EP3365122A1

EP3365122A1 - Manufacturing system for manufacturing workpieces from sheet metal

Info

Publication number: EP3365122A1
Application number: EP16781462.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Matteo DAL LAGO; Matthias HÖRL; Stefano Speziali
Original assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Trumpf Maschinen Austria GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-10-20
Filing date: 2016-10-14
Publication date: 2018-08-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-10-14
Also published as: WO2017067850A1; AT517888A1; AT517888B1; EP3365122B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a manufacturing system (1) for manufacturing workpieces (2) from sheet metal, comprising a bending machine (3) with a bending unit (35) and a bending tool (37) held on a tool carrier and comprising an adjusting device (44). The adjusting device (44) is used to move a working edge (42) of the bending tool (37) towards a curved or embossed longitudinal course and comprises a support element (45), an adjusting element (46), and an adjusting unit. The adjusting element (46) can be moved in the direction of the length of the working edge (42) both in a first adjusting direction as well as in a second adjusting direction oriented oppositely the first adjusting direction. During a movement in the first adjusting direction, the spacing of the working edge (42) in a central region (57) is less than the spacing in one of the two end regions (58, 59) of the bending tool (37), and during a movement in the second adjusting direction, the spacing in the central region (57) is greater than the spacing in one of the two end regions (58, 59).

Description

Production plant for the production of workpieces made of sheet metal

The invention relates to a manufacturing plant for the production of workpieces made of sheet metal, in particular by forming, by means of a bending machine.

From the "Technical Information - Technology of bending" Issue 10/2006 of the Applicant is described in Chapter 4 on the assemblies in subchapter 4.3 - Pressed table with crowning - on pages 13 to 16 and shown that to achieve the parallelism between the press beam and Due to the more lateral arrangement of the hydraulic cylinders, the press beam deflects under load, whereby the upper tool just below the hydraulic cylinder deeper into the lower tool submersed than in the middle of the press beam The angle of inclination of these wedge plates increases towards the middle, depending on the extent of the relative adjustment of one of the wedge plates, and in the middle an elevation and, associated therewith, the desired crowning can be achieved EP 2 127 772 A2 describes a machine for forming flat workpieces along an elongate tool. The forming machine comprises a tool carrier, which is held on both sides in a machine frame and can be moved relative to it, with the tool being held in a tool-receiving manner in a tool holder. The tool carrier

is equipped along its length with several actuators, which act on the tool from the side facing away from the workpiece. Each of the adjusting elements is formed by a hydraulic cylinder, wherein the hydraulic cylinders are so hydraulically connected to each other that sets a substantially uniform contact pressure on the workpiece during the forming process along the tool. In this adjustment system could only be carried out an adjustment of the tool in the direction of its width or height in a parallel direction with respect to the bending cheek.

From EP 2 117 020 A2, a bending machine and a method for compensating the deflection of parts of the bending machine have become known. The compensation of the deflection of the bending machine relates in particular to the table and / or the plunger and / or tools thereof, wherein relatively movable wedges are shifted more or less relative to each other depending on the extent of the desired compensation or the crowning. In this case, a force is exerted before the displacement by which at least one of the wedges is relieved or lifted and that thereafter carried out the relative displacement and then the relief or lifting force is reduced or canceled or turned off. The disadvantage here is that a separate lifting system for relieving the individual wedges must be provided in order to then adjust the relative position of the wedges to each other with a further adjustment.

DE 10 2006 047 108 AI describes a bending machine for bending flat material, which comprises a machine frame, a top cheek, a lower cheek and a bending cheek pivoting about a geometric axis relative to the upper cheek and the lower cheek and carrying a bending tool. Between the upper beam and the lower beam, the sheet is clamped to bending. In order to improve the deflection of the bending beam during the bending process, it is proposed here that this has a support cheek extending over at least the entire bending beam length and a tool carrier cheek carrying the bending tool. The tool support cheek is constantly supported by two support bearings on the support cheek. The support bearings are arranged at a smaller distance from each other than a total distance between end sides of the tool carrier cheek. By supporting the tool support cheek on the support cheek so a better mutual stiffening of the entire bending cheek can be achieved. However, it is no displacement of the tool carrier cheek or the tool provided by a Verstellvor- direction.

The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a device by means of which a user is able to provide a mutually differently curved longitudinal course of the working edge of the bending tool by a simple adjusting movement , Furthermore, the adjusting movement should be carried out with less effort to deform the working edge.

This object of the invention is achieved by a manufacturing plant, in particular its bending machine according to the claims.

The production plant according to the invention is used for the production of workpieces made of sheet metal, in particular by forming, and this comprises a bending machine, in particular folding machine, with a fixed machine frame and with a bending unit, which bending unit comprises at least one bending tool held on a tool carrier,

at least one adjusting device for displacing the at least one bending tool relative to the tool carrier, starting from a working edge of the bending tool extending rectilinearly in a starting position toward a curved or cambered longitudinal course of the working edge,

wherein the at least one adjusting device comprises at least one support element, at least one adjusting element and at least one actuator, and

wherein the at least one actuating element is displaceable relative to the at least one support element of the tool carrier in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the working edge by means of the at least one actuator, and

in that the at least one adjusting element is displaceable both in a first adjustment direction and in a second adjustment direction directed counter to it

and that in a displacement in the first adjustment direction, the working edge of the bending tool, starting from the rectilinear starting position with respect to a in particular vertically extending machine plane is displaced by means of the adjusting device such that their distance in a central region of the longitudinal extension of the bending tool in the direction perpendicular to the machine plane is smaller than in at least one of the two end regions of the bending tool,

- And / or that in a shift in the second adjustment, the working edge of the bending tool is displaced starting from the rectilinear starting position with respect to the particular vertically aligned machine plane such that their distance in the central region of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool in the vertical direction to the machine level is greater as in at least one of the two end areas of the bending tool.

The advantage achieved in this way is that a simple adjustment device can be created in which, depending on the selected adjustment direction, a mutually different deformation of the working edge of the bending tool in the direction of its longitudinal extension can be achieved. By the corresponding interaction of the at least one adjusting element with at least one support element, a corresponding adjusting force can be applied to the bending tool in the longitudinal sections provided in order to be able to set and adjust the curved longitudinal course of the working edge of the bending tool for the respective bending process. Thus, depending on the selected adjustment once a convex curvature of the bending tool and once a concave curvature thereof can be achieved. The adjustment of the one or more adjusting elements takes place by means of the actuator in a simple relative mostly rectilinear adjustment, which has an orientation which is aligned in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bending tool. Furthermore, so can be found even with low adjustment paths Auslangen.

It is also possible for the bending tool to have at least one free position on its flat side facing the tool carrier, and to form a first contact surface and a second contact surface on both sides of the relief, and the second contact surface is formed in the region of an end that is distanced from the working edge and that the bending tool is supported with its first contact surface on the actuator and its second contact surface on the support member or the bending tool is supported with its first contact surface on the support member and its second contact surface on the tool carrier and the displacement of the working edge of the bending tool by a pivoting movement of the working edge of the bending tool takes place about a pivot radius, the pivot center point is arranged in the region of the second contact surface. In this case, a combined, superimposed adjustment movement of the working edge can be achieved by this pivoting movement. Thus, a spatial curvature of the bending tool can be achieved in the region of its working edge, whereby both an adjustment in the "X" direction and at the same time an additional adjustment in the "Y" direction can be achieved.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if a plurality of first support surfaces and a plurality of second support surfaces are arranged or formed on the at least one actuating element and on the at least one support element on respectively facing and oppositely disposed surface sections, and that each of the first support surfaces has a first and a second support surface section each of the second support surfaces having a third and a fourth support surface portion, wherein both the first and second support surface portion and the third and fourth support surface portion seen in the adjustment direction of the adjusting element are arranged immediately adjacent to each other, and that each of the first and second support surface portion below a first Angle and / or the respective third and fourth support surface portion at a second angle inclined to each other are aligned. Here can be achieved based on the undeformed starting position by the additional targeted subdivision or splitting of the cooperating surface portions in the individual support surface sections depending on their arrangement and orientation, the intended transverse displacement of the working edge. Furthermore, it can also be created the possibility that a relative displacement of the bending tool and thus the working edge takes place in dependence on the selected direction of adjustment of the actuator or not or not.

