Feeding system for a press

Abstract

A feeding system (1) for a press comprises a conveying device (200) for conveying metal sheets along a conveying direction (C), two racks (100r, 100l) for stacking metal sheets arranged on both sides of the conveying device (200) transversely to the conveying direction (C) and a handling device (300) for unstacking the stacked metal sheets from the racks (100r, 100l) and for feeding the unstacked metal sheets to the conveying device (200). The handling device (300) comprises a gantry (301) with a linear main axis which extends transversely to the conveying direction (C) and extends over the conveying device (200) and the two racks (100r, 100l). The handling device (300) further comprises a carriage (320) movable along the linear main axis and a gripper (330) for gripping the metal sheets to be fed, which is linearly movable at least along a vertical axis relative to the carriage (320). For each rack (100r, 100l), a first extension of the rack (100r, 100l) parallel to the conveying direction (C) is larger than a second extension of the rack (100r, 100l) perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the gripper (330) is rotatable relative to the carriage (320) about a vertical axis.

Description

[0001] Feeding system for a press

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The invention relates to a feeding system for a press, comprising a conveying device for conveying metal sheets along a conveying direction, two racks for stacking metal sheets arranged on both sides of the conveying device transversely to the conveying direction and a handling device for unstacking the stacked metal sheets from the racks and for feeding the unstacked metal sheets to the conveying device. The handling device comprises a gantry with a linear main axis, which extends transversely to the conveying direction and extends over the conveying device and the two racks. The handling device further comprises a carriage movable along the linear main axis and a gripper for gripping the metal sheets to be fed, which is linearly movable at least along a vertical axis relative to the carriage.

[0004] Background art

[0005] Press lines and multi-station presses enable the forming of sheet metal in several stages with a high throughput.

[0006] A system for feeding metal sheets to press lines and multi-station presses is offered by the present applicant Gudel AG, Langenthal, Switzerland. Two stacks of sheet metal are arranged on both sides of a conveyor. A gantry extends over the stacks and the conveyor and allows for gripping the topmost sheet of one of the stacks, raising the sheet, transporting it along the gantry and lowering the sheet until it is placed on the conveyor.

[0007] Today's installations typically allow up to 18 strokes / minute. It is envisioned to increase this number, and in this respect, it has turned out that in particular handling operations at the entrance of the line or multi-station press (front of line) may be a limiting factor.

[0008] Disclosure of the invention

[0009] The object of the invention is to provide a feeding system for a press, which allows for an increased throughput.

[0010] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und MarkenanwalteThe solution to the problem is defined by the features of claim 1. According to the invention, for each rack, a first extension of the rack parallel to the conveying direction is larger than a second extension of the rack perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the gripper is rotatable relative to the carriage about a vertical axis.

[0011] The feeding system is arranged at upstream of the press, the press line or multi-station press (front of line). It has the purpose of feeding the metal sheets provided on the racks to the conveying device, which in turn conveys the sheets to an intermediate table from which it is picked by the feeder associated to the first press or directly to a handoff position in which it may be gripped by this feeder. Depending on the size of the metal sheets to be processed in a given cycle, the feeding system may be configured to simultaneously feed two sheets from two stacks provided on the same rack.

[0012] Each of the racks presents a surface onto which the stacked metal sheets are placed. In particular, the surface is horizontal. Depending on the nature of the metal sheets and the orientation of the surface, lateral stop elements may be provided to ensure that the sheets remain stacked at the correct location.

[0013] The feeding includes separating the top sheet from the respective stack. This may be supported by pre-separating devices or fanners as discussed below.

[0014] Preferably, the conveying device features a transport surface onto which the metal sheet may be placed by the handling device. Preferably, the conveying device is a belt conveyor. Nevertheless, the conveying device may as well be a roller conveyor, an air flotation conveyor or a chain conveyor.

[0015] In particular, the conveying direction matches the direction in which the metal sheets will be conveyed through the presses or press stations, i. e. as soon as the metal sheets are placed on the conveyor they may be transported along a straight path at least up to the location where they are removed from the press or press line (i. e. end of line).

