Method for operating a panel-machining installation, panel-machining installation, and control device for a panel-machining installation

Abstract

A panel-machining installation (10) for machining planar workpieces (26) comprises a feed table (12), a machine table (14), in the region of which a machining device (22) is arranged, and a conveying device (28) which can convey a workpiece (26) lying on the feed table (12) in a conveying direction (32) towards the machine table (14), the conveying device (28) comprising clamping jaws (34) which can engage on a region adjacent to a rear workpiece edge (36) as viewed in the conveying direction (32). According to the invention, at least two clamping jaws (34) each comprise a sensor device (42), on the basis of the signal of which a position of the rear workpiece edge (36) relative to a contact surface (70) of the relevant clamping jaw (34) can be determined.

Description

[0001] Title: Procedure for operating a

[0002] Plate processing plant, plate processing plant, and control device for a plate processing plant

[0003] Description

[0004] The invention relates to a method for operating a plate processing system, a plate processing system and a control device for a plate processing system according to the preambles of the respective independent claims.

[0005] The DE 10 2021 108 652 Al of fenbart a

[0006] Plate processing machine for processing, in particular for

[0007] REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP Cutting panel-shaped workpieces . This panel processing system is a panel cutting saw , with which large-format panel-shaped workpieces, for example for the furniture industry, can be cut. Such a panel cutting saw comprises an infeed table, a machine table arranged downstream of it in the conveying direction, and an unloading table arranged downstream of it in the conveying direction . The cutting device, in this case in the form of a sawing device, is arranged in the area of ​​the machine table . In order to be able to transport a workpiece lying on the infeed table to the machine table and the cutting device located there, a conveyor device with a gantry-type program slide is provided . A plurality of collets are provided on this, which can grip an area adjacent to a rear edge of the workpiece, as seen in the conveying direction.By moving the program slider, the gripped workpiece can be positioned relative to the dividing device.

[0008] In addition, it is known that, in accordance with the requirements for safeguarding against the risk of impact from the workpiece being conveyed by the conveyor in the direction of travel towards the unloading table in accordance with EN ISO 19085-2, the forward speed of the conveyor must be limited to <25 m / min. Furthermore, it is known that, to protect a user at a speed of the conveyor above the limit specified above, an alignment device arranged in the area of ​​the machine table remains in an extended position in order to prevent the workpiece from being conveyed at high speed towards the unloading table and thus towards a user.

[0009] It is also known to convey the workpiece with open collets until it rests against the alignment device, whereby the rear edge of the workpiece is pushed against a respective contact surface of the collets. Only then are the collets closed. This prevents the workpiece from being damaged due to insufficient overlap between the clamping surfaces of the collets and the workpiece. Since the workpiece is not yet aligned with a contact surface of the collets and is not yet clamped by the collets during the movement towards the alignment device, the movement speed must be comparatively low for safety reasons and to avoid damage to the workpiece.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to accelerate the process sequence when machining a workpiece by the panel processing system and at the same time to ensure safe operation of the panel processing system.

[0011] This object is achieved by a method, a panel processing system and a control device with the features of the respective independent patent claims. Advantageous further developments are specified in the dependent claims. One advantage of the present invention is that the process sequence for processing workpieces in the panel processing system according to the invention and with the method according to the invention can be considerably accelerated. A reduction in the so-called "feeding times" by up to 25% compared to conventional panel processing systems appears to be possible. The term "feeding time" refers to the period of time that must be spent to feed a workpiece, after it has been placed on the feed table, to the processing device for a processing operation.

[0012] This is achieved primarily by the fact that, with the invention, the speed of the conveyor system for moving the workpiece to the machining device can be significantly increased, at least temporarily. At the same time, the invention improves process reliability because, despite the high conveyor speed, the workpiece is securely held by the collets, and therefore, when the conveyor system is decelerated, there is no danger of the workpiece continuing to move toward the removal table toward the user.

