Device and method for setting a setting element

Abstract

The application relates to a device for setting a setting element, in particular a blind rivet nut, a blind rivet bolt or a sealing plug, comprising: a receptacle for a tool; a stop with which the setting element can be brought into contact during the setting process in order to limit a movement of a portion of the setting element in the axial direction; a rotary drive in order to drive the tool in rotation; and a linear drive in order to move the tool or the stop in an axial direction, wherein a sensor is provided which is designed to determine an orientation, a presence and / or a condition of the tool and / or of the setting element. The application also relates to a corresponding method for determining a property of a tool or of a setting element.

Description

[0001] Device and method for setting a setting element

[0002] The application relates to a device and a method for setting a setting element. Specifically, the application relates to a device for setting blind rivet nuts, blind rivet studs, sealing plugs, or similar setting elements.

[0003] Such devices typically have a receptacle into which a tool, such as a mandrel, can be inserted. A setting element, such as a blind rivet nut, is screwed onto the mandrel during a setting process. The setting element is then inserted into a component and deformed by a relative movement between the tool and a stop for the blind rivet nut. Various types of malfunctions can occur during such setting processes.

[0004] One problem observed by the inventors arises when aligning non-circular setting elements when they are to be inserted into corresponding non-circular holes in the component. It can happen that a non-circular setting element is inserted into the hole at an angle relative to the corresponding non-circular hole. In such cases, the setting element or the component may be damaged, or that the setting element is not rotationally fixed to the component. This can result in the manufactured product having to be treated as scrap.

[0005] Another source of error observed by the inventors arises when a setting element is incorrectly not positioned on the tool, yet a setting process is still carried out. Another source of error can be that the setting element is not correctly positioned on the tool. Further sources of error when setting setting elements can arise if the setting element is damaged or does not correspond to the parameters entered in the device.

[0006] In addition, errors can occur when setting setting elements if the tool is worn, i.e. worn out, and therefore the required force can no longer be transferred from the tool to the setting element.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a device by means of which the setting of setting elements can be carried out with greater process reliability. Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method by means of which the setting of setting elements can be carried out with greater process reliability.

[0008] The object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims define embodiments of the invention.

[0009] The object is achieved, among other things, by a device for setting a setting element, in particular a blind rivet nut, a blind rivet bolt, or a sealing plug, with a receptacle for a tool, for example, wherein the tool has a threaded portion designed to engage with a threaded portion of the setting element during a setting process, a stop with which the setting element can be brought into contact during the setting process in order to limit a movement of a portion of the setting element in the axial direction, a rotary drive for rotating the tool, and a linear drive for moving the tool or the stop in an axial direction. In addition, a sensor is provided which is designed to

[0010] - an orientation,

[0011] - to determine the presence and / or condition of the tool and / or the setting element.

[0012] For example, by determining the orientation of the setting element using the sensor and, if necessary, subsequently adjusting the orientation, it can be avoided that a non-circular setting element is inserted into the hole twisted relative to the corresponding non-circular hole.

[0013] By monitoring the presence of the tool and / or the setting element using the sensor, sources of error can also be eliminated and thus process reliability can be improved.

[0014] By monitoring the condition of the tool using the sensor, it is possible to automatically detect when the tool is worn, thus enabling predictive maintenance to identify in a timely manner when the tool needs to be replaced. By monitoring the condition of the setting element using the sensor, for example, it can be determined before the setting operation that the setting element should not be used and the setting element can be discarded.

[0015] The various controls can be carried out using a single sensor or using several different sensors.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the invention can be found in the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the sensor is designed as a contactless sensor. This has the advantage, among other things, that the sensor requires less frequent maintenance. Alternatively, the sensor can be designed as a tactile sensor. According to one embodiment, the sensor is designed as an optical sensor.

[0018] For example, the sensor can be designed as a laser sensor, light barrier or camera.