[0016] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und MarkenanwalteThe extension of the gantry is such that the linear main axis extends at least from a first position above the hand-over position of the first rack to a second position above the handover position of the second rack.

[0017] The carriage may be guided along the linear main axis using a linear guide, in particular a rail guide. The carriage may be moved along the guide using a drive arranged on the carriage, acting on a pinion interacting with a stationary rack on the gantry. There are other options such as linear motors or chain drives.

[0018] Preferably, the gripper comprises a number of suction cups arranged in such a way that the metal sheet (or two or more metal sheets) may be reliably gripped at locations distributed over their respective extension. Such grippers are lightweight, versatile and cost-efficient. Other kinds of grippers are possible, depending on the geometry of the metal sheets and the actual material thereof, such as magnetic grippers or mechanical grippers.

[0019] The first and second extension of the rack refer to the surface that is available for stacking the metal sheets. Preferably, this also applies to the entire assembly of the respective rack.

[0020] The gripper is rotatable about an angle of at least 90°, preferably about an angle of at least 180°. As well, it may be rotatable about 360°. This allows for changing the orientation of the metal sheets when feeding them to the conveying device as well as for correct misalignments, if necessary. The direction of rotation may be in either way. Depending on the geometry of the gantry, its supports and potentially further elements of the system, such as fanners, one of the two directions may be preferential or even mandatory. Preferably, the directions of rotation for the two opposed racks are mirror-image, such that trajectories for feeding metal sheets from the two racks to the conveying system are axisymmetric.

[0021] A method for feeding metal sheets to a press, in particular using the feeding system as described above, comprises the following steps:

[0022] a) providing two stacks of metal sheets, the stacks being arranged on both sides of a conveying device transversely to a conveying direction of the conveying device;

[0023] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwalteb) picking one of the stacked metal sheets using a gripper attached to a carriage running along a main beam of a gantry extending over the conveying device and the two racks;

[0024] c) moving the carriage along the main beam and simultaneously rotating the gripper relative to the carriage about a vertical axis until an orientation of the picked metal sheet has been changed by essentially 90°;

[0025] d) lowering the gripper and releasing the gripper to place the metal sheet on the conveying device.

[0026] The exact value of the angular rotation for the orientation change may slightly deviate from 90° because the rotation may involve a correction of the angular position, in particular based on a video image of the metal sheet before or during the transport.

[0027] The invention allows for reducing the length of the transport path of the metal sheets from their respective stack to the conveying device. Accordingly, compared to a layout where the metal sheets are fed without reorientation the movement requires less time if the same constraints on velocity, acceleration and jerk are met. This allows for increasing the throughput of the front of line feeder and thus potentially of the entire press.

[0028] Preferably, the gantry comprises a first pair of vertical supports arranged on a first side of the conveying device and a second pair of vertical supports arranged on a second side of the conveying device, opposite to the first side. The vertical supports of the first pair support a first horizontal beam extending parallel to the conveying direction. The vertical supports of the second pair support a second horizontal beam extending parallel to the conveying direction. The first and the second horizontal beam support a main beam providing the linear main axis.

[0029] In particular, the two front vertical supports of the first pair and of the second pair, respectively, are located on a common line perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the two rear vertical supports of the first pair and of the second pair, respectively, are located on a further common line perpendicular to the conveying direction, i. e. the locations of the

[0030] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwaltefour vertical supports define a rectangle the sides of which being parallel or perpendicular to the conveying direction, respectively.

[0031] Preferably, the location of the main beam with respect to the horizontal beams is in between those lines, such that the load on the main beam is distributed to the four supports. Most preferably, the location of the main beam is within a central section of the horizontal beams, the central section spanning half the length of the respective beam, symmetrically around the center (i. e. from1 / 4 to % of the beam's length).

[0032] Preferably, the main beam is supported on the floor entirely by the four vertical supports, wherein all supports are located laterally outside of the conveying device. In particular, all supports are located laterally outside of the surfaces of both racks that are available for stacking the metal sheets.

