EP3639942B1 - Press machine with sensor system for the automated detection of a press jaw system - Google Patents

Description

1. Technical field

The present invention relates to a pressing machine for plastically deforming a tubular workpiece, in particular a fitting. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a press machine, a press jaw arrangement for coupling to a press machine, and also a tubular workpiece, in particular a fitting.

2. Technical background

Several methods for connecting tubular workpieces are known in the prior art. For example, tubes can be soldered or welded to one another. It is also known to insert the end of a small pipe into the end of a larger pipe and then to press both pipe ends together.

In other cases, the pressing is carried out with the help of a (press) fitting. For this purpose, press machines, such as pipe press machines, can be used to connect a pipe to a press fitting. Such a fitting can be designed, for example, as a pipeline fitting, which can be used as a connecting piece for a pipeline. A fitting can be made of different materials, for example copper, aluminium, plastic, composite and/or (stainless) steel.

A (pipe) pressing machine can include pressing jaws made of metals such as steel, aluminum or the like, which can be interchangeable. Furthermore, the pressing machine can include exchangeable pressing tongs, which have the pressing jaws. Other die assemblies, including dies, are also known. A force can be exerted on the fitting by means of the pressing jaws or the pressing jaw arrangement in order to plastically deform it in such a way that the fitting can be deformed as much as possible fits snugly, tightly and firmly against a pipe. When using such a pressing machine, the pressing jaws can be pressed together in order to press a fitting arranged between them over a pipe. The press machine can be hand-held and operated by a drive. Typically, electric and/or hydraulic drives are used.

Typically, the pressing jaws or the pressing jaw arrangement are workpiece-specific. For example, different press jaws/press jaw arrangements are used for pressing metal fittings, such as copper or (stainless) steel fittings, than for pressing plastic fittings. The pressing machine can be adapted to different workpieces, in particular fittings, by exchanging the pressing jaws/pressing jaw arrangement. Usually, when such conventional press machines are used, the pressing always takes place using the maximum pressing force, regardless of the press jaws actually used or the press jaw arrangement used and/or the fittings used. However, this can be disadvantageous since, for example, plastic fittings can be pressed with a much lower pressing force than metal fittings. Exploiting the maximum pressing force thus leads to an unnecessary waste of energy.

In addition, each type of press jaw used or press jaw arrangement used has its own characteristic pressing characteristics. The pressing characteristics can depend, for example, on the transmission ratio of the pressing jaw arrangement, the material of the pressing jaws and the workpiece to be pressed. For example, a workpiece such as a steel fitting should be pressed differently than a plastic fitting, for example, in order to guarantee the best possible form fit and a long service life for the pressed fitting.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of achieving the most optimal and material-friendly pressing of a fitting with a pipe. In this case, in particular, an improved (pipe) pressing machine is to be provided which enables such pressing. These and other objects, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, are achieved by a press machine according to claim 1, a method of operating a press machine according to Claim 12 and a pressing jaw arrangement according to claim 13 solved.

EP 2 794 191 A1 relates to a pressing device with a data acquisition element, wherein at least one data acquisition element is a camera. In one method, the camera is also used as a data acquisition element for documenting pressing processes.

3. Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a press machine for plastically deforming a tubular workpiece. The tubular workpiece can be a fitting, for example, and can be pressed with these to connect two pipes. The fitting can consist, for example, at least partially of copper, aluminum, plastic, composite and/or (stainless) steel. The pressing machine, in turn, can be set up to plastically deform such a tubular workpiece, such as a fitting, for example, in such a way that it is connected to a piece of tubing arranged in the fitting. In particular, a (compression) pressing can be carried out by means of the pressing machine in order to connect a fitting to a pipe in a non-detachable manner with a positive and/or non-positive fit. The fitting can be specified according to the DIN EN 1254-7 standard, for example.