[0013] Specifically, this is achieved by a method for operating a panel processing system for processing, in particular for dividing, panel-shaped workpieces. Typically, such a panel processing system is a panel dividing saw. It comprises a feed table, which is designed, for example, as a roller table, and a machine table, in the area of ​​which a processing device, in particular a dividing device (for example a sawing device on a saw carriage) is arranged. The machine table can, for example, be designed as an air cushion table and have a saw slot aligned transversely to the conveying direction. On the side of the machine table facing away from the feed table, there is typically arranged a removal table, from which a user or a robot can, for example, remove a processed workpiece, or on which a processed workpiece can be handled and passed to the processing device or.can be fed to the conveyor system for further processing.

[0014] The panel processing system also includes a conveyor system that can transport a workpiece lying on the feed table in a conveying direction toward the machine table. Typically, the conveyor system is designed as a motor-driven, gantry-like, so-called program slide. The conveyor system has a plurality of collets that can engage an area adjacent to a rear workpiece edge, as seen in the conveying direction.

[0015] Typically, the collets have pneumatic drives and a stationary jaw and a movable jaw driven by the pneumatic drive. Furthermore, the collets can typically be moved between a raised rest position and a lowered working position.

[0016] The operation of the panel processing system is typically controlled by an electronic control device with at least one processor, a memory for software, and software. For example, the control device can be a computer that also has at least one HMI, for example, in the form of a touchscreen.

[0017] The method comprises at least the following steps: a. Moving the conveyor device in the direction of the rear edge of a workpiece lying on the feed table. At least those collets of the conveyor device which are in the area of ​​the rear edge of the workpiece are in the lowered working position and the collets are open. Step b. comprises accelerating the movement of the conveyor device in the conveying direction. The acceleration preferably begins when it is determined that the collets are in the area of ​​or close to the rear edge of the workpiece. Due to the accelerated movement of the conveyor device on the one hand and the inertia of the workpiece lying on the feed table on the other, the rear edge of the workpiece is moved in the direction of a contact surface of a respective collet.At least two collets can each have a sensor device from whose signals a position of the rear workpiece edge relative to the contact surface of the respective collet can be determined.

[0018] The feed table can have a braking device which, when the workpiece moves in the conveying direction, exerts a force on the workpiece that acts counter to the conveying direction. Thus, in step b, the workpiece is not only moved toward a contact surface of a respective collet chuck due to its inertia, but also due to the force exerted on the workpiece by the braking device that counteracts the conveying direction. For example, the feed table could have brake brushes or braked rollers.

[0019] Step c comprises clamping the area adjacent to the rear workpiece edge by the at least two collets when a distance of the rear workpiece edge relative to the respective contact surfaces of at least two collets falls below at least a first limit value. This ensures that the workpiece edge is only clamped by the collets when a sufficient overlap, defined by the first limit value, exists between the clamping jaws of the respective collet and the rear workpiece edge or such an overlap can be assumed.

[0020] In this way it is ensured that the workpiece is sufficiently and therefore safely clamped by the collets and can therefore be braked by the conveyor at the end of the movement without there being a risk that the workpiece will slip out of the collets due to its inertia and continue to move towards the removal table.

[0021] According to the invention, the distance between the rear edge of the workpiece and the respective contact surfaces is measured by a corresponding sensor device on the at least two collets. Typically, the sensor device comprises a distance sensor which is arranged in such a way that the rear edge of the workpiece is detected independently of the plate thickness and plate format. For example, the sensor device can comprise an ultrasonic sensor. However, other measuring methods can also be used, for example tactile sensors, optical sensors, capacitive sensors or proximity sensors. With all of these sensor devices, it can be very well detected how well or whether the workpiece with a rear edge is already resting on the contact surface of the respective collet or is located in the area of ​​this contact surface.