[0033] The described design for supporting the main beam avoids supports that block the space behind the conveying device. This allows e.g. for removing double sheets in a rearward direction as will be described below. Furthermore, using four pillars allows for creating lateral windows that allow for passing laterally displaceable carts carrying the racks. Furthermore, the rotational movement of the sheet during the feeding to the conveying device is not restricted by supports arranged behind the rack and / or the conveying device. Finally, the length of the feeding system along the conveying direction is minimized.

[0034] Other layouts are possible. They may include just one lateral support on each side and additional supports behind the racks and / or the conveying device. Depending on the location, other solutions for the removal of double sheets or modified transfer and rotation trajectories of the sheets are required in these cases.

[0035] A further beam may extend between the first horizontal beam and the second horizontal beam, parallel to the main beam and is connected to the main beam by at least one strut extending in the conveying direction, located in a central region of the main beam.

[0036] This further beam and the strut(s) stabilize the main beam. The strut or at least one of a plurality of struts is located within a central section of the further beam and the main beam,

[0037] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwaltethe central section spanning half the length of the respective beam, symmetrically around the center (i. e. from1 / 4 to % of the beam's length).

[0038] These measures improve the mechanical stability of the main beam and suppresses vibrations due to the movement of the carriage and the gripper. Compared to prior solutions, requirements with respect to the mechanical stability may be enhanced because the rotational movement introduces further kinds of forces, and the mass of the components mounted to the carriage is increased due to the additional rotation axis.

[0039] Preferably, the feeding system comprises a fanner arrangement, the fanner arrangement comprising a first group of fanning magnets attached to the coveying device. The fanning magnets of the first group are displaceable in a plane below a transport plane of the conveying device, along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

[0040] In a manner known as such, fanners induce a powerful magnetic field that is then transferred to a stack of ferrous steel sheets. This magnetic polarity creates a repelling action that pushes the top sheet away from the sheet beneath it. This aids in separating the metal sheets, even if they are sticky or oily. Displacing the magnets allows for ensuring close contact between the fanning magnets and the sheets of the respective stack. The displacement mechanism may include a linear guide mechanism. The guide mechanism may be telescopic.

[0041] If the conveyor is a band conveyor, the fanning magnets are preferably arranged below both the forward and the backward sections of the conveyor. Alternatively, the fanning magnets may be placed between the forward and the backward section.

[0042] In particular, the first group of fanning magnets includes a first subgroup of magnets directed to a first side of the conveyor and a second subgroup of magnets directed to the opposite second side of the conveyor, to interact with the laterally inner edges of the metal sheets of the stacks on the first and second rack, respectively.

[0043] Integrating the fanning magnets into the conveying device and arranging them below the transport plane saves space and allows for a very close placement of the racks and the

[0044] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwalteconveying device. Accordingly, the required lateral transport distance for the sheets is further minimized and the throughput may be increased.

[0045] Preferably, the fanner arrangement comprises a second group of fanning magnets and a third group of fanning magnets, wherein the fanning magnets of the second group are arranged on a first beam running between the supports of the first pair of vertical supports and wherein the fanning magnets of the third group are arranged on a second beam running between the supports of the second pair of vertical supports. This reduces the number of required support elements and allows for a compact arrangement of the further groups of fanner magnets acting on the laterally outer edges of the metal sheets.

[0046] Alternatively, the second and third groups of fanning magnets are arranged on a dedicated support structure. As well, they may be arranged on a mobile support structure.

[0047] Preferably, each of the two racks is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. This allows for displacing a rack away from the conveying device and the other components of the feeding system in order to refill the sheet stack or replace the sheet stack. During the time period in which the rack is displaced from its hand-over position, sheets will be fed to the conveying device from the other stack. Displacing the racks in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction minimizes the length of the feeding system and thus of the entire line. Nevertheless, due to the fact that the extension of the stacks is smaller in the perpendicular direction than in a direction parallel to the conveying direction, the required path length for the displacement is moderate.