A further embodiment provides that at least some of the first and second support surface portions of the first support surfaces on the at least one actuating element in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bending tool with a different inclination direction be¬ lie lent the machine plane running. Thus, depending on the selected direction of inclination and the selected angle of inclination, the extent of the relative displacement of the bending tool and thus the working edge can be determined. Another embodiment is characterized in that the first support surface sections are aligned in a central region of the longitudinal extension of the bending tool approximately parallel with respect to the machine plane. This can be carried out at a correspondingly selected adjustment a mutually parallel adjustment between the actuator and the support element, without causing a lateral or transverse displacement of the bending tool, whereby no displacement and thus no deformation of the working edge of the bending tool is performed.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the first support surface sections, starting from the central region of the bending tool in each case in the direction of both end regions of the bending tool with increasing distance include a larger inclination angle with the machine plane. This can be increased in accordance with selected adjustment direction with increasing distance or distance from the central region, the extent of deformation and the associated curvature.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the second support surface sections in the two end regions of the bending tool are aligned approximately parallel with respect to the machine plane. Thus, the possibility is also created here to be able to perform a mutually parallel adjustment between the actuator and the support member at a correspondingly selected adjustment only.

Another alternative embodiment is characterized in that the second support surface sections, starting from the two end regions of the bending tool in the direction of the central region, enclose a greater inclination angle with the machine plane with increasing distance. As a result, the extent of deformation of the bending tool and, associated therewith, a greater curvature can likewise be achieved starting from the two end regions in the direction of the middle region, again with a correspondingly selected adjustment direction of the adjusting element or elements. Another possible and optionally alternative embodiment has the features that the angle of inclination between the first support surface sections and the machine plane has a value selected from a range between 0 ° and 3 °, in particular between 0 ° and 1.5 °. So can by the choice of the angle of inclination on the one hand the applied adjusting force and on the other hand the extent of the displacement are determined.

A further embodiment provides that the angle of inclination between the second support surface sections and the machine plane in each case has a value which is selected from a range between 0 ° and 3 °, in particular between 0 ° and 1.5 °. Thus, depending on the selected adjustment direction, starting from no deformation up to the maximum deformation, the desired deformation value of the working edge of the bending tool can also be predetermined here.

Another embodiment is characterized in that in each case the first and second support surface sections include a first angle between them, which has a value which is smaller than 180 °. This can be achieved between immediately adjacent support surface sections a kink and thus the formation of a ramp.

A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that at least some of the third and fourth support surface portions each include a second angle therebetween having a value equal to or less than 180 °. Thus, from a planar transition up to a ramp formation depending on the selected position of the support surface sections with respect to the longitudinal extent of the bending tool to the predetermined deformation of the working edge can be determined.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if at least some of the third and fourth contact surface sections each include a second angle between them, which has a value that is greater than 180 °. This can be created in intermediate areas between the central region and the two left and right end regions another variant leadership.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the adjusting device seen in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the working edge on both sides of the at least one adjusting element each comprises a fixed in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the tool carrier first and second support member. As a result, an even more sensitive adjustment for the bending tool can be made possible. Another possible and optionally alternative embodiment has the features that in the longitudinal extension of the bending tool a plurality, in particular two, successively arranged adjusting devices are provided which are each independently adjustable. Thus, an even more individual adjustment of the bending tool and thus an even more individual deformation process can be performed.

A further embodiment provides that each of the adjusting devices in the longitudinal extension of the bending tool at least two successively arranged adjusting elements and two consecutively arranged second support elements comprises and each have their first and second support surfaces to each other an opposite direction of inclination with respect to the machine plane. This in turn creates the possibility, depending on the selected adjustment either to deform the central region of the bending tool or at least one of the two end portions.

Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the bending tool is supported in the starting position with still undeformed, rectilinear working edge at least in the region of the second support elements in the vertical direction with respect to the machine plane via at least one spacer element directly on the bending beam. This can be achieved in each case a safer and stable zero position of the bending tool and associated rectilinear alignment of the working edge.

A further possible and optionally alternative embodiment has the features that the adjusting device further comprises a plurality of rolling elements with a rotationally symmetrical spatial form, wherein the rolling elements between or facing surface sections of the at least one actuating element and the support element or the support elements is or are arranged. By providing rolling elements between the respective relatively displaceable support surfaces, their support surface sections or even the longitudinal guide surfaces, the friction can be reduced. Furthermore, this also reduces the adjustment and, moreover, the possibility can still be created to be able to carry out an adjustment of the actuating element relative to the support element or elements during operation. Furthermore, it may be advantageous if the spatial form of the rolling elements from the group of ball, cylinder, hollow cylinder, cone, truncated cone is selected.

Another embodiment is characterized, when seen in cross-section, which are arranged curved or curved on the one or more adjusting elements and / or the support elements or trained support surfaces and / or longitudinal guide surfaces. As a result, an even more targeted longitudinal guidance can be achieved in the area of the rolling bodies on the surface sections facing them. A further preferred embodiment is characterized in that the rolling elements each arranged between the at least one adjusting element and the at least one supporting element are held in a separate cage. As a result, the rolling elements can always be held and guided relative to one another in a positioned position. Finally, it may be advantageous if the bending tool in its longitudinal extent several times on the bending beam, in particular the at least one support element is fixed. In order for a stable attachment of the bending tool on the bending beam and / or the tool carrier can be created on the one hand and on the other hand, an adjustment for lateral deformation are still possible.

For a better understanding of the invention, this will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

In each case, in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

1 shows a manufacturing plant with a bending machine and remote support table and remote manipulation device, in front view. the production plant of Figure 1, with support table and manipulation device, in side view. a partial section of the bending unit according to Figures 1 and 2 with the adjusting device for the bending tool, in the undeformed position of the bending tool, in side view and enlarged view. the partial section of the bending unit of Figure 3, with indicated lateral displacement of the working edge of the bending tool.

Parts of the adjusting device in plan view in still in the undeformed starting position befindlichem bending tool and unverstellem adjusting element of the adjusting device and the rectilinear longitudinal course of the working edge, but without the bending tool;

Parts of the adjusting device in plan view and a first possible position of the adjusting element of the adjusting device and the thereby obtained curved longitudinal course of the working edge, but without the bending tool;

Parts of the adjusting device in plan view and a second possible position of the adjusting element of the adjusting device and the thereby obtained curved longitudinal course of the working edge, but without the bending tool; a detail of the adjusting device of Figure 6, in an enlarged view. a further possible embodiment of the adjusting device for the bending tool, in side view; a partial section of the bending tool of Figure 9, in plan view and the possible longitudinal courses of the working edge depending on the selected adjustment, in a highly schematic representation. a detail of a possible formation of Kontaktfiächen on the support element and the adjusting element, in cross-section with respect to the longitudinal extension of the working edge of the bending tool. By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or identical component names, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be mutatis mutandis to identical parts with the same reference numerals and component names. Also, the position information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc. related to the immediately described and illustrated figure and these position information in a change in position mutatis mutandis to transfer to the new location.