[0022] In a further development it is provided that no further alignment step is required before machining the workpiece if the distance of the rear workpiece edge relative to the contact surface of the at least two collets falls below a second limit value. The second limit value is therefore selected such that when this value is reached and / or fallen below it can be assumed that the rear workpiece edge is in contact with the contact surface of the respective collet. The workpiece is therefore aligned with the rear workpiece edge on the contact surfaces of the at least two collets, so that alignment on an alignment device present in the area of ​​the machine table can be omitted. In this way the loading time is shortened even further.

[0023] In a further development, it is provided that the second limit value is smaller than the first limit value, preferably that the second limit value is approximately zero. This further development comprises both that two different limit values ​​are present, wherein the first limit value ensures that the workpiece is sufficiently clamped by the corresponding collet, whereas the second limit value ensures that the rear edge of the workpiece is aligned with the contact surfaces of the at least two collets.

[0024] If the accelerated movement cannot achieve the necessary alignment of the workpiece, but a distance between the rear edge of the workpiece and the contact surfaces of the collets is achieved in accordance with the first limit value, which avoids damage to the workpiece when the collets are closed (i.e. all active clamping jaws have sufficient overlap with the workpiece), the collets can still be closed. This means that the alignment process cannot be skipped, but the workpiece can be pushed in at high speed, i.e. moved towards the machine table. After the conveyor device or the workpiece has been braked before it reaches an alignment device arranged in the area of ​​the machine table, the collets are then opened again so that the material can then be aligned positively on the alignment device as before.

[0025] This refinement also includes the fact that the two limit values ​​are not different, but essentially represent one and the same limit value, which in this case is preferably close to zero. Such a limit value ensures both adequate clamping of the area adjacent to the rear workpiece edge by the collets and alignment of the rear workpiece edge with the contact surfaces of the collets.

[0026] In a further development, the second limit value is automatically determined depending on a raw plate tolerance and / or a planned cutting plan for the workpiece. In addition to or as an alternative to a fixed limit value for the distance of the material from the stop surface on the collets for the feedback of the successful alignment of the rear workpiece edge to these contact surfaces (second limit value), this limit value can therefore also be dynamically adjusted based on the empirical values ​​for the raw plate tolerance and the cut-ins planned in the cutting plan. For example, a workpiece whose cutting plan contains very large cut-ins does not have to be aligned as precisely as a workpiece whose cutting pattern contains very small cut-ins.Thus, due to the dynamic tolerance range created by this further development, the probability of sufficient force-locking alignment by the acceleration movement can be increased while maintaining overall process reliability.

[0027] In a further development it is provided that a front workpiece edge as seen in the conveying direction is detected by at least one sensor which is arranged in the region of the machine table, and that an actual dimension of the workpiece as seen in the conveying direction is determined from the relative position of the at least two collets at the time the front workpiece edge is detected. In addition, at least one sensor device can be installed in the machine table or in the vicinity of the machine table, with which sensor device the front edge, i.e. a front workpiece edge as seen in the conveying direction, of the workpiece can be detected during movement through the conveying device towards the machine table and thus an actual dimension of the workpiece as seen in the conveying direction can be measured at least roughly as an alternative to form-fitting alignment.

[0028] This at least one sensor device can be designed, for example, as a distance sensor or as a proximity sensor with tactile, optical, capacitive or ultrasonic detection. Furthermore, the sensor device can comprise a 2D laser scanner which is arranged parallel to a plane of the feed table and which can be used to detect a position and at least one dimension of the workpiece. The actual dimensions of the workpiece, seen in the conveying direction, are determined using the known fixed position of the at least one sensor device in the area of ​​the machine table and the absolute position of the conveying device known at the time the front workpiece edge is detected and thus also the contact surfaces of the collets or the position of the rear workpiece edge detected on the basis of the sensors present there.Due to the inventive sufficient fixation of the workpiece by means of the collets and the measurement of the dimensions of the workpiece as seen in the conveying direction, a collision of the workpiece with an alignment device arranged and extended in the area of ​​the machine table is avoided.