[0048] In a preferred embodiment, each of the two racks may be moved below the fanning magnets of the respective second or third group of fanning magnets. In particular, the position of the fanning magnets of the second and third group is stationary, and the movement of the respective rack is possible even if it is loaded with stacked sheets.

[0049] Accordingly, in the context of the method for feeding metal sheets to a press, the two stacks of metal blanks are arranged on two respective racks, the racks being displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, wherein one of the racks is moved from

[0050] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwaltea replacement position to a hand-over position adjacent to the conveyor, wherein the rack passes under a group of fanning magnets.

[0051] In alternative embodiments, the racks may be moveable parallel to the conveying direction, in particular in a direction away from the press line. In even further embodiments, the racks are stationary and may be loaded with metal sheets by a loading system that is able to access the stationary racks.

[0052] Preferably, each of the two racks comprises a lifting table. The lifting table allows for lifting the stack of metal sheets supported on the rack to an optimum height for interacting with the fanning magnets and picking by the gripper, minimizing the required travel of the gripper in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the throughput is maximized.

[0053] If the table is moveable below the fanning magnets of the second and third groups, lowering the table minimizes the vertical extension of the loaded rack.

[0054] The lifting table may include two independent lifting mechanisms acting on two halves of the support surface. This allows the simultaneous processing of single and double sheets even if the sheet thicknesses are different.

[0055] Instead of or in addition to using a lifting table, the outer fanning magnets (second and third group) may be moved to allow the passage of the respective displaceable rack. For instance, the groups of outer fanning magnets may be arranged on the lateral supports in such a way that they can be moved vertically. In the hand-over position, the vertical path of the gripper will be dynamically adapted to the respective height of the top sheet.

[0056] Preferably, the method includes the steps of checking the fed metal sheet for double sheets and removing double sheets in a direction against the conveying direction, by running the conveying device in a reverse direction.

[0057] Arranging the racks laterally of the conveying device, the space behind the conveying device is essentially free. This is the case in particular if the gantry has no supports extending into the space behind the conveying device. Accordingly, the double sheets may easily be

[0058] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwaltetransported away from the conveying device, e.g. onto an intermediate table for later removal.

[0059] Further advantageous embodiments and combinations of features of the invention result from the following exemplary embodiments and the set of patent claims as a whole.

[0060] Brief description of the drawings

[0061] The drawings used to illustrate the exemplary embodiments show:

[0062] Fig. 1 an oblique view of an embodiment of a feeding system according to the invention;

[0063] Fig. 2 a top view of the feeding system;

[0064] Fig. 3 a rear view of the feeding system;

[0065] Fig. 4 a front view of the feeding system;

[0066] Fig. 5 a detailed view showing the carriage and gripper of the handling device; Fig. 6 a top view of the conveying device;

[0067] Fig. 7 a front view of the conveying device;

[0068] Fig. 8 a lateral view of the conveying device;

[0069] Fig. 9 an oblique view of a lateral support structure of the handling device including a fanning assembly; and

[0070] Fig. 10A-D top and rear views of the feeding system in successive phases of a feeding process.

[0071] In general, identical parts are marked with the same reference symbols in the figures.

[0072] Ways to carry out the invention

[0073] The Figures 1 -4 show an embodiment of a feeding system according to the invention. Figure 1 is an oblique view, Figure 2 is a top view, Figure 3 is a rear view, and Figure 4 is a front view of the system.

[0074] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und MarkenanwalteThe feeding system 1 includes two racks lOOr, 1001, a conveying device 200, a handling device 300 and three fanning assemblies 400r, 400c, 4001.

[0075] The conveying device 200 is a belt conveyor featuring a rear group 201 of circulating belts 202 and a front group 203 of circulating belts 204 (cf. also Figures 6-8). Each group 201, 203 includes ten parallel belts 202, 204 extending in a conveying direction C. The two racks 10Or, 1001 are located adjacent the conveying device 200. They present a rectangular support surface, wherein the longer side is parallel to the conveying direction C. The support surface is defined by a number of parallel bars 101 extending perpendicular to the conveying direction C. These bars 101 are arranged on top of a lifting table 102, which allows for moving the support surface in a vertical direction by means of a scissor mechanism.

