EP3551356B1 - Production installation having a clamping tool and method for adapting a total length of a bending edge of the clamping tool - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a manufacturing plant for manufacturing workpieces from sheet metal by forming in a bending process, in particular by pivot bending or swing bending. Furthermore, the invention also relates to a method for adapting an overall length of a bending edge of a set of clamping jaws of a production system for manufacturing workpieces from sheet metal by forming in a bending process, in particular by swing bending or swing bending.

The EP 0 576 796 A1 , which forms the basis for the preambles of claims 1 and 12, describes a production system for manufacturing workpieces from sheet metal by forming in a bending process. With the bending tool, the active bending length of the lower bending tool set to support the workpiece for the bending process can be adapted to the workpiece to be produced. Separate, plate-shaped second bending tools can be used between the first bending tools of the lower bending tool set, each of which is arranged at an adjustable distance from one another, in order to bridge the distance. The upper bending tool set comprises at least two upper bending punches arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the upper pressure beam at a predetermined distance for the bending process, by means of which the bending process for forming the sheet metal is carried out in cooperation with the lower bending tool set. The adjustment of the distance between the upper bending punches is realized by means of an opposing thread arrangement.

A bending machine of the generic type is from the DE 196 35 106 A1 known. The bending machine includes a bending cheek and a first and a second clamping cheek for clamping a workpiece. One of the clamping cheeks has exchangeably arranged first and second clamping tool segments of a clamping tool set. A second clamping tool segment is arranged on both sides of the clamping tool set, which segment has a sole part that can be adjusted relative to it from a clamping position into a retracted position. The disadvantage here is that to adapt the grip length or the from Tensioning tool set formed bending edge individual of the first tensioning tool segments located between the two externally arranged second tensioning tool segments must be removed from the tensioning tool set or added. In most cases, an extensive conversion effort has to be carried out.

Another bending machine of the generic type is from the WO 98/53929 A1 known. The bending machine includes a bending cheek and a first and a second clamping cheek for clamping a workpiece. One of the clamping cheeks also has exchangeably arranged first and second clamping tool segments of a clamping tool set. The second clamping tool segments arranged on the outside each have a sole part that can be adjusted relative to their base body from a clamping position into a retracted position. Here, too, it is disadvantageous that in order to adapt the clamping length or the bending edge formed by the clamping tool set, individual ones of the second clamping tool segments arranged on the outside are located must be removed or added to the first clamping tool segments from the clamping tool set.

The object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide a production system and a method by means of which a user is able to easily and quickly put together sets of clamping jaws for different bending requirements.

This object is achieved by a manufacturing plant and a method according to the claims.

• eine Biegemaschine mit einem feststehenden Maschinengestell, einem unteren Klemmbalken und mit einem oberen Klemmbalken, wobei zumindest einer der Klemmbalken relativ bezüglich des Maschinengestells verstellbar ist, um das herzustellende Werkstück klemmend zu halten,
• ein Klemmwerkzeug mit zumindest einer unteren Klemmbacke und mit einem oberen Klemmbackensatz aus mehreren ersten oberen Klemmbacken und zumindest einer zweiten oberen Klemmbacke. Jede der Klemmbacken weist einen Grundkörper auf, wobei die zumindest eine untere Klemmbacke am unteren Klemmbalken gehalten ist und die oberen Klemmbacken des oberen Klemmbackensatzes sind am oberen Klemmbalken gehalten. Die zumindest eine zweite obere Klemmbacke weist in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken an einem ersten Endabschnitt einen relativ bezüglich ihres Grundkörpers von einer Arbeitsstellung in eine Ausfädelstellung verlagerbaren ersten Klemmbackenteil auf, wobei in der Ausfädelstellung die Längsabmessung des oberen Klemmbackensatzes kürzer ist als in der Arbeitsstellung, und
• wobei vom oberen Klemmbackensatz bei in der Arbeitsstellung befindlichen oberen Klemmbacken eine in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken fluchtende Biegekante gebildet ist, und von jeder ersten oberen Klemmbacke jeweils eine erste Teilbiegekante der Biegekante gebildet ist sowie von der zumindest einen zweiten oberen Klemmbacke in der Arbeitsstellung eine zweite Teilbiegekante gebildet ist, und
• eine Biegeeinheit, welche Biegeeinheit relativ bezüglich des Klemmwerkzeugs zur Durchführung des Biegevorgangs verstellbar ist, und
• dass die zumindest eine zweite obere Klemmbacke weiters an ihrem in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken vom ersten Endabschnitt distanziert angeordneten zweiten Endabschnitt einen von der Arbeitsstellung in die Ausfädelstellung verlagerbaren zweiten Klemmbackenteil aufweist, und
• dass jeweils beidseits der zumindest einen zweiten oberen Klemmbacke in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken zumindest eine erste obere Klemmbacke angeordnet ist, und
• dass die ersten oberen Klemmbacken zumindest an ihren von der zumindest einen zweiten oberen Klemmbacke abgewendeten ersten Endbereichen jeweils ein erstes Horn aufweisen, welches erste Horn über den jeweiligen Grundkörper der ersten oberen Klemmbacke in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken vorragend ausgebildet ist.

The manufacturing system according to the invention is used to manufacture workpieces from sheet metal by forming in a bending process, in particular by pivot bending or swing bending. The manufacturing plant can include at least the following plant parts or components:

• a bending machine with a fixed machine frame, a lower clamping bar and with an upper clamping bar, at least one of the clamping bars being adjustable relative to the machine frame in order to hold the workpiece to be produced clamped,
• a clamping tool with at least one lower clamping jaw and with an upper clamping jaw set comprising a plurality of first upper clamping jaws and at least one second upper clamping jaw. Each of the clamping jaws has a base body, the at least one lower clamping jaw being held on the lower clamping bar and the upper clamping jaws of the upper set of clamping jaws being held on the upper clamping bar. The at least one second upper clamping jaw has, in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars, at a first end section a first clamping jaw part which can be displaced relative to its base body from a working position to an unfolding position, the longitudinal dimension of the upper clamping jaw set being shorter in the unfolding position than in the working position, and
• wherein a bending edge aligned in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bar is formed by the upper jaw set when the upper clamping jaw is in the working position, and a first partial bending edge of the bending edge is formed by each first upper clamping jaw and by the at least one second upper clamping jaw in the Working position a second partial bending edge is formed, and
• a bending unit, which bending unit is adjustable relative to the clamping tool for carrying out the bending process, and
• that the at least one second upper clamping jaw furthermore has a second clamping jaw part that can be displaced from the working position into the un-threading position on its second end portion, which is arranged at a distance from the first end portion in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars, and
• that in each case at least one first upper clamping jaw is arranged on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars, and
• that the first upper clamping jaws at least at their first end regions facing away from the at least one second upper clamping jaw each have a first horn, which first horn protrudes over the respective base body of the first upper clamping jaw in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the clamping bar.

