Mechanical device and method for detaching workpiece parts

Abstract

The invention relates to a mechanical device (1) for detaching workpiece parts (2) from a detachable product composite (5), which has the workpiece parts (2) and a residual grid (3). The mechanical device comprises a vibration generator (13), which has at least one vibration element (12) for releasing the workpiece parts (2) from the detachable product composite (5). The mechanical device is designed to change the excitation frequency (f) of the vibration element (12) when detaching the workpiece parts (2) from the detachable product composite (5). The invention further relates to an associated method.

Description

[0001] Machine and methods for removing workpiece parts

[0002] The invention relates to a mechanical device for separating workpiece parts from a detachable product assembly, wherein the detachable product assembly comprises the workpiece parts and a residual grid. The mechanical device includes at least one vibration generator, which has at least one vibration element for separating the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly. The invention also relates to a method for separating workpiece parts from a detachable product assembly, wherein the detachable product assembly comprises the workpiece parts and a residual grid. The method comprises separating the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly by means of at least one vibration element of a vibration generator.

[0003] In the machining of a plate-like workpiece, particularly a sheet metal part, using a cutting device, such as a laser cutting device, the resulting products are workpiece parts and a residual matrix that at least partially surrounds the workpiece parts. To simplify the removal of the machining products from the cutting device, it is possible not to completely separate the workpiece parts from the residual matrix during the machining process. Instead, microjoints or nanojoints are left between the residual matrix and the workpiece parts, allowing the residual matrix and the workpiece parts to be handled as a unit when unloading the cutting device. Furthermore, it is possible that workpiece parts produced during the machining process may be held in the residual matrix after the cutting process due to thermal stresses or as a result of tilting.It is also possible that larger workpiece parts, which cannot tilt, are not fixed in the residual grid. The workpiece parts and the residual grid form a detachable product assembly. Detaching the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly takes place in a subsequent process step following the separating workpiece machining, typically in a separation station provided for this purpose. DE 20 2018 001 674 Ul discloses a vibrating table for separating parts connected by breakable webs from a grid. The vibrating table comprises a vibrating frame, which is mounted on a frame via springs so that it can oscillate. Vibration drives set the vibrating frame into vibration. The residual grid assembly is clamped onto the vibrating frame.

[0004] From US patent 2016 / 0023368 Al, a vibration device is known whose operation corresponds to the aforementioned vibrating table.

[0005] In addition to separating workpiece parts from a detachable product assembly, vibrations are also used to separate workpiece parts that are permanently connected to a residual grid.

[0006] German patent application DE 10 2015 201 683 A1 describes an acoustic singulation device comprising a sound wave generator for producing sound waves and a base forming a singulation surface. The sound waves emitted by the sound wave generator move a portion of the singulation surface in such a way that parts lying on it are set into motion. The frequency and / or amplitude of the sound waves is variably adjustable to generate a movement of the base adapted to the size, shape, and / or weight of the parts to be singulated.

[0007] German patent DE 4002887 describes a device for separating one or more layers of planar workpieces, particularly textiles, from the remaining stack. The vibration frequency or amplitude is adjustable and can change automatically over time or travel distance, with the degree of change being adjustable. At the start of the separation process, a higher frequency and a smaller amplitude can be selected, while in a later stage, a lower frequency and a larger amplitude can be selected.

[0008] German patent application DE 202012100255 Ul discloses a lifting device for arc- or plate-shaped objects, which is equipped with a vibration generator for transmitting vibrations to a vacuum lifter in order to separate a potentially adhering lower object from an upper object to be lifted. The vibration generator can include a vibration motor, which makes it possible to optimally adjust the vibration amplitude or frequency to the properties of the object.

[0009] German patent DE 3834339 describes a device for the continuous, metered unloading of bulk goods from containers, comprising a vibrating frame and a low-frequency vibration drive for the vibrating frame. The device includes a control circuit for regulating the vibration amplitude within a predetermined amplitude range. The vibration frequency is variable depending on the weight of the container and can be set to the resonant frequency of the mass formed by the vibrating frame and the container.