The term "in particular" is understood below to mean that it may be a possible more specific training or specification of an object or a method step, but not necessarily a mandatory, preferred embodiment of the same or has to represent a procedure.

1 and 2, a manufacturing plant 1 is shown in a highly schematically simplified representation, which is formed in the present case in particular for the swivel bending or swing bending of sheet metal to be produced workpieces 2. As a starting material, a metallic material is usually used, which can be referred to in its undeformed state as a flat material or flat element. The manufacturing plant 1 used in the present case for bending and described in more detail comprises a bending machine 3, in particular a folding machine, which is designed for clamping the workpieces 2 or workpieces to be produced from the sheet metal between a clamping tool 4 which is adjustable relative to one another. In the present exemplary embodiment, the clamping tool 4 comprises at least one, but preferably a plurality of lower clamping jaws 5 and at least one, but preferably a plurality of upper jaws 6 cooperating therewith. The lower jaw (s) 5 can also be part of the lower cheek and the upper one or more Jaws 6 may also be referred to as part of the upper beam. However, it would also be conceivable to use a press or bending press as the bending machine 3. In the case of such a bending machine 3, the coordinate system 3 is generally referred to as the "-" direction, which runs in a horizontal plane and in a vertical orientation with respect to the longitudinal extent of the clamping jaws 5, 6. Thus, this is the direction which also corresponds to the feed direction or the removal direction "Y" direction is understood to mean the vertical direction, which thus runs in the height direction of the clamping jaws 5, 6. Finally, the "Z" direction is understood to be the direction which extends in the longitudinal direction or in the longitudinal extent of the clamping jaws 5, 6. The longitudinal extent of the bending edge, which will be described later, is then also aligned in the "Z" direction.

The at least one upper clamping jaw 6 is arranged above the workpiece 2 to be manufactured on the bending machine 3 and held there accordingly, in particular clamped. Also, the at least one lower jaw 5 is held on the bending machine 3, in particular clamped.

A machine frame 7 of the bending machine 3 comprises, for example, vertically upstanding from a base plate 8 and mutually parallel side cheeks 9, 10. These are preferably interconnected by a solid, formed for example of a sheet metal part cross member 11 at their spaced from the bottom plate 8 end regions , The machine frame 7 is usually a solid, preferably on a flat hall floor fixed component of the bending machine 3. The shape shown here has been chosen only as an example for a variety of other possible training. The side cheeks 9, 10 may be formed to form a clearance for the forming of the workpiece 2 preferably in approximately C-shaped, wherein attached to front end faces 12 of bottom flanges of the side cheeks 9, 10 a fixed, in particular on the bottom plate 8 upstanding lower clamping bar 13 is, which can also be referred to as a pressing bar. This preferably stationary arranged and fixed lower clamping bar 13 may also be referred to as a clamping table or as a lower beam, are arranged on the parts of the clamping tool 4 and also held thereon. At Frontstirnfiächen 14 is at the leg remote from the bottom plate 8 in clamping bar guides 15 to the lower clamping bar 13 relatively adjustable further upper clamping bar 16, in particular a pressure bar, guided guided. The clamping bar guides 15 are usually designed as linear guides in various embodiments. Also, this further clamping bar 16 may be referred to as a press beam or as a top beam, which, however, relative to the machine frame 7 is displaceably guided on this. On opposite, mutually parallel end surfaces 17, 18 of the two clamping bars 13, 16 can jaw receiving 19, 20 are arranged for assembly with the clamping tools 4. The clamping tool or tools 4 can also be held on the jaw receptacles 19, 20 with the interposition of an adapter (not shown).

The bending machine 3 shown has as drive arrangement 21 for the adjustable upper clamping bar 16, namely the pressure bar, at least one drive means 22 powered by electrical energy, which are line-connected to a control device 24 fed from a power grid 23. By way of example, the operation of the bending machine 3 can be controlled via a line-connected input terminal 25 connected to the control device 24.

The drive means 22 are preferably electromotively operated spindle drives 26, as they are generally known, of which adjusting means 27 for a reversible

Actuating movement of the upper clamping bar 16 formed by the pressure bar with this, for example, drive connected. However, other drive means 22 known from the prior art, such as e.g. Cylinder piston assemblies, stepper motors, rack drives or the like can be used.

Further details required for the operation of such a bending machine 3, such as safety devices, stop arrangements and / or control devices, are omitted from the description to avoid unnecessary length of description.

Furthermore, it is shown here in simplified form that the two clamping bars 13, 16, in particular their tool holders 19, 20, or the clamping tool 4 held thereon with their nem and its lower and upper jaws 5, 6, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the clamping bar 13, 16 defining an adjustment plane extending therebetween or a machine plane 28. The adjustment plane or the machine plane 28 preferably runs centrally with respect to the clamping bars 13, 16 or the clamping jaw receptacles 19, 20 arranged on them. In the present exemplary embodiment, a vertically aligned plane is understood here. The adjustment plane or the machine plane 28 can also be referred to as the reference plane for the bending tool 37 located in its vertical orientation. The machine level 28 forms but also subsequently a Referenzbzw. Reference plane for a bending tool 37 of a bending unit 35th

The two jaws 5, 6 form a clamping region 29 between them at mutually facing ends. Mutually facing lower and upper clamping surfaces 30, 31 of the two clamping jaws 5, 6 are preferably aligned at right angles with respect to the adjustment plane or the machine plane 28. These clamping surfaces 30, 31 serve to keep the sheet, depending on its wall thickness for carrying out the bending operation between the two jaws 5, 6 positioned.

An additional support table 32 with its bearing surface 33 defining a support surface is preferably arranged in the region of the front of the bending machine 3, which is indicated in simplified form only in FIG. The support plane 33 can also be referred to as a support plane. It should be noted that the support surface need not be formed over the entire surface but can also be formed from several in the feed direction of the sheet to be processed next to each other and / or successively arranged support part surfaces. The bearing surface 33 defined by the support surface is preferably arranged in the same plane as the lower clamping surface 30 of the lower jaw 5. This is used in larger sheets as additional support to avoid accidental kinking, especially with thinner sheets.

A bending region 34 is understood here to be that region which serves to form the workpiece 2 to be produced from the sheet, which is usually still flat, or to further process an already pre-formed workpiece 2 by forming at least one additional fold or bend. The bending region 34 is usually spaced from the machine plane 28 of the clamping bar 13, 16 and is formed by mutually facing end portions of at least one, but preferably both jaws 5, 6. In the present exemplary embodiment, the bending region 34 is arranged on the side of the clamping bars 13, 16 facing away from the support table 32 or an operator not shown in detail. Thus, the bending region 34 is arranged to extend within the machine frame 7.

The bending region 34 usually forms a preferably rectilinear bending line on the workpiece 2 to be produced, with legs forming on both sides of the bending region 34 as a result of the bending process performed. One of the legs of the workpiece 2 is held in clamping position between the two clamping surfaces 30, 31 of the jaws 5, 6, wherein the at least one further leg outside of the clamping surfaces 30, 31 is arranged. Depending on the desired or produced geometry of the workpiece 2, the two legs enclose between them a bending angle. This bending angle is measured in a reference plane aligned perpendicular to the bending line. The reference plane, for its part, is furthermore preferably also aligned with respect to the machine plane 28 in the vertical direction.