The advantage achieved in this way is that the provision of clamping jaw parts which can be displaced from the working position into the un-threading position on both sides with respect to the base body allows for adjustment space between the first upper clamping jaws arranged on both sides and the second upper clamping jaw arranged between them. This makes it possible to quickly and easily adapt the clamping length of the upper tool set to different application conditions. Since the first upper clamping jaws are each provided with an additional horn on the outside of the clamping jaw set, the clamping length or the total length of the bending edge to be formed can be achieved by simply adding or removing the first upper clamping jaws laterally. The second clamping jaw always remains in an unchanged position with respect to the clamping bar. Before the start of the clamping process of the workpiece to be produced, the upper set of clamping jaws is to be shifted to its shortened threading position and, before the beginning of the clamping process, to the extended working position within the workpiece to be produced. For this purpose, the first upper clamping jaws located in the vicinity of the second upper clamping jaw are to be adjusted so far from this that the relatively displaceable clamping jaw parts from their shortened threading position into the working position, which has a larger longitudinal dimension can be relocated. The adjusting movement to be carried out in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bending beams can be effected, for example, by a sliding movement. If the upper set of clamping jaws is in its working position, the individual upper clamping jaws can be held in a stationary position on the clamping bar and the clamping process of the workpiece to be produced can be carried out. Once the workpiece has been clamped, the bending process can begin. In this way, the shortest adjustment movements carried out centrally with respect to the second clamping jaw can suffice.

Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the clamping jaw parts are each designed with a horn-shaped projection, and a shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bar is defined by the clamping jaw parts in the unfolding position. In this way, the clamping jaw parts can easily protrude in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars in the working position. As a result of the relative displacement of the clamping jaw parts, the horn-shaped attachment can be displaced within the outline of the base body to such an extent that an adjustment space can be created on both sides of the second upper clamping jaw.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw in the unfolding position corresponds to a maximum length of the base body of the second upper clamping jaw. This makes it possible to be able to apply the first upper clamping jaws located on either side of the second upper clamping jaw directly to the base body of the second upper clamping jaw in order to achieve a maximum adjustment path.

Another possible embodiment has the features that, in the unfolding position, the first upper clamping jaws located on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw are each displaced in the direction of the base body of the at least one second upper clamping jaw. In this way, the clearance required for the threading-out process towards the workpiece, in particular its undercut, can be created in the outer edge area of the clamping jaw set.

Another embodiment provides that at least some of the first upper clamping jaws have a second horn protruding beyond the base body in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bar at their second end regions facing the at least one second upper clamping jaw. A more universal use of the first upper clamping jaws can thus be achieved. It is thus possible to dispense with the provision of left and right versions, since such configured first upper clamping jaws can be used both on the left side and on the right side of the second upper clamping jaw.

Another embodiment is characterized in that the at least one second upper clamping jaw of the upper clamping jaw set is arranged at a stationary position with respect to the upper clamping bar. Due to the stationary positioning of the second upper clamping jaw, the supply of the same with energy for the adjustment of the relatively displaceable clamping jaw parts can likewise be provided in a simply stationary manner.

Another preferred embodiment is characterized in that the at least one second upper clamping jaw is arranged in a central region of the upper clamping jaw set. As a result, the first upper clamping jaws arranged on both sides of the second upper clamping jaw can be arranged symmetrically.

It can also be advantageous if the number of upper clamping jaws of the upper clamping jaw set is selected so that in the working position a total length of the bending edge corresponds to a sum which is the sum of the individual lengths of the first partial bending edges of the first upper clamping jaws plus the length of the second partial bending edge of the second upper clamping jaw is formed, and the sum thus formed corresponds at most to one longitudinal dimension of the clamping length to be supported on the workpiece to be produced. In this way, an almost or complete continuous clamping length and subsequently an almost continuous bending edge can be provided for the bending process to be carried out.

Another alternative embodiment is characterized in that the number of upper clamping jaws of the upper clamping jaw set is equal to one another in the working position and in the unthreading position. In this way, additional manipulation processes, such as adding or removing individual clamping jaws, can be avoided. Furthermore but it can also be used to achieve a more rapid changeover between the working position and the un-threading position.

Another possible and possibly alternative embodiment has the features that the clamping tool furthermore has a lower set of clamping jaws and the lower set of clamping jaws comprises several first lower clamping jaws and at least one second lower clamping jaw, and that the at least one second lower clamping jaw on both sides in the direction of the longitudinal extension the first and second end sections arranged on the clamping bar each have a first and a second clamping jaw part which can be displaced from the working position into the threading-out position. This makes it possible to easily carry out an individual adjustment to different bending processes in the area of the lower clamping jaw set.

A further embodiment provides that at least one first lower clamping jaw is arranged on each side of the at least one second lower clamping jaw in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars. As a result, a central arrangement of the second lower clamping jaw can in turn be created between the first lower clamping jaws arranged thereon on both sides.

