Method for operating a panel partitioning plant, and panel partitioning plant

Abstract

A method for operating a panel dividing system (10), in which an output panel (32) is moved from a staging area (30) by a transport system (23) to a feed table (12) and by the transport system (23) from the feed table (12) to a dividing area (18) for division, and in which an intermediate workpiece (58) resulting from this division is moved by the transport system (23) from a removal table (14) to a buffer unit (34) and deposited there, from where it is moved by the transport system (23) back to the feed table (12) and by the transport system (23) further to the dividing area (18) for further division. It is proposed that the buffer unit (34) has at least one first buffer area (36).1) includes a top surface of the staging area, in particular a top surface of an output plate (32) stored in the staging area (30), and that an intermediate workpiece (58, 62) is placed on the top surface of the staging area (30) by the transport system (23) and moved from there by the transport system (23) to the feed table (12).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for operating a plate dividing system, as well as a plate dividing system.

[0002] DE 10 2014 225 074 A1 and DE 10 2015 206 824 A1 disclose panel dividing systems for dividing initial panels into intermediate workpieces and for further dividing these intermediate workpieces. For this purpose, the known panel dividing systems have a staging area in which the mostly large-format initial panels are provided as stacks. The topmost initial panel of each stack is moved by a transport device of a transport system to a feed table. Another transport device of the transport system, in the form of a program pusher, moves the initial panel on the feed table to a dividing area, for example, a dividing saw. There, the initial panel is typically divided into strip-shaped intermediate workpieces.These arrive at a removal table, where the intermediate workpieces are transported by another transport unit of the transport system, in the form of a robot, into a lateral "active" buffer unit. From there, the intermediate workpieces are transported by another transport unit of the transport system, namely a special transport unit assigned only to the "active" buffer unit, back to the feed table and on to the cutting area for further cutting.

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a technically particularly simple and therefore efficient method for operating a plate dividing system.

[0004] This problem is solved by a method and a plate dividing system with the features of the dependent claims. Advantageous embodiments are described in the subclaims.

[0005] The inventive method eliminates the need for an "active" buffer device and a special transport device dedicated solely to this buffer device. The invention reveals that an output plate only needs to be moved from the supply area to the feed table relatively infrequently. Consequently, it was realized that the supply area, with the output plate or stack of output plates lying on it, can be used as a buffer device for extended periods during operation of the plate dividing system. Thus, thanks to the present invention, the supply area has a dual function: on the one hand, providing output plates, and on the other hand, buffering intermediate workpieces.By positioning the staging area to the side of the feed table within the working area of ​​a transport device of the transport system, for example, a robot, direct feeding of output plates into the machine and buffering of intermediate workpieces by this transport device are possible (the working area of ​​a transport device is understood here and subsequently to be at least approximately the area within which a workpiece can be moved by this transport device). The same transport device of the transport system used to move the output pieces from the staging area to the feed table can be used to move the intermediate workpieces buffered in the staging area to the feed table.

[0006] Specifically, this is achieved through a method for operating a panel dividing system. In this system, a starting panel is moved from a staging area to a feed table by a transport system—typically comprising several separate transport devices. Furthermore, the starting workpiece, located on the feed table, is moved by the transport system from the feed table to a dividing area for initial dividing. Typically, the first transport device of the system, which moves the starting panel from the staging area to the feed table, is different from the second transport device of the system, which moves the starting panel from the feed table to the dividing area. The latter, second transport device is typically a portal-type program slide with a plurality of clamping jaws that engage a rear edge of the starting workpiece—viewed in the conveying direction toward the dividing area.

[0007] In the method according to the invention, an intermediate workpiece produced by the first division is moved by the transport system, for example the first transport device mentioned above or a further transport device, from a removal table to a buffer device and deposited there. Typically, this intermediate workpiece is a so-called plate strip or longitudinal strip, and the aforementioned first division is typically referred to as a longitudinal section.

[0008] The need for buffering arises from the fact that these longitudinal strips typically require at least one further cutting operation, usually referred to as a cross-section, to produce the desired final workpiece (or a further intermediate workpiece to be cut or machined). However, these cross-sections can only be performed once the cutting area is clear, meaning that no further longitudinal cuts are being made on the initial workpiece within the cutting area, i.e., the initial workpiece is completely cut. Until this occurs, the longitudinal strips or further intermediate workpieces are buffered in the buffer unit.