[0010] When workpiece components are detached from a detachable product assembly using a vibration generator, the workpiece components detach from the assembly at varying intervals, which cannot be predetermined. Furthermore, the geometry of the detachable product assembly continuously changes during the detachment process. Therefore, the parameters of the vibration generator for a specific type of workpiece or detachable product assembly are predefined based on its geometry, the geometry of the workpiece components, their nesting, weight, material, etc., and remain unchanged during the detachment process.

[0011] The object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical device and a method which improve the efficiency of a singulation process for separating workpiece parts from a separable product assembly, in particular shortening the duration of the singulation process.

[0012] According to the invention, this problem is solved according to a first aspect by a mechanical device of the type mentioned at the outset, which is designed or programmed to change an excitation frequency of the vibration element or at least one of the vibration elements of the vibration generator during the detaching of the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly.

[0013] As described above, due to the continuous weight loss and changing geometry of the detachable product assembly, there is no optimal excitation frequency for the vibrating element(s) and therefore no optimal vibration frequency for exciting the detachable product assembly throughout the entire singulation process. The inventors recognized that specifying a fixed excitation frequency throughout the entire singulation process results in a longer time required to separate all workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly than necessary.

[0014] The inventors therefore propose changing the excitation frequency of one or more of the vibration elements during the process of separating the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly. This optimizes the separation of the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly and reduces the processing time required to remove as many workpiece parts as possible from the assembly.

[0015] The machine device, or more precisely a suitable unit of the machine device, such as a control unit, is designed or programmed to change the excitation frequency of at least one vibration element during the separation of the workpiece parts. If the vibration generator has several vibration elements, the excitation frequency of all vibration elements that generate vibration of the separable product assembly is generally changed in the same way; that is, all "active" vibration elements have the same excitation frequency. It is possible that individual vibration elements or groups of vibration elements of the vibration generator are not excited to vibration during part of the processing time or, if necessary, during the entire separation process, for example, if the workpiece parts are to be separated from the separable product assembly in segments. These possible...Existing “passive” vibration elements are not excited to oscillate, so their excitation frequency is not changed.

[0016] In one embodiment, the machine is designed to vary the excitation frequency within a frequency interval between a minimum and a maximum excitation frequency during the separation of the workpiece parts. It has proven advantageous to vary the excitation frequency during the separation of the workpiece parts within a frequency interval or frequency band that is fixed for each separation process and lies between a minimum and a maximum excitation frequency. The frequency interval, and thus the minimum and maximum excitation frequencies, are typically set or predetermined before the separation process. The predetermined frequency interval depends, among other things, on the weight or material of the workpiece, the geometry of the workpiece, the geometry of the workpiece parts to be separated, and / or the nesting, etc. For thin workpieces, or...Sheet metal typically uses higher excitation frequencies than thicker workpieces (su).

[0017] In a further development of this embodiment, the minimum excitation frequency lies between 0 Hz and 50 Hz and / or the maximum excitation frequency lies between 60 Hz and 200 Hz. As described above, the excitation frequency of the vibration elements of the vibration generator depends on various parameters, including the thickness of the workpiece. The specified values ​​for the maximum and minimum excitation frequencies are guidelines and may be adjusted.

[0018] In another embodiment, the vibration generator is configured to increase the excitation frequency, preferably from the minimum excitation frequency to the maximum excitation frequency, with the increase preferably occurring incrementally or continuously. As described above, the detachable product assembly gradually loses weight when workpiece parts are detached from it. It can therefore be advantageous if the excitation frequency, and thus the vibration frequency of the detachable product assembly, increases with the duration of the singulation process. The increase in excitation frequency can be incremental or stepwise. In this case, a specific excitation frequency is set and maintained for a typically short period, which may be on the order of several seconds, e.g., 3 to 5 seconds, before a higher excitation frequency is set.Alternatively, the excitation frequency can be continuously increased without maintaining the set excitation frequencies for a predetermined period. In this case, the increase in excitation frequencies is typically linear over time. In principle, an increase in excitation frequency is also possible through a combination of stepwise and continuous increases, provided the stepwise and continuous increases occur at different time intervals. It is also possible, when increasing—and decreasing (su)—the excitation frequency, to omit certain excitation frequencies or frequency intervals, or to increase the excitation frequency more rapidly at those frequencies, if these frequencies correspond to natural frequencies of the machine that would be unintentionally excited into vibration.The natural frequencies can be natural frequencies of mechanical components of the machine device, for example the natural frequencies of a support frame or the like.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the vibration generator is configured to reduce the excitation frequency during the separation of the workpiece parts, preferably from the maximum excitation frequency to the minimum excitation frequency, with the reduction preferably occurring continuously or stepwise. Despite the fact that the weight of the separable product assembly decreases with increasing duration of the singulation process, it can be advantageous to reduce the excitation frequency during the separation of the workpiece parts.