[0019] The sensor can have a transmitter, for example a laser, and a receiver, for example a CCD array. The transmitter is preferably aligned with a rotational axis of the tool or the setting element. In other words, the transmitter can be designed to transmit along a central axis of the tool or the setting element. The transmitter can be specifically designed to transmit from a radial direction toward the rotational axis of the tool or the setting element. The transmitter can be aligned at an angle of less than 90° to the rotational axis, so that, for example, the laser beam strikes the tool or the setting element at an angle of less than 90°.

[0020] The receiver may be aligned substantially parallel to the rotation axis of the tool or setting element.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the device is designed for setting non-circular setting elements. The sensor can be designed to determine a rotational orientation of the setting element on the tool. In other words, the sensor can be designed to determine a rotational orientation of the setting element while the setting element is coupled to the tool. As a result, the device can be designed to determine whether the setting element has assumed or has assumed a desired rotational orientation, e.g., relative to a component. The device can be designed to control the rotary drive depending on the determination of the orientation of the setting element in order to change or correct the rotational orientation of the setting element with respect to a component. Preferably, the device is designed to control the rotary drive automatically, i.e.,fully automated, in order to change or correct the rotational alignment of the setting element in relation to a component.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sensor is designed as a distance sensor, in particular as a laser distance sensor. According to one embodiment, the distance sensor is arranged and configured such that the distance sensor measures different distances depending on the orientation of the non-circular setting element, and thus the orientation of the non-circular setting element can be determined from the data determined by the distance sensor.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the sensor is configured to detect the presence of the setting element on the tool. The sensor is preferably configured to send a signal to a control unit depending on whether a setting element is present or not. For example, a distance sensor can also be used for this purpose. If a distance measured by the distance sensor is greater than a threshold value, this may indicate that no setting element is present; conversely, if a distance measured by the distance sensor is less than a threshold value, this may indicate that a setting element is present.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the sensor is designed to determine the condition of the threaded section of the tool. For example, the sensor can be designed as a distance sensor and the sensor can be designed to measure a path difference between a thread valley and a tooth flank, i.e. a thread depth, and thereby determine a degree of wear of a tool thread. The sensor can be arranged on the device so that it can be moved or pivoted along the tool in order to be able to determine the condition of the entire threaded section of the tool. Alternatively, the sensor can be designed as a camera, for example, and the condition of the threaded section can be determined automatically using image recognition software. The sensor can be designed to send a signal to a control unit depending on the determined condition.For example, the sensor can be designed to send a signal to a control unit when a quality of the condition of the threaded portion falls below a threshold value, for example when wear of the threaded portion exceeds a threshold value.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the sensor is designed to determine the condition of the setting element. For example, the setting element can be rotatable about its axis by means of the rotary drive, and the sensor can thereby determine an external shape of the setting element. The external shape can be determined, for example, using a distance sensor or a camera. Determined data on the external shape of the setting element can, for example, be compared with data in a database in order to determine deviations. The sensor can be designed to send a signal to a control unit depending on the determined condition. For example, the sensor can be designed to send a signal to a control unit if the quality of the condition of the setting element falls below a threshold value.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the linear drive comprises a planetary roller screw drive. The linear drive can comprise a servo motor configured to impart a linear movement to the drive shaft and / or the tool via the planetary roller screw drive.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the rotary drive is designed to drive the drive shaft and / or the tool sequentially in two opposite directions of rotation. This makes it possible, if the setting element can be coupled to the tool via a thread, to automatically spin the setting element onto the tool, i.e. to screw it on, and to automatically release the tool from the setting element again after setting. Preferably, the sensor is designed to determine at least two properties from the properties: 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) nature of the tool and / or the setting element. For example, the sensor can be designed to determine at least two properties from the properties: 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) nature of the setting element.Alternatively, the sensor can be designed to determine at least two properties from the properties: 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) condition of the tool. The sensor can also be designed to determine at least one property from the group 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) condition of the setting element and at least one property from the group 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) condition of the tool. If the sensor is designed to measure multiple properties, this has the advantage that the setting process can be better monitored without having to provide space for multiple sensors.

