Workbench, particularly for the preparation of steel structural sheets of large size and thickness, and method of anchoring one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness

Abstract

A workbench (1), particularly for the preparation of steel structural sheets of large size and thickness, which comprises: - a load-bearing framework (2), which defines a plurality of rails (3) that define a supporting surface for one or more workpieces (4a, 4b); - a plurality of anchoring sliders (5), which support multipolar electromagnets (6); the anchoring sliders (5) are selectively arrangeable, both in terms of number and in terms of position, along each rail (3): and means for automated movement of the anchoring sliders (5) along the rails (3) which comprise, for each pair of anchoring sliders (5): - at least one sliding block (9); - at least one shuttle (12), which is mounted on board the sliding block (9) and is equipped with retractable claws (13sa, 13sr, 13da, 13dr) which can be selectively activated for their engagement with the anchoring sliders (5).

Description

[0001] WORKBENCH, PARTICULARLY FOR THE PREPARATION OF STEEL STRUCTURAL SHEETS OF LARGE SIZE AND THICKNESS, AND METHOD OF ANCHORING ONE OR MORE STEEL STRUCTURAL SHEETS, PARTICULARLY OF LARGE SIZE AND THICKNESS

[0002] The present invention relates to a workbench, particularly for the preparation of steel structural sheets of large size and thickness, as well as to the method of anchoring one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness, to such a workbench.

[0003] In the sector of heavy metal structural work, the use is known of large machines which are adapted for the preparation of sheets, typically of steel, of large size and thickness, by means of stock-removal machining.

[0004] Notwithstanding the great weight of such plates (hereinafter referred to as “workpieces”), the cutting force applied by the tools can be such as to displace the workpiece or in any case make it vibrate, with consequent loss of precision of the machining.

[0005] With the aim therefore of keeping the workpiece stationary, the need arises to firmly anchor the workpiece to the foundation of the machine, which closes the loop of the forces between tool and workpiece.

[0006] This anchoring is typically achieved with workbenches which are provided with means for anchoring the workpiece.

[0007] In order to have the work area unencumbered by any equipment for anchoring the workpiece, advances in technology have culminated in the replacement of classical clamp / jaw systems or electromechanical positioning systems, either manual or more or less automatic, with electromagnetic elements that can slide on rails.

[0008] In more detail, workbenches of the magnetic type are therefore known which are constituted by a substantially lattice-like supporting structure, on the nodes of which electromagnetic anchoring elements can be fixed which, in turn, anchor the workpiece following their electrical activation.

[0009] Such conventional workbenches are not devoid of drawbacks, among which there is the fact that the interface between the anchoring elements and the supporting structure of the workbench proper is provided by fixing means of the electromechanical type which are manually positioned on a surface, which implies a considerable expenditure of time by the operator during the positioning of the anchoring elements.

[0010] Moreover, another drawback of conventional workbenches consists in that the continual displacement and the repeated operations to fix and reposition the anchoring elements on and from the supporting structure implies wear of the parts in contact, with the consequent need to replace components in order to maintain a high degree of precision of anchoring.

[0011] In addition, a further drawback of conventional workbenches consists in that the positioning of the anchoring elements occurs discretely at regular intervals which implies a non-optimal anchoring for workpieces of particularly irregular shape. In fact, such anchoring elements are positioned freely on the surface without the use of systems of guidance or reference.

[0012] Finally, another drawback of the conventional workbenches consists in that they necessitate continual and constant machine stoppages for each change of workpiece, in order to clean the supporting structure of the chips generated during the various machining operations performed which, otherwise, would impede the correct and precise repositioning of the anchoring elements.

[0013] The aim of the present invention consists in providing a workbench, particularly for the preparation of steel structural sheets of large size and thickness, which is capable of overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks.

[0014] Within this aim, an object of the present invention consists in providing a method of anchoring one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness, to the workbench, which is capable of overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks.

[0015] Last but not least, another object of the present invention consists in providing a method of machining one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness, which is capable of overcoming the above mentioned drawbacks.

[0016] This aim and these and other objects which will become more evident hereinafter are achieved by a workbench, particularly for the preparation of steel structural sheets of large size and thickness, according to claim 1 and, optionally, according to one or more of the claims that depend thereon.

[0017] This aim and these and other objects which will become more evident hereinafter are furthermore achieved by a method of anchoring one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness, to a workbench according to claim 13 and, optionally, according to one or more of the claims that depend thereon.