[0029] In a further development, an alignment device in the area of ​​the machine table remains in an extended position at least as long as the movement speed of the conveyor is greater than a limit value. This increases the operational reliability of the panel processing system. Therefore, the alignment device preferably remains in an extended position even if successful alignment of the workpiece to the contact surfaces of the collet chucks has already been detected during the movement of the conveyor.

[0030] This can preferably be done in conjunction with a safety query as to whether the speed of the conveyor is above or below a critical speed, typically above or below a speed of approximately 25 m / min. As soon as the conveyor has fallen below the said speed and successful alignment has previously been detected, the alignment device can be lowered and the workpiece can be positioned directly for processing by the processing device. This saves even more time.

[0031] In a further development, the dimensional accuracy and / or shape accuracy of the rear workpiece edge is determined from the distances of the rear workpiece edge relative to the contact surfaces of the at least two collets. For example, the straightness of the rear workpiece edge can be checked in this way. The sensors installed in the collets can therefore also be used to indirectly measure dimensional and shape tolerances of the workpieces. In this way, statistically analyzable data can be generated which, in conjunction with other process variables, can be used for data-based process control and regulation. Overall, it is self-evident that the method according to the invention and the plate processing system according to the invention can be used both for individual plate-shaped workpieces and for stacks of plate-shaped workpieces.

[0032] The panel processing system according to the invention for processing, in particular for dividing panel-shaped workpieces, comprises a feed table, a machine table in the area of ​​which a dividing device is arranged, and a conveyor device which can convey a workpiece lying on the feed table in a conveying direction towards the machine table, wherein the conveyor device has collets which can engage a rear edge of the workpiece as seen in the conveying direction. According to the invention, at least two collets of the panel processing system each have a sensor device from whose signal a position of the rear edge of the workpiece relative to a contact surface of the respective collet can be determined. The same advantages apply to the panel processing system according to the invention as described above for the method for its operation.

[0033] An alternative panel processing system according to the invention for processing, in particular for dividing, panel-shaped workpieces comprises a feed table, a machine table in the area of ​​which a processing device, in particular a dividing device, is arranged, and a conveyor device which can convey a workpiece lying on the feed table in a conveying direction towards the machine table, wherein the conveyor device has collets which can engage a rear workpiece edge as seen in the conveying direction. In this alternative panel processing system, the conveyor device has at least one additional fixing device for clamping an area adjacent to the rear workpiece edge, wherein a clamping area of ​​the fixing device is larger than a clamping area of ​​the collets.In this further development, the previously described sensor system can be at least partially dispensed with, since a secure gripping of the rear edge of the workpiece is ensured by the additional fixing device due to its larger clamping area.

[0034] Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows:

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic plan view of a panel processing system with a conveyor device with a plurality of collets;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic side view of one of the collets of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a flow chart of a method for

[0037] Operating the plate processing plant of

[0038] Figure 1 ; and

[0039] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view of a further embodiment of a plate processing system.

[0040] In the following, functionally equivalent elements and regions in different figures and in different embodiments bear the same reference symbols. They are typically explained in more detail only when mentioned for the first time.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a panel processing system, for example in the form of a panel dividing saw. It is used to divide large-format panel-shaped workpieces, which can be in the form of individual workpieces or in the form of workpiece stacks. It comprises a feed table 12, which in the present case is formed by way of example from a plurality of roller conveyors (not shown). It further comprises a machine table 14 adjoining the feed table 12 and a removal table 16 adjoining the machine table 14. Both the machine table 14 and the removal table 16 are in the present case by way of example designed as air cushion tables. The removal table 16 in the present case by way of example consists of four segments, of which only one is provided with a reference symbol for reasons of simplicity.The processing, in this case by way of example the division of a workpiece, takes place in the area of ​​the machine table 14, in which a saw slot 18 is provided for this purpose, which runs along a dividing line 20 or saw line shown in dotted lines. Below the saw slot 18 there is a processing device which can be moved along the dividing line 20, in this case by way of example a dividing device 22, which in this case comprises a saw carriage which in this case by way of example carries two saw blades (not shown) of a main saw and a scoring saw and their drives, but completely different types of tools are also conceivable, for example milling devices, drills or the like. Above the dividing line 20 there is a pressure beam 24 shown in dashed lines, which can be lowered onto a large-format plate-shaped workpiece 26 during machining. G.