It should be mentioned that the machine frame 7 of the bending machine 3 is shown only in a very simplified manner, wherein it is also possible to use different embodiments thereof. So could e.g. the machine frame 7 and the machine body may be formed with a free stator passage. In this case, the jaw receivers 19, 20 could be received between the side walls 9, 10 and side panels. In another embodiment of the machine frame 7 or of the machine body, no free stator passage is possible, as a result of which the clamping jaw receptacles 19, 20 can not be received between the side cheeks 9, 10 or side parts.

To carry out the bending process, the bending machine 3 of the production plant 1 also comprises a bending unit 35, which can also be referred to as a bending unit or forming unit. This is simplified in the Fig. 2 indicated and can be adjusted depending on be carried out bending relative to the machine frame 7 thereto. For better clarity, FIG. 1 omits the illustration of the bending unit 35 and its components. In this case, the pre-positioned between the two jaws 5, 6 held and clamped sheet to form the workpiece 2 by a bending operation, in particular a bending process, along the bending area 34 forming bending line formed, in particular be folded.

Depending on the edge of the sheet metal clamped between the clamping jaws 5, 6 to produce the workpiece 2, either the lower clamping jaw 5 or the upper clamping jaw 6 forms the bending area and thus the bending area 34. Thus, the lower clamping jaw 5 forms or has a first forming edge. The upper jaw 6 forms or has a second forming edge.

The two clamping surfaces 30, 31 of the clamping jaws 5, 6 described above define a workpiece support plane 36 for the workpiece 2 to be produced. Preferably, the workpiece support plane 36 is arranged in the vertical direction at the same height as the support plane 33 defined by the support table 32 , The two planes are aligned plane-parallel to each other and arranged in a common plane. The bending unit 35 may have one or more bending tools 37, which may be arranged on a unspecified tool carrier of a bending beam 38, in particular be held thereto. The bending beam 38 may be adjustable relative to the machine frame 7 to non-illustrated bending beam guides by means of a bending beam drive, as indicated in Fig. 2 with a double arrow. In the present exemplary embodiment, the main adjustment direction runs in the vertical direction and predominantly parallel with respect to the vertically aligned machine plane 28. This corresponds to a displacement in the direction of the "Y" direction described above take place by means of the bending beam 38 in the direction of the jaws 5, 6, which corresponds to an adjustment in the "X" direction. Thus, a slight overbending can be achieved, which then after the discharge due to the springback the correct bending angle can be maintained. Furthermore, the manufacturing plant 1 may also include a manipulation device 39 with at least one manipulator 40, indicated in simplified fashion, for the usual manipulation of the sheet or the workpiece 2 to be produced in the front or operating area of the bending machine 3. The manipulation of the sheet or of the workpiece 2 to be produced therefrom takes place in the region of the support table 32 preferably by the manipulator 40, of which only a first holding element 41 is shown on a part of a manipulator arm. The first holding element 41 or the first holding elements 41 may be formed, for example, as a suction element and / or as a magnet, with which the sheet is held on its side facing away from the support plane 33 of the support table 32 and subsequently moved relative to the clamping tool 4 and with respect the bending region 34 can be positioned. But it would also be possible to form the first holding element 41 as a gripper with cooperating gripping rings.

The bending tool (s) 37 are preferably continuous at least over the longitudinal extent of the bending region 34, in particular in one piece, and define an ideally rectilinear working edge 42 on their region facing the sheet or the workpiece 2 to be produced. The working edge 42 is in the unloaded state, so long as no bending operation is performed, to be considered to be rectilinear. Furthermore, the working edge 42 in the unloaded state should have a parallel orientation with respect to the machine plane 28 or the bending region 34 defined by the clamping jaws 5 or 6. This rectilinear course of the working edge 42 is changed in the course of the bending operation and the associated action of the bending tool or tools 37 as a result of the elastic deformation of the bending beam 38, in particular of the tool carrier arranged thereon. Thus, no straight course of the bending edge to be produced can be achieved on the workpiece 2.

So it is provided here that the bending tool 37 in the direction of its longitudinal extent - that is viewed in the direction of its working edge 42 - deformed or adjusted so that at least partially a cambered or curved longitudinal profile of the working edge 42 even before the beginning of the bending process and / or can also be set or achieved during the bending process. The term "crowning" or "curved longitudinal course" means a desired, predetermined pre-curvature of the bending unit. zeugs 37 understood in its rest position and possibly also during the bending process. The cambering or the adjustment to the curved longitudinal course takes place starting from an undeformed, straight longitudinal course of the working edge 42 and a preferably parallel longitudinal course of flat sides of the bending tool 37 with respect to the machine plane 28 in the workpiece support plane 36 or an output plane parallel thereto.

This lateral deformation can take place starting from the rectilinear course of the working edge 42 as well as the vertical orientation of the bending tool 37 in the initial state before the beginning of the bending operation by a kind of pivotal movement and optionally an associated at least partially elastic deformation of the bending tool 37 in the area of the tool carrier, as this is shown schematically in Figs. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 shows the undeformed starting position in a side view, FIG. 4 also showing in a side view the adjustment or displacement with a pivoting radius 43 and a new position of the working edge 42 in a longitudinal section of the bending tool 37.

An adjustment device 44 is provided in the region of the tool carrier for this displacement of the working edge 42 of the bending tool 37 that extends in a straight line in the starting position toward a curved and / or cambered longitudinal course of the working edge 42.

In the first exemplary embodiment shown here, the adjusting device 44 comprises at least one support element 45, at least one adjusting element 46 cooperating therewith, at least one adjusting element not shown in greater detail. In addition to, but not necessarily, it would still be possible that at predetermined locations between the support member 45 and the actuator 46 a plurality of rolling elements 47 may be arranged, each having a rotationally symmetrical spatial shape. The rolling elements 47 may be provided, but need not be provided. The at least one actuating element 46 is displaceable relative to the at least one support element 45 of the tool carrier in mutually different adjustment direction by means of the at least one actuator, these being indicated in the following FIGS. 5 to 7 each with an arrow. In this embodiment, the rolling elements 47 are also provided and shown so as to keep as small as possible to be overcome in the respective adjustment friction force. It can also be seen here that the bending tool 37 seen in cross-section, ie in a plane aligned in the vertical direction with respect to the longitudinal extent, at least one side or flat side thereof on the tool carrier or the bending beam 38, in particular the support element 45 , Preferably two, exemptions or recesses, whereby in the contact region of the actuating element 46, a first bearing surface 68 is formed. One of the exemptions extends from the first abutment surface 68 in the direction of the end facing away from the working edge 42 and also ends there before forming a second abutment surface 69. Preferably, this is located approximately halfway up the bending tool 37 the two contact surfaces 68, 69 are arranged in a common plane. The bending tool 37 may further be at least partially supported in the region of its side facing away from the working edge 42 or oppositely arranged narrow side surface 72 on the tool carrier, in the present embodiment on a support member 45 formed or arranged support shoulder 73, fitting. Thus, in the unadjusted starting position, a support and transmission of forces in the "Y" direction can be achieved starting from the working edge 42 on the tool carrier, in particular the bending beam 38. Due to the arrangement and design of the second contact surface 69 and the narrow side surface 72, can also the transition region or the corner region between the second contact surface 69 and the narrow side surface 72 form the pivot center or the base of the pivoting range for the pivot radius 43.

The exemption or the exemptions preferably extend over the entire longitudinal extension of the bending tool 37. Thus, the two contact surfaces 68, 69 are formed over the entire longitudinal extension of the bending tool 37 and thus stand for the mutual contact and support of the bending tool 37 on the tool carrier, its actuating element 46 and / or the bending beam 38, in particular the support member 45 is available. That release, which is arranged or illustrated between the first contact surface 68 and the working edge 42, may be omitted.