[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a workbench, of a method of anchoring and of a method of machining, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0019] - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a workbench according to the present invention with two straight-shaped workpieces placed on it;

[0020] - Figure 2 is a perspective view of the workbench shown in Figure 1 with the two workpieces shown transparent;

[0021] - Figure 3 is a perspective view of the workbench shown in the previous figures with another, curve-shaped workpiece anchored on it;

[0022] - Figure 4 is a perspective view of the workbench shown in Figure 3 with the workpiece shown transparent;

[0023] - Figure 5 is an enlarged-scale detail of the workbench shown in the previous figures, without workpieces;

[0024] - Figure 6 is a partially transparent, enlarged-scale perspective view of the shuttle, of the sliding block, and of a segment of the contoured guide of the workbench shown in the previous figures;

[0025] - Figure 7 is a partially transparent side view of the shuttle, of the sliding block, and of a segment of the contoured guide, shown in Figure 6;

[0026] - Figure 8 is a block diagram showing the methods of anchoring and of machining according to the invention.

[0027] With reference to the figures, the workbench, particularly for the preparation of steel structural sheets of large size and thickness, is generally designated by the reference number 1 and comprises a load-bearing framework 2, which defines a plurality of rails 3 which are oriented in space in a mutually parallel and coplanar manner so as to define a supporting surface for at least one workpiece 4a or 4b.

[0028] As will be better described below, in the embodiment proposed, the load-bearing framework 2 is effectively a modular structure which can be dimensioned by adding or removing modules (i.e. the rails 3 and the components associated therewith), as a function of the size of the workpiece 4a or 4b.

[0029] In the present description, the term "workpiece" means steel structural sheets of large size and thickness and, in the embodiment proposed, these are considered to be straight, as shown in Figure 1, and curved, as shown in Figure 3.

[0030] However, as will be better described below, the possibility is not ruled out that such workpiece can take the form of any type of planar geometry.

[0031] Furthermore, the workbench 1 comprises a plurality of anchoring sliders 5 which are slideably associated with the rails 3, support multipolar electromagnets 6 on their faces, and can be electrically activated for the double anchoring of each anchoring slider 5, respectively, both to the respective rail 3 with which it is associated and to the workpieces 4a or 4b.

[0032] Advantageously, the anchoring sliders 5 are selectively arrangeable, both in terms of number and in terms of position, along each rail 3 as a function of the geometry and of the quantity of the workpieces 4a or 4b and of the type of operations to be performed on them.

[0033] In addition, the rails 3 are transversely close together in pairs in such a way as to increase the positioning flexibility of the anchoring sliders 5 along the rails 3 as a function of the geometry of the workpieces 4a or 4b and of the type of operations to be performed on them.

[0034] In fact, this double-rail 3 configuration makes it possible to anchor multiple workpieces 4a, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, for example regularly- shaped, by engaging the anchoring sliders 5 of each pair of rails 3, half on one workpiece 4a and the other half on the other workpiece 4a, thus ensuring an efficient anchoring.

[0035] Furthermore, this double-rail 3 configuration also makes it possible to have two anchoring sliders 5 side by side slightly out of alignment so as to make it possible to perfectly follow even pronounced curves in the workpieces 4b, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0036] In the embodiment proposed, each anchoring slider 5 comprises a main body 7 which has a substantially basket-like geometric shape so as to contain the extensions of the multipolar electromagnets 6, causing them to protrude transversely, with respect to its contour, both in the direction of the rails 3 and in the direction of the workpieces 4a and 4b.

[0037] In more detail, each main body 7 is associated with the respective rail 3 by means of a shape mating with play adapted to prevent its separation and, at the same time, adapted to allow its free longitudinal sliding.

[0038] Advantageously, in the embodiment proposed, each anchoring slider 5 is provided with gliding wheels (not shown in the cited figures for the sake of graphic simplicity) which are interposed between the main body 7 and the respective rail 3.

[0039] More specifically, these gliding wheels are associated with the main bodies 7 by means of elastically flexible supporting elements so that they are movable between a gliding position, in which the wheels protrude with respect to the main bodies 7 in the direction of the rails 3 under the elastic thrust of the supporting elements in the absence of workpieces 4a or 4b and / or in the absence of the electrical activation of the multipolar electromagnets 6, and a stationary position, in which the wheels are contained transversely within the contour of the main bodies 7 in contrast to the elastic thrust of the supporting elements under the thrust applied by the weight of the workpieces 4a or 4b and / or under the thrust applied by the electrical activation of the multipolar electromagnets 6.