[0020] As described above, the excitation frequency can be reduced in steps. In this case, a specific excitation frequency is set and held for a typically short period, which may be on the order of several seconds, e.g., 3 to 5 seconds, before a lower excitation frequency is set. Alternatively, the excitation frequency can be reduced continuously without holding the respective excitation frequencies for a predetermined period. In this case, the decrease in excitation frequencies is typically linear. A reduction in excitation frequency is also possible in principle by combining a stepwise reduction with a continuous reduction, provided that the stepwise and continuous reductions occur at different time intervals.It is also generally possible to omit certain excitation frequencies or excitation frequency intervals when lowering the excitation frequency, or to lower the excitation frequency more quickly in those areas, if natural frequencies of the machine device are located there that are unintentionally excited to oscillate.

[0021] In another embodiment, the machine is configured to alternately increase or decrease the excitation frequency, preferably until all workpiece parts are separated from the detachable product assembly or until a predetermined processing time is reached. The excitation frequency is preferably increased from the minimum to the maximum excitation frequency. The excitation frequency is preferably decreased from the maximum to the minimum excitation frequency. Typically, the excitation frequency is initially increased at the beginning of the singulation process, but it is also possible to initially decrease it.

[0022] The increase or decrease of the excitation frequency is typically performed from the beginning of the singulation process, i.e., before the first workpiece part is detached from the detachable product assembly, until the end of the singulation process, i.e., until the last workpiece part has been detached from the detachable product assembly or until a processing time is reached that is predefined for the singulation process. The processing time is predefined such that all workpiece parts can typically be detached from the product assembly within this timeframe. The predefined processing time for a given singulation process can, for example, be determined empirically or estimated. In another embodiment, the machine is designed or programmed to maintain a constant excitation amplitude of the vibration element, or at least one of the vibration elements, during the detachment of the workpiece parts.In principle, during the separation of the workpiece parts, i.e., during the singulation process, the excitation amplitude of the vibration element(s) and thus the force acting on the workpiece or on the separable product assembly can also be changed. However, the inventors have found that it is generally more advantageous if the entire singulation process is carried out with a constant excitation amplitude of the vibration generator.

[0023] The excitation amplitude is typically set or predetermined before the singulation process, depending on factors such as the weight, thickness, size, and material of the workpiece or the product assembly. It has been shown that for efficient separation of workpiece parts, the force introduced into the product assembly by the vibration should be greater the thicker the workpiece or product assembly is. For thin product assemblys, e.g., approximately 1 mm to 3 mm, the introduced force should be low to prevent damage to the workpiece parts during separation. Higher excitation frequencies are generally used for separating thin workpiece parts from the product assembly than for separating thicker workpiece parts.

[0024] In addition to the excitation frequency and amplitude, the direction of application or the direction of action of the vibration introduced into the detachable product assembly also affects the excitation or release of the workpiece parts. The direction of action can be changed or varied, in particular, if the vibration generator has two or more vibration elements that act on the detachable product assembly at different points. In this case, the excitation amplitude of the vibration elements can also be changed during the release of the workpiece parts to optimize their removal from the detachable product assembly.It is also possible to activate several of the vibration elements in succession according to their arrangement on the detachable product assembly in order to detach the workpiece parts in certain segments of the detachable product assembly from the remaining grid or to influence the positioning of the vibration elements in order to realize segment-wise processing depending on the nesting of the workpiece parts (so).