[0009] Once the partitioning area is clear again, the (further) intermediate workpieces are moved by the transport system, for example, the first transport device already mentioned above, from the buffer device back to the feed table and by the transport system, for example, the second transport device already mentioned above, further to the partitioning area for at least a second partitioning operation. According to the invention, the buffer device comprises at least a first buffer area, which includes an upper surface of the staging area, in particular an upper surface of an output plate stored in the staging area.

[0010] After the intermediate workpiece, for example a strip of sheet metal, has been produced by longitudinal cutting, such a strip is simply placed on the upper side of the staging area by the transport system, preferably its first transport device already mentioned above. Once the slicing area is clear again, the intermediate workpiece placed there is moved by the transport system, preferably again by the first transport device already mentioned above, to the feed table for further slicing (for example, a cross-section).

[0011] The top surface of the staging area can be formed by the top surface of a storage location, such as a staging table, for the large-format output workpieces, or it can be formed by the top surface of the uppermost large-format output workpiece located in the staging area. In this case, the intermediate workpiece is simply placed on top of the uppermost large-format output workpiece in the staging area.

[0012] During further training, it is planned that the current vertical position of the top surface of the staging area will be taken into account when the intermediate workpiece is placed on this surface by the transport system. This prevents the intermediate workpiece from being "dropped" onto the top surface by the transport system and thus positioned inaccurately.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, a reference point can be defined for precise horizontal positioning. Such a reference point could be, for example, an edge of the top surface of the staging area or an edge of a starting workpiece lying on the staging area. The reference point can be selected by an operator or set automatically by a control device. If the exact position and size of an intermediate workpiece are known, at least one further intermediate workpiece can be placed and temporarily stored on the aforementioned top surface.

[0014] In a further training course, it is stipulated that the vertical position is determined taking into account the number and thickness of the output plates stored in the staging area, and / or that the vertical position is determined based on the vertical position before the last removal of an output plate or intermediate workpiece, as well as the thickness of the removed output plate or intermediate workpiece. This accounts for the fact that a stack of output workpieces is typically located in the staging area. The top output workpiece from this stack is moved to the feed table for splitting. After the top output workpiece has been moved to the feed table, the top of the staging area is lower by the thickness of the removed output workpiece. This is taken into account when placing the intermediate workpiece.Preferably, the stack's reference height is recalculated and approached anew during each plate retrieval process.

[0015] In a further development, it is provided that the vertical position of the top of the staging area can be controlled and changed, and that after a workpiece is removed, the stack of output plates stored in the staging area is raised by the thickness of the removed workpiece. The thickness of the removed workpiece can be known to a control unit, which actuates an actuator to prevent the top of the staging area from rising vertically, either based on, for example, a cutting plan, or it can be communicated to the control unit by means of a sensor. This facilitates the placement of an intermediate workpiece in the staging area by the transport system, preferably its first transport unit.

[0016] In a further development, it is stipulated that the buffer system includes at least a second buffer area in addition to the first, and that a control system automatically decides, based on at least one operating parameter, in which buffer area the intermediate workpiece should be placed. For example, a second buffer area could be provided above the cutting area. A third buffer area could be provided by enlarging the unloading table. A fourth buffer area could be provided by an additional lateral storage area and / or at least one existing destacking station, such as a destacking lift table, which can be used temporarily as a buffer area. This further improves the operational flexibility of the panel dividing system.

[0017] In a further development process, it is stipulated that the operating parameter must be at least one from the following group: available free space for depositing the intermediate workpiece in the first and second buffer areas; number of subsequent intermediate workpieces produced from the starting plate; size of the subsequent intermediate workpieces produced from the starting plate; shape of the subsequent intermediate workpieces produced from the starting plate; complexity parameters of a cutting plan (for example, a sequence of intermediate pieces in the cutting plan, a desired sequence of finished workpieces for further transport or stacking). These operating parameters are typically known to a standard machine control system of a panel slicing machine and can be easily processed. The first parameter mentioned above (available free space) is particularly preferred.

[0018] In a further training procedure, it is stipulated that before placing an intermediate workpiece on the top surface of a starting plate stored in the staging area, at least one spacer is placed on the top surface. This spacer must have at least one dimension (length and / or width) that is smaller than a corresponding dimension of the intermediate workpiece. This reduces the adhesive forces between the intermediate workpiece and the top surface of the staging area, thus facilitating the removal of the intermediate workpiece. Suitable spacers include, for example, scrap pieces generated during the dividing process by the dividing device. If a staging area is used where the vertical position of its top surface can be adjusted, then, for example, a vertical dimension of the spacer can be taken into account when setting the vertical position.