[0042] The panel processing system 10 also includes a conveyor device 28. In the present case, this comprises, by way of example, a gantry-like carrier 30 which is motor-driven and moves parallel to a conveying direction (arrow 32) and extends transversely to the conveying direction 32 substantially above the feed table 12. The carrier 30 is also referred to as a "program slider". A plurality of pneumatically actuated collets 34 are fastened to the carrier 30, of which only one is designated by a reference numeral in Figure 1 for reasons of clarity. The conveyor device 28 serves, among other things, to move a workpiece 26 lying on the feed table 12 in a direction parallel to the conveying direction 32 and thereby to position it relative to the dividing line 20. For this purpose, the collets 34 can engage an area which is adjacent to a rear workpiece edge 36 as seen in the transport direction 30 by clamping it.

[0043] Furthermore, the panel processing system 10 may also include a handling device (not shown), which may, for example, comprise a combination of a robot with a suction traverse. Such a handling device allows workpieces to be automatically placed on or removed from the feed table 12, and workpieces to be automatically placed on or removed from the removal table 16.

[0044] The panel processing system 10 also includes a support device 38 in the form of a linear, strip-like angle ruler arranged laterally of the three support tables 12, 14, and 16. The angle ruler 38 extends exactly orthogonally to the dividing line 20 and serves to align the workpiece 38 relative to the dividing line 20.

[0045] The feed table 12 of the panel processing system 10 comprises a braking device 40 which, when the workpiece 26 moves in the conveying direction 32, exerts a force on the workpiece 26 acting counter to the conveying direction 32. For example, the braking device 40 can have braking brushes or braked rollers. It is also possible for the braking device 40 to be controllable, for example by being able to move it in a vertical direction. In this way, it can be brought into a working position in which it engages a workpiece 26, or brought into a rest position in which it does not engage a workpiece. For example, in the case of braking rollers, it is also conceivable for the braking force generated by the braking rollers to be able to be adjusted remotely, for example by means of an adjustable friction element.

[0046] In the present example, all of the collets 34 each have a sensor device 42, from whose signal a position of the rear workpiece edge 36 relative to a contact surface of the respective collet 34 can be determined. In principle, it would also be conceivable for only some of the collets, but at least two collets, to have such a sensor device. For reasons of clarity, only one of the sensor devices 42 is provided with a reference symbol in the figures. Typically, the sensor device 42 is a distance sensor, for example an ultrasonic sensor, a tactile sensor, an optical sensor, or a capacitive sensor. However, the use of a sensor device 42 in the form of a proximity sensor or proximity switch is also possible.In the present example, the feed table 12 has an alignment device 44, in the present example in the form of two vertically motor-driven stop elements, whose stop surfaces (without reference symbol) pointing away from the machine table 14 are aligned almost exactly with one another and arranged almost exactly parallel to the dividing line 20. Alternatively, the alignment device could also be integrated into the machine table. The alignment device 44 has sensor devices (not shown) that signal when a workpiece 26 has come into contact with the alignment device 44.

[0047] Viewed in the conveying direction 32, several sensor devices 46 are provided directly in front of the alignment device 44 in the feed table 12, from whose signal a position of a front workpiece edge 48 of the workpiece 26, viewed in the conveying direction 32, can be determined. For reasons of clarity, only one of the sensor devices 46 is provided with a reference symbol in the figures. These sensor devices 46 can also comprise ultrasonic sensors, optical sensors, capacitive sensors, or tactile sensors. Furthermore, an ID laser scanner 47 can detect a position of the front workpiece edge 48.