The simplified indicated fastening means may be formed, for example, by a screw, in particular an expansion screw. This can be further distanced from the working edge 42 arranged second contact surface 69 or the corner region in the lower base of the bending tool 37 form the pivot center of the previously described pivoting radius 43. In addition to the lateral displacement of the working edge 42, an adjusting movement superimposed in the "Y" direction - ie in parallel to the machine plane 28 - can also be achieved by the lateral pivoting movement about the pivoting radius 43. However, this displacement movement is in its Extent to be considered rather low.

The lateral displacement movement in the "X" direction may be in the range of between 0.0 mm and 1.0 mm, preferably up to 0.6 mm, and the additional displacement movement in the "Y" direction may be a degree to to 0.2 mm, preferably 0.1 mm.

The relative adjustment of the at least one adjusting element 46 relative to the at least one supporting element 45 takes place in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the working edge 42, this starting from an undeformed starting position of the working edge 42- as shown in FIG. 5 - depending on the selected adjustment direction leads to the respectively indicated longitudinal course of the working edge 42 according to the examples shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Thus, the at least one adjusting element 46 can be displaced relative to the support element 45 starting from a basic position both in a first adjustment direction and in a second adjustment direction oppositely directed or extending thereto. In the basic position, the longitudinal course of the working edge 42 is rectilinear and can optionally be deformed depending on the direction of inclination of the cooperating support or support surfaces of the support element 45 and the adjusting element 46.

The spatial form of the rolling elements 47 may be selected from the group of sphere, cylinder, hollow cylinder, cone, truncated cone. In the present embodiment, the spherical shape has been selected and displayed as a spatial form. For each of the plurality of rolling elements 47, a plurality of first support surfaces 48 and of the at least one support element 45 are a plurality of second on each facing and oppositely disposed surface portions of the at least one actuating element 46 Support surfaces 49 arranged or formed. The respectively oppositely arranged first and second support surfaces 48, 49 may serve to bear the or of the rolling element 47. As viewed in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the working edge 42, a plurality of rolling elements 47 arranged at a distance from each other are preferably provided with the associated first and second support surfaces 48, 49. Each of the rolling elements 47 is in turn supported on a first and a second contact region 50, 51 thereon.

If no rolling elements 47 are provided or arranged between the respectively facing and oppositely disposed surface sections of the at least one adjusting element 46 and the at least one supporting element 45, the first supporting surfaces 48 can be supported directly adjacent to the second supporting surfaces 49. Then, during one of the adjustment movements, in each case the first support surface 48 slides directly on the second support surface 49. To reduce the frictional forces, a lubricant and / or lubricant can be introduced between the respectively adjoining first and second support surfaces 48, 49.

The bending tool 37 or the bending tools 37 are fastened by means of fastening means, in particular screws, shown in a simplified manner on the support element 45 of the tool carrier.

5 to 8, depending on the longitudinal displacement of the actuating element 46 in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the working edge 42 of the bending tool 37, starting from the undeformed, rectilinear longitudinal extent, the working edge 42 can be moved to the desired, curved longitudinal course be adjusted elastically. For this purpose, the adjusting elements 46 are or are adjusted in their position relative to the support member 45, as has already been described above. Thus, Fig. 5 shows the undeformed starting position of the working edge 42. In FIGS. 6 and 7 different examples of the curved extending longitudinal extent of the working edge 42 are shown. FIG. 8 shows an enlarged detail of the adjusting device 44. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, each of the first support surfaces 48 of the adjusting element 46 has a first and a second support surface section 52, 53. Each of the second support surfaces 49 of the support member 45 in turn has a third and a fourth support surface portion 54, 55. Furthermore, both the first and second support surface portion 52, 53 and the third and fourth support surface portion 54, 55 seen in the adjustment direction of the adjusting element 46 immediately adjacent to each other, in particular one behind the other, arranged.

Each of the rolling elements 47 has a rolling axis 56. In one with respect to the rolling axis 56 of the rolling element 47 diametrically opposite arrangement of the first and second contact portion 50, 51 of the rolling element 47, the respective support surface portions 52 to 55 are aligned parallel to each other depending on the mutual arrangement.

The bending tool 37, in particular the bending rail held or fastened to the support element 45 or to the bending beam 38 in the region of the tool carrier, has a longitudinal extent, which extends mostly over the entire working range of the bending machine 3. In about half of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool 37 is a central region 57, wherein the bending tool 37 in its longitudinal extent spaced apart end portions 58, 59 has. These may also be referred to as first and second end regions or left and right end regions.

Furthermore, in each case the first and second support surface sections 52, 53 may be aligned at a first angle 60 inclined to each other. However, in each case the third and fourth support surface sections 54, 55 may also be aligned at a second angle 61 so as to be inclined towards one another. Due to the inclined arrangement and alignment of the respective support surface portions 52, 53 or 54, 55 to each other formed on the actuator 46 and / or on the support member 45 either ramps or parallel with respect to the machine plane 28 aligned Neuraiflächen, at each of which the rolling elements 47 in the course of the displacement movement of the adjusting element 46 can roll relative to the support element 45. The angle 60 included by the first and second support surface portions 52 and 53 of the adjusting element 46 may have a value that is less than 180 °. The value of the angle 60 is preferably between 179.5 ° and 177 °, in particular approximately 178.5 °. Depending on the desired extent of the displacement and the deflection direction of the displacement of the working edge 42 with respect to the respective longitudinal position of the respective rolling body 47 in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool 37, the value of the angle 60 could also be greater than 180 °. The choice of a value for an angle 61, which is included at least between some of the third and fourth support surface portions 54, 55, may also be chosen to be less than 180 °. The value of the angle 61 is preferably between 179.5 ° and 177 °, in particular approximately 178.5 °. In the present exemplary embodiment, for example, the third and fourth support surface sections 54, 55 located in the middle region 57 and in the two mutually spaced end regions 58, 59 can be formed with such angle values.

It is further provided here that in each case in an intermediate section 62, ie in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the working edge 42 between the central region 57 and each of the end regions 58, 59, the value of between some of the third and fourth support surface sections 54, 55 enclosed or formed angle 61 is equal to 180 ° or possibly even greater than 180 °. For example, the value of the angle 61 may be, for example, between 180.5 ° and 183 °, in particular 181.5 °. In bending machines 3 designed as a bending machine, for example, the working edge 42 of the bending tool 37, starting from the rectilinear starting position - according to FIG. 5 - with respect to the vertically oriented machine plane 28 are displaced so that their distance in the central region 57 of the longitudinal extension of the bending tool 37 in vertical Direction of the machine plane 28 is smaller than in both end portions 58, 59. Thus, a longitudinal course of the working edge 42 can be formed, as shown in FIG. 6. The one or more adjusting elements 46 have been displaced relative to the one or more support members 45 according to the arrow in the direction of the left end portion 58. On the other hand, if the working edge 42 of the bending tool 37 is to be displaced starting from the rectilinear starting position with respect to the vertically oriented machine plane 28, its distance in the central region 57 of the longitudinal extension of the bending tool 37 in the vertical direction to the machine plane 28 is greater than in the two end regions 58, 59, a direction of adjustment of the adjusting element 46 opposite thereto to select the same adjustment direction thereof. Thus, a longitudinal course of the working edge 42 can be formed, as shown in FIG. 7. The one or more adjusting elements 46 have been displaced relative to the one or more support elements 45 in accordance with the arrow in the direction of the right end portion 59. Thus, the desired deformation of the bending tool 37 can be adjusted with its working edge 42 with a simple adjustment depending on the selected adjustment.