[0019] In a further development, it is provided that a workpiece, preferably a starting plate, is separated from the top of the staging area by a singulation device before being moved. This also reduces adhesive forces between the workpiece lying on the top of the staging area and the surface itself. For example, the singulation device can lift / move a workpiece lying on the top of the staging area, at least partially, from the surface, which has the aforementioned effect of reducing adhesive forces during lifting by the transport system. The use of the singulation device can depend, among other things, on the type of material of the starting plate.

[0020] In a further training exercise, it is envisaged that the transport system includes a transport device in the form of a robot, and that the output plate is moved from the staging area to the feed table, the intermediate workpiece from the removal table to the buffer device, and the intermediate workpiece from the buffer device to the feed table by this robot. The "first" transport device, as described above, would then be formed by this single robot, which performs, or at least is capable of performing, all of the transport movements listed above. This robot could, for example, be a handling robot, in particular an articulated robot with a robot arm having at least two arm sections that can be moved relative to each other.

[0021] Such a robot is typically positioned to the side of the cutting area, extending its reach so that its robot arm can access the unloading table, the infeed table, and the staging area. Alternatively, the robot can be positioned within the unloading table area, for example, to the side of it. In this configuration, the robot would need to be designed, for instance, by adjusting the length of its arm, so that its working area still partially covers both the infeed table and the staging area. The advantage of this arrangement is that the robot can cover a larger stacking area, thus providing greater flexibility when palletizing the finished workpieces.

[0022] In any case, a fundamental principle of this advanced training is that the robot's working area covers not only the infeed and outfeed tables, but also the staging area. Ideally, a single transport device, such as the aforementioned robot, is sufficient to move the workpieces to the staging area and the infeed table. A portal-like program slide, also part of the transport system, is typically used to transport the workpieces located on the infeed table and to be divided by the dividing device. This slide can be described as a "second" transport device and is equipped with pneumatic clamps that grip a rear edge of the workpieces (as viewed from the feed direction to the dividing device) and deliver the output or intermediate workpiece located on the infeed table to the dividing device.

[0023] The invention also includes a panel dividing system for dividing output panels, comprising a feed table, a dividing area, a removal table, and a buffer unit. The panel dividing system according to the invention includes a control unit with a processor and a memory on which a computer program is stored, comprising instructions that, when executed by the control unit, cause it to perform one of the methods described above. By using the supply area as a buffer area for intermediate workpieces, i.e., the novel "feeding" of the panel dividing system, the panel dividing system according to the invention is particularly space-saving.

[0024] In a further development of the plate dividing system, it is provided that the staging area includes at least one sensor device with which a vertical position of the top of the staging area can be detected, so that this vertical position of the top of the staging area can be taken into account when placing the intermediate workpiece on this top by the transport system, so that a reference point for a horizontally accurate placement of an intermediate workpiece can be determined, preferably by means of a sensor device.

[0025] The plate dividing system can further be set up and designed in such a way that the vertical position is determined taking into account the number and thickness of the output plates stored in the supply area, preferably by means of the sensor device, and / or that the vertical position is determined based on the vertical position before the last removal of an output plate or intermediate workpiece and the thickness of the removed output plate or intermediate workpiece.

[0026] In a further development of the panel dividing system, it is provided that it has a motorized device designed and configured to control and change the vertical position of the top of the staging area. For example, after a staging panel is removed, the stack of staging panels stored in the staging area can be raised by the thickness of the removed staging panel.

[0027] In a further development of the plate dividing system, it is provided that the transport system includes a first transport device in the form of a robot, which has a first working area, and a second transport device in the form of a program slider assigned to the feed table with a second working area, that the first working area and the second working area overlap at least partially, and that the first working area overlaps at least partially with the staging area.

[0028] The panel dividing system can further be set up and designed in such a way that the transport system includes a transport device in the form of a robot, and that the output panel can be moved from the staging area to the feed table, and the intermediate workpiece from the removal table to the buffer device, and the intermediate workpiece from the buffer device to the feed table, by the one robot.

[0029] The plate dividing system can further be set up and designed in such a way that the buffer device includes at least a second buffer area in addition to the first buffer area, and that a control device is designed and set up in such a way that it automatically decides, depending on at least one operating parameter, on which buffer area the intermediate workpiece should be placed.