• Bereitstellen eines Klemmwerkzeugs umfassend zumindest eine untere Klemmbacke und einen oberen Klemmbackensatz mit mehreren ersten oberen Klemmbacken und mit zumindest einer zweiten oberen Klemmbacke, wobei jede der Klemmbacken einen Grundkörper aufweist. Die zumindest eine untere Klemmbacke ist am unteren Klemmbalken gehalten und die oberen Klemmbacken des oberen Klemmbackensatzes sind am oberen Klemmbalken gehalten. Die zumindest eine zweite obere Klemmbacke weist in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken an einem ersten Endabschnitt einen relativ bezüglich ihres Grundkörpers von einer Arbeitsstellung in eine Ausfädelstellung verlagerbaren ersten Klemmbackenteil auf, wobei in der Ausfädelstellung die Längsabmessung des oberen Klemmbackensatzes kürzer ausgebildet ist als in der Arbeitsstellung, und
• wobei vom oberen Klemmbackensatz bei in der Arbeitsstellung befindlichen oberen Klemmbacken eine in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken fluchtende Biegekante gebildet wird. Von jeder ersten oberen Klemmbacke wird jeweils eine erste Teilbiegekante der Biegekante gebildet und von der zumindest einen zweiten oberen Klemmbacke wird in der Arbeitsstellung eine zweite Teilbiegekante gebildet, und
• Bereitstellen einer Biegeeinheit, welche Biegeeinheit relativ bezüglich des Klemmwerkzeugs zur Durchführung des Biegevorgangs verstellbar ist, und
• dass die zumindest eine zweite obere Klemmbacke weiters an ihrem in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken vom ersten Endabschnitt distanziert angeordneten zweiten Endabschnitt mit einem von der Arbeitsstellung in die Ausfädelstellung verlagerbaren zweiten Klemmbackenteil versehen wird, und
• dass jeweils beidseits der zumindest einen zweiten oberen Klemmbacke in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken zumindest eine erste obere Klemmbacke angeordnet wird, und
• dass die ersten oberen Klemmbacken zumindest an ihren von der zumindest einen zweiten oberen Klemmbacke abgewendeten ersten Endbereichen jeweils mit einem ersten Horn versehen werden, welches erste Horn über den Grundkörper in Richtung der Längserstreckung der Klemmbalken vorragend ausgebildet ist.

The object of the invention can, however, independently of this, also be achieved by a method for adapting an overall length of a bending edge of a clamping jaw set of a clamping tool of a production plant for the production of workpieces from sheet metal by forming in a bending process, in particular by swing bending or swing bending, if at least the following steps be performed:

• Providing a clamping tool comprising at least one lower clamping jaw and an upper clamping jaw set with a plurality of first upper clamping jaws and with at least one second upper clamping jaw, wherein each of the clamping jaws has a base body. The at least one lower clamping jaw is held on the lower clamping bar and the upper clamping jaws of the upper clamping jaw set are held on the upper clamping bar. The at least one second upper clamping jaw has in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars at a first end section a first clamping jaw part which can be displaced relative to its base body from a working position into an unfolding position, with the longitudinal dimension of the upper clamping jaw set being shorter in the unfolding position is designed as in the working position, and
• with the upper jaw set in the working position forming a bending edge which is aligned in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars. A first partial bending edge of the bending edge is formed by each first upper clamping jaw and a second partial bending edge is formed by the at least one second upper clamping jaw in the working position, and
• Providing a bending unit, which bending unit is adjustable relative to the clamping tool for performing the bending process, and
• that the at least one second upper clamping jaw is further provided on its second end section, which is arranged at a distance from the first end section in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars, with a second clamping jaw part that can be displaced from the working position into the unfolding position, and
• that in each case at least one first upper clamping jaw is arranged on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars, and
• that the first upper clamping jaws are each provided with a first horn at least at their first end regions facing away from the at least one second upper clamping jaw, which first horn protrudes over the main body in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bar.

The advantage of the method steps selected here is that the provision of clamping jaw parts that can be displaced from the working position into the un-threading position on both sides with respect to the base body allows for adjustment space between the first upper clamping jaws arranged on both sides and the second upper clamping jaws arranged between them. This makes it possible to quickly and easily adapt the clamping length of the upper tool set to different application conditions. Since the first upper clamping jaws are each provided with an additional horn on the outside of the clamping jaw set, the clamping length or the total length of the bending edge to be formed can be achieved by simply adding or removing the first upper clamping jaws laterally. The second clamping jaw always remains in an unchanged position with respect to the clamping bar. Before the start of the clamping process of the workpiece to be produced, the upper clamping jaw set is in its shortened threading position to relocate and to adjust to the extended working position within the workpiece to be produced before the start of the clamping process. For this purpose, the first upper clamping jaws located in the vicinity of the second upper clamping jaw are to be adjusted so far from this that the relatively displaceable clamping jaw parts can be shifted from their shortened threading position into the working position with a larger longitudinal dimension. The adjusting movement to be carried out in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the bending beams can be effected, for example, by a sliding movement. If the upper set of clamping jaws is in its working position, the individual upper clamping jaws can be held in a stationary position on the clamping bar and the clamping process of the workpiece to be produced can be carried out. Once the workpiece has been clamped, the bending process can begin. In this way, the shortest adjustment movements carried out centrally with respect to the second clamping jaw can suffice.

Furthermore, a procedure is advantageous in which the clamping jaw parts are each formed with a horn-shaped projection, and a shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bar is defined by the clamping jaw parts in the un-threading position. In this way, the clamping jaw parts can easily protrude in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars in the working position. As a result of the relative displacement of the clamping jaw parts, the horn-shaped attachment can be displaced within the outline of the base body to such an extent that an adjustment space can be created on both sides of the second upper clamping jaw.

A further advantageous procedure is characterized in that the shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw in the unfolding position corresponds to a maximum length of the base body of the second upper clamping jaw. This makes it possible to be able to apply the first upper clamping jaws located on either side of the second upper clamping jaw directly to the base body of the second upper clamping jaw in order to achieve a maximum adjustment path.

A variant of the method is also advantageous in which the first upper jaws located on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw are used to form the unthreading position Clamping jaws are each displaced in the direction of the base body of the at least one second upper clamping jaw. In this way, the clearance required for the threading-out process towards the workpiece, in particular its undercut, can be created in the outer edge area of the clamping jaw set.

Another approach is characterized when at least some of the first upper clamping jaws are provided with a second horn protruding over the base body in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bar at their second end regions facing the at least one second upper clamping jaw. A more universal use of the first upper clamping jaws can thus be achieved. It is thus possible to dispense with the provision of left and right versions, since such configured first upper clamping jaws can be used both on the left side and on the right side of the second upper clamping jaw.

Furthermore, a procedure is advantageous in which the at least one second upper clamping jaw of the upper clamping jaw set is arranged at a fixed position with respect to the upper clamping bar. Due to the stationary positioning of the second upper clamping jaw, the supply of the same with energy for the adjustment of the relatively displaceable clamping jaw parts can likewise be provided in a simply stationary manner.

Another advantageous procedure is characterized in that the number of upper clamping jaws of the upper clamping jaw set is selected so that in the working position a total length of the bending edge corresponds to a sum that is the sum of the individual lengths of the first partial bending edges of the first upper clamping jaws plus the length of the second partial bending edge of the second upper clamping jaw is formed, and the sum thus formed corresponds at most to a longitudinal dimension of the clamping length to be supported on the workpiece to be produced. In this way, an almost or complete continuous clamping length and subsequently an almost continuous bending edge can be provided for the bending process to be carried out.