In order to be able to carry out the mutually different displacements of the bending tool 37 relative to the tool carrier by means of the adjustment device 44 shown here, the alignment and position of the support surface sections 52 to 55 described above must be selected in a corresponding manner.

For this purpose, at least some of the first and second support surface sections 52, 53 of the first support surfaces 48 on the at least one adjusting element 46 in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool 37 with a different inclination direction with respect to the machine plane 28 to be arranged. These indications of the direction of inclination refer to a vertical arrangement of the machine plane 28 and an approximately parallel arrangement in the starting position of the bending tool 37 formed substantially from a flat profile. The viewing direction for this is chosen as a top view, and thus from above.

Thus, in this embodiment, the first support surface portions 52 on the actuator 46 in the central region 57 of the longitudinal extension of the bending tool 37 in approximately parallel bezüg- lent the machine plane 28 aligned. Starting from the middle region 57 of the bending tool 37 in each case in the direction of the two end regions 58, 59 of the bending tool 37, the first support surface sections 52 enclose a greater angle of inclination with the machine plane 28 with increasing distance. The largest inclination angle is at This embodiment is enclosed in each case in the region of the two end regions 58, 59 of the bending tool 37 between the first support surface sections 52 and the machine plane 28. The second support surface portions 53 are aligned in the two end regions 58, 59 of the bending tool 37 approximately parallel with respect to the machine plane 28. Furthermore, the second support surface sections 53, each starting from the two end regions 58, 59 of the bending tool 37 in the direction of the central region 57, can enclose a greater angle of inclination with the machine plane 28 with increasing distance.

As a result of this angular position of the first and second support surface sections 52, 53 with respect to one another and with respect to the machine plane 28, the inclination angle enclosed between the first support surface sections 52 and the machine plane 28 can have a value which comprises a range between 0 ° and 3 °, in particular between 0 ° and 1.5 °, is selected. In this case, the included inclination angle between the second support surface sections 53 and the machine plane 28 can also have a value which is selected from a range between 0 ° and 3 °, in particular between 0 ° and 1.5 °.

Since the angles 60, 61 described above and the angle of inclination respectively enclosed between the machine plane 28 and the first or second support surface sections 52, 53 have a rather low value, the adjusting element 46 can be displaced relative to the support element 45 and thus by means of the actuator with lower adjustment forces be adjusted relative to the tool carrier. Thus, only a relatively small displacement or a degree of displacement of the working edge 42 in the region of each rolling element 47 can be achieved. A corresponding guidance of the adjusting element 46 on the support element 45 and / or on the bending tool 37 may additionally be provided.

5 to 8 can be seen that those support surface portions 52 and 54, which in each of the two end regions 58 and 59 with the machine plane 28 include an inclination angle to each other have a same orientation and those in the central region 57 arranged and an inclination angle enclosing support surface portions 53 and 55 has an opposite orientation exhibit. Thus, the bending tool 37 is adjusted depending on the selected adjustment direction of the adjusting element 46 either in the region of the two end regions 58, 59 - see Fig. 6- or adjusted in the central region, as shown in FIG. The exaggerated longitudinal course of the working edge 42 is shown in a dot-dash line in the two FIGS. 6 and 7.

The here rather flat profile-like bending tool 37 may be repeatedly secured in the longitudinal extension of the support member 45. As a fastener example, a screw is indicated here. Depending on the longitudinal extension of the bending tool 37, a rolling element 47 with the support surface sections 52 to 55 aligned with the longitudinal extension with respect to the longitudinal extension is preferably arranged on each side of the fastening means.

The fastening of the bending tool 37 preferably takes place in a section distanced from the working edge 42 in the direction of the width or the height of the bending tool 37. Thus, the adjusting device 44 seen in the vertical direction, can be arranged between the working edge 42 and the fastening means. By the adjustment force exerted by the adjusting device 44 - according to the registered arrow 63 in FIG. 4 - the previously described displacement of the working edge 42 can be achieved. This is preferably done by an elastic deformation of the bending tool 37 and / or a pivoting movement of the bending tool 37 about its side facing away from the working edge 42 lower end portion. This pivoting movement can also be made possible by the elasticity of the respective fastening means. The extent of the displacement of the working edge 42 may be, for example, 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm, preferably 0.6 mm in the horizontal direction, ie in the direction parallel to the workpiece support plane 36. In the vertical direction, the adjustment can, for example, a degree between 0.05 mm and 0.5 mm, in particular 0.1 mm. It is advantageous that a smooth adjustment process of the actuating element 46 is made possible by the choice of the rolling elements 47. It can be done during the operation before the start of the bending process as well as even during the same adjustment become. Thus, in the short term, it is possible to respond to deviations in the straightness of the bending region or the bending edge on the workpiece 2 to be produced. As already described above, but can be dispensed with the rolling elements 47, in which case the respective support surface portions 52 to 55 depending on their arrangement and orientation on the support member 45 and the actuator 46 directly abut each other and form these sliding surfaces.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the adjusting device 44 of the bending unit 35, which is possibly independent of itself, wherein the same reference numerals or component designations are used again for the same parts as in the preceding FIGS. 1 to 8. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figs. 1 to 8 or reference.

Again, the same basic idea with a similar solution, as previously described in the adjustment device 44. Depending on the selected first or second adjustment direction in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool 37 seen, the desired

Curvature or the cambered longitudinal course of the working edge 42 are formed starting from the rectilinear longitudinal course. It should also be noted that between the support members 45 and the one or more actuators 46 and rolling elements 47 are shown and described, and in this embodiment, the possibility is to let the components slide directly against each other and to dispense with the arrangement of the rolling elements 47 entirely , Therefore, the rolling elements 47 have been indicated in dashed lines.

It is also in turn, as has been previously described in Figs. 3 and 4, the pivoting of the bending tool 37 with its working edge 42 to the pivot radius 43. The Schwenkmittelmitte lpunkt is also located in the lower corner or in the region of the base of the bending tool 37. This can also be arranged in the region of the second abutment surface 69 arranged at a distance from the working edge 42 and the narrow side surface 72 of the bending tool 37. Due to the inclination of the fastening means and the formation of the bending beam 38, in particular the corner region of the bending tool 37, which faces the tool carrier or the bending beam 38 and is distanced in the starting position farthest from the working edge 42 in the "Y" direction, the pivoting range or form the pivot center for the pivot radius 43. The orientation of the fastening means formed here as a screw may be selected such that that this seen in the cross section of the bending tool 37, passes through the most spaced from the working edge 42 arranged and the bending beam facing corner area. In this embodiment shown here is a multiple side-by-side arrangement of support members 45 fixedly arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the tool carrier. Between the two support elements 45, an actuating element 46 is arranged, whereby the relative adjustment of at least one adjusting element 46 in the direction of Longitudinal extension of the working edge 42 can take place, as described above. The bending tool 37 held on the tool carrier of the bending unit 35 can again be held and fastened by means of fastening means. This may be the bending beam 38 in the present embodiment.