[0025] In particular, when multiple vibration elements operate at the same excitation frequency, the phase relationship of the vibration elements can be changed during the separation of the workpiece parts to improve the efficiency of the singulation process. For example, the direction of rotation of the drives of electromechanical vibrating heads, such as those of unbalanced exciters, can be reversed for this purpose. Additional drive units acting in other directions can also be provided, which can be traversed in different vibration dimensions to support the separation or release of workpiece parts.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the machine device comprises a holding device for fixing the detachable product assembly during the detachment of the workpiece parts, wherein the holding device has a base structure and at least one holding element, and wherein the holding device can be excited to vibrations by the vibration generator on the base structure in order to detach the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly.

[0027] The holding element(s) can be, for example, grippers or similar devices that grip the detachable product assembly at its edges. The base structure, which can be, for example, a base plate, is typically excited by the vibration generator to perform an oscillating movement in and against the direction of gravity. The vibration generator can, for example, include electromechanical oscillating heads, such as unbalanced exciters or similar devices, whose excitation frequency is changed when the workpiece parts are detached (so).

[0028] The machine typically also includes a product tray for storing the workpiece parts detached from the product assembly. This tray is arranged vertically below the product assembly, which is fixed to the holding device. The product tray can be, for example, a product pallet, but this is not mandatory.

[0029] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method of the type mentioned at the outset, in which, during the separation of the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly, the excitation frequency of the vibration element of the vibration generator, or—in the case of several vibration elements—at least one of the vibration elements of the vibration generator, is changed. The method according to the invention can increase the efficiency of separating the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly and reduce the processing time of the singulation process.

[0030] In one variant, the excitation frequency is varied within a frequency interval between a minimum and a maximum excitation frequency during the separation of the workpiece parts, wherein the minimum excitation frequency is preferably between 0 Hz and 50 Hz and / or the maximum excitation frequency is preferably between 60 Hz and 200 Hz. As described in connection with the machine device, the excitation frequency is typically varied within a frequency interval predefined for the singulation process. The frequency interval is selected such that the workpiece parts can be efficiently separated from the product assembly despite the changing weight or geometry of the separable product assembly.

[0031] In one variant, the excitation frequency is increased during the separation of the workpiece parts, preferably from the minimum excitation frequency to the maximum excitation frequency, with the increase preferably occurring stepwise or continuously. Since the weight of the product assembly decreases as the separation process progresses, an increase in the excitation frequency is advantageous.

[0032] In another variant, the excitation frequency is reduced during the removal of the workpiece parts, preferably from the maximum excitation frequency to the minimum excitation frequency, with the reduction preferably occurring stepwise or continuously. As described above, reducing the excitation frequency can also be advantageous for making the removal of workpiece parts more efficient.

[0033] During further processing, the excitation frequency is alternately increased or decreased, preferably until all workpiece parts are separated from the detachable product assembly or until a predetermined processing time is reached. In this variant, the increase and decrease of the excitation frequency occurs alternately, typically from the beginning to the end of the singulation process.

[0034] In another variant, the excitation amplitude of the vibrating element is kept constant during the separation of the workpiece parts. Generally, it is advantageous if the excitation amplitude of the vibrating element(s) remains unchanged throughout the entire singulation process.

[0035] In another variant, the detachable product assembly is fixed to a holding device during the detachment of the workpiece parts. The holding device comprises a base structure and at least one holding element. The holding device is excited to vibrate by the vibration generator, more precisely by the at least one vibration element, to detach the workpiece parts from the detachable product assembly at the base structure. These vibrations are typically essentially one-dimensional vibrations of the product assembly in a vertical direction.

[0036] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary schematic diagrams. These show:

[0037] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a machine device for detaching and separating workpiece parts from a detachable product assembly, as well as

[0038] Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a varying excitation frequency of a vibration generator during the loosening or separating of the workpiece parts.