[0048] Furthermore, the plate processing system 10 comprises a control device 50 with at least one processor 52, a memory 54 for software 56 and an HMI, for example in the form of a touchscreen 58. The control device 50 is designed and configured to regulate and control the operation of the plate processing system 10, thereby enabling at least partially automated operation of the plate processing system 10. For this purpose, the control device 50 receives signals from a plurality of sensors, including from the sensor devices 42 and 46, and generates control signals for a plurality of actuators, at least partially dependent on the signals from the sensors.

[0049] Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of one of the collets 34. The collet 34 is fastened to the carrier 30 on the side facing the feed table 12. The carrier 30 can be moved in the conveying direction 32, but also in the opposite direction, which is indicated by a double arrow 59. It comprises a base body 60, to which a lower clamping jaw 62 is rigidly fastened and an upper clamping jaw 64 is fastened so as to be at least substantially vertically movable (the movement can also be generated by lever kinematics). The vertical mobility of the upper clamping jaw 64 is indicated by a double arrow 66. A pneumatic drive 68 is provided for moving the upper clamping jaw 64, which drive can be controlled, for example, by the control device 50. An area immediately adjacent to the rear workpiece edge 36 of the workpiece 26 can be clamped between the two clamping jaws 62 and 64.

[0050] The sensor device 42 mentioned above is designed such that a position of the rear workpiece edge 36 relative to a contact surface 70 of the collet 34—ultimately, a distance of the rear workpiece edge 36 from the contact surface 70—can be determined from its signal. In particular, the sensor device 42 can detect when the rear workpiece edge 36 is in contact with the contact surface 70, i.e., the distance is at least approximately zero.

[0051] After a large-format, plate-shaped workpiece 26 has been placed on the feed table 12, the panel processing system 10 can be operated as follows (Figure 3) in accordance with the initial situation shown in Figure 1: after a start function block 72, the conveyor device 28 is moved slowly in the conveying direction 32 in the direction of the rear workpiece edge 36 in a function block 74 with the collets 34 open (i.e. the upper clamping jaws 64 moved upwards). In a function block 76, the movement of the conveyor device 38 is accelerated as soon as the conveyor device 38 with the collets 34 is more or less close to the rear workpiece edge 36.

[0052] In a function block 78, on the basis of the signals from the sensor devices 42, the collets 34 are closed, i.e. the upper clamping jaws 64 are moved downwards, when the distance between the rear workpiece edge 36 and the respective contact surfaces 70 of the collets 34 reaches or falls below a first limit value. In this way, the area of ​​the workpiece 26 adjacent to the rear workpiece edge 36 is clamped and held by the collets 34. The first limit value is selected such that the clamping jaws 62 and 64 engage the area of ​​the workpiece 26 adjacent to the rear workpiece edge 36 with such a sufficient clamping surface that, on the one hand, damage to the workpiece 26 due to the clamping force is avoided, but on the other hand that the workpiece 26 is held sufficiently securely and reliably by the collets 34.

[0053] In a functional block 80, a decision is made that the workpiece 26 is not aligned with the front workpiece edge 48 on the alignment device 44 if, based on the signals from the sensor devices 42, it is determined that the distance of the rear workpiece edge 36 from the contact surfaces 70 of the collets 34 reaches or falls below a second limit value. The second limit value is typically close to zero. It thus defines that the rear workpiece edge 36 at least substantially rests against the contact surfaces 70 of the collets 34.

