjusting device (44) for actively adjusting the second support surface (20) between a substantially flat and a cambered course, wherein the second support surface (20) is formed by a second beam element of the press beam (5) and is supported on the press beam support structure (42).

15. Method for manufacturing bending machines (1), a bending machine (1) comprising - a machine frame (8) comprising two frame cheeks (10) spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction (9), wherein respective outer surfaces (11) of the frame cheeks (10) are aligned normal to the longitudinal direction (9), - a machine table (2) with a machine table length (28) in the longitudinal direction (9), the machine table (2) comprising a beam-like support structure (13), wherein the beam-like support structure (13) is fixedly positioned on a support surface (14), extends along the longitudinal direction (9) and is connected at its end regions (15) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction (9) to a frame cheek (10) of the machine frame (8), - a press beam (5) which is adjustable along guide arrangements (7) on the machine frame (8) and aligned along the longitudinal direction (9) and has a press beam length (45) extending in the longitudinal direction (9), wherein the press beam (5) is adjustable by at least one drive means (12) in the direction towards and from the machine table (2), - a first support surface (19) on the machine table (2) and a second support surface (20) on the press beam (5) opposite the first support surface (19), each for bending tools (21) and / or for tool holders that can be equipped with bending tools (21) (22), characterized in that - that the beam-like support structure (13) is formed from individual elements, which individual elements comprise at least one lower chord element (24) and at least one web element (25), wherein a one-piece welded construction (23) is formed from the individual elements, - that the individual elements of the one-piece welded construction (23) of bending machines (1) with a substantially identical machine table length (28) are dimensioned in such a way that the first support surface (19) has a substantially identical deformation (16) of the first support surface (19) or a substantially identical total deformation of the first support surface (19) and the second support surface (20) during the bending pressing process, independently of the pressing forces (17) that can be applied by means of the drive means (12) of the bending machine (1) or the press brake process, and - that the individual elements are welded together to form a one-piece welded construction (23).

16. A method for producing bending machines (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that an upper belt element (26) is provided as a further individual element for the one-piece welded construction (23).

17. A method for producing bending machines (1) according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that further web elements (25) are provided as further individual elements for the one-piece welded construction (23), wherein a total of three, five or seven web elements (25) arranged in a row in the longitudinal direction (9) are provided for the one-piece welded construction (23).

18. A method for producing bending machines (1) according to one of claims 15 to 17, characterized in that the press beam (5) comprises a press beam support structure (42), which press beam support structure (42), like the beam-like support structure (13), is designed as a further one-piece welded construction (43) from individual elements, wherein the individual elements of the further one-piece welded construction (23) of bending machines (1) with a substantially identical press beam length (45) are dimensioned in such a way that the second support surface (20) has a substantially identical deformation (16) of the second support surface (20) or the second support surface (20) independently of a pressing force (17) that can be applied by means of the drive means (12) of the bending machine (1).a substantially equal total deformation of the first support surface (19) and the second support surface (20) during the bending press process or the press brake process, and that the individual elements are welded together to form a further one-piece welded construction (23).

Images