For a better understanding of the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

Fig. 1

eine Fertigungsanlage mit einer Biegemaschine sowie entferntem Auflagetisch und entfernter Manipulationsvorrichtung, in Frontansicht;

Fig. 2

die Fertigungsanlage nach Fig. 1, mit Auflagetisch und Manipulationsvorrichtung, in Seitenansicht;

Fig. 3

einen oberen Klemmbackensatz der Fertigungsanlage in seiner Arbeitsstellung, in Frontansicht;

Fig. 4

den oberen Klemmbackensatz nach Fig. 3 in seiner verkürzten Ausfädelstellung, in Frontansicht;

Fig. 5

eine mögliche alternative Ausbildung eines unteren Klemmbackensatzes in seiner Arbeitsstellung, in Frontansicht.

They each show in a greatly simplified, schematic representation:

Fig. 1

a production plant with a bending machine and a remote support table and remote manipulation device, in front view;

Fig. 2

the manufacturing plant after Fig. 1 , with support table and manipulation device, in side view;

Fig. 3

an upper jaw set of the manufacturing plant in its working position, in front view;

Fig. 4

the upper jaw set Fig. 3 in its shortened unthreading position, in front view;

Fig. 5

a possible alternative design of a lower jaw set in its working position, in front view.

By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the differently described embodiments, the same parts are provided with the same reference symbols or the same component designations, whereby the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred accordingly to the same parts with the same reference symbols or the same component names. The position details chosen in the description, e.g. above, below, to the side, etc., refer to the figure immediately described and shown and these position details are to be transferred accordingly to the new position in the event of a change in position.

The term “in particular” is understood below in such a way that it can be a possible more specific design or more detailed specification of an object or a method step, but does not necessarily have to represent a mandatory, preferred embodiment of the same or a procedure.

In the Figs. 1 to 5 a production plant 1 is shown with its components and component parts, with an overall overview of the production plant 1 can be seen in some of the figures and details thereof are shown in more detail in other figures.

In the Fig. 1 and 2 a production system 1 is shown in a highly schematically simplified representation, which in the present case is designed in particular for the pivot bending or swing bending of workpieces 2 to be manufactured from sheet metal. A metallic material is usually used as the starting material, which in its undeformed state can be referred to as a flat material or flat element. In swing bending or swing bending, the sheet metal to be processed or the workpiece 2 to be manufactured is held clamped by clamping jaws 5, 6 and bent by means of a separate bending unit 35 with a bending tool 37, which will be briefly described later.

To hold the sheet metal to be processed or the workpiece 2 to be manufactured, which has an undercut at at least one end of the bending area, it may be necessary to make sections of the clamping jaws 5, 6 adjustable, or at least some of the clamping jaws 5, 6 themselves to be adjustable hold or store. In order to move the preferably upper clamping jaw 6 into a lateral undercut located in the area of the clamping jaws 5, 6 and then move it out of the undercut again, at least some of the clamping jaws 5, 6 are equipped with an adjustable clamping jaw part, as will be explained in more detail below is described. The workpiece 2 with its left-hand and right-hand undercut is in the Fig. 1 simply indicated.

The manufacturing system 1 used in the present case for bending and described in more detail comprises a bending machine 3, in particular a swivel bending machine, which is designed to clamp the workpieces 2 or workpieces to be manufactured from the sheet metal between a clamping tool 4 that can be adjusted relative to one another. In the present exemplary embodiment, the clamping tool 4 comprises at least one lower clamping jaw 5, but mostly preferably several lower clamping jaws 5 and at least one upper clamping jaw 6, but mostly preferably several cooperating upper clamping jaws 6. The lower or lower clamping jaws 5 can also be used as part of the lower cheek and the upper clamping jaw 6 or the upper clamping jaws 6 can also be referred to as part of the upper beam. Furthermore, it can also be the case that the lower clamping jaw 5 is continuously formed from one piece.

In the case of a bending machine 3 of this type, the coordinate system referred to in principle as the "X" direction is that which runs in a horizontal plane and in a vertical orientation with respect to the longitudinal extension of the clamping jaws 5, 6. Thus this is the direction which also corresponds to the feed direction or the removal direction. The "Y" direction is understood to mean the vertical direction, which thus runs in the vertical direction of the clamping jaws 5, 6 and further in the vertical direction with respect to the horizontal plane. Finally, the “Z” direction is understood to mean that direction which runs in the longitudinal direction or direction in the longitudinal extension of the clamping jaws 5, 6. Thus, the longitudinal extension of a bending edge 45 defined later by at least one of the clamping jaws 5, 6 is also aligned to run in the "Z" direction.

Again Fig. 1 As can be seen better, a plurality of upper clamping jaws 6 are provided, a further distinction being made between at least one first upper clamping jaw 6A and at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B. At least two, but preferably several, first upper clamping jaws 6A are provided, which are each arranged on opposite sides with respect to the second upper clamping jaw 6B. The opposite sides relate to the longitudinal extension of the second upper clamping jaw 6B 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 is also held there accordingly, in particular clamped. The at least one lower clamping jaw 5 is also held on the bending machine 3, in particular clamped.

A machine frame 7 of the bending machine 3 comprises, for example, vertically protruding from a base plate 8, spaced apart and parallel to one another, side cheeks 9, 10. These are preferably connected to one another by a solid cross brace 11 formed, for example, from a sheet metal part at their end regions spaced from the base plate 8 . The machine frame 7 is mostly a solid component of the bending machine 3, preferably fixed on a flat hall floor. The shape shown here has only been selected as an example for a large number of other possible designs.

The side cheeks 9, 10 can preferably be approximately C-shaped in order to form a free space for the reshaping of the workpiece 2, with a fixed lower clamping bar 13 attached to the front end surfaces 12 of legs of the side cheeks 9, 10 close to the floor, in particular standing on the base plate 8 is. This lower clamping bar 13, which is preferably arranged in a stationary manner and is stationary, can also be referred to as a clamping table or lower cheek, on which parts of the clamping tool 4 are arranged and also held thereon.