[0054] The workpiece 26 is thus aligned by these contact surfaces and time-consuming alignment by the alignment device 44 is no longer necessary. However, the alignment device 44 is still in a raised position at this time in order to serve as a type of safety lock or protective shield which prevents the workpiece 26 from moving to the removal table 16 and to the user when the conveyor device 28 is braked and the workpiece 26 is released from the collets 34 due to its inertia and moves further in the direction of the removal table 16. This applies at least as long as the movement speed of the conveyor device 28 is greater than a limit value which is typically approximately 25 m / min.

[0055] The second limit value for the distance between the rear workpiece edge 36 and the contact surface 70 can be automatically determined in a function block 82 depending on a raw plate tolerance and / or a planned cutting plan for the workpiece 26. If, for example, comparatively large cuts are made on the workpiece 26 based on the cutting plan, precise alignment of the workpiece 26 is less important, so that the second limit value can be selected to be larger.

[0056] Based on the signals from the sensor devices 42, which indicate the distance of the rear workpiece edge 36 at the location of the respective collet 34 from the respective contact surface 70, dimensional and shape tolerances of the rear workpiece edge 36 of the workpiece 26 can be determined in a function block 84, whereby statistically analyzable data can be generated, for example on the waviness or straightness of the rear workpiece edge 36 of the workpiece 26. This makes it possible to qualitatively assess, for example, a batch of workpieces 26 and / or a manufacturer of the workpieces 26. When the front workpiece edge 48 comes into the area of ​​the sensor devices 46, the actual dimensions of the workpiece 26 as seen in the conveying direction 32 can be averaged in a function block 85.Based on the signals from the sensor devices 42 of the collets 34 and the known position of the contact surfaces 70 of the collets 34, the position of the rear workpiece edge 36 of the workpiece 26 at the time at which the front workpiece edge 48 reaches the region of the sensor devices 46 is at least approximately known. From the difference between the position of the rear workpiece edge 36 at the time at which the front workpiece edge 48 reaches the sensor devices 46 and the position of the sensor devices 46, the actual length of the workpiece 26 can be determined, and from this, information about the dimensional accuracy of the workpiece 26 can be obtained.

[0057] If it was determined in function block 80 that the distance of the rear workpiece edge 36 from the contact surfaces 70 is greater than the second limit value, the movement of the conveyor device 28 is braked in a function block 86 and the workpiece is first aligned with the front workpiece edge 48 on the alignment device 44 which is still extended upwards. The alignment device 44 is then moved downwards in a function block 88. If, on the other hand, it was determined in function block 80 that the distance of the rear workpiece edge 36 from the contact surfaces 70 is smaller than the second limit value, the alignment device 44 is moved downwards as soon as the movement speed of the conveyor device 28 in the conveying direction 32 falls below a limit value. The limit value is typically 25 m / min.

[0058] Subsequently, in a functional block 90, the workpiece 26 is positioned relative to the dividing line 20, and in a functional block 92, a dividing process, in this case a saw cut, is performed using the dividing device 22. The method ends in a final functional block 94.

[0059] Figure 4 shows an alternative embodiment of a panel processing system. This system lacks the sensor devices of the collets 34, with which the relative position of the rear workpiece edge 36 to the contact surfaces 70 of the collets 34 can be determined. Instead, the conveying device 28 in the present example comprises two additional and comparatively large fixing devices 96, the clamping jaws 98 of which are significantly longer than the clamping jaws 62, 64 of the collets 34 as seen in the conveying direction 32. This creates a clamping area which is significantly larger than that of the collets 34 and with which the fixing devices 96 can clamp an area of ​​the workpiece 26 adjacent to the rear workpiece edge 36.