[0076] Stacks lOr, 101 of ferrous metal sheets are stacked on the support surfaces of the racks 10Or, 1001.

[0077] The handling device 300 includes a gantry 301. The gantry 301 features a main beam 302 extending over and across the conveying device 200 and the two racks 10Or, 1001, the main extension of the main beam 302 oriented perpendicular to the conveying direction C of the conveying device 200. The main beam 302 is supported on a right support assembly 31 Or and a left support assembly 3101. Both support assemblies 310r, 3101 include a front support 311r, 3111 and a rear support 312r, 3121 constituted by two vertical pillars arranged next to each other in a plane extending perpendicular to the conveying direction C, the pillars being supported on a leg, extending in the same plane. The leg in turn contacts the floor by contact sections arranged at the ends of the leg, wherein the inner end of the leg extends further than the inner pillar to increase the width of the support.

[0078] Each of the support assemblies 31 Or, 3101 further includes a lateral horizontal beam 313r, 3131. These beams 313r, 3131 support the main beam 302, arranged at about 40% of the length of the lateral beams 313r, 3131 measured from the rear.

[0079] The fanning assemblies 400r, 400c, 4001 include a right fanning assembly 400r attached to the right support assembly 31 Or, a central fanning assembly 400c integrated in the conveying device 200 and a left fanning assembly 400r attached to the left support assembly

[0080] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwalte3101. The right and left fanning assemblies 400r, 4001 are described in more detail in relation with Figure 9 below. The central fanning assembly 400c is described in more detail in relation with Figures 6-8 below.

[0081] The described feeding system 1 features racks lOOr, 1001 having a length along the conveying direction of 4 m and a width in direction parallel thereto of 2 m. Accordingly, the conveying device 200 has a conveying surface with a width of 4 m.

[0082] Figure 5 is a detailed front view showing the carriage and gripper of the handling device 300. A carriage 320 is supported on a linear guide 303 running along the front side of the main beam 302. The linear guide 303 includes two parallel rails that define a movement path of the carriage 320 extending from about the center of the right rack lOOr in its operating position adjacent to the conveying device 200 to the center of the left rack 1001 in its operating position adjacent to the conveying device 200 (cf. Figure 4). Shock absorbers 304r, 3041 avoid hard stops in the end regions of the path. A motor 305 is attached to the rear side of the main beam 302, in the left end region thereof (cf. Fig. 2). The motor 305 drives a belt pulley cooperating with a closed belt running along the main beam 302 and fixedly attached to the carriage 320. Accordingly, employing the motor 305, the carriage 320 may be moved in both directions along the linear guide 303.

[0083] To cooperate with the two rails of the linear guide 303, the carriage 320 features four roller guides arranged on a rear surface of a main plate 321 of the carriage 320. On the front surface of the main plate 321, four further roller guides are arranged. They cooperate with two linear rails attached to the rear side of a housing 322, such that the housing 322 is linearly displaceable with respect to the main plate 321 along a vertical direction. This displacement is controlled by a servo motor 323 attached to the main plate 321, acting on a pinion, which in turn interacts with a rack attached to the rear side of the housing 322, parallel to the two rails.

[0084] The housing 322 accommodates a further servo motor 324, which acts onto a rotatable front section 325. The front section 325 features a coupling to which a suction bridge 330 is removably attached. The suction bridge 330 provides a horizontal main profile carrying a

[0085] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwaltenumber of parallel booms extending on both sides of the main profile. Each of the booms carries a suction cup, and the booms may be displaced with respect to the main profile, along their respective extension. Vacuum lines run from the suction cups along the suction bridge 330, the housing 322 of the carriage 320 into a cable drag chain housed in a cage arranged on top of the main beam 302.