The press machine further includes a press jaw receptacle for coupling a press jaw assembly to the press machine. The pressing jaw receptacle couples to the pressing jaw arrangement in such a way that the pressing machine can drive pressing jaws of the pressing jaw arrangement. For example, the coupling takes place via at least one coupling bolt. The pressing jaws of the pressing jaw arrangement can be set up to be movable relative to one another and, for example, be closed and also moved apart, so that in the moved apart state, for example, a tubular workpiece, such as a fitting, can be arranged between the pressing jaws. The pressing jaws of the pressing jaw arrangement can be exchangeable. Different press jaw arrangements and/or press jaws can be designed for different tasks, such as pressing, crimping, or cutting. A press jaw arrangement typically comprises at least two press jaws.

The press machine also includes a drive which is set up to drive the press jaw arrangement in order to apply a force to the workpiece. The drive can include an electric motor, a pneumatic and/or a hydraulic drive unit and a gear. The pressing jaws of the pressing jaw arrangement can be moved relative to one another by means of the drive and can be driven, for example, into the closed state. The drive can at least partially apply the force necessary to deform the tubular workpiece, for example to connect a fitting to a length of pipe.

For this purpose, the drive can be connected to the pressing jaw arrangement directly or via a gear mechanism in order to transmit the driving force to the pressing jaw arrangement and the pressing pack. The force acting on the pressing jaws or the pressing jaw arrangement can be set variably, for example by correspondingly varying motor parameters or other parameters (such as gear settings).

Furthermore, the pressing machine includes a sensor system that is set up to identify a pressing jaw arrangement and to provide corresponding sensor data. The sensor system can be set up to recognize an individual pressing jaw arrangement, or also to recognize a pressing jaw arrangement according to its type. For this purpose, the sensor system can include detection means (e.g. a sensor) as an interface to the pressing jaw arrangement, and appropriate evaluation means, which can include a processor and/or memory with appropriate program code. The detection means can be provided separately from the evaluation means on the press machine. The sensor system can be supplied via an energy source arranged on the press machine, which can also feed the drive or the electric motor. The sensor system can also be activated by a user/operator by means of a button in order to carry out the identification. As a result, it can be specifically controlled how and when the identification is to take place. Furthermore, the sensor system can be set up to detect an exchange and in particular the coupling of a press jaw arrangement with the press jaw receptacle and to carry out the identification after the exchange or the coupling has been recognized.

The identification therefore does not necessarily mean that a single press jaw arrangement is identified as an individual press jaw arrangement. Rather, it is sufficient for one press jaw arrangement to be identified or recognized as being different from another press jaw arrangement. In the course of identification, for example, the pressing jaw arrangement can be classified based on its model number. In one example, it can thus be recognized that a pressing jaw arrangement for pressing stainless steel fittings with a diameter of 15 mm is present and/or coupled. Resulting sensor data can characterize the identified pressing jaw arrangement.

Furthermore, the press machine includes a controller that is set up to control the drive based on the sensor data.

Depending on the identified pressing jaw arrangement, the drive is thus controlled accordingly. Depending on which press jaw arrangement or which type of press jaw arrangement was identified, the press jaw arrangement can be driven differently by the drive, for example, in order ultimately to optimally deform the workpiece.

The present invention thus makes it possible to carry out the deformation as a function of the coupled pressing jaw arrangement. As a result, depending on the type of pressing jaw arrangement used, an individual pressing force can be applied by means of the drive in order to achieve an optimal and material-friendly deformation of the workpiece. The use of the sensor system allows the pressing jaw arrangement to be automatically identified and corresponding data to be passed on to the drive, so that the user or operator of the pressing machine does not have to make any entries himself and is accordingly not additionally burdened. This can reduce the risk of incorrect operation.

The press machine preferably comprises a storage medium with a database.

The database preferably includes specific control parameters for controlling the press machine for a plurality of press jaw arrangements. Furthermore, the controller can then control the drive according to the at least one specific control parameter. According to the identification of the pressing jaw arrangement, corresponding control parameters can thus be loaded from the memory or from the database and used to operate the drive. For example, control parameters for a press jaw arrangement for stainless steel fittings and different control parameters for a press jaw arrangement for copper fittings can be stored in the database. Depending on whether a press jaw arrangement for stainless steel or copper fittings was identified using the sensor system, the corresponding control parameters can be loaded from the database and used by the controller to control the press machine and ultimately the drive. Corresponding control parameters can be stored in the database for different characteristics of the press jaw arrangements (e.g. transmission ratio, type of press jaws, size of the workpiece to be pressed, material of the workpiece to be pressed and/or shape of the workpiece to be pressed). to enable optimal pressing or deformation of the respective workpiece. In a preferred embodiment, the database can be accessed via a (wired or wireless) interface, for example to update the content of the database.