[0028] The application also relates to a method for determining a property of a tool, in particular a mandrel, or a setting element, in particular a blind rivet nut, a blind rivet bolt or a sealing plug, comprising:

[0029] - Providing a device for setting the setting element with a tool having a threaded portion, wherein the threaded portion is designed to engage with a threaded portion of the setting element during a setting process, with a stop with which the setting element can be brought into contact during the setting process in order to limit a movement of a portion of the setting element in the axial direction, with a rotary drive for driving the tool in rotation, with a linear drive for moving the tool in an axial direction, and with a sensor, and

[0030] - Determine

[0031] - an orientation,

[0032] - a presence or

[0033] - a condition of the tool and / or the setting element using the sensor.

[0034] Providing the device preferably comprises providing a device with one or more features mentioned above or below.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the sensor is designed as a contactless sensor. In this case, the orientation, presence, or condition of the tool and / or the setting element can be determined without contact.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the sensor is designed as an optical sensor, in particular as a laser sensor, light barrier, or camera. In this case, the orientation, presence, or condition of the tool and / or the setting element can be determined using the optical sensor, in particular the laser sensor, the light barrier, or the camera. Alternatively, the sensor can be designed as a capacitive sensor, and the orientation, presence, or condition of the tool and / or the setting element can be determined using the capacitive sensor.

[0037] The sensor can have a transmitter, for example a laser, and a receiver, for example a CCD array. Determining the orientation, presence, or condition of the tool and / or the setting element can involve transmitting the transmitter, in particular from a radial direction, onto a rotational axis of the tool or the setting element. Determining the orientation, presence, or condition of the tool and / or the setting element can also involve receiving the signal using the receiver. The receiver can be aligned parallel to the rotational axis of the tool or the setting element.

[0038] According to one embodiment, a non-circular setting element is screwed or spindled onto the tool, and the sensor detects a rotational orientation of the setting element on the tool. In other words, the sensor can detect a rotational orientation of the setting element while the setting element is coupled to the tool. This allows the device to determine whether the setting element has assumed or has assumed a desired rotational orientation, e.g., relative to a component.

[0039] Depending on the determined orientation of the setting element, the device can control the rotary drive in such a way that the rotational orientation of the setting element in relation to a component is changed or corrected. In other words, the method can be a

[0040] - Rotating the setting element using the rotary drive to rotate the setting element into a desired rotational orientation. This allows a non-circular setting element to be aligned to a corresponding non-circular hole in the component.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the sensor is designed as a distance sensor, in particular as a laser distance sensor. In this case, the distance sensor can measure a distance between a circumferential surface of the setting element and the distance sensor, for example, to determine a rotational orientation of the setting element. Alternatively or additionally, the distance sensor can measure a distance between a circumferential surface of either the tool or—if present—the setting element, in order to determine the presence or absence of the setting element. In general, according to one embodiment, the sensor can determine whether a setting element is present on the tool or not and, for example, send a signal dependent thereon to a control unit.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the sensor determines the condition of the threaded section of the tool. This allows early detection when the tool needs to be replaced due to wear. The sensor can send a signal to a control unit depending on the determined condition. For example, if the quality of the threaded section falls below a threshold value, for example, if wear of the threaded section exceeds a threshold value, a signal to replace the tool can be sent. Preferably, the device is then moved, for example by means of a robot arm, near a tool changing station and the tool is replaced. The tool replacement can be carried out independently, fully automatically, by the device.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the sensor determines the condition of the setting element. The condition of the setting element is preferably determined while the setting element is arranged on the tool. The sensor can send a signal to a control unit depending on the determined condition. For example, the sensor can send a signal to a control unit if the quality of the setting element falls below a threshold value. The setting element can then be declared scrap, for example, and decoupled from the tool again, e.g., removed by a spindle, without setting the setting element. The method can also comprise setting the setting element. Setting can comprise moving the tool relative to the stop. Moving the tool relative to the stop can be carried out by means of the linear drive. The linear drive can comprise a planetary roller screw drive.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the sensor determines at least two properties from the properties: 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) nature of the tool and / or the setting element. For example, the sensor can determine two properties from the properties: 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) nature of the setting element. Alternatively, the sensor can determine two properties from the properties: 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) nature of the tool. The sensor can also determine at least one property from the group 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) nature of the setting element and at least one property from the group 1) orientation, 2) presence and 3) nature of the tool.

