WO2021116896A1

WO2021116896A1 - Modular clamping system

Info

Publication number: WO2021116896A1
Application number: PCT/IB2020/061621
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roman Kalocsay; Christian Kolvenbach
Original assignee: Innoclamp GmbH
Priority date: 2019-12-10
Filing date: 2020-12-08
Publication date: 2021-06-17
Also published as: DE102019133760B4; EP4072774A1; WO2021116896A9; DE102019133760A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a clamping system (1) for clamping workpieces, comprising a clamping platform (100) which can be arranged in a processing machine and which comprises a supply system for providing at least one supply medium; a first clamping unit (300) for a first workpiece with a first workpiece geometry; and a universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206), which can be actuated by the supply medium, for fixing a first workpiece on the first clamping unit and a second workpiece on a second clamping unit, said universal clamping element being connectable to the supply system, wherein the first clamping unit (300) comprises a first coupling interface (302, 304, 306) for securing the universal clamping element, and the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) is releasably secured to the first coupling interface (302, 304, 306), is designed to fix the first workpiece in a first clamping position, and preferably comprises a base on which the first coupling interface (302, 304, 306) is arranged.

Description

Modular clamping system

The invention relates to a clamping system for clamping workpieces, a processing machine and a method for clamping a workpiece.

Clamping systems are known in principle. A clamping system represents the link between the machine table of a processing machine and the workpiece to be processed. With the clamping system, the workpiece is held in a defined position, while the workpiece can be processed with the processing machine. In the series production of workpieces, it has been found that simple, mechanical and flexible clamping principles, for example by means of clamping claws or conventional mechanical clamping device modules, do not have the required efficiency, since the clamping and set-up effort is often high. In series and mass production, therefore, clamping systems specially adapted to a workpiece are usually provided.

Specially adapted clamping systems have various advantages: Usually, more powerful process parameters can be used, since the workpiece is quickly and safely brought into a predefined position and is better held by adapted clamping elements. The clamping process can also be easily automated. Such clamping systems, however, have the disadvantage that they are inflexible. As a rule, these can only be used for a workpiece with a defined workpiece geometry for a clamping position for which the clamping system was specially developed. In addition, these clamping systems are usually designed for a predefined machining task, so that no other machining task can be carried out with the corresponding clamping system. In addition, such clamping systems are associated with high costs for development and provision. In addition, the creation of such clamping systems is time-consuming. Companies often keep a large number of clamping systems ready for specific machining tasks for specific workpieces, which means that a lot of capital is often tied up in the special clamping systems. The storage costs for the usually high number of clamping systems in manufacturing companies are also high. When a workpiece is to be machined, the appropriate clamping system usually has to be brought from a warehouse to the machine tool and prepared. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a clamping system for clamping workpieces, a processing machine and a method for clamping a workpiece which reduce or eliminate one or more of the disadvantages mentioned. In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a solution that enables more efficient production. At least one object of the invention is to provide an alternative tensioning system. According to a first aspect, this object is achieved by a clamping system for clamping workpieces, comprising a clamping platform that can be arranged in a processing machine with a supply system for providing at least one supply medium, a first clamping unit for a first workpiece with a first workpiece geometry, and a universal clamping element that can be controlled with the supply medium for fixing a first workpiece on the first clamping unit and a second workpiece on a second clamping unit which can be coupled to the supply system, and wherein the first clamping unit comprises a first coupling interface for fastening the universal clamping element, wherein the universal clamping element is releasably fastened to the first coupling interface and is set up to fix the first workpiece in a first clamping position.

The invention is based on the knowledge that a clamping system comprises, on the one hand, simple, inexpensive components and, on the other hand, complex, cost-intensive components. In the state of the art, each individual clamping system comprises the simple and the complex components which are not separated from one another during normal operation. The inventors have found that a tensioning system described above avoids these disadvantages existing in the prior art. The clamping system cleverly enables the reuse of the complex components, namely the clamping platform and the universal clamping elements for a large number of workpieces. Only the simple, inexpensive components, namely the first clamping unit with the first coupling interface, are essentially provided individually for each workpiece.