[0040] In this way, in the gliding position, a frictionless sliding of the sliders 5 is obtained which therefore does not produce wear of the described components and, in the stationary position, the multipolar electromagnets 6 rest in direct contact on the respective rail 3.

[0041] Moreover, front strips 8 are associated with the main bodies 7 at the gliding wheels, substantially transversely to the sliding direction of the anchoring sliders 5 and transversely to the rails 3 so as to prevent the passage of any chips produced during the machining of the workpieces 4a or 4b below the anchoring sliders 5 between the rails 3 and the gliding wheels and, at the same time, so as to clear the rails 3 of such chips during the movement of the anchoring sliders 5 along the rails 3.

[0042] According to the invention, the workbench 1 comprises means for automated movement of the anchoring sliders 5 along the rails 3 which comprise, for at least one of said anchoring sliders 5, at least one sliding block 9 which is slideably associated with a contoured guide 10, for example of the recirculating-ball or roller type, by means of preloaded precision sliders to ensure slideability and stability, which is located laterally and parallel to the respective rail 3 and provided with kinematic means 11 for its movement along the contoured guide 10.

[0043] At least one shuttle 12 is mounted on board the sliding block 9 and is equipped with at least one retractable claw 13sa / 13sr or 13 da / 13 dr which can be selectively activated for its engagement with at least one anchoring slider 5.

[0044] In more detail, each retractable claw 13sa / 13sr or 13 da / 13 dr is movable between a neutral position, in which it is arranged inside the at least one shuttle 12 (as shown in Figure 6 for the retractable claws 13sa and 13sr) so as to not affect the anchoring sliders 5, and an engagement position, in which it protrudes laterally from the shuttle 12 (as shown in Figure 6 for the retractable claws 13 da and 13 dr) so as to affect at least one anchoring slider 5 and therefore engage this for its movement along the respective one of the rails 3.

[0045] In the embodiment proposed, the retractable claws 13sa / 13sr or 13 da / 13 dr are in the form of L-shaped brackets and are associated with the supporting structure of the shuttle 12 by means of electro-pneumatic pusher means 14 acting along a direction 15 which is transverse to the movement direction 16 of the sliding block 9 along the contoured guide 10.

[0046] Conveniently, there is a plurality of contoured guides 10, each of which is placed between each pair of transversely close rails 3, and a plurality of sliding blocks 9, at least one for each contoured guide 10.

[0047] In this way, each shuttle 12 can comprise one or more of:

[0048] - a right forward claw 13 da, configured for engaging and therefore moving, along a preferred forward movement direction, at least one anchoring slider 5 associated with a respective rail 3 located to the right with respect to the respective contoured guide 10;

[0049] - a right return claw 13 dr, configured for engaging and therefore moving, along a preferred return movement direction which is opposite to the preferred forward movement direction, at least one anchoring slider 5 associated with the respective rail 3 located to the right with respect to the respective contoured guide 10;

[0050] - a left forward claw 13sa, configured for engaging and therefore moving, along the preferred forward movement direction, at least one anchoring slider 5 associated with a respective rail 3 located to the left with respect to the respective contoured guide 11 ;

[0051] - a left return claw 13sr, configured for engaging and therefore moving, along the preferred return movement direction, at least one anchoring slider 5 associated with the respective rail 3 located to the left with respect to the respective contoured guide 10.

[0052] If all four of the claws described above are present, these can be mutually opposite in pairs with respect to the electro-pneumatic pusher means 14.

[0053] As to the electro-pneumatic pusher means 14, these can consist of two double-acting actuators, right and left, interposed between two aligned claws.

[0054] In this way, the claws 13sa, 13sr, 13 da and 13 dr and the sliding blocks 9 can be controlled so as to have maximum flexibility of engagement with the anchoring sliders 5.

[0055] As to the kinematic means mentioned above, these comprise:

[0056] - an electric motor 17, installed on board each sliding block 9, which may or may not include integrated electronics;

[0057] - a reduction unit 18, straight or at 90°, also installed on board each sliding block 9 and connected to the electric motor 17;

[0058] - a toothed rack 19 defined on each contoured guide 10 and meshing with a corresponding pinion 20 associated with each reduction unit 18 so as to convert the rotary motion of the electric motor 17 to a linear translational motion of the sliding block 9.