[0045] The invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0046] Fig. 1 is a sectional view of an end region of a device for setting a setting element;

[0047] Fig. 2 is a side view of the device of Fig. 1 with a sensor.

[0048] Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of an end section of a device 10 for setting a setting element 22. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the device 10 is used to set setting elements 22 with a thread, such as a blind rivet nut, a blind rivet bolt or a sealing plug, i.e. to introduce them into another component. The device 10 comprises a receptacle 12 with a thread 12a. A tool 14, for example a pulling mandrel, can be screwed into the thread 12a. In the present exemplary embodiment, the tool 14 has a threaded section 14a which extends along the entire outer surface of the tool 14. The threaded section 14a has a dual function: Firstly, the threaded section 14a serves to screw the tool 14 into the thread 12a of the receptacle 12. Secondly, the threaded section 14a serves to insert a setting element 22 (see Fig.2), for example a blind rivet nut, onto or into the tool 14.

[0049] The device 10 also includes a rotary drive (not shown) for driving a drive shaft 18 in rotation, i.e., for setting it into rotation. The rotary drive can be embodied, for example, as an electric motor. The rotary drive is designed to drive the drive shaft 18 in two mutually opposite directions of rotation.

[0050] The device 10 also includes a linear drive (not shown). The linear drive can, for example, comprise a planetary roller screw drive that converts a rotational movement into a linear movement. However, the linear drive can also be configured in a different way. The linear drive serves to move the drive shaft 18 in a first direction 24 along its main extension direction and along a second direction 26 oriented opposite to the first direction 24. In the embodiment shown, the drive shaft 18 forms the receptacle 12 for the tool 14. As a result, in the embodiment shown, a linear movement of the drive shaft 18 always results in a linear movement of the tool 14 coupled to the drive shaft 18. In other words, the linear drive serves to move the tool 14 in the first direction 24 and in the second direction 26. The device 10 also includes a coupling 20.The coupling 20 serves to selectively couple the tool 14 to the drive shaft 18 or to decouple the tool 14 and the drive shaft 18. The coupling 20 comprises a coupling element 20a. The coupling element 20a has a non-circular, for example, hexagonal, peripheral shape 20b. The non-circular peripheral shape 20b serves to engage with a corresponding non-circular peripheral shape of the tool 14, thus coupling the coupling element 20a and the tool 14 together in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0051] The coupling element 20a is connected to an annular element 36 via a pin 34. The annular element 36 surrounds the coupling element 20a and serves to limit an axial movement of the coupling element 20a during an axial movement of the drive shaft 18 in the second direction 26. For this purpose, the annular element 36 has a stop surface 36a. This stop surface 36a is designed to come into contact with a stop surface 28b of a support element 28 when the drive shaft 18 is moved further than a certain distance in the second direction 26.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the support element 28 is formed by a sleeve. The support element 28 forms an annular end face 28b. The end face 28b forms a stop for the annular element 36, i.e., the end face 28b is designed to come into contact with the stop surface 36a of the annular element 36 and prevent further movement of the annular element 36 and thus of the coupling element 20a.

[0053] When the drive shaft is moved in the second direction 26, the stop surface 36a of the annular element 36 strikes the end face 28b of the support element 28, preventing the annular element 36 and thus the coupling element 20a from further movement in the second direction 26. Through a subsequent relative movement between the drive shaft 18 and the tool 14 coupled to the drive shaft 18, on the one hand, and the coupling element 20a, on the other hand, the tool 14 can be rotationally decoupled from the coupling element 20a by means of the linear drive. The tool 14 can then be unscrewed from the holder 12.

[0054] The support element 28 also forms a stop 28a, with which the setting element 22 can be brought into contact during the setting process in order to limit the movement of a section of the setting element 22 in the axial direction. As a result, another section of the setting element 22, equipped with a thread, can be moved toward the section resting against the support element 28 by moving the tool 14 using the linear drive, as is common with blind rivet nuts, in order to plastically deform the setting element 22. The stop 28a is formed by a frontal contact surface of the support element 28.