[0030] The panel dividing system can also be set up and designed such that the operating parameter is at least one from the following group: available free area for depositing the intermediate workpiece in the first buffer area (36.1) and in the second buffer area; number of intermediate workpieces still to be produced; size of the intermediate workpieces still to be produced; shape of the intermediate workpieces still to be produced; complexity parameter of a cutting plan.

[0031] The plate dividing system can further be set up and designed in such a way that, prior to placing an intermediate workpiece on the top side of an output plate stored in the staging area, at least one spacer is placed on the top side, which has at least one dimension that is smaller than a corresponding dimension of the intermediate workpiece.

[0032] The panel dividing system may also have a singulation device by means of which a workpiece can be singulated before being moved from the top of the staging area.

[0033] One embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Figure 1 is a top view of a schematically represented plate dividing plant at a first point in time during its operation; Figure 2 is a representation similar to Figure 1, at a second point in time; Figure 3, a representation similar to Figure 1 , at a third point in time; Figure 4, a representation similar to Figure 1 , at a fourth point in time; and Figure 5 a representation similar to Figure 1 , at a fifth point in time.

[0034] Subsequently, functionally equivalent elements and areas in different figures bear the same reference symbols. They are typically only explained in detail upon their first mention. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, the following are also used in the Figure 2-5 Not all reference marks are entered.

[0035] A panel dividing system is designated by reference numeral 10 in the figures. It comprises a feed table 12, a discharge table 14, and a machine table 16 arranged between the feed table 12 and the discharge table 14. The machine table 16 has a dividing area 18, indicated here by a dashed line. A pressure beam 20 is arranged above the machine table 16. The dividing area 18, in turn, includes, by way of example, a dividing saw (not shown) that can be moved in a saw slot in the machine table 16 along the double arrow 22.

[0036] The panel dividing system 10 includes a transport system 23, which comprises a number of separate transport devices. One such transport device, in the form of a portal-like program slide 24, is assigned to the feed table 12. This program slide has a number of pneumatically actuated clamping jaws 26. As will be explained below, the program slide 24 can move a workpiece lying on the feed table 12 in one transport direction (arrow 28) towards the dividing area 18 (and can also move a workpiece lying on the feed table 12 against the transport direction 28). A working area of ​​the program slide 24, indicated by a dashed line, bears the reference numeral 29.

[0037] The panel dividing system 10 also includes a staging area 30, which, in this example, is arranged laterally to the side of the feed table 12 and typically comprises a relatively low staging table (without a separate reference numeral). Several stacked, large-format output panels 32, shown here with dashed lines, can be staged in the staging area 30. These output panels 32 reach the staging area 30, for example, by a gantry robot, a belt conveyor, or a forklift (arrow 53 in the figure). Figure 1 ).

[0038] As mentioned above, the staging area 30 can, for example, be formed by a staging table. This can be a passive table, which is therefore horizontally and vertically immobile. However, it can also be an active table, which is vertically movable, for example, by means of a motorized lifting device 31. This vertical mobility allows the vertical position of the table's top surface to be adjusted, for example, when a starting plate 32 has been removed from the staging area 30. The table's vertical position can also be adjusted to the height of a stack of starting plates 32 stored on the table.For this purpose, a suitable sensor device 33 (e.g., an image acquisition device or a laser or ultrasonic sensor) can be provided, which detects the height of the stack and / or the thickness of the stacked panels and provides corresponding signals for an automatic change of the vertical position. As will be explained further below, the staging area 30 serves not only for the provision of large-format output panels 32 ("raw panels"), but also as a buffer area for the temporary storage of already processed panels that are to be processed again ("intermediate workpieces").

[0039] Furthermore, the plate dividing system 10 includes a buffer unit 34, which, in this example, comprises a plurality of buffer zones, collectively designated by reference numeral 36. This includes a first buffer zone 36.1, which encompasses or is formed by the upper surface of the supply area 30, as will be explained in more detail below. The buffer unit also includes, in this example, a second buffer zone 36.2, which, in this example, is formed by a storage area arranged above the pressure beam 20. Finally, the buffer unit 34 includes, in this example, an optional third buffer zone 36.3, which, in this example, is formed by the removal table 14. Compared to previously known removal tables 14, this table is larger and designed as a single, continuous surface, instead of being divided into individual elongated segments.Finally, there is an optional fourth buffer area 36.4, which in this example is formed by a buffer table arranged laterally to the side of the removal table 14. Alternatively or additionally, it could also be formed by a storage area (see below) for finished workpieces, which is used temporarily as a buffer table.