[0059] In this way, the sliding block 9 on the contoured guide 10 with preloaded sliders and the toothed rack 16 and pinion system 17 ensure a precise and controlled movement of the shuttle 12, which positions the magnets 6 without wear.

[0060] Advantageously, the toothed rack 16 and pinion system 17 is mounted upside-down, i.e. with the teeth of the toothed rack 16 pointing downward.

[0061] This prevents the chips from interfering with the movement of the sliding block 9.

[0062] In a variation of the embodiment proposed, the means for automated movement can be absent and, as will be better described below, the positioning of the anchoring sliders 5 can be done manually.

[0063] Completing the workbench 1, this comprises systems for collecting and evacuating the chips generated during the machining and, more specifically, a plurality of chutes 18, placed below the rails 3, for collecting the chips produced during the machining of the workpieces 4a and 4b.

[0064] In this way it is possible to keep the work area free from machining residues.

[0065] With particular reference to Figure 8, the method of anchoring one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness, to a workbench according to the invention, is identified by the box 100 and comprises the following steps:

[0066] - theoretical pre-positioning 101 of the anchoring sliders 5 along the rails 3 as a function of the nominal geometry and of the quantity of the workpieces 4a or 4b, as described previously;

[0067] - detection 102 of the exact geometry and the exact position of the workpieces 4a or 4b, i.e. detection of the geometry for the shape of the workpiece and of its position relative to the axes of the workbench 1 ;

[0068] - correction of the positioning 103 of the anchoring sliders 5 on the rails 3 as a function of the geometric discrepancies between the nominal geometry and the exact geometry and the exact position;

[0069] - positioning 104 of the workpieces 4a or 4b, via a gantry crane or automated roller-based systems, on the workbench 1 with consequent compression of the anchoring sliders 5 on the rails 3 with consequent movement of the gliding wheels from their gliding position to their stationary position;

[0070] - activation 105 of the multipolar electromagnets 6 with consequent anchoring of the workpieces 4a or 4b to the workbench 1.

[0071] In the embodiment proposed, the steps of pre-positioning 101 and correction of the positioning 103 of the anchoring sliders 5 on the rails 3 are performed in an automated manner by means of the combined actuation of the sliding blocks 9 and the retractable claws 13sa, 13ra, 13sd and 13rd, and the step of detection 102 is executed by means of an optical scan.

[0072] In the simplified embodiment, not shown, the steps of pre-positioning 101 and positioning 103 of the anchoring sliders 5 on the rails 3 are performed manually by an operator following either or both of the visual indication of a laser projector, indicating the correct position of the anchoring sliders 5 directly on the rails 3, and the direct communication to the operator of the coordinates of the anchoring sliders 5 with respect to the rails 3, understood as indicating the rail 3 and the longitudinal positioning of each anchoring slider 5 on the rail 3. In this case the rails 3 can be equipped with a graduated scale.

[0073] Conveniently, the step of positioning 104 the workpieces 4 can comprise the positioning of multiple workpieces 4a positioned on the workbench 1 in such a way as not to interfere with each other.

[0074] Still with particular reference to Figure 8, once the anchoring is done, the method proceeds with the method of machining one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness, anchored to a workbench according to the invention, which is identified by the box 106.

[0075] In more detail, the method of machining 106 comprises one or more steps of machining 107 by stock removal of the workpieces 4a or 4b and a step of continuous evacuation 108 of the chips produced during the machining steps.

[0076] In practice it has been found that the workbench, the method of anchoring and the method of machining, according to the present invention, achieve the set aim and objects, by making it possible to meet the needs for precision and duration in the machining of steel structural sheets of large size and thickness, while at the same time ensuring a reduced need for maintenance and an overall operating efficiency.

[0077] In more detail, use of the sliding block on the contoured guide and the toothed rack and pinion brings excellent precision and reliability, a high degree of operating efficiency, and facilitated cleaning of the workbench.

[0078] In fact, the contoured guide ensures a sliding that is fluid and friction- free, so reducing wear of the components and improving the precision of positioning of the magnets.

[0079] Furthermore, the absence of pneumatic components and motorized chains reduces maintenance times and running costs.