In particular, the control parameters preferably include pressing parameters, which preferably include a maximum pressing force, a pressing speed, a pressing path and/or a pressing duration. Depending on the type of press jaw arrangement or the type of workpiece to be pressed by means of the press jaw arrangement, specific press forces, press speeds, press distances and/or press durations can be specified, for example, which the press machine should use, for example, for pressing or deforming the fitting with the pipe section. These parameters can be specified, for example, in the form of a pressing curve, which specifies a progression of pressing force, pressing distance and/or pressing speed over time. The person skilled in the art understands how to store corresponding control parameters in the database depending on the intended use of the press machine. Furthermore, the control parameters can in particular include drive parameters, which in particular include a drive speed, drive power and/or an oil pressure. Depending on the type of press jaw arrangement or the type of workpiece to be pressed by means of the press jaw arrangement, various drive parameters can thus be stored in the database, which can be loaded based on the identified press jaw arrangement in order to ultimately deform the workpiece. The person skilled in the art understands that the press parameters or drive parameters can include motor and/or transmission parameters which can regulate the power transmission from the drive to the press jaws.

In addition, the sensor system can include at least one optical sensor, a contact-based sensor, an inductive sensor and/or capacitive sensor, it being possible for the sensor system to be set up in particular to read an RFID and/or NFC transponder. In particular, the sensor system can alternatively or additionally be set up to read a barcode or a QR code. Furthermore, the sensor system can include a Bluetooth module, which is set up to read a corresponding Bluetooth module.

The use of an optical sensor or a contact-based sensor enables a cost-effective sensor system to be provided. A A contact-based sensor may include an electrical contact that contacts a corresponding electrical contact of the press jaw/jaw assembly to identify the press jaw/jaw assembly.

The use of an inductive and/or capacitive sensor enables reliable identification, since inductive and/or capacitive sensors are less susceptible to contamination than, for example, optical or contact-based sensors. The RFID and/or NFC transponder or the corresponding Bluetooth module can have an identifier that is read during identification. This identifier is characteristic of the type of press jaw arrangement or of an individual press jaw arrangement and can include a serial number and/or a type number, for example. The control parameters can then be determined based on the identifier read out and the database. Likewise, the RFID and/or NFC transponder or the corresponding Bluetooth module can include the control parameters themselves. These can then be read out during identification and forwarded to the controller. As a result, the database of the press machine does not necessarily have to be updated if new or additional press jaw arrangements are to be used. The pressing jaw arrangement carries the required control parameters in the RFID and/or NFC transponder assigned to it or in a corresponding Bluetooth module.

RFID (radio-frequency-identification) enables the pressing jaw arrangement to be identified by means of electromagnetic waves. The pressing jaw arrangement can be identified automatically and without contact using RFID technology. An RFID reader (sensor) arranged on the press machine can read out the identifier and/or control parameters, which can be provided by a corresponding RFID transponder of the press jaw arrangement. An RFID transponder can be read without additional provision of energy. The pressing jaw arrangement can thus be designed to be passive and does not require any additional interface or source for the provision of electrical energy.

NFC technology or near field communication is an international transmission standard based on RFID technology for the contactless exchange of data via electromagnetic induction or capacitive transmission. The communication between the corresponding NFC participants can be active-passive or active-active. In the present case, the active part, ie the part that is supplied with electrical energy, is preferably provided in the pressing machine, while the passive part is provided on the pressing jaw arrangement. The pressing jaw arrangement can thus be designed to be passive and does not require any additional interface or source for the provision of electrical energy.

Bluetooth communication enables data to be transmitted between devices over a short distance using radio technology. The communication takes place using a correspondingly developed industry standard, for example according to the IEEE 802.15.1 standard.