[0040] Part of the transport system 23 is also a further transport device in the form of a robot 38. This robot comprises a stationary base 40, which is arranged laterally to the side of the machine table 16, extending from the cutting area 18. A multi-segment robot arm 42 is attached to the base 40. The robot 38 is therefore a so-called "articulated robot." A suction traverse 44 is attached to a projecting end of the robot arm 42. This is, in this example, an approximately rectangular frame, on the underside of which a plurality of suction devices (not visible) are arranged, which can grip the top surface of a workpiece or a starting plate. Instead of a suction traverse, other devices can also be attached to the robot arm 42, enabling the robot 38 to move plate-shaped workpieces. It is also conceivable, in principle, to use a gantry robot instead of an articulated robot, as shown here.

[0041] A work area 45 of the robot 38 with the suction traverse 44 is configured such that the robot 38 can move workpieces from the staging area 30 to the feed table 12, from the unloading table 14 to one of the buffer areas 36.1 - 36.4 of the buffer unit 34, and from there back to the feed table 12 or the unloading table 14. Furthermore, the robot 38 can move workpieces to a storage area 46. The "first" work area 45 of the robot 38 thus overlaps at least partially with the "second" work area 29 of the program slider 24, by at least partially covering the feed table 12. It also at least partially covers the storage area 30 and the buffer area 36.1 formed by it. In the present example, it also covers at least part of the removal table 14, the buffer areas 36.2 - 36.4 and the storage area 46.The storage area 46 is typically connected to another transport device (not shown) for the further transport of the finished workpieces.

[0042] The plate dividing system 10 also includes a control unit 48, for example in the form of a computer. The control unit 48 comprises a processor 50 and a memory 52 on which a computer program is stored. This program, in turn, includes instructions which, when executed by the control unit 48, cause it to perform a procedure of the type described below.

[0043] The panel dividing system 10 can be used or operated as follows, for example: as in Figure 1 As shown, output plates 32 can be used according to the one in Figure 1 The arrow 53 shown in the diagram is stacked in staging area 30 for distribution. As shown in the diagram... Figure 2As can be seen, the robot 38 can move the top output plate 32 from the staging area 30 to the feed table 12 in the direction of arrow 54. To facilitate the robot 38 lifting the top output plate 32 from the stack, a singulation device 56 is provided, by means of which the top output plate 32 is singulated before being moved by the robot 38.

[0044] The singulation device 56 can, in a known manner, for example, comprise an air nozzle, a wedge, or a slide, by which the uppermost output plate 32 is lifted from the surface or the other output plates 32, at least partially, and / or displaced in such a way that the adhesive forces between the uppermost output plate 32 and the surface and / or the other output plates 32 are at least reduced. This enables the suction traverse 44 and the robot 38 to easily lift the uppermost output plate 32 and prevents unintentional movement of the other workpieces.

[0045] As from Figure 3As can be seen, the rear edge of the output plate 32, viewed in the transport direction 28, is gripped by the clamping jaws 26 of the program slide 24. The output plate 32 is then moved by the program slide 24 in the transport direction 28 towards the dividing area 18 and there successively divided into strip-shaped intermediate workpieces 58 ("plate strips") by initial divisions ("longitudinal cuts"). The intermediate workpieces 58 are thus created by this (first) division. It is understood that, in this case, such divisions of the output plate 32 by the dividing device in the dividing area 18, which, for example, serve to produce a straight edge (so-called "trimming cuts"), can precede the actual divisions.

[0046] After the initial division, the strip-shaped intermediate workpieces 58 first arrive at the removal table 14, as shown in the illustration. Figure 3 This is evident. From dispensing table 14, as exemplified in... Figure 4 As shown, an intermediate piece 58 is moved from the robot 38 to the buffer area 36.1 of the buffer device 34, which is formed by the top of the staging area 30. Since output plates 32 are still located in the staging area 30, the buffer area 36.1 is formed by the top of the uppermost output plate 32 in the staging area 30.

[0047] The control unit 48 takes into account the vertical position of the top surface of the staging area 30 when the robot 38 places the intermediate workpiece 58 onto this top surface. This can be done, for example, by determining the number and thickness of the output plates 32 still stored in the staging area 30. Alternatively, the vertical position can be determined based on the last vertical position before the robot 38 removed an output plate 32 or an intermediate workpiece 58, as well as the thickness of the removed output plate 32 or intermediate workpiece 58.