An upper clamping bar 16, in particular a pressure bar, which can be adjusted relative to the lower clamping bar 13, is supported in a guided manner on the front end faces 14 on legs remote from the base plate 8 in clamping bar guides 15. The clamping bar guides 15 are mostly designed as linear guides in a wide variety of embodiments. The upper clamping bar 16 can also be referred to as an upper beam, which, however, is guided on the machine frame 7 such that it can be displaced relative thereto. Clamping jaw receptacles 19, 20 for fitting with the clamping tool 4 or the clamping tools 4 can be arranged on opposite, facing and parallel end faces 17, 18 of the two clamping bars 13, 16. The clamping tool or tools 4 can also be held on the clamping jaw receptacles 19, 20 with the interposition of an adapter (not shown in detail). Furthermore, it is still possible to hold at least some of the clamping jaws 5, 6 relative to the respective clamping bars 13, 16 displaceably in the "Z" direction and clamped in a predetermined position.

The bending machine 3 shown has, as a drive arrangement 21 for the adjustable upper clamping bar 16, namely the pressure bar, at least one drive means 22 which is preferably operated with electrical energy and which can be wired to a control device 24 fed from an energy network 23. The operation of the bending machine 3 can, for example, be controlled via an input terminal 25 that is wired to the control device 24.

The drive means 22 are preferably electric motor-operated spindle drives 26, as they are generally known, of which adjusting means 27 for a reversible adjusting movement of the upper clamping beam 16 formed by the pressure beam with this, for example, are drive-related. However, other drive means 22 known from the prior art, such as cylinder-piston arrangements, stepper motors, rack and pinion drives or the like, can also be used.

Further details required for the operation of such a bending machine 3, such as, for example, safety devices, stop arrangements and / or control devices, are dispensed with in the present description in order to avoid unnecessary length of the description.

It is also shown here in a simplified manner that the two clamping bars 13, 16, in particular their tool holders 19, 20, or the clamping tool 4 held thereon with its lower and upper clamping jaws 5, 6, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the clamping bars 13 16 define an adjustment plane or a machine plane 28 extending therebetween. 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 oriented 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 in its vertical alignment. The machine plane 28 can, however, also subsequently form a reference plane for a bending tool 37 of a bending unit 35.

The two clamping jaws 5, 6 form a clamping area 29 between each other at the ends facing each other. Lower and upper clamping surfaces 30, 31 of the two clamping jaws 5, 6 facing one another are preferably aligned at right angles with respect to the adjustment plane or the machine plane 28. These clamping surfaces 30, 31 serve to hold the sheet metal in a fixed position between the two clamping jaws 5, 6, depending on its wall thickness, for carrying out the bending process.

An additional support table 32 with its support surface defining a support plane 33 can preferably be arranged in the area of the front side of the bending machine 3, which is only in the Fig. 2 is indicated in simplified form. The support table 32 can be provided, but does not necessarily have to be present.

The support plane 33 can also be referred to as a support plane. It should be mentioned here that the support surface does not have to be formed over the entire surface, but can also be formed from several partial support surfaces arranged next to one another and / or one behind the other in the feed direction of the sheet metal to be processed. The support surface defined by the support plane 33 is preferably arranged in the same plane as the lower clamping surface 30 of the at least one lower clamping jaw 5. This can serve as additional support in the feed area of the bending machine 3 in the case of larger sheet metal, in order to prevent unintentional kinking, especially with thinner sheets to avoid.

A bending area 34 is understood to mean that area which serves to form the workpiece 2 to be manufactured from the still undeformed sheet metal, which is mostly flat, or to further process an already pre-deformed workpiece 2 by forming at least one additional fold or bend.

The bending area 34 is mostly at a distance from the machine plane 28 of the clamping bars 13, 16 and is formed by facing end sections of at least one clamping jaw 5, 6, but preferably both clamping jaws 5, 6. In the present exemplary embodiment, the bending area 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. The bending area 34 is thus arranged to run within the machine frame 7.

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

It should be mentioned here that the machine frame 7 of the bending machine 3 is shown only in a very simplified manner, whereby it is also possible to use embodiments that differ therefrom. For example, the machine frame 7 or the machine body could be designed with a free stand passage. In this case, the clamping jaw receptacles 19, 20 would be able to be received between the side cheeks 9, 10 or side parts. With a different design of the machine frame 7 or the machine body, no free column passage is possible, as a result of which the clamping jaw receptacles 19, 20 cannot be received between the side cheeks 9, 10 or side parts.

To carry out the bending process, the bending machine 3 of the production system 1 also includes a bending unit 35, which can also be referred to as a folding unit or a forming unit. This is simplified in the Fig. 2 indicated and can be adjusted relative to the machine frame 7 depending on the bending process to be carried out. For the sake of clarity, the Fig. 1 the bending unit 35 and its components are not shown.

The sheet metal, which is pre-positioned and clamped between the clamping jaws 5, 6, can be reshaped, in particular folded, along the bending line forming the bending area 34 to form the workpiece 2 by a bending process, in particular by folding over a surface part in relation to the remaining surface part.

Depending on the bending or folding to be performed of the sheet metal held clamped between the clamping jaws 5, 6 for the production of the workpiece 2, either the at least one lower clamping jaw 5 or the at least one upper clamping jaw 6 forms the bending area and thus the bending area 34. The at least one lower clamping jaw 5 thus forms or has a first deforming edge. The at least one upper clamping jaw 6 forms or has a second deforming edge.

The two previously described clamping surfaces 30, 31 of the clamping jaws 5, 6 define a workpiece support plane 36 for the workpiece 2 to be produced when they are in contact with one another. 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 both planes are preferably aligned parallel to each other and arranged in a common plane.

The bending unit 35 can have one or more bending tools 37, which are arranged on a tool carrier (not shown in more detail) of a bending beam 38, in particular can be held on it. The bending beam 38 can be adjusted relative to the machine frame 7 on bending beam guides, not shown in detail, by means of a bending beam drive, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is indicated with a double arrow. In the present exemplary embodiment, the main adjustment direction of the bending beam 38 runs in the vertical direction and predominantly parallel with respect to the vertically oriented machine plane 28. This corresponds to a shift in the direction of the "Y" direction described above. In addition, at the end of the bending process, a minimal adjustment of the bending tool 37 by means of the bending beam 38 in the direction of the clamping jaws 5, 6 can take place, which corresponds to an adjustment in the "X" direction. A slight overbending can thus be achieved, so that the correct bending angle can then be maintained after the relief due to the spring back.