In particular, a first reading range of the sensor system can be limited and be at most 0.3 m, preferably at most 0.2 m and most preferably at most 0.1 m. Furthermore, the first reading range of the sensor system can be selected in such a way that only one coupled pressing jaw arrangement can be identified. The limitation of the first reading range prevents accidental identification of an incorrect pressing jaw arrangement located in the vicinity of the pressing machine. For example, the press machine is provided in a carrying case or on a workbench along with a plurality of press jaw assemblies. When the press machine is started up, only the coupled press jaw arrangement or the press jaw arrangement to be coupled should be identified. This can be ensured by limiting the first read range.

Furthermore, the sensor system can be set up to identify a workpiece, the storage medium comprising a database which comprises at least one specific control parameter for a plurality of workpieces, the controller being set up to control the drive according to the at least one specific control parameter.

Depending on the identified workpiece, the drive is controlled accordingly. Depending on which type of workpiece or which type of workpiece was detected, the press jaws can be driven differently by the drive, for example, in order to ultimately optimally deform the workpiece. Both the type of workpiece and the type of press jaw arrangement can be taken into account when selecting the control parameters. In particular, it can be checked whether the identified pressing jaw arrangement corresponds to the workpiece to be pressed. If this is not the case, an alarm can be raised issued in order to avoid faulty pressing and/or damage to the pressing machine. Likewise, the control parameters can be adapted to the identified workpiece, thus avoiding excessive pressing. If, for example, a press jaw arrangement for pressing stainless steel fittings is coupled to the press machine and the workpiece to be pressed is a copper fitting, too high a press force would be applied if only the type of press jaw arrangement were taken into account. If, on the other hand, the type of workpiece is also recognized, the pressing force can be reduced accordingly and the workpiece can be pressed with the supposedly unsuitable pressing jaw arrangement—but with reduced pressing force.

The present invention thus allows the deformation to be carried out depending on the object to be deformed and the press jaw arrangement used. As a result, depending on the type of workpiece used or the coupled pressing jaw arrangement, an individual pressing force can be applied by means of the drive in order to achieve optimal deformation that is gentle on the material without damaging the workpiece or the pressing machine.

A second reading range for identifying the workpiece can preferably be in the range of 0 meters to 5 meters, more preferably in the range of 0.01 meters to 2 meters, more preferably in the range of 0.02 meters to 1 meter and more preferably in the range of 0 .05 meters to 0.5 meters. The sensor system can therefore only identify workpieces that are within the second reading range. This makes it possible for only those workpieces to be identified which are actually to be deformed. This at least partially prevents accidental identification of workpieces that are far away and not to be deformed. Depending on the sensors used, the first and the second reading range can be different.

The sensor system is preferably set up to recognize characteristic features of the workpiece, in particular characteristic geometric features of the pressing jaw arrangement and/or a workpiece. For example, a shape and/or size of at least part of the pressing jaw arrangement and/or the workpiece can be recognized by means of the sensor system. Based on these characteristic features, the pressing jaw arrangement and/or the workpiece can be identified, at least according to its type, and then the drive can be controlled accordingly in order to optimally deform the workpiece.

In a preferred embodiment, the sensor system includes a sensor such as a camera, an optical scanner, an RFID reader, an NFC reader and/or a Bluetooth module for identifying the workpiece. The same sensor or different sensors or sensor types can be used to identify the workpiece and the press jaw arrangement. The camera may be an optical camera, which may have sufficient resolution and quality to at least identify the workpiece by type. For example, a fitting with a diameter of 15 mm can be identified using the camera. Color values can also be used to draw conclusions about the material of the workpiece. The optical scanner, the RFID reader, the NFC reader and/or the Bluetooth module can be used to recognize data or identifiers that can be provided, for example, by the workpiece itself or the press jaw arrangement, and allow the workpiece to be identified . For example, the optical scanner can recognize a barcode or QR code placed on the workpiece. In order to ensure identification by means of an optical camera or optical scanner, an illuminant can also be provided on the pressing machine, which can at least partially illuminate or illuminate the area that can be detected by the camera or by the scanner.