[0039] Figure 1 shows a machine device 1 for separating workpiece parts in the form of sheet metal parts 2 from a residual grid 3. The sheet metal parts 2 and the residual grid 3 are processed products of a sheet metal cutting operation performed by a laser cutting machine located away from the machine device 1 and not shown in the figures. During the laser cutting operation, microjoints 4 were left between the sheet metal parts 2 and the residual grid 3, as well as between adjacent sheet metal parts 2. Due to the microjoints 4, the sheet metal parts 2 and the residual grid 3 form a product assembly 5 in Figure 1, which was removed as a unit by the laser cutting machine via computer automation and transferred to the machine device 1.

[0040] On the machine device 1, the product assembly 5, consisting of the residual grid 3 and the sheet metal parts 2, is effectively fixed in the direction of gravity by means of a holding device 6. The holding device 6 has a rigid base plate 7 and gripping elements designed as grippers 8. The grippers 8 grip the product assembly 5, specifically the residual grid 3, at its edge.

[0041] In the direction of a double arrow 9 (horizontal adjustment direction), the mutual horizontal distance of the grippers 8 can be variably adjusted to adapt the holding device 6 to different product assembly formats. Furthermore, the grippers 8 can be adjusted relative to the base plate 7 of the holding device 6 in the direction of a double arrow 10 (vertical adjustment direction). By adjusting the grippers 8 in the vertical adjustment direction 10, the holding device 6 is adapted to varying product assembly thicknesses. The grippers 8 are positioned in the vertical adjustment direction 10 such that a gap 11 remains between the top surface of the product assembly 5 held by the grippers 8 and the underside of the base plate 7 of the holding device 6. This gap width is significantly smaller than the thickness of the product assembly 5 and thus smaller than the thickness of the sheet metal from which the product assembly 5 was produced on the laser cutting machine.

[0042] Vibration elements 12 of a vibration generator 13 are mounted on the upper side of the base plate 7. In the illustrated example, the vibration elements 12 are electromechanical vibrating heads in the form of unbalance exciters. The holding device 6 and the vibration generator 13 are parts of a separation unit 14.

[0043] The vibration generator 13 sets the holding device 6 and the product assembly 5 into vertical vibration. Due to the vibration of the product assembly 5, the microjoints 4 remaining between the individual parts of the product assembly 5 break, and the sheet metal parts 2 are released from the product assembly 5, which is fixed by the holding device 6. The sheet metal parts 2 released from the product assembly 5 fall under the influence of gravity onto a product tray located below the holding device 6. In Figure 1, a conventional pallet truck 15 is shown as the product tray, onto which the sheet metal parts 2 released from the product assembly are placed. The machine 1 has a control unit 16, which serves, among other things, to control the separation unit 14, in particular the vibration generator 13.

[0044] The machine device 1 comprises two spring-damper systems 17, on which the holding device 6 with the base plate 7 is supported in the direction of gravity on a support structure 20 of the machine device 1. The spring-damper systems 17 serve as spacers between the holding device 6 and the support structure 20 and facilitate the generation of a defined vertical oscillation of the holding device 6.

[0045] During the vertical vibration of the holding device 6, generated by the vibration generator 13 to release the sheet metal parts 2 from the product assembly 5, the vertically elastic spring-damper systems 17 serve to isolate the support structure 20 from the vibration of the holding device 6. The spring-damper systems 17 largely prevent the transmission of the vertical vibrations of the holding device 6 to the support structure 20.

[0046] After the sheet metal parts 2 are detached from the product assembly 5, the remaining grid 3 remains attached to the holding device 6. The support structure 20, along with the holding device 6 and the remaining grid 3 attached to it, moves to a position away from the pallet truck 15 loaded with the sheet metal parts 2. There, the remaining grid 3 is secured by 2023P00428WÖ - 14 - 02.12.2025

[0047] The grippers 8 open and are placed on a designated residual pallet. The pallet trolley 15 is unloaded by means of an unloading robot.