[0080] Finally, the system for collecting and evacuating the chips keeps the work area clean and prevents the buildup of residues under the sliders.

[0081] The workbench, the method of anchoring and the method of machining thus conceived are susceptible of numerous modifications and variations all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

[0082] Moreover, all the details may be substituted by other, technically equivalent elements.

[0083] In practice the materials employed, provided they are compatible with the specific use, and the contingent dimensions and shapes, may be any according to requirements and to the state of the art.

[0084] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102024000028374 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0085] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. CLAIMS1. A workbench (1), particularly for the preparation of steel structural sheets of large size and thickness, which comprises:- a load-bearing framework (2), which defines a plurality of rails (3) which are oriented in space in a mutually parallel and coplanar manner so as to define a supporting surface for one or more workpieces (4a, 4b);- a plurality of anchoring sliders (5), which are slideably associated with said rails (3), support multipolar electromagnets (6) on their faces and can be electrically activated for the double anchoring of each of said anchoring sliders (5), respectively, both to the respective one of said rails (3) with which it is associated and to said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b); said anchoring sliders (5) being selectively arrangeable, both in terms of number and in terms of position, along each one of said rails (3) as a function of the geometry and of the quantity of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) and of the type of operations to be performed on said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b); characterized in that it comprises means for automated movement of said anchoring sliders (5) along said rails (3) which comprise, for at least one of said anchoring sliders (5):- at least one sliding block (9) which is slideably associated with a contoured guide (10) located laterally and parallel to the respective one of said rails (3) of said at least one of said anchoring sliders (5); said at least one sliding block (9) being provided with kinematic means for its movement along said contoured guide (10);- at least one shuttle (12), which is mounted on board said sliding block (9) and is equipped with at least one retractable claw (13sa, 13sr, 13 da, 13 dr) which can be selectively activated for its engagement with one of said pair of said anchoring sliders (5); said at least one retractable claw (13sa, 13sr, 13 da, 13 dr) being movable between a neutral position, in which said at least one retractable claw (13sa, 13sr, 13 da, 13 dr) is arranged insidesaid at least one shuttle (12) so as to not affect said at least one of said anchoring sliders (5), and an engagement position, in which said at least one retractable claw (13sa, 13sr, 13 da, 13 dr) protrudes laterally from said at least one shuttle (12) so as to affect said at least one of said anchoring sliders (5) and therefore engage said at least one of said anchoring sliders (5) for its movement along the respective one of said rails (3).

2. The workbench (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one retractable claw (13sa, 13sr, 13 da, 13 dr) is associated with said at least one shuttle (12) by virtue of electro-pneumatic pusher means (14) acting along a direction (15) which is transverse to the movement direction (16) of said at least one sliding block (9) along said contoured guide (10).

3. The workbench (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one sliding block (9) is associated with said at least one contoured guide (10) by means of preloaded precision sliders.

4. The workbench (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said kinematic means comprise:- an electric motor (17) installed on board said at least one sliding block (9);- a reduction unit (18) installed on board said at least one sliding block (9) and connected to said electric motor (17);- a toothed rack (19) which is defined on said contoured guide (10) and meshes with a pinion (20) associated with said reduction unit (18) so as to convert the rotary motion of said electric motor (17) to a linear translational motion of said sliding block (9).

5. The workbench (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rails (3) are transversely close together in pairs in such a way as to increase the positioning flexibility of said anchoring sliders (5) along said rails (3) as a function of the geometry and of the quantity of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) and of the type of operations to be performed on said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b).

146. The workbench (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that said at least one contoured guide (10) comprises a plurality of contoured guides (10), each one placed between each pair of said transversely close rails (3), and in that said at least one sliding block (9) comprises a plurality of sliding blocks (9), at least one for each of said contoured guides (10).

7. The workbench (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that said at least one retractable claw (13sa, 13sr, 13 da, 13 dr) comprises, for each of said sliding blocks (9), at least one of:- a right forward claw (13da), configured for engaging and therefore moving, along a preferred forward movement direction, at least one of said anchoring sliders (5) associated with a respective one of said rails (3) located to the right with respect to the respective one of said contoured guides (10);- a right return claw (13 dr), configured for engaging and therefore moving, along a preferred return movement direction which is opposite to said preferred forward movement direction, at least one of said anchoring sliders (5) associated with said respective one of said rails (3) located to the right with respect to the respective one of said contoured guides (10);- a left forward claw (13sa), configured for engaging and therefore moving, along said preferred forward movement direction, at least one of said anchoring sliders (5) associated with a respective one of said rails (3) located to the left with respect to the respective one of said contoured guides (10);- a left return claw (13sr), configured for engaging and therefore moving, along said preferred return movement direction, at least one of said anchoring sliders (5) associated with a respective one of said rails (3) located to the left with respect to the respective one of said contoured guides (10).