Furthermore, the production system 1 can also include a manipulation device 39 with at least one manipulator 40, indicated in a simplified manner, for the usual manipulation of the sheet metal or the workpiece 2 to be produced in the front or operating area of the bending machine 3. The sheet metal or the workpiece 2 to be produced therefrom is manipulated in the area of the support table 32, preferably by the manipulator 40, of which only a first holding element 41 is shown on part of a manipulator arm. The first holding element 41 can or the first holding elements 41 can be designed as a suction element and / or a magnet, with which the sheet metal 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 to of the bending area 34 can be aligned positioned. However, it would also be possible to design the first holding element 41 as a gripper with interacting gripping fingers and, if necessary, to dispense with the support table 32.

Depending on the bending direction of the sheet to be carried out, either the lower bending tool 37 or the upper bending tool 37 each forms a working edge 42 in cooperation with the at least one lower clamping jaw 5 or with the at least one upper clamping jaw 6.

In the Fig. 1 is also shown in simplified form that several of the upper clamping jaws 6A are arranged next to one another in the "Z" direction and can also be held adjustable in the upper clamping jaw receptacle 20 in the Z "direction. The adjustment is preferably carried out in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the bending area 34 The relative longitudinal adjustment of at least some of the upper clamping jaws 6A can take place or be carried out by means of a separate adjustment arrangement, which is not shown in detail, and / or also by means of the manipulator 40. It should be mentioned that the design of an upper tool set 43 described in more detail below is made up of several upper clamping jaws 6A and at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B can also be used in a similar manner to a lower tool set 44 with several lower clamping jaws 5. Either only the upper tool set 43 or only the lower tool set 44 can be designed in this way possible both the the upper tool set 43 and the lower tool set 44 according to one of the embodiments described in more detail below.

Each of the individual clamping jaws 5, 6 has a base body, which is not designated in any more detail. Each of the base bodies can be designed or used to be held and fastened on one of the clamping bars 13, 16, as is well known from the general prior art.

In this exemplary embodiment, it is also indicated that the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B has a first clamping jaw part 47, which can be displaced relative to its base body from a working position into an unfolding position in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars 13, 16 at its first end section 46. Furthermore, the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B can have a second clamping jaw part 49 which can also be displaced from the working position into the unfolding position on its second end section 48, which is arranged at a distance from the first end section 46 in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars 13, 16.

The clamping jaw parts 47, 49 of the second upper clamping jaw 6B are each formed with a horn-shaped projection 50. In the working position, each of the lugs 50 protrudes as a horn onto the side or direction facing away from the base body of the second upper clamping jaw 6B, in each case beyond the base body. If the clamping jaw parts 47, 49 are in the unthreading position, a shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw 6B is formed in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars 13, 16. The shortened outer longitudinal dimension preferably corresponds to a maximum length of the base body of the second upper clamping jaw 6B in the unfolding position. A lateral protrusion of the clamping jaw parts 47, 49 beyond the base body can thus be avoided.

Furthermore, at least one first upper clamping jaw 6A is arranged on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars 13, 16. In order to be able to bring the first upper clamping jaws 6A located on the outside in the direction of the longitudinal extension into the previously described undercut of the workpiece 2 for the clamping holder, the first upper clamping jaws 6A have at least their first end regions 51 facing away from the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B a first horn 52 each. Each of the first horns 52 is designed to project beyond the respective base body of the second upper clamping jaws 6A in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars 13, 16.

In the unthreading position, the entire longitudinal dimension of the upper jaw set 43 is shorter than in the working position. In this way, in the working position, a sufficient clamping effect and the bending edge 45 can also be formed in the area of the at least one undercut formed by workpiece 2.

The entire bending edge 45 of the upper set of clamping jaws 43 is formed in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the clamping bars 13, 16 in the working position by the upper clamping jaws 6A, 6B. An aligned, continuously formed bending edge 45 is preferably selected. Thus, a first partial bending edge 53 is formed by each first upper clamping jaw 6A. Furthermore, the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B is in the working position a second partial bending edge 54 is formed. The longitudinal dimension of the second partial bending edge 54 is made up of partial lengths of the clamping jaw parts 47, 49 and the partial length of the base body of the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B.

In the Fig. 3 and 4th is the upper jaw set 43 based on the illustrations in FIGS Fig. 1 and 2 shown alone. This comprises the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B with the clamping jaw parts 47, 49, each arranged to be adjustable on the side of its base body. The clamping jaw parts 47, 49 are in the Fig. 3 shown in the working position. Two pieces of first upper clamping jaws 6A are arranged on each side next to and adjoining it. Preferably only a piece of the second upper clamping jaw 6B is used in an upper clamping jaw set 43. The second upper clamping jaw 6B can therefore always be arranged in a stationary manner with respect to the upper clamping bar 16.

In this arrangement, the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B is arranged in a central region of the upper clamping jaw set 43. It can furthermore be provided that the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B of the upper clamping jaw set 43 is arranged at a stationary position with respect to the upper clamping bar 16. This has the advantage that when adapting the total length of the bending edge 45 required for the bending process, the second upper clamping jaw 6B can always remain stationary and only the laterally adjacent first upper clamping jaws 6A need to be arranged in the required length and number. Due to the central and stationary arrangement of the second upper clamping jaw 6B, the supply of the second upper clamping jaw 6B with energy to carry out the adjustment process of the clamping jaw parts 47, 49 from the working position to the unfeeding position and vice versa can be provided more easily on the bending machine 3.

The number of upper clamping jaws 6A, 6B of the upper clamping jaw set 43 can be selected so that in the working position a total length of the bending edge 45 corresponds to a sum which is the sum of the individual lengths of the first partial bending edges 53 of the first upper clamping jaws 6A plus the length of the second partial bending edge 54 of the second upper clamping jaw 6B is formed. The sum thus formed corresponds to a maximum of one longitudinal dimension of the clamping length to be supported on the workpiece 2 to be produced or the bend to be formed on the workpiece 2 to be produced. The workpiece 2 is in the two Fig. 3 and 4th indicated in dashed lines.

Due to the central and always positioned arrangement of the second upper clamping jaw 6B, the number and partial lengths of the upper first clamping jaws 6A located next to it can simply be provided in accordance with the clamping length and bending edge 45 to be formed and assembled as an upper clamping jaw set 43 on the bending machine 3. This can be done by laterally shifting and / or adding and / or removing the first upper clamping jaws 6A.