[0048] In the example shown, the detachable product assembly 5 is a large-format structural steel sheet with a thickness of 2 mm, a length of 3000 mm, and a width of 1500 mm. To separate the sheet metal parts 2, the detachable product assembly 5 is set into vertical vibrations using the vibration elements 12 of the vibration generator 13, as described above. This causes the sheet metal parts 2 to be successively detached from the detachable product assembly 5 and separated from it. With each separation process, the weight of the detachable product assembly 5 decreases, and its geometry changes. Therefore, it is not possible to define an excitation frequency f for the three vibration elements 12 that is optimal for the separation of each individual sheet metal part 2 from the detachable product assembly 5.

[0049] To increase the efficiency of separating the sheet metal parts 2 from the detachable product assembly 5 and thus reduce the processing time of the separation process, the excitation frequency f – identical for all three vibration elements 12 – is varied during the separation of the sheet metal parts 2 from the product assembly 5 in the example shown. The excitation frequency f is varied within a frequency range between a minimum excitation frequency fmin and a maximum excitation frequency fmax, which is defined before the separation process. The control device 16, which can be implemented as suitable hardware and / or software, is programmed to change the excitation frequency f of the vibration generator 12 during the separation of the sheet metal parts 2 from the product assembly 5.

[0050] Figure 2 shows the time course of the excitation frequency f for an example where the minimum excitation frequency fmin is 15 Hz and the maximum excitation frequency fmax is 150 Hz. At the beginning of the singulation process, i.e., before the first sheet metal part 2 is detached from the product assembly 5, the minimum excitation frequency fmin is set. The excitation frequency f is then continuously and linearly increased to the maximum excitation frequency fmax over a period of half a minute. Immediately afterward, the excitation frequency f is continuously reduced from the maximum excitation frequency fmax to the minimum excitation frequency fmin over a period of half a minute. In this way, the excitation frequency f is alternately increased and decreased several times until all workpiece parts 2 have been detached from the removable product assembly 5, which occurs after approximately 3.5 minutes in the example shown in Figure 2.It is also possible that a processing time is specified for the singulation process, within which typically all workpiece parts 2 are separated from the product assembly 5.

[0051] The excitation amplitude of the vibration elements 12 is set before the first sheet metal part 2 is detached from the product assembly 5. The excitation amplitude is determined, among other things, as a function of the thickness of the product assembly 5. In the example shown, the thickness of the product assembly 5 is 2 mm, meaning it is a thin sheet. The force introduced into the product assembly 5 should therefore be low to avoid damaging the thin sheet metal parts 2 when they are detached. Accordingly, a comparatively low excitation amplitude of the vibration elements 12 is set. During the detachment of the workpiece parts 2, i.e., throughout the entire singulation process, the excitation amplitude of the vibration elements 12 is kept constant in the example shown.

[0052] The minimum excitation frequency fmin and the maximum excitation frequency fmax are determined, among other things, as a function of the thickness of the product composite 5. The minimum excitation frequency fmin is typically on the order of 0 Hz to 50 Hz. The maximum excitation frequency fmax is typically on the order of 60 Hz to 200 Hz.

[0053] Instead of the continuous change of the excitation frequency f shown in Figure 2, the excitation frequency f can be changed stepwise, for example in intervals of 15 Hz, with the respective set excitation frequency f being held for a predetermined holding time of several seconds. Unlike the representation in Figure 2, the length of the time intervals in which the excitation frequency f is increased from the minimum excitation frequency fmin to the maximum excitation frequency fmax can differ from the length of the time intervals in which the excitation frequency f is decreased from the maximum excitation frequency fmax to the minimum excitation frequency fmin. Furthermore, certain excitation frequencies corresponding to the natural frequencies of the machine device 1, for example the natural frequencies of the supporting structure 20, can optionally be skipped or traversed more quickly.