[0086] A suitable suction bridge is described e.g. in WO 2019 / 166097 A1 of Gudel Group AG.

[0087] Employing the linear axis along the main beam 302, the vertical axis provided between the main plate 321 of the carriage 320 and the housing 322 as well as the rotation axis between the housing 322 and the front section 325, the suction bridge 330 may be placed in a vertical plane including the main beam 320 (x and z direction) as well as rotated about a vertical (z) axis.

[0088] The Figure 6 is a top view of the conveying device, the Figure 7 is a front view and the Figure 8 is a lateral view. The conveying device 200 is a belt conveyor featuring a rear group 201 of circulating belts 202 and a front group 203 of circulating belts 204. Each group 201, 203 includes ten parallel belts 202, 204 extending in the conveying direction C. All belts 202, 204 define a planar transport surface and allow for transporting sheet-like objects along as well as against the conveying direction C. The conveying device 200 includes four servo motors 207I, 207r, 208I, 208r. The rear left servo motor 207I drives the left half of the rear group 201 of circulating belts 202. The rear right servo motor 207r drives the right half of the rear group 201 of circulating belts 202. The front left servo motor 208I drives the left half of the front group 203 of circulating belts 204. The front right motor 208r drives the right half of the front group 203 of circulating belts 204.

[0089] Four lateral guides 205I, 205r, 206I, 206r are attached to the side of the conveying device 200 and extend perpendicular to the conveying direction C.

[0090] The central fanning assembly 400c is integrated in the conveying device 200. It includes 10 left fanning magnets 401 cl and 10 right fanning magnets 401cr. Nine left fanning magnets 401 cl and nine right fanning magnets 401cr are arranged below the circulating belts of the rear group of 201 of circulating belts 202. The frontmost left fanning magnet 401 cl and the

[0091] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwaltefrontmost right fanning magnet 401cr are arranged below the circulating belts of the front group 203 of circulating belts 204. Each fanning magnet 401cl, 401cr includes a housing featuring guide rails and a rack extending along its longitudinal extension. At the front end, a fanning head is attached. The guide rails run in a guide and the rack interacts with a pinion driven by a stationary servo motor, both the guide and the servo motor being attached to the frame of the conveying device 200. This allows for individually adjusting the position of the respective fanning magnet 401cl, 401cralong a direction perpendiculartothe conveying direction C.

[0092] The Figure 9 is an oblique view of a lateral support structure of the handling device including a fanning assembly. The lateral support structure is constituted by a support assembly 310 include a front support 311 and a rear support 312 constituted by two vertical pillars arranged next to each other in a plane extending perpendicular to the conveying direction C, the pillars being supported on a leg, extending in the same plane. The leg in turn contacts the floor by contact sections arranged at the ends of the leg, wherein the inner end of the leg extends further than the inner pillar to increase the width of the support. The top ends of the front support 311 and the rear support 312 are connected by a lateral horizontal beam 313. Below and parallel to the horizontal beam 313, a further beam 402 extends between both the front support 311 and the rear support 312. To each of the end portions of this further beam 402, a lateral guide 405, 406 is attached and extending perpendicular to the extension of the further beam 402.

[0093] 10 fanning magnets 401 are attached to the further beam 402. Like the fanning magnets integrated in the conveying system 200, each fanning magnet 401 includes a housing featuring guide rails and a rack extending along its longitudinal extension. At the front end, a fanning head is attached. The guide rails run in a guide and the rack interacts with a pinion driven by a stationary servo motor, both the guide and the servo motor being attached to the further beam 402. This allows for individually adjusting the position of the respective fanning magnet 401 along a direction perpendicular to the extension of the further beam 402. In Figure 9, the two central fanning magnets 401 are extended, whereas the further fanning magnets are in their retracted position.

[0094] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und MarkenanwalteThe Figures 10A-D show the feeding system in successive phases of a feeding process. Each of the Figures shows a top view and below a rearview of the feeding system 1. Figure 10A shows an initial position, where the carriage 320 of the handling device 300 is positioned along the main beam 302 above the right rack lOOr. The suction bridge 330 is oriented to conform to the shape of the topmost metal sheet of the sheet stack positioned on the rack lOOr. As well, the suction bridge 330 is lowered such that the suction cups contact the topmost metal sheet.