In the case of both of the outer upper first clamping jaws 6A, it is also indicated in dashed lines that at their second end region 55 facing the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B each one protruding in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars 13, 16 over the base body of the first upper clamping jaw 6A second horn 56 may have. The second horn 56 can be used in individual or in all first upper clamping jaws 6A.

Furthermore, the number of upper clamping jaws 6A, 6B of the upper clamping jaw set 43 should be equal to one another in the working position and in the unthreading position.

In the Fig. 4 the shortened threading-out position of the upper clamping jaw set 43 with the upper clamping jaws 6A, 6B is shown. The two clamping jaw parts 47, 49 arranged to the side of the base body of the second upper clamping jaw 6B are displaced relative to the base body so that the shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the upper clamping jaw set 43 can be achieved.

Since a free space is now created between the base bodies of the first upper clamping jaws 6A, which are located immediately to the side of the second upper clamping jaw 6B, all of the first upper clamping jaws 6A arranged next to them can be shifted towards the base body of the at least one second upper clamping jaw 6B.

Before performing these adjustment movements, the clamping effect between the upper and lower clamping jaws 5, 6 must usually be released in order not to transfer any damage from one of the clamping jaws 5, 6 to the workpiece 2. In the event of further adjustment, in particular lifting of the upper clamping bar 16, the clamping jaw parts 47, 49 are to be adjusted from their working position into the reduced threading position. For the sake of clarity, guide arrangements, possible adjustment drives and their energy supply have not been shown. The first upper clamping jaws 6A located on both sides are also to be displaced in the direction of the second upper clamping jaw 6B in these free spaces which arise and are formed laterally next to the base body of the upper clamping jaw 6B. In this way, a collision-free adjustment from the workpiece 2 is made possible in the respective outermost edge regions of the upper clamping jaw set 43.

It is also possible that the lower set of clamping jaws 44 can be designed in an analogous manner and can be assembled in a variable manner, as has been described above for the upper clamping jaw set 43. This is simplified in the Fig. 5 shown.

The clamping tool 4 then also has the lower set of clamping jaws 44. The lower jaw set 44 comprises a plurality of first lower clamping jaws 5A and at least one second lower clamping jaw 5B. The at least one second lower clamping jaw 5B has on both sides of its first and second end sections 57, 58, which are arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars 13, 16, in each case a first and second clamping jaw part 47, 49 that can be displaced from the working position into the unfolding position. The clamping jaw parts 47, 49 can be designed in the same way as the clamping jaw parts described above.

Here, too, at least one first lower clamping jaw 5A is arranged on both sides of the at least one second lower clamping jaw 5B in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping bars 13, 16. The previously described first horn 52 and, if necessary, also the second horn 56 can again also be provided.

The adjustment of the clamping jaw parts 47, 49 can take place according to the methods and techniques known from the prior art. So could a combined axial adjustment and pivoting movement can be performed. However, a linear inclination would also be conceivable, as indicated by the arrows in FIG Fig. 3 is indicated.

By jointly activating the clamping jaw parts 47, 49 and the preferred sliding movement of the first clamping jaws 5A, 6A, which all have the rigid horn 52, it is possible to thread out of a box, although the second clamping jaw 5B, 6B with the mobile jaw parts 47, 49 is located as a horn tool in the central position. The first clamping jaws 5A, 6A are preferably designed as standard tools.

The clamping jaw parts 47, 49 with the horns or lugs 50 are located with the respective second clamping jaw 5B, 6B in a central position and can be directly supplied with energy there due to no and / or only a brief change in position. This makes it possible to provide the second clamping jaws 5B, 6B with an activation that manages without a tool changer.

The first clamping jaws 5A, 6A, in particular those of the upper clamping jaw set 43, which participate in the clamping and are therefore arranged within the workpiece 2 designed as a box, are inward together with the upward movement of the clamping bar 16 and the activation of the second clamping jaw 5B, 6B to push.

The exemplary embodiments show possible design variants, whereby it should be noted at this point that the invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated design variants of the same, but rather various combinations of the individual design variants with one another are possible and this possibility of variation due to the teaching of technical action by the present invention in Ability of the skilled person working in this technical field.

The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the drawings should be used to interpret the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described can represent independent inventive solutions. The task on which the independent inventive solutions are based can be found in the description.

For the sake of clarity, it should finally be pointed out that for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced. <b> List of reference symbols </b> 1 Manufacturing facility 31 upper clamping surface 2 workpiece 32 Support table 3 Bending machine 33 Support level 4th Clamping tool 34 Bending area 5 lower jaw 35 Bending unit 6 upper jaw 36 Workpiece support level 7th Machine frame 37 Bending tool 8th Base plate 38 Bending beam 9 Sidewall 39 Manipulation device 10 Sidewall 40 manipulator 11 Cross brace 41 Retaining element 12th Front face 42 Working edge 13 lower clamping bar 43 upper jaw set 14th Front face 44 lower jaw set 15th Clamping bar guide 45 Bending edge 16 upper clamping bar 46 first end section 17th Face 47 first jaw part 18th Face 48 second end section 19th Clamping jaw holder 49 second jaw part 20th Clamping jaw holder 50 approach 21st Drive arrangement 51 first end area 22nd Drive means 52 first horn 23 Energy network 53 first partial bending edge 24 Control device 54 second partial bending edge 25th Input terminal 55 second end area 26th Spindle drive 56 second horn 27 Adjusting agent 57 first end section 28 Machine level 58 second end section 29 Clamping area 30th lower clamping surface

Claims (18)

1. A production installation (1) for producing workpieces (2) from sheet metal by means of forming in a bending operation, in particular by swivel bending or swing bending, comprising:

   - a bending machine (3) with a fixed machine frame (7), a lower clamping beam (13) and with an upper clamping beam (16), wherein at least one of the clamping beams (13, 16) is adjustable relative to the machine frame (7) in order to clampingly hold the workpiece (2) to be manufactured,

   - a clamping tool (4) with at least one lower clamping jaw (5) and with an upper clamping jaw set (43) from several first upper clamping jaws (6A) and at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B), and each of the clamping jaws (5, 6) comprising a base body, wherein the at least one lower clamping jaw (5) is held on the lower clamping beam (13) and the upper clamping jaws (6A, 6B) of the upper clamping jaw set (43) are held on the upper clamping beam (16), and wherein the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16) on a first end section (46) comprises a first clamping jaw part (47) movable relative to its base body from a working position to a pull-out position, wherein the longitudinal extension of the upper clamping jaw set (43) is shorter in the pull-out position than in the working position, and