[0048] It is also possible to define a reference point for the precise horizontal placement of an intermediate workpiece 58. Such a reference point could be, for example, an edge of the top surface 36.1 of the staging area 30 or an edge of an output plate 32 lying on the staging area 30. The reference point can be selected by an operator, for example, or it can be set automatically by a control device and monitored by means of the sensor device 33 (e.g., image acquisition). If the exact position and size of a placed intermediate workpiece 58 are known, at least one further intermediate workpiece 58 can, for example, be placed and temporarily stored on the aforementioned top surface 36.1.

[0049] Strip-shaped intermediate workpieces 58 are, as in Figure 4The intermediate workpieces 58, as depicted, are also placed in buffer areas 36.2, 36.3, and 36.4, where they were also moved by the robot 38 from the removal table 14. The control unit 48 decides, based on at least one operating parameter, in which buffer area 36 the current intermediate workpiece 58 should be placed. These operating parameters can include, for example: the available free space for placing the intermediate workpiece 58 in buffer areas 36.1, 36.2, 36.3, and 36.4; the number of intermediate workpieces 58 still to be produced from the starting plate 32; the size of the intermediate workpieces 58 still to be produced from the starting plate 32; and finally, the shape of the intermediate workpieces 58 still to be produced from the starting plate 32. A complexity parameter of a cutting plan by which the starting plate 32 is to be divided can also be such a parameter. The area on the extraction table 16 or the buffer area 36.3 is dynamically calculated and released by the control unit 48. The determining factor is the subsequent production and the next size of a sheet strip 58, for example, a planned sequence for transport or stacking of the finished workpieces 60. A left-hand portion of the unloading table 14 in the figures could be permanently reserved for buffering, depending on the width of the unloading table 14 and the maximum length of the output sheets 32 to be processed.

[0050] Buffering the intermediate workpieces 58 in the buffer areas 36 is necessary because the intermediate workpieces 58 are to be further processed or divided. However, this is only possible when the division area 18 is available for this further processing. This, in turn, is only the case after the initial plate 32 has been completely divided by the first divisions (longitudinal cuts).

[0051] As from Figure 5As can be seen, an intermediate workpiece 58, for example, placed in buffer area 36.1, i.e., on an output plate 32 in staging area 30, can be moved by the robot 38 onto the feed table 12. The collets 26 of the program slider 24 can then engage a rear edge of the intermediate workpiece 58 as seen in the transport direction 28. The program slider 24 can then move the intermediate workpiece 58 lying on the feed table 12 in the transport direction 28 towards the dividing area 18, where the intermediate workpiece 58 is successively divided by a second division ("cross-sections") either into finished workpieces 60 or into further intermediate workpieces 62. The finished workpieces 60 are moved by the robot 38 to the storage area 46, where they are conveyed away, for example, by means of a roller conveyor (arrow 64 in Figure 5 ).

[0052] The further intermediate workpieces 62 can be moved by the robot 38 back into one of the buffer areas 36, in this case, for example, into buffer area 36.2. From there, they can be moved by the robot 38 back onto the feed table 12, in order to be divided again by a third division ("post-cuts" or "third cuts") into, for example, finished workpieces 60.

[0053] As from the Figure 4 and 5 As can be seen, before an intermediate workpiece 58 is placed on the upper side of the staging area 30, i.e., in the buffer area 36.1, at least one spacer 66 can be placed on this upper side, which, as can be seen from the Figure 4 and 5It is clearly evident that the intermediate workpiece 58 has a dimension in the form of both a length and a width that is significantly smaller than a corresponding dimension of the intermediate workpiece 58. The intermediate workpiece 58 is then placed on these two spacers 66, and one could say that their upper surface then forms the upper surface of the staging area 30 or the first buffer area 36.1. This also facilitates the removal of an intermediate workpiece 58 from the upper surface of the staging area 30.