8. The workbench (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that said right and left retractable claws (13sa, 13sr, 13 da, 13 dr) are mutually opposite15 in pairs with respect to said electro-pneumatic pusher means (14).

9. The workbench (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that each one of said anchoring sliders (5) comprises a main body (7) which has a substantially basket-like geometric shape so as to contain the extensions of said multipolar electromagnets (6), causing them to protrude transversely, with respect to the contour of said main body (7), both in the direction of said rails (3) and in the direction of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b); said main body (7) being associated with the respective one of said rails (3) by means of a shape mating with play adapted to prevent its separation from said rail (3) and, at the same time, adapted to allow its free longitudinal sliding along the respective one of said rails (3).

10. The workbench (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that each one of said anchoring sliders (5) is provided with gliding wheels interposed between said main body (7) and the respective one of said rails (3); said gliding wheels being associated with said main body (7) by means of elastically flexible supporting elements so that they are movable between a gliding position, in which said gliding wheels protrude with respect to said main body (7) in the direction of said rail (3) under the elastic thrust of said supporting elements in the absence of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) and / or in the absence of the electrical activation of said multipolar electromagnets (6), and a stationary position, in which said gliding wheels are contained transversely within the contour of said main body (7) in contrast to the elastic thrust of said supporting elements under the thrust applied by the weight of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) and / or under the thrust applied by the electrical activation of said multipolar electromagnets (6).

11. The workbench (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that it comprises front strips (8) associated with said main bodies (7) at said gliding wheels, substantially transversely to the sliding direction of said anchoring16 sliders (5) and transversely to said rails (3), so as to prevent the passage of any chips produced during the machining of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) below said anchoring sliders (5) between said rails (3) and said gliding wheels, and so as to clear said rails (3) of said chips during the movement of said anchoring sliders (5) along said rails (3).

12. The workbench (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of chutes (18) placed below said rails (3), for collecting the chips produced during the machining of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b).

13. A method of anchoring (100) one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness, to a workbench according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:- theoretically pre-positioning (101) said anchoring sliders (5) along said rails (3) as a function of the nominal geometry and of the quantity of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b);- detecting (102) of the exact geometry and the exact position of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b);- correcting the positioning (103) of said anchoring sliders (5) on said rails (3) as a function of the geometric discrepancies between said nominal geometry and said exact geometry and said exact position;- positioning (104) said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) on said workbench (1) with consequent compression of said anchoring sliders (5) on said rails (3) with consequent movement of said gliding wheels from their gliding position to their stationary position;- activating (105) said multipolar electromagnets (6) with consequent anchoring of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) to said workbench (1).

14. The method of anchoring (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that said step of pre-positioning (101) and positioning (103) of said anchoring sliders (5) on said rails (3) are performed manually by an17 operator following either or both of the visual indication of a laser projector, indicating the correct position of said anchoring sliders (5) directly on said rails (3), and the direct communication to said operator of the coordinates of said anchoring sliders (5) with respect to said rails (3), understood as indicating the rail (3) and the longitudinal positioning of each one of said anchoring sliders (5) on the respective one of said rails (3); each one of said rails (3) being equipped with a graduated scale.

15. The method of anchoring (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that said steps of pre-positioning (101) and correction of the positioning (102) of said anchoring sliders (5) on said rails (3) are performed in an automated manner by means of the combined actuation of said sliding blocks (9) and said retractable claws (10).

16. The method of anchoring (100) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that said step of detection (102) is performed by means of an optical scan.

17. The method of anchoring (100) according to one or more of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that said step of positioning (104) of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) comprises the positioning of multiple workpieces (4a, 4b) positioned on said workbench (1) in such a way as not to interfere with each other.

18. A method of machining (106) one or more steel structural sheets, particularly of large size and thickness, anchored to a workbench according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises one or more steps of machining (107) by stock removal of said one or more workpieces (4a, 4b) and a step of continuous evacuation (108) of said chips produced during said machining steps.

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