[0060] In this way, a reliable and rapid movement of the workpiece 26 is possible even in the case of very large alignment errors and without the additional sensor system on the collets 34. It is understood that, in an embodiment not shown, the fixing devices 96 can also be installed in combination with the sensor devices 42 on the collets 34. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 4, the alignment device 44 and the sensor device 46 are not present in the feed table 12, but in the machine table 14.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Procedure for operating a Plate processing system (10) for processing, in particular for dividing plate-shaped workpieces (26), comprising a feed table (12), a machine table (14), in the area of ​​which a processing device, in particular a dividing device (22) is arranged, and a conveyor device which can convey a workpiece (26) lying on the feed table in a conveying direction (32) towards the machine table (14), wherein the conveyor device (28) has collets (34) which can engage a rear workpiece edge (36) seen in the conveying direction (32), characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps: a. moving (74) the conveyor device (28) in the direction of the rear workpiece edge (36); b. accelerating (76) the movement of the conveyor device (28) in the conveying direction (32); c.Clamping (78) of an area adjacent to the rear workpiece edge (36) by the at least two collets (34) when a distance of the rear workpiece edge (36) relative to the respective contact surfaces (70) of at least two. Collets (34) falls below at least a first limit value.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it does not comprise a further alignment step before machining the workpiece (26) if the distance of the rear workpiece edge (36) relative to the contact surface (70) of the at least second collets (34) falls below a second limit value.

3. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second limit value is smaller than the first limit value, preferably that the second limit value is approximately zero.

4. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second limit value is automatically determined (82) depending on a raw plate tolerance and / or an intended cutting plan of the workpiece (36).

5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a front workpiece edge (48) seen in the conveying direction (32) is detected by at least one sensor (46) which is arranged in the region of the machine table (14) and / or feed table (12), and that an actual dimension of the workpiece (26) seen in the conveying direction (32) is determined using the Position of the at least two collets (34) at the time of detection of the front workpiece edge (48) is determined (85).

6. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an alignment device (44) in the region of the machine table (14) and / or feed table (12) remains in an extended position at least as long as a movement speed of the conveyor device (28) is greater than a limit value.

7. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a dimensional accuracy and / or shape accuracy of the rear workpiece edge (36) is determined (84) from the distances of the rear workpiece edge (36) from the contact surface (70) of the at least two collets (34).

8. Plate processing system (10) for processing, in particular for dividing plate-shaped workpieces (26), comprising a feed table (12), a machine table (14), in the area of ​​which a processing device, in particular On the dividing device (22) is arranged, and a conveyor device (28) which can convey a workpiece (26) lying on the feed table (12) in a conveying direction (32) in the direction of the machine table (14), wherein the conveyor device (28) has collets (34) which are arranged on a workpiece edge (36) adjacent to a rear workpiece edge (36) in the conveying direction (32). area, characterized in that at least two collets (34) each have a sensor device (42) from whose signal a position of the rear workpiece edge (36) relative to a contact surface (70) of the respective collet (34) can be determined.

9. Plate processing system (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the feed table (12) has a braking device (40) which, when the workpiece (26) moves in the conveying direction (32), exerts a force on the workpiece (26) acting counter to the conveying direction (32).

10. Panel processing system (10) according to at least one of claims 8-9, characterized in that it has at least one sensor device (46) in the region of the machine table (14) and / or feed table (12), from whose signal a position of a front workpiece edge (48) seen in the conveying direction (32) can be determined.

11. Plate processing system (10) for processing, in particular for dividing plate-shaped workpieces (26), comprising a feed table (12), a machine table (14), in the area of ​​which a processing device, in particular a On the dividing device (22) is arranged, and a conveying device (28) which can convey a workpiece (26) lying on the feed table (14) in a conveying direction (32) towards the machine table (15), wherein the conveying device (28) has collets (34) which can engage an area adjacent to a rear workpiece edge (36) as seen in the conveying direction (32), characterized in that the conveying device (28) has at least one additional Fixing device (96) for clamping the rear workpiece edge (36), wherein a clamping area of ​​the fixing device (96) is larger than a clamping area of ​​the collets (34).

12. Control device (50) for controlling a Plate processing system (10) according to at least one of claims 8-11, with at least one processor (52), a memory (54) for software and with software (56), characterized in that it is designed and set up to execute a Method according to at least one of claims 1-7.

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