The sensor system is preferably set up to recognize a barcode on the workpiece, a QR code on the workpiece, an identifier in an RFID transponder on the workpiece, an identifier in an NFC transponder on the workpiece, and/or an identifier in a Bluetooth module on the workpiece. The person skilled in the art understands that the workpiece can be equipped with appropriate codes or transponders or modules in order to provide appropriate data for identifying the workpiece—at least according to its type—to the pressing machine.

Furthermore, the sensor of the sensor system is arranged directly on the pressing jaw holder. The sensor is at least partially covered by an element of the press machine in a first configuration of the press machine and is uncovered by the element in a second configuration of the press machine. For example, a sensor of the sensor system can be covered by a part of the housing of the pressing machine, whereby the sensor can be protected from dirt or other environmental influences. When the pressing jaws are moved apart or opened, which can correspond to the second configuration, the sensor is (at least partially) released or uncovered. The pressing jaw arrangement and/or the workpiece can now be identified by means of the sensor system. During the subsequent deformation of the workpiece, the press jaws are moved towards one another or brought into the first configuration, as a result of which the sensor can again be at least partially covered by a part of the housing. This also ensures that the identification by means of the sensor system only takes place when the workpiece is to be deformed. This prevents accidental incorrect identification of a workpiece that is nearby (eg lying on a workbench).

The pressing jaws of the pressing jaw arrangement and particularly preferably the entire pressing jaw arrangement are preferably free of the sensor system. Thus, according to this exemplary embodiment, no elements of the sensor system are arranged on the pressing jaws or the pressing jaw arrangement. The sensor system can thus be arranged, for example, exclusively on or in a manual part of the press machine. This enables easy interchangeability of the pressing jaws or the pressing jaw arrangement. In another preferred embodiment, the sensor system is at least partially arranged on the pressing jaws or the pressing jaw arrangement, in particular in a depression in the pressing jaws (for example to protect the sensor system). The sensor system can be connected to the motor of the press machine via a coupling interface.

The sensor system is preferably arranged at least partially in a housing of the pressing machine. If the sensor system is set up to read an RFID and/or NFC transponder, or if it includes a Bluetooth module, the sensor system can be arranged completely within the housing of the pressing machine. The housing of the pressing machine is at least partially permeable to the readout data. In particular, the housing material can include glass, ceramics, plastics or composites that are at least partially transparent to electromagnetic radiation. The housing can also have suitable recesses to enable reading. With this arrangement, the sensor system can be protected from dirt or other environmental influences, since it is at least partially shielded by the housing of the pressing machine.

Particularly preferably, the press jaw arrangement can at least partially cover the sensor of the sensor system when the press jaw arrangement is coupled to the press jaw receptacle, wherein the sensor is at least partially uncovered when no press jaw arrangement is coupled to the press jaw receptacle. The sensor system or the sensor can thus be protected from contamination or other environmental influences. In addition, the reading accuracy of the sensor system can be increased since the sensor system or the sensor of the sensor system is set up directly adjacent to the coupled pressing jaw receptacle and is not covered by other parts, such as a housing part. A very small maximum first reading range can thus be realized and the risk of incorrect identification of adjacent, uncoupled press jaw receptacles can be reduced.

The press machine preferably includes a log memory set up for storing the sensor data and control data. As a result, the coupling process and/or the deformation process can be made traceable. All or some data on the coupling process and/or the deformation process can be stored in the log memory, for example to enable quality monitoring of individual deformations. The log memory can be accessed via an interface (wireless or wired) to read out the corresponding data.

The present invention further relates to a method for operating a press machine according to the above statements, for plastically deforming a tubular workpiece, such as a fitting. The method comprises the following steps: coupling a press jaw arrangement to the press jaw receptacle of the press machine; identifying the press jaw assembly by means of the sensor system and preferably identifying the workpiece; gripping the workpiece with the coupled die assembly; controlling the press machine in accordance with the identified die assembly, and preferably in accordance with the identified workpiece, to apply a force by means of the die assembly toward the surface of the gripped workpiece to plastically deform the workpiece.