[0095] Next, the suction bridge 330 is raised. As soon as the metal sheet has been separated from the stack, a rotating movement in a counter-clockwise sense and simultaneously a linear movement of the carriage 320 to the left, along the main beam 320 sets in. Figure 10B shows the resulting situation in which the carriage 320 is partly moved to the left, approaching the center of the main beam 302; the metal sheet is held above the rack lOOr and the upper surface of the conveying device 200 and rotated around a vertical axis by about 25°.

[0096] Figure 10C shows the situation slightly later in the process. The height of the metal sheet is unchanged, whereas it has been moved further to the left by the carriage 320 and further rotated to an angular position of about 45°.

[0097] Figure 10D shows the situation immediately before the final position. The rotation of the metal sheet has been concluded at 90° and the carriage 320 has been placed in a central position on the main beam 302, coinciding with the centerline of the conveying device 200. To reach the final position, the suction bridge 330 with the metal sheet is lowered until the metal sheet is supported by the conveyor of the conveying device 200. Now, the vacuum acting on the suction cups may be switched off to release the metal sheet. The carriage 320 with the suction bridge 330 will now immediately be moved to the left rack 1001 or the right rack 10Or to pick up the next metal sheet.

[0098] The linear path of the carriage 320 along the main beam 302 is 3.4 m, compared to the required distance in prior art systems, in which the metal sheet is not rotated, of about 5.6 m. Correspondingly, the cycle time may be reduced from 3.33s to 3.0 s without increasing acceleration and jerks.

[0099] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und MarkenanwalteThe sheets of metal stacks may be replaced or replenished by moving one of the racks lOOr, 1001 in a direction across the conveying direction C of the conveying device 200 into a position laterally outside of the respective support assembly 310r, 3101. The stack may be moved to a lowered position by the lifting table of the respective rack 10Or, 1001 in order to make it possible to pass below the fanning magnets of the support assembly, 310r, 3101.

[0100] In the position laterally outside the handling device 300, the rack 10Or, 1001 is accessible to a handling device for positioning further metal sheets onto the rack 10Or, 1001 or the stack of remaining metal sheets. During these replacing or replenishing steps, metal sheets are fed to the conveying device 200 from the stack placed on the other rack 10Or, 1001.

[0101] The topmost sheet of each of the two stacks is always held at a predefined height, using the lifting table of the respective rack 10Or, 1001. This facilitates and accelerates the transporting movement of the handling system 300.

[0102] In a manner known as such, the separation of the topmost sheet from the respective stack is supported by the fanning assemblies. It may be further supported by mechanical preseparating mechanisms such as that described in WO 2013 / 188987 A1 of Gudel Group AG where the sheet is gripped on its top face using a suction cup and where a separator element is introduced in between the lifted metal sheet and the metal sheet immediately below.

[0103] The system may be used as well for transporting sheets of non-ferrous metal, e.g. aluminium. In this case, fanning magnets are not used, but other devices using mechanical elements or elements to producing airstreams may be employed in order to support the separation of single metal sheets from the respective stack.

[0104] The invention is not restricted to the described embodiment. Various elements of the system may be implemented differently without departing from the teaching of the claims. In summary, it can be stated that the invention provides a feeding system for a press, which allows for an increased throughput.