   - wherein a bending edge (45) aligned in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16) is formed by the upper clamping jaw set (43) when the upper clamping jaws (6A, 6B) are in the working position, and a first partial bending edge (53) of the bending edge (45) is respectively formed by each first upper clamping jaw (6A) as well as a second partial bending edge (54) is formed by the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the working position, and

   - a bending unit (35), said bending unit (35) being adjustable relative to the clamping tool (4) for performing a bending operation,
   characterized in that

   - the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) further comprises a second clamping jaw part (49) movable from the working position in the pull-out position on its second end section (48) arranged at a distance from the first end section (46) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16),

   - at least one first upper clamping jaw (6A) is respectively arranged on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16), and in that

   - the first upper clamping jaws (6A) respectively comprise a first horn (52) at least on their first end regions (51) facing away from the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B), said first horn (52) being formed to project from the respective base body of the first upper clamping jaw (6A) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16).
2. The production installation (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping jaw parts (47, 49) are respectively formed with a horn-shaped projection (50), and in that a shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16) is defined by the clamping jaw parts (47, 49) in the pull-out position.
3. The production installation (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the pull-out position corresponds to a maximum length of the base body of the second upper clamping jaw (6B).
4. The production installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the pull-out position, the first upper clamping jaws (6A) that are respectively arranged on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) are respectively moved in the direction of the base body of the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B).
5. The production installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least individual ones of the first upper clamping jaws (6A) respectively comprise a second horn (56) projecting from the base body in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16) on their second end regions (55) facing the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B).
6. The production installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) of the upper clamping jaw set (43) is arranged on a stationary position in relation to the upper clamping beam (16).
7. The production installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) is arranged in a central region of the upper clamping jaw set (43).
8. The production installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number of upper clamping jaws (6A, 6B) of the upper clamping jaw set (43) is selected such that in the working position, a total length of the bending edge (45) corresponds to a sum, said sum being composed of the individual lengths of the first partial bending edges (53) of the first upper clamping jaws (6A) plus the length of the second partial bending edge (54) of the second upper clamping jaw (6B), and the thus composed sum at the maximum corresponds to a longitudinal dimension of the clamping length to be supported on the workpiece (2) to be manufactured.
9. The production installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the numbers of upper clamping jaws (6A, 6B) of the upper clamping jaw set (43) in the working position and in the pull-out position are equal to one another.
10. The production installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping tool (4) further comprises a lower clamping jaw set (44) and the lower clamping jaw set (44) comprises several first lower clamping jaws (5A) and at least one second lower clamping jaw (5B), and in that the at least one second lower clamping jaw (5B) respectively comprises a first and second clamping jaw part (47, 49) movable from the working position in the pull-out position on both sides on its first and second end sections (46, 48) arranged in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16).
11. The production installation (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one first lower clamping jaw (5A) is respectively arranged on both sides of the at least one second lower clamping jaw (5B) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16).
12. A method for adjusting a total length of a bending edge (45) of a clamping jaw set (43, 44) of a clamping tool (4) of a production installation (1) for producing workpieces (2) from sheet metal by means of forming in a bending operation, in particular by swivel bending or swing bending, and in particular using the production installation (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the following steps:

    - providing a bending machine (3) with a fixed machine frame (7), a lower clamping beam (13) and with an upper clamping beam (16), wherein at least one of the clamping beams (13, 16) is adjustable relative to the machine frame (7) in order to clampingly hold the workpiece (2) to be manufactured,

    - providing a clamping tool (4) comprising at least one lower clamping jaw (5) and an upper clamping jaw set (43) with several first upper clamping jaws (6A) and with at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B), wherein each of the clamping jaws (5, 6) comprises a base body, and wherein the at least one lower clamping jaw (5) is held on the lower clamping beam (13) and the upper clamping jaws (6A, 6B) of the upper clamping jaw set (43) are held on the upper clamping beam (16), and wherein the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16) on a first end section (46) comprises a first clamping jaw part (47) movable relative to its base body from a working position to a pull-out position, wherein the longitudinal dimension of the upper clamping jaw set (43) is formed to be shorter in the pull-out position than in the working position, and

    - wherein a bending edge (45) aligned in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16) is formed by the upper clamping jaw set (43) when the upper clamping jaws (6A, 6B) are in the working position, and wherein a first partial bending edge (53) of the bending edge (45) is respectively formed by each first upper clamping jaw (6A) as well as a second partial bending edge (54) is formed by the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the working position, and

    - providing a bending unit (35), said bending unit (35) being adjustable relative to the clamping tool (4) for performing a bending operation,
    characterized in that

    - the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) is further provided with a second clamping jaw part (49) movable from the working position in the pull-out position on its second end section (48) arranged at a distance from the first end section (46) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16),

    - at least one first upper clamping jaw (6A) is respectively arranged on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16), and in that

    - the first upper clamping jaws (6A) are respectively provided with a first horn (52) at least on their first end regions (51) facing away from the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B), said first horn (52) being formed to project from the base body of the first upper clamping jaw (6A) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16).
13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that the clamping jaw parts (47, 49) are respectively formed with a horn-shaped projection (50), and in that a shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16) is defined by the clamping jaw parts (47, 49) in the pull-out position.
14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that the shortened outer longitudinal dimension of the second upper clamping jaw (6B) in the pull-out position corresponds to a maximum length of the base body of the second upper clamping jaw (6B).
15. The method according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that for the formation of the pull-out position, the first upper clamping jaws (6B) that are respectively arranged on both sides of the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) are respectively moved in the direction of the base body of the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B).
16. The method according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that at least individual ones of the first upper clamping jaws (6A) are respectively provided with a second horn (56) projecting from the base body in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the clamping beams (13, 16) on their second end regions (55) facing the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B).
17. The method according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that the at least one second upper clamping jaw (6B) of the upper clamping jaw set (43) is arranged on a stationary position in relation to the upper clamping beam (16).
18. The method according to one claims 12 to 17, characterized in that the number of upper clamping jaws (6A, 6B) of the upper clamping jaw set (43) is selected such that in the working position, a total length of the bending edge (45) corresponds to a sum, said sum being composed of the individual lengths of the first partial bending edges (53) of the first upper clamping jaws (6A) plus the length of the second partial bending edge (54) of the second upper clamping jaw (6B), and the thus composed sum at the maximum corresponds to a longitudinal dimension of the clamping length to be supported on the workpiece (2) to be manufactured.

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