The pressing jaw arrangement can be identified after the coupling or before the coupling, in particular during the coupling. To generate the force, the drive of the press machine can be controlled accordingly. This can be dependent from the identification step, a reduced or increased pressing force, pressing duration and/or pressing speed can be set, depending on which pressing jaw arrangement or which type of workpiece has been identified.

According to the present invention, in particular the method steps of identifying, gripping and/or controlling can be implemented in a computer program, with the computer program being able to cause a corresponding press machine system to carry out the respective steps.

The present invention also relates to a press jaw arrangement for coupling to a press machine for plastically deforming a tubular workpiece, in particular a fitting. For example, this pressing jaw arrangement can be coupled to a pressing machine according to the above statements. The pressing jaw arrangement includes a marking that is designed to be identified by the sensor system of the pressing machine, wherein the marking preferably includes an RFID transponder or an NFC transponder. The marking is preferably arranged in a depression in the pressing jaw arrangement in order to protect it from dirt, damage and other environmental influences. In particular, the recess can be sealed. For example, the recess including the marking can be sealed with a plastic such as an epoxy resin, glass or ceramic. The sealing material can completely enclose and/or cover the marking.

The present invention also relates to a tubular workpiece, in particular a fitting, which is set up for plastic deformation by a pressing machine. The tubular workpiece can be deformed, for example, by a press machine according to the above statements. The workpiece, in particular the fitting, can be designed in accordance with the above statements and can be made of copper, plastic, composite and/or (stainless) steel. In this case, the tubular workpiece comprises a means which is set up to provide an identifier for identifying the workpiece. In accordance with the above statements, the means can be designed as a barcode or QR code, for example. In particular, the means can include a transponder, in particular an RFID or NFC transponder, which is set up to provide the identifier.

4. Description of Preferred Embodiments

Figur 1

eine Explosionsansicht eines Pressmaschinensystems, umfassend eine Pressmaschine und eine Pressbackenanordnung gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figur 2

eine Pressbackenanordnung mit Pressbacken gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung;

Figur 3

ein rohrförmiges Werkstück gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung, und

Figur 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Pressmaschinensystems, umfassend eine Pressmaschine, eine Pressbackenanordnung und ein rohrförmiges Werkstück gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung.

The present invention is described in more detail below with reference to the attached figures. The same elements are provided with the same reference numbers. Show it:

figure 1

Figure 14 is an exploded view of a press machine system including a press machine and a press jaw assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2

a press jaw assembly having press jaws according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 3

a tubular workpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

figure 4

12 is a schematic representation of a press machine system including a press machine, a press jaw assembly, and a tubular workpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In figure 1 1 shows a press machine system 1 comprising a press machine 10 and a press jaw assembly 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The press machine 10 includes a hand-held part 11 which can be guided by hand by an operator or user. The pressing jaw arrangement 20 can be detachably coupled to the handle 11 . The press jaw arrangement 20 comprises two press jaws 21a, 21b by means of which a workpiece (fitting) can be gripped and plastically deformed. For this purpose, a drive 14, such as an electric motor with a gear, is provided in the handle part 11, which can drive the pressing jaw arrangement 20 via a coupling interface and ultimately move the pressing jaws 21a, 21b in order to deform the fitting. To start the deformation process of the fitting, an operator can actuate a corresponding actuating lever 13: by actuating the lever 13 accordingly, the press jaws 21a, 21b are first moved apart to grip a fitting and then pressed together to deform the fitting. The pressing jaw arrangement 20 is coupled to the pressing machine 10 via the pressing jaw receptacle 12, which can comprise a bolt, for example.

A sensor system 40 (cf. 4 ) provided. In this exemplary embodiment, the sensor system includes an inductive and/or capacitive sensor and is set up in particular for reading an RFID and/or NFC transponder 22 . By actuating the lever 13 to move the press jaws 21a, 21b apart in order to grip a fitting, the sensor system 40 is activated. Likewise, the sensor system 40 can be activated when a press jaw arrangement 20 is coupled to the press jaw receptacle 12 . In the activated state, the sensor system 40 can, for example, recognize and read an identifier from a corresponding pressing jaw arrangement 20 . The identifier can be stored in a transponder 22 . The transponder can also have stored control data that can be read out by the sensor system 40 . The pressing jaw arrangement 20 can be identified by means of the sensor system 40 on the basis of this identifier. In addition, the sensor system 40 can identify a workpiece type. Furthermore, when the lever 13 is actuated accordingly, the drive 14 is driven in order to exert a force on the fitting arranged between the pressing jaws 21a, 21b. For this purpose, the drive 14 is activated depending on which pressing jaw arrangement 20 or which type of workpiece was identified.