[0105] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und MarkenanwalteList of reference signs

[0106] C conveying direction 1 feeding system 10r, 101 stack

[0107] lOOr, 1001 rack

[0108] 101 bar

[0109] 102 lifting table

[0110] 200 conveying device 201 rear group

[0111] 202 belt

[0112] 203 front group

[0113] 204 belt

[0114] 205I, 205r lateral guide 206I, 206r lateral guide 207I, 207r servo motor 208I, 208r servo motor

[0115] 300 handling device 301 gantry

[0116] 302 main beam

[0117] 303 linear guide 304r, 304I shock absorber 305 motor

[0118] 310, 310r, 3101 assembly

[0119] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider

[0120] 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwalte311, 311r, 3111 front support

[0121] 312, 312r, 3121 rear support

[0122] 313, 313r, 3131 lateral horizontal beam 320 carriage

[0123] 321 main plate

[0124] 322 housing

[0125] 323 servo motor

[0126] 324 servo motor

[0127] 325 front section

[0128] 330 suction bridge 400r, 400c, 400I fanning assembly 401, 401cl, 401cr fanning magnet 402 beam

[0129] 405 lateral guide

[0130] 406 lateral guide

[0131] 29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider

[0132] 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwalte

Claims

Claims1. Feeding system for a press, comprising:a conveying device for conveying metal sheets along a conveying direction;two racks for stacking metal sheets arranged on both sides of the conveying device transversely to the conveying direction;a handling device for unstacking the stacked metal sheets from the racks and for feeding the unstacked metal sheets to the conveying device,the handling device comprising a gantry with a linear main axis which extends transversely to the conveying direction and extends over the conveying device and the two racks,wherein the handling device further comprises a carriage movable along the linear main axis and a gripper for gripping the metal sheets to be fed, which is linearly movable at least along a vertical axis relative to the carriage;characterized in thatfor each rack, a first extension of the rack parallel to the conveying direction is larger than a second extension of the rack perpendicular to the conveying direction; and the gripper is rotatable relative to the carriage about a vertical axis.

2. The feeeding system as recited in claim 1, characterized in that the gantry comprises a first pair of vertical supports arranged on a first side of the conveying device and a second pair of vertical supports arranged on a second side of the conveying device, opposite to the first side, the vertical supports of the first pair supporting a first horizontal beam extending parallel to the conveying direction, the vertical supports of the second pair supporting a second horizontal beam extending parallel to the conveying direction, the first and the second horizontal beam supporting a main beam providing the linear main axis.29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwalte3. The feeding system as recited in claim 1 or 2, comprising a fanner arrangement, the fanner arrangement comprising a first group of fanning magnets attached to the coveying device, the fanning magnets of the first group being displaceable in a plane below a transport plane of the conveying device, along a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

4. The feeding system as recited in claim 3 and claim 2, characterized in that the fanner arrangement comprises a second group of fanning magnets and a third group of fanning magnets, wherein the fanning magnets of the second group are arranged on a first beam running between the supports of the first pair of vertical supports and wherein the fanning magnets of the third group are arranged on a second beam running between the supports of the second pair of vertical supports.

5. The feeding system as recited in one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each of the two racks is displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

6. The feeding system as recited in claim 5, characterized in that each of the two racks may be moved below the fanning magnets of the respective second or third group of fanning magnets.

7. The feeding system as recited in one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the two racks comprises a lifting table.

8. Method for feeding metal sheets to a press, comprising the following steps:a) providing two stacks of metal sheets, the stacks being arranged on both sides of a conveying device transversely to a conveying direction of the conveying device;b) picking one of the stacked metal sheets using a gripper attached to a carriage running along a main beam of a gantry extending over the conveying device and the two racks;29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwaltec) moving the carriage along the main beam and simultaneously rotating the gripper relative to the carriage about a vertical axis until an orientation of the picked metal sheet has been changed by essentially 90°;d) lowering the gripper and releasing the gripper to place the metal sheet on the conveying device.

9. Method as recited in claim 8, characterized by the steps of checking the fed metal sheet for double sheets and removing double sheets in a direction against the conveying direction, by running the conveying device in a reverse direction.

10. Method as recited in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the two stacks of metal blanks are arranged on two respective racks, the racks being displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, wherein one of the racks is moved from a replacement position to a hand-over position adjacent to the conveyor, wherein the rack passes under a group of fanning magnets.29216-WO1 - PR / jes Keller Schneider 7 November 2025 Patent- und Markenanwalte

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