Claims

1. Method for operating a plate dividing system (10), in which an output plate (32) is moved from a staging area (30) by a transport system (23) to a feed table (12) and by the transport system (23) from the feed table (12) to a dividing area (18) for division, and in which an intermediate workpiece (58) created by this division is moved by the transport system (23) from a removal table (14) to a buffer device (34) and placed there, from where it is moved by the transport system (23) back to the feed table (12) and by the transport system (23) further to the dividing area (18) for further division, characterized by the fact thatthe buffer device (34) comprises at least a first buffer area (36.1) which includes a top surface of the staging area, in particular a top surface of an output plate (32) stored in the staging area (30), and that an intermediate workpiece (58, 62) is placed on the top surface of the staging area (30) by the transport system (23) and moved from there by the transport system (23) to the feed table (12).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that a current vertical position of the top of the staging area (36.1) is taken into account when the intermediate workpiece (58, 62) is placed on this top by the transport system (23), and / or a reference point is determined for a horizontally accurate placement of an intermediate workpiece (58).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the vertical position is determined taking into account the number and thickness of the output plates (32) stored in the provision area (30), and / or wherein the vertical position is determined based on the vertical position before the last removal of an output plate (32) or an intermediate workpiece (58, 62) and the thickness of the removed output plate (32) or the removed intermediate workpiece (58, 62).

4. A method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein a vertical position of the top of the supply area (30) can be controlled and changed, and wherein, after the removal of a starting plate (32), the stack of starting plates (32) stored in the supply area is raised by the thickness of the removed starting plate (32).

5. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatthe buffer device (34) comprises at least one second buffer area (36.2, 36.3, 36.4) in addition to the first buffer area (36.1), and a control device (48) automatically decides, depending on at least one operating parameter, on which buffer area (36) the intermediate workpiece (58, 62) is to be placed.

6. Method according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that The operating parameter is at least one of the following: available free area for placing the intermediate workpiece (58, 62) in the first buffer area (36.1) and in the second buffer area (36.2, 36.3, 36.4); number of intermediate workpieces still to be created (58, 62); size of the intermediate workpieces still to be created (58, 62); shape of the intermediate workpieces still to be created (58, 62); complexity parameter of a cutting plan.

7. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein, prior to placing an intermediate workpiece (58, 62) on the upper side of a starting plate (32) stored in the provision area (30), at least one spacer (66) is placed on the upper side, which has at least one dimension that is smaller than a corresponding dimension of the intermediate workpiece (58, 62).

8. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that Before moving a workpiece (58, 62) from the top of the staging area (30), it is separated by a singulation device (56).

9. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the transport system (23) comprises a transport device in the form of a robot (38), and wherein the output plate (32) is moved from the staging area (30) to the feed table (12) and the intermediate workpiece (58, 62) from the removal table (14) to the buffer device (34) and the intermediate workpiece (58, 62) from the buffer device (34) to the feed table (12) by the robot (38).

10. Panel dividing system (10) for dividing output panels (32), comprising a staging area (30) for the output panels (32), a feed table (12), a dividing area (18), a removal table (14), a buffer device (34) for divided intermediate workpieces (58, 62), and a transport system (23) for moving an output panel (32) from the staging area (30) to the feed table (12), for moving the output panel (32) from the feed table (12) to the dividing area (18) for division, for moving an intermediate workpiece (58) resulting from this division from the removal table (14) to the buffer device (34), and for moving the intermediate workpiece (58) from the buffer device (34) to the feed table (12). characterized by the fact thata top surface of the staging area (30) forms a first buffer area (36.1) of the buffer device (34), and that the plate dividing system (10) is set up and designed such that the transport system (23) can deposit an intermediate workpiece (58) on the top surface of the staging area (30) and move it from there to the feed table (12).

11. Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the provisioning area (30) includes at least one sensor device (33) with which a vertical position of the top of the provisioning area (30) can be detected.

12. Plate dividing system according to at least one of claims 10-11, characterized by the fact that it has a motor device (31) which is designed and configured to change a vertical position of the top of the provisioning area (30) in a controlled manner.

13. Plate dividing system (10) according to at least one of claims 10-12, characterized by the fact thatthe transport system (23) comprises a first transport device in the form of a robot (38) having a first work area (45) and a second transport device in the form of a program slider (24) associated with the feed table (12) having a second work area (29), such that the first work area (45) and the second work area (28) overlap at least partially, and that the first work area (45) overlaps at least partially with the provision area (30).

14. Plate dividing system (10) according to at least one of claims 10-13, characterized by the fact that it comprises a control device (48) with a processor (50) and a memory (52) on which a computer program product is stored, comprising instructions which, when the computer program product is executed by the control device (48), cause it to execute the method according to at least one of the preceding claims 1-9.

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