In the figure 2 1 is a press jaw assembly 20 having press jaws 21a, 21b according to an embodiment of the present invention. The pressing jaw arrangement can be detachably coupled to a pressing jaw receptacle 12 of a pressing machine 10 . A transponder 22 (for example an RFID or NFC transponder) is arranged in a depression 24 . When the press jaw arrangement 20 is coupled to the press jaw receptacle 12 of a press machine 10, the sensor system 40 and in particular a sensor of the sensor system is at least partially covered.

In figure 3 1 shows a possible configuration of a tubular workpiece according to an embodiment of the present invention. The workpiece shown is in the form of a fitting 30 . The fitting 30 include a means 32 for providing an identifier for identifying the respective fitting 30, such as a press machine 10 according to figure 1 . That in the figure 3 Fitting 30 shown includes an RFID transponder 32, on which at least one identifier is stored. The identifier characterizes the fitting 30 at least according to its type. by means of one corresponding RFID reader on the press machine, such as by means of the terms figure 1 sensor described, the identifier stored on the RFID transponder 32 of the fitting 30 can be read in order to identify the fitting 30 .

figure 4 12 is a schematic representation of the press machine system 1. The system includes a press machine 10 with a press jaw assembly 20 detachably coupled thereto. The press machine 10 also includes a hand part 11 for gripping the press machine 10 and a lever 13 for actuating the press machine 10. In addition, the press machine 10 includes a sensor system 40, which includes two sensors 42, 44 in the present illustration. The sensor 42 is used to identify the pressing jaw arrangement 20 by means of the transponder 22 and has a maximum first reading range D20. The first reading range D20 of the sensor system is selected in such a way that only one coupled press jaw arrangement 20 can be identified. The limitation of the first read range D20 prevents an incorrect press jaw arrangement located in the vicinity of the press machine 10 from being accidentally identified. The sensor 44 is used to identify the workpiece 30 using the transponder 32. The sensor 44 has a second reading range D30. The second reading range D30 is selected in such a way that the sensor system 40 can only identify workpieces 30 that are in the immediate vicinity of the pressing jaws 21a, 21b and/or are gripped by the pressing jaws 21a, 21b. Furthermore, the sensor system can include a sensor that is used both to identify the pressing jaw arrangement 20 and to identify the workpiece 30 .

Furthermore, the press machine 10 includes a storage medium 18 with a database. The database preferably includes specific control parameters for controlling the press machine 10 for a plurality of press jaw arrangements 20 and/or workpieces 30. A controller 16 of the press machine 10 can control the drive 14 according to the at least one specific control parameter.

The person skilled in the art understands that individual elements of the exemplary embodiments mentioned above can be combined with one another or exchanged.

Reference list:

1

press machine system

10

press machine

11

handpiece

12

press jaw holder

13

actuating means

14

drive

16

steering

18

storage medium

20

press jaw arrangement

21a, b

press jaws

22

transponder

24

deepening

30

workpiece

32

transponder

40

sensor system

42, 44

sensor

D20

first reading range

D30

second reading range

Claims (13)