[0054] In the example shown, all three vibration elements 12 are controlled by the control unit 16 in the same way. However, it is also possible for the vibration elements 12 of the vibration generator 13 to be controlled by the control unit 16 in different ways. For example, individual vibration elements 12 may not be excited to vibration if the singulation of sheet metal parts 2 is to be limited to a specific sector of the product assembly 5.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Machine device (1) for detaching workpiece parts (2) from a detachable product assembly (5) comprising the workpiece parts (2) and a residual grid (3), the machine device comprising: a vibration generator (13) comprising at least one vibration element (12) for detaching the workpiece parts (2) from the detachable product assembly (5), characterized in that the machine device is designed to change an excitation frequency (f) of the vibration element (12) during the detachment of the workpiece parts (2) from the detachable product assembly (5).

2. Machine device according to claim 1, which is configured to change the excitation frequency (f) in a frequency interval between a minimum excitation frequency (fmin) and a maximum excitation frequency (fmax) during the loosening of the workpiece parts (2).

3. Machine device according to claim 2, wherein the minimum excitation frequency (fmin) is between 0 Hz and 50 Hz and / or wherein the maximum excitation frequency (fmax) is between 60 Hz and 200 Hz.

4. A mechanical device according to one of the preceding claims, which is configured to increase the excitation frequency (f) during the loosening of the workpiece parts (2), preferably from the minimum excitation frequency (fmin) to the maximum excitation frequency (fmax), wherein the increase preferably takes place stepwise or continuously.

5. A mechanical device according to one of the preceding claims, which is configured to reduce the excitation frequency (f) during the loosening of the workpiece parts (2), preferably from the maximum excitation frequency (fmax) to the minimum excitation frequency (fmin), wherein the reduction preferably takes place stepwise or continuously.

6. Machine device according to claims 4 and 5, which is configured to alternately increase or decrease the excitation frequency (f), preferably until all workpiece parts (2) are removed from the detachable product assembly (5) or until a predetermined processing time is reached.

7. Machine device according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed to keep a constant excitation amplitude of the vibration element (12) during the loosening of the workpiece parts (2).

8. Machine device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a holding device (6) for fixing the detachable product assembly (5) during the detachment of the workpiece parts (2), wherein the holding device (6) has a base structure (7) and at least one holding element (8), and wherein the holding device (6) can be excited to vibrations by the vibration generator (13) for detaching the workpiece parts (2) from the detachable product assembly (5) at the base structure (7).

9. Method for separating workpiece parts (2) from a separable product assembly (5) comprising the workpiece parts (2) and a residual grid (5), comprising: Detaching the workpiece parts (2) from the detachable product assembly (5) by means of at least one vibration element (12) of a vibration generator (13), characterized in that during the detachment of the workpiece parts (2) from the detachable product assembly (5) an excitation frequency (f) of the vibration element (12) of the vibration generator (13) is changed.

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein during the loosening of the workpiece parts (2) the excitation frequency (f) is changed in a frequency interval between a minimum excitation frequency (fmin) and a maximum excitation frequency (fmax), wherein the minimum excitation frequency (fmin) is preferably between 0 Hz and 50 Hz and / or wherein the maximum excitation frequency (fmax) is preferably between 60 Hz and 200 Hz.

11. Method according to one of claims 9 or 10, wherein during the loosening of the workpiece parts (2) the excitation frequency (f) is increased, preferably from the minimum excitation frequency (fmin) to the maximum excitation frequency (fmax), wherein the increase preferably takes place stepwise or continuously.

12. Method according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein during the loosening of the workpiece parts (2) the excitation frequency (f) is reduced, preferably from the maximum excitation frequency (fmax) to the minimum excitation frequency (fmin), wherein the reduction preferably takes place stepwise or continuously.

13. Method according to claims 11 and 12, wherein the excitation frequency (f) is alternately increased or decreased, preferably until all workpiece parts (2) are removed from the removable product assembly (5) or until a predetermined processing time is reached.

14. Method according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein an excitation amplitude (f) of the vibration element (12) is kept constant during the loosening of the workpiece parts (2).

15. Method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the detachable product assembly (5) is fixed to a holding device (6) during the detachment of the workpiece parts (2), wherein the holding device (6) has a base structure (7) and at least one holding element (8), and wherein the holding device (6) is excited to vibrate by the vibration generator (13) to detach the workpiece parts (2) from the detachable product assembly (5) at the base structure (7).

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