Of the Verstellvomchtung 44 and the bending beam 38 with the tool carrier and the bending tool 37 is shown in FIG. 10 only half seen in the direction of the longitudinal extent. In this case, the left half, starting from the left end region 58 to the middle region 57, is shown schematically. The right half of the bending beam 38 with the bending tool 37 may be formed gegengleich same. The further spaced from the bending tool 37 arranged first support member 45 may on

Bending beam 38 to be supported. The bending tool 37 immediately adjacent second or further support member 45 is supported on the bending tool 37 from. Between the two support members 45, in turn, the actuator 46 is arranged. At the respectively facing surface portions between the actuator 46 and the second or further support member 45, those first and second support surfaces 48, 49 are arranged, which each include a first inclination angle 70 and a second inclination angle 71 with the preferably vertically aligned machine plane 28. Both immediately adjacent and facing each other first and second support surfaces 48, 49 are preferably formed parallel to each other and in its longitudinal course rectilinearly. Thus, in this exemplary embodiment, when viewed from above, that is to say in a plan view, the first inclination angle 70, starting from the left-hand end region 58, tapers in the direction of the machine plane 28. The second counter-aligning second inclination angle The angle of inclination 71 extends in a view from above, starting from the left end portion 58 widening with respect to the machine plane 28, but tapering from the central region 57 to the left end portion 58 in the direction of the machine plane 28. It is further shown that in the direction of the longitudinal extent of Bending tool 37 seen several actuators 46 can be arranged or provided one behind the other. The same also applies to the second or further support elements 45. In addition, the two adjusting elements 46 shown here can be connected to one another in terms of movement by means of an unspecified connecting piece or coupled to one another. The inclination direction of the first and second support surfaces 48, 49 is also selected in opposite directions relative to the machine plane 28 in the successively arranged adjusting elements 46 and the second or further support elements 45.

On the adjusting elements 46 and the first support elements 45, first and second longitudinal guide surfaces 64, 65 are arranged or formed on respectively surface sections facing each other. These preferably have a longitudinal course parallel thereto relative to the machine plane 28 or the undeformed longitudinal course of the working edge 42.

The two possible adjustment directions of the adjusting elements 46 in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the working edge 42 or of the bending tool 37 are indicated by a double arrow. The adjustment of the adjusting elements 46 shown here preferably takes place together, wherein the representation of the actuator or has been omitted. Due to the oppositely chosen gradients or the first and second angles of inclination 70, 71, the first and second support surfaces 48, 49 on the successively arranged actuators 46 and the other or second support members 45, the below or next to the bending tool 37 shown different longitudinal profiles Working edge 42 can be achieved. The usually vertical machine plane 28 is also indicated.

If an adjustment of the adjusting elements 46 from the undeformed starting position shown to the right, takes place here in the left end 58 no displacement of the working edge 42, but with increasing extent towards the central region 57. Thus, the first shown below the bending tool 37 waveform of the working edge 42 is achieved. In this, the distance in the central region 57 of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool 37 in vertical Direction of the machine plane 28 greater than in one of the end portions 58, 59 of the bending tool 37th

If the adjusting elements 46 are displaced or moved to the left in the opposite adjustment direction from the undeformed starting position, the corresponding displacement of the working edge 42 takes place in the left end region 58, as shown in the longitudinal direction of the lowermost working edge 42. In the central region 57, no displacement takes place.

The arrangement and design of the support elements 45 and adjusting elements 46 can also take place between the middle region 57 and the right end region 59 analogously, as has been described above. This can be seen over the entire longitudinal course of the working edge 42, which are adjusted with respect to the machine plane 28 different distances for carrying out the bending operation in the bending tool 37. Thus, those components which are provided between the left end portion 58 and the central portion 57, a first adjusting device 44 and those components which are provided between the central region 57 and the right end portion 59, a further or second adjusting device 44. These may in principle be designed to be similar to each other, wherein the drive members may preferably be arranged on the outside of the mutually averted sides of the bending unit 35. Also their independent drive can be advantageous. Thus, depending on the selected number of adjusting devices 44 along the bending tool 37, for example only in one of the end regions 58, 59, the distance or the distance in the vertical direction to the machine plane 28 can be made smaller than in the central region 57. Further, in FIG. 9 also shows that the bending tool 37 can be supported directly on the bending beam 38 in the direction of its longitudinal course, and also via at least one spacer element 66. This support takes place in the undeformed starting position and the starting position of the working edge 42 in the vertical direction with respect to the machine plane 28 and serves that in any case a minimum distance and associated support of the bending tool 37 is also given on the bending beam 38, if depending on the selected Adjustment in one of the adjusting elements 46 by the inclined longitudinal course of the first and second support surfaces 48, 49 no support would be given more. The selected angle of inclination between the vertically oriented machine plane 28 and the first or second support surfaces 48, 49 can be chosen to be relatively small, since the amount of displacement is also rather small. It would thus be possible for the angle of inclination to have a value which is selected from a range between 0 ° and 3 °, in particular between 0 ° and 1.5 °. Preferably, the value of the angle of inclination may be 0.51 °.

Furthermore, several adjusting devices 44 can also be provided one after the other in the longitudinal extent of the bending tool 37. These can also each be independently adjustable. This allows an even better and tailored to the particular requirements longitudinal profile of the working edge 42 can be adjusted.

FIG. 11 shows a further embodiment of the spatial form or the cross section of the longitudinal profile of the support surfaces 48, 49, in particular their support surface sections 52 to 55, again with identical reference numerals and component designations as in FIG Previous FIGS. 1 to 10 are used. To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figs. 1 to 10 or reference. In addition, if the rolling elements 47 are provided, the rolling elements 47 arranged in each case between the at least one adjusting element 46 and the at least one or the support elements 45 arranged on both sides can be held in a separate cage 67. The provision of the cage 67 for guiding and the possible return of the individual rolling elements 47 can also be carried out in the embodiment of the adjusting device 44 previously described in FIGS. 3 to 8. The cage or cages 67 may also be held in the region of or centrally of the support elements 45 arranged adjusting elements 46 by means of a spring element relative to the respective actuating element 46.

Seen in cross-section, that is to say in a plane oriented at right angles with respect to the longitudinal extension, the support surfaces 48, 49 and / or longitudinal guide surfaces 64, 65 arranged or formed on the actuating element 46 and / or the support elements 45 can also be curved be designed to run. In the embodiment described in FIGS. 3 to 8, this embodiment described here can also be used in each case in the support surface sections 52 to 55.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the oppositely disposed longitudinal guide surfaces 64, 65 and / or the support surfaces 48, 49 each have such an arcuate, converging curvature that each of the individual rolling elements 47 at two first contact areas 50 on the actuator 46 and two second contact areas 51 is supported on the support member 45. The radius of the individual arcuately extending longitudinal guide surfaces 64, 65 and / or support surfaces 48, 49 is selected to be greater than a radius of the rolling body 47. In this case, the rolling elements 47, the spatial shape of a ball.

The two first contact areas 50 enclose an angle of approximately 90 ° between them. The two second contact regions 51 are each arranged diametrically opposite to the two first contact regions 50, the contact regions 50, 51 being determined by the position and orientation of the individual arcuately extending longitudinal guide surfaces 64, 65 and / or support surfaces 48, 49.

The exemplary embodiments show possible design variants and examples of use of the manufacturing plant 1, in particular its bending unit 35, it being noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments thereof, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiments are possible with each other and this possibility of variation due to the teaching on technical action by objective invention lies in the ability of those skilled in this technical field.