1. A press machine (10), for plastically deforming a tubular workpiece (30), in particular a fitting, the press machine (10) comprising:

   a press jaw receptacle (12), for coupling a press jaw assembly (20) to the press machine (10);

   a drive (14), configured for driving a coupled press jaw assembly (20) to apply a force to the workpiece (30);

   a sensor system (40), configured for identifying a press jaw assembly (20) and for providing corresponding sensor data,

   a controller (16), configured for controlling the drive (14) based on the sensor data, wherein

   the sensor system comprises at least one sensor (42, 44), characterised in that the at least one sensor of the sensor system (40) is arranged directly on the press jaw receptacle (12), wherein the sensor (42, 44) is at least partially covered by an element of the press machine (10) in a first configuration of the press machine (10), and in a second configuration of the press machine (10) the element exposes the sensor (42, 44).
2. The press machine (10) according to claim 1, comprising a storage medium (18) with a database, which for a plurality of press jaw assemblies (20) comprises at least one specific control parameter, wherein the controller (16) is configured for controlling the drive (14) according to the at least one specific control parameter.
3. The press machine (10) according to claim 2, wherein the control parameters comprise press parameters, which in particular comprise a maximum pressing force, a pressing speed, a pressing path and/or a pressing duration, and/or
   wherein the control parameters comprise drive parameters, which in particular comprise a predetermined drive speed, drive power and/or a predetermined oil pressure.
4. The press machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system (40) comprises at least one optical sensor, a contact-based sensor, an inductive sensor and/or capacitive sensor (42, 44), and wherein the sensor system (40) is in particular configured for reading out an RFID and/or NFC transponder (22, 32), and/or wherein the sensor system (40) is in particular configured for reading out a barcode or a QR code.
5. The press machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system (40) has a maximum first reading range (D20) of at most 0.3 m, preferably of at most 0.2 m and most preferably of at most 0.1 m, and/or wherein the first reading range (D20) of the sensor system is selected such that only one coupled press jaw assembly (20) can be identified.
6. The press machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system (40) is configured for identifying a workpiece (30), wherein a second reading range (D30) for identifying the workpiece (30) is preferably in the range of 0 m to 5 m, more preferably in the range of 0.01 m to 2 m, more preferably in the range of 0.02 m to 1 m and more preferably in the range of 0.05 m to 0.5 m, and wherein the storage medium (18) comprises a database,
   which for a plurality of workpieces (30) comprises at least one specific control parameter, wherein the controller (16) is configured for controlling the drive (14) according to the at least one specific control parameter.
7. The press machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system (40) is configured for feature recognition of characteristic features of the press jaw assembly (20) and/or of a workpiece (30), in particular of characteristic geometric features of the press jaw assembly (20) and/or of the workpiece (30).
8. The press machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor system (40) is configured for recognizing a barcode on the workpiece (30), a QR code on the workpiece (30), an identifier in an RFID transponder on the workpiece (30), an identifier in an NFC transponder (32) on the workpiece (30), and/or an identifier in a Bluetooth module on the workpiece (30).
9. The press machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the press jaws (21 a, b) of the press jaw assembly (20) and preferably the press jaw assembly (20) is free of the sensor system (40).
10. The press machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the press jaw assembly (20) at least partially covers the sensor (42, 44) of the sensor system (40) when the press jaw assembly (20) is coupled to the press jaw receptacle (12), and wherein the sensor (42, 44) is at least partially uncovered when no press jaw assembly (20) is coupled to the press jaw receptacle (12).
11. The press machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a log memory, configured for storing sensor data and controller data.
12. A method of operating a press machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for plastically deforming a tubular workpiece (30), the method comprising:

    coupling a press jaw assembly (20) to the press jaw receptacle (12) of the press machine (10);

    identifying the press jaw assembly (20) by means of the sensor system (40) and preferably identifying the workpiece (30);

    gripping the workpiece (30) with the coupled press jaw assembly (20);

    controlling the press machine (10) according to the identified press jaw assembly (20) and preferably according to the identified workpiece (30) to apply a force by means of the press jaw assembly (20) to the surface of the gripped workpiece (30) to plastically deform the workpiece (30).
13. A press jaw assembly (20) for coupling to a press machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 comprising:

    a marking, configured for being identified by the sensor system (40) of the press machine (10), wherein

    the marking preferably comprises an RFID transponder (22) or an NFC transponder, which is preferably arranged in a recess (24) of the press jaw assembly (20), wherein the press jaw assembly (20) is further configured to at least partially cover the sensor of the sensor system when the press jaw assembly (20) is coupled to the press jaw receptacle (12) of the press machine (10).

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