[0055] The support element 28 also has a guide surface to limit movement of the tool 14 during an axial movement of the tool 14 along the guide surface in the radial direction. The support element 28 can be fastened or secured during use to a housing 30 of the device 10 by means of a thread. This allows the support element 28 to be easily replaced and thus adapted to a different type of tool 14.

[0056] Fig. 2 shows the device 10 with a sensor 16. The sensor 16 is arranged at the level of the tool 14. In the present embodiment, the sensor 16 serves to determine the rotational orientation of a non-circular setting element 22 mounted on the tool 14. For this purpose, the sensor 16 is designed as a contactless distance sensor. The sensor 16 comprises a transmitter 16a, which emits a laser beam 38 from a radial direction in the direction of a rotational axis 22a of the non-circular setting element 22. The laser beam 38 is reflected by an outer circumferential surface of the non-circular setting element 22 and then impinges on a receiver 16b of the sensor 16. Based on a measured time between transmission and reception of the laser beam, the sensor 16 measures a distance between the sensor 16 and a point on the outer circumferential surface of the setting element 22. The measured distance depends on a rotational orientation of the non-circular setting element 22.It is therefore possible to determine or check the alignment of the non-circular setting element 22 by means of the distance sensor 16.

[0057] Alternatively or additionally, the distance can be measured using laser triangulation.

[0058] If there is no setting element 22 on the tool 14, the sensor 16 can also detect that there is no setting element 22 on the tool 22. In other words, the presence or absence of the setting element 22 can also be detected by the distance sensor 16. In such a case, the distance sensor 16 measures a distance between the distance sensor 16 and a point on an outer circumferential surface of the tool 14, which indicates that no setting element 22 is arranged on the tool 14.

[0059] The distance sensor 16 can also be used to check whether the device 10 is equipped with a tool 14 and, if so, what diameter the tool 14 has.

[0060] The sensor 16 thus makes it possible to determine the orientation of a non-circular setting element and / or the orientation of a tool 14 that is at least partially non-circular. In addition, the sensor 16 can be used to determine the presence of the tool 14 and / or the setting element 22. It would also be conceivable to determine or check the condition of the tool 14 and / or the setting element 22. By rotating the tool 14 and / or the setting element 22 by means of the rotary drive, a contour of the tool 14 and / or the setting element 22 could be checked. In order to be able to check the entire surface of the tool 14 and / or the setting element 22 using the sensor 16, the sensor 16 can be movable in the axial direction, i.e. in the first direction 24 and in the second direction 26, relative to the tool 14. Either the tool 14 or the sensor 16 can be driven by means of a drive in the axial direction 24 / 26.

[0061] The data acquired by sensor 16 can be transmitted via a transmission device 40 to a control unit (not shown) for data evaluation. For example, the data can be used to drive the rotary drive so that the setting element 22 assumes a desired rotational orientation.

[0062] List of reference symbols

[0063] 10 Device

[0064] 12 recordings

[0065] 12a thread

[0066] 14 tools

[0067] 14a Threaded section

[0068] 14b Rotation axis

[0069] 16 Sensor

[0070] 16a transmitter

[0071] 16b receiver

[0072] 18 Drive shaft

[0073] 20 Clutch

[0074] 20a Coupling element

[0075] 22 setting element

[0076] 22a Rotation axis

[0077] 22b Head

[0078] 24 first direction

[0079] 26 second direction

[0080] 28 Support element

[0081] 28a stop

[0082] 28b Stop surface

[0083] 30 housings

[0084] 32 spring element

[0085] 34 pen

[0086] 36 ring-shaped element

[0087] 36a Stop surface

[0088] 38 laser beam

[0089] 40 Transmission device

Claims

Claims 1. Device (10) for setting a setting element (22), in particular a blind rivet nut, a blind rivet bolt or a sealing plug, comprising: a receptacle (12) for a tool (14), in particular wherein the tool (14) has a threaded portion (14a) which is designed to engage with a threaded portion of the setting element (22) during a setting process, a stop (28a) with which the setting element (22) can be brought into contact during the setting process in order to limit a movement of a portion of the setting element (22) in the axial direction, a rotary drive for driving the tool (14) in rotation, and a linear drive for moving the tool (14) or the stop (28a) in an axial direction, characterized in that a sensor (16) is provided which is designed to - an orientation, - a presence and / or - to determine a condition of the tool (14) and / or the setting element (22).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor (16) is designed as a contactless sensor.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the sensor (16) is designed as an optical sensor, in particular as a laser sensor, light barrier or camera.

4. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) has a transmitter (16a), for example a laser, and a receiver (16b), for example a CCD line, and the transmitter (16a), in particular from the radial direction, is aligned to a rotation axis (14b) of the tool (14) or the setting element (22), and / or the receiver (16b) is aligned parallel to the rotation axis (14b) of the tool (14) or the setting element (22).

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (10) is designed for setting non-circular setting elements (22), and in that the sensor (16) is designed to determine a rotational orientation of the setting element (22) arranged on the tool (14).

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) is designed as a distance sensor, in particular as a laser distance sensor.

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) is designed to determine the presence of the setting element (22) on the tool (14), and in particular is designed to send a signal to a control unit depending on whether a setting element (22) is present or not.

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) is designed to determine the condition of the threaded portion (14a) of the tool (14) and, in particular, is designed to send a signal to a control unit depending on the determined condition.

9. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) is designed to determine the condition of the setting element (22) and, in particular, is designed to send a signal to a control unit depending on the determined condition.

10. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the linear drive comprises a planetary roller screw drive.

11. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) is designed to detect at least two properties from the properties: - alignment, - presence and - to determine the nature of the tool (14) and / or the setting element (22).

12. Method for determining a property of a tool (14), in particular a mandrel, or a setting element (22), in particular a Blind rivet nut, blind rivet bolt or sealing plug, comprising: - Providing a device (10) for setting the setting element (22) with a tool (14) having a threaded portion (14a), wherein the threaded portion (14a) is designed to engage with a threaded portion of the setting element (22) during a setting process, with a stop (28a) with which the setting element (22) can be brought into contact during the setting process in order to limit a movement of a portion of the setting element (22) in the axial direction, with a rotary drive for driving the tool (14) in rotation, with a linear drive for moving the tool (14) in an axial direction, and with a sensor (16), and - Determine - an orientation, - a presence or - a condition of the tool (14) and / or the setting element (22) by means of the sensor (16).

13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the determination of the orientation, the presence or the nature of the tool (14) and / or the setting element (22) is carried out by means of a contactless sensor (16).

14. Method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that that the determination of the orientation, presence or condition of the tool (14) and / or the setting element (22) is carried out by means of an optical sensor (16), in particular a laser sensor, a light barrier or a camera.

15. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) has a transmitter (16a), for example a laser, and a receiver (16b), for example a CCD line, and the transmitter (16a) transmits, in particular from a radial direction, to a rotation axis (14b, 22a) of the tool (14) or of the setting element (22), and / or the receiver (16b) is aligned parallel to the rotation axis (14b, 22a) of the tool (14) or of the setting element (22).

16. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that a non-circular setting element (22) is screwed or spindled onto the tool (14), and the sensor (16) determines a rotational orientation of the setting element (22) on the tool (14).

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: - Rotating the setting element (22) by means of the rotary drive in order to rotate the setting element (22) into a desired rotational orientation.

18. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) is designed as a distance sensor, in particular as a laser distance sensor.

19. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) determines whether a setting element (22) is present on the tool (14) or not and in particular sends a signal dependent thereon to a control unit.

20. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) determines the condition of the threaded portion (14a) of the tool (14) and, in particular, sends a signal to a control unit depending on the determined condition. 21 . Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the sensor (16) determines the condition of the setting element (22) and, in particular, sends a signal to a control unit depending on the determined condition.

22. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the linear drive comprises a planetary roller screw drive.

23. Method according to one of the preceding method claims, characterized in that the method comprises a - Determine at least two properties from the group of properties - alignment, - presence and - nature of the tool (14) and / or the setting element (22) by means of the sensor (16).

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