The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and drawings are to be considered to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the illustrated and described different embodiments may represent for themselves inventive solutions. The task underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description. All information on ranges of values in objective description should be understood to include these arbitrary and all sub-ranges thereof, eg the indication 1 to 10 should be understood to encompass all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10 that is, all portions begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end at an upper limit of 10 or less, eg, 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

For the sake of order, it should finally be pointed out that for a better understanding of the construction of the production plant 1, in particular its bending unit 35, this or its components have been shown partly unevenly and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

S u b e c u s e c tio n a tio n s

Production plant 31 upper clamping surface

Workpiece 32 support table

Bending machine 33 support level

Clamping tool 34 Bending area

lower jaw 35 bending unit

upper jaw 36 workpiece support plane machine frame 37 bending tool

Base plate 38 bending beam

Sidewall 39 Manipulation device

Sidewall 40 Manipulator

Transverse 41 retaining element

Front face 42 Working edge

lower clamping bar 43 swivel radius

Front face 44 Adjustment device

Clamping bar guide 45 Supporting element

upper clamping bar 46 control element

End face 47 rolling elements

End face 48 first support surface

Jaw receiving 49 second support surface

Jaw receiving 50 first contact area

Drive assembly 51 second contact area

Drive means 52 first support surface portion

Power grid 53 second support surface section

Control device 54 third support surface portion

Input terminal 55 fourth support surface section

Spindle drive 56 rolling axis

Adjustment means 57 middle range

Machine level 58 end area

Clamping area 59 end area

lower clamping surface 60 angles angle

intermediate section

arrow

first longitudinal guide surface second longitudinal guide surface spacer element

Cage

first contact surface second contact surface first inclination angle second inclination angle narrow side surface supporting shoulder

Claims

Patent claims

1. Production plant (1) for the production of workpieces (2) made of sheet metal, in particular by forming, comprising

a bending machine (3), in particular a pivoting bending machine, with a stationary machine frame (7) and with a bending unit (35), which bending unit (35) comprises at least one bending tool (37) held on a tool carrier,

at least one adjusting device (44) for displacing the at least one bending tool (37) relative to the tool carrier, starting from a working edge (42) of the bending tool (37) running rectilinearly in a starting position toward a curved or cambered longitudinal course of the working edge (42),

wherein the at least one adjusting device (44) comprises at least one supporting element (45), at least one adjusting element (46) and at least one adjusting member, and

wherein the at least one adjusting element (46) is displaceable relative to the at least one supporting element (45) of the tool carrier in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the working edge (42) by means of the at least one adjusting element,

characterized in that

the at least one adjusting element (46) is displaceable both in a first adjustment direction and in a second adjustment direction directed opposite thereto

and that in a shift in the first adjustment direction, the working edge (42) of the bending tool (37) is displaced starting from the rectilinear starting position with respect to a particular vertically oriented machine plane (28) by means of the adjusting device (44) that their distance in one Central region (57) of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool (37) in the vertical direction on the machine plane (28) is smaller than in at least one of the two end regions (58, 59) of the bending tool (37), and / or that in a displacement in the second Adjusting the working edge (42) of the bending tool (37) starting from the rectilinear starting position with respect to the particular vertically aligned machine plane (28) is displaced such that their distance in the central region (57) of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool (37) in vertical right Direction to the machine plane (28) is greater than in at least one of the end portions (58, 59) of the bending tool (37).

2. Production plant (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bending tool (37) has on its the tool carrier facing flat side at least one release, and on both sides of the exemption, a first contact surface (68) and a second contact surface (69) is formed, and in this case the second contact surface (69) is formed in the region of an end that is distanced from the working edge (42), and in that the bending tool (37) with its first contact surface (68) on the adjusting element (46) and its second contact surface (69) on the supporting element (45) is supported or the bending tool (37) with its first contact surface (68) on the support element (45) and its second Anlagefiäche (69) supported on the tool carrier and the displacement of the working edge (42) of the bending tool (37) by a pivoting movement the working edge (42) of the bending tool (37) about a pivot radius (43) takes place, the pivot center in the region of the second contact surface (69) angeo rdnet is.

3. Production plant (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one actuating element (46) and at least one support element (45) on each facing and oppositely disposed surface portions each have a plurality of first support surfaces (48) and a plurality of second Support surfaces (49) are arranged or formed, and that each of the first support surfaces (48) has a first and a second support surface portion (52, 53) and each of the second support surfaces (49) has a third and a fourth support surface portion (54, 55) wherein both the first and second support surface portions (52, 53) and the third and fourth Stützfiächenabschnitt (54, 55) seen in the adjustment of the adjusting element (46) are arranged immediately adjacent to each other, and in that each of the first and second support surface portion (52, 53) at a first angle (60) and / or the respective third and fourth support surface absc are aligned (54, 55) at a second angle (61) inclined to each other.

4. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the first and second support surface portions (52, 53) of the first support surfaces (48) on at least one adjusting element (46) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bending tool ( 37) are arranged running with a different inclination direction with respect to the machine plane (28).

5. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support surface portions (52) in a central region (57) of the longitudinal extent of the bending tool (37) are aligned approximately parallel with respect to the machine plane (28).

6. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first support surface sections (52), starting from the central region (57) of the bending tool (37) in each case towards both end regions (58, 59) of the bending tool (37) increasing distance include a greater inclination angle with the machine plane (28).

7. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second support surface portions (53) in the two end regions (58, 59) of the bending tool (37) are aligned approximately parallel with respect to the machine plane (28).

8. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second support surface portions (53) respectively starting from the two end regions (58, 59) of the bending tool (37) in the direction of the central region (57) with increasing distance a greater inclination angle with the machine plane (28).

9. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle of inclination between the first support surface portions (52) and the machine plane (28) each having a value of a range between 0 ° and 3 °, in particular between 0 ° and 1.5 °, is selected.

10. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the angle of inclination respectively between the second support surface portions (53) and the machine plane (28) has a value from a range between 0 ° and 3 °, in particular between 0 ° and 1.5 °, is selected.

11. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each case the first and second support surface portions (52, 53) between them include a first angle (60) having a value which is smaller than 180 °.

12. A production line (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the third and fourth support surface portions (54, 55) each between them include a second angle (61) having a value which is equal to or less than 180 °.

13. A production line (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that at least some of the third and fourth support surface portions (54, 55) each between them include a second angle (61) having a value which is greater than 180 °.

14. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (44) seen in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the working edge (42) on both sides of the at least one adjusting element (46) each one in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the tool carrier fixedly arranged first and second support member (45).

15. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the longitudinal extension of the bending tool (37) a plurality, in particular two, successively arranged adjusting devices (44) are provided which are each independently adjustable.

16. Production plant (1) according to claim 15, characterized in that each of the adjusting devices (44) in the longitudinal extension of the bending tool (37) at least two successively arranged adjusting elements (46) and two consecutively arranged second support elements (45) and in each case the first and second support surfaces (48, 49) to each other have an opposite direction of inclination with respect to the machine plane (28).

17. Production plant (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that the bending tool (37) in the starting position with still undeformed, rectilinear working edge (42) at least in the region of the second support elements (45) in the vertical direction with respect to the machine plane (28). via at least one spacer element (66) directly on the bending beam (38) is supported.

18. Production plant (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (44) further comprises a plurality of rolling elements (47) having a rotationally symmetrical spatial form, wherein the rolling elements (47) between facing surface portions of the at least one actuating element (46) and the support element (45) or the support elements (45) is or are arranged.

19. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that seen in cross-section on the one or more adjusting elements (46) and / or the support elements (45) arranged or formed support surfaces (48, 49) and / or longitudinal guide surfaces ( 64, 65) are curved to extend.

20. Production plant (1) according to any one of claims 18 or 19, characterized in that each between the at least one adjusting element (46) and the at least one NEN support element (45) arranged rolling elements (47) in a separate cage (67) are kept positioned.

21. Production plant (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bending tool (37) in its longitudinal extent several times on the bending beam (38), in particular the at least one support element (45) is attached.