In addition to the cost advantage, the reuse of the complex components also has the advantage of simpler automation, since the clamping platform and the universal clamping elements can usually remain in the processing machine. As a result, the latter in particular can be removed automatically from the first coupling interface and arranged following a coupling interface of a further tensioning unit.

In practice, the clamping system is used in such a way that when a machining task is changed, the universal clamping elements are decoupled from the first clamping unit. The universal clamping elements can, however, remain connected to the supply system and / or the clamping platform itself. Only the first clamping unit is separated from the clamping platform and taken out of the processing machine. A further, for example a second, tensioning unit can then be arranged on the tensioning platform. Only the universal clamping elements have to be attached to the coupling interfaces of this further clamping unit and the further workpiece can be fixed again with the universal clamping elements. In addition, there is the possibility that the second clamping unit outside the processing machine or the processing space of the processing machine with suitable further universal clamping elements are equipped with supply lines for coupling to the supply system, supply lines for the first universal clamping elements are detached from the clamping platform, the first clamping unit is removed from the processing machine or the processing room, the second clamping unit is arranged in the processing machine or the processing room and the supply lines for the others Universal clamping elements are coupled with the clamping platform. The supply lines can be connected by connecting hoses, or automatically together with the arrangement of the universal clamping element at a coupling point of the clamping unit, if the base plate is appropriately provided with an internal supply line system. In this case, the internal supply line system of the base plate is coupled at the same time when the clamping unit is arranged on the clamping platform via corresponding couplings.

Further processing can take place for a second workpiece or for the first workpiece in a different clamping position. In addition, the first clamping unit can also be reused, for example if it is set up to pick up a second workpiece or also to pick up the first workpiece in a different position. In all of these applications, however, the replacement of the costly components is avoided because they are reused. Furthermore, the clamping platform can also be arranged on an exchangeable pallet if the pallet has appropriate connections for the supply system.

Another advantage of the clamping system is that only the clamping unit has to be redesigned for a new workpiece. A further clamping unit can be designed in a short time. In particular, this time is many times less than the time for creating a clamping system known in the prior art. The clamping system costs for each new workpiece are thus reduced. In addition, the set-up times are shorter, since only part of the clamping system has to be replaced. Another advantage of the clamping system is that the set-up process can be easily automated.

The clamping platform has the supply system for providing at least one supply medium. As will be explained in more detail below, the supply medium can be, for example, a hydraulic fluid. The supply system is designed in particular in such a way that it provides the at least one supply medium to the universal clamping element of the first clamping unit. The clamping platform is designed in particular in such a way that it can be supplied with the at least one supply medium, for example through feed lines from the processing machine. The supply system can also be designed in a modular manner. It can be advantageous to connect a clutch battery provided with the required valve technology to the clamping platform, the clutch battery acting as a modular partial supply system. The universal clamping element is designed to be releasably attached to the first clamping unit. The universal clamping element preferably comprises means for coupling the universal clamping element to the first coupling interface. It is preferred that the universal clamping element has a recess corresponding to the first coupling interface on a side facing the first clamping unit. The recess preferably has a U-shaped and / or V-shaped cross section. First guide grooves, which correspond to second guide grooves or projections of the coupling interface, can be formed inside the recess. It is particularly preferred that a form-fitting connection is formed between the universal clamping element and the first coupling interface in at least one first direction. In particular, it is preferred that the first direction is oriented orthogonally to the flat extension of the first clamping unit and / or the first base plate.

It is preferred that the universal clamping element has at least two bolt elements and the first coupling interface has two corresponding recesses, the bolt elements and / or the recesses preferably being conical to form a fit, and further preferably the first clamping unit means for coupling the universal clamping element to the first Has coupling interface.

It is further preferred that the universal clamping element can be pushed onto the first coupling interface in one coupling direction. The coupling direction is preferably aligned parallel to a flat extension of the first clamping unit and / or the first base plate. The universal clamping element is preferably fastened to the first coupling interface with the supply medium, so that a mechanical connection is formed. In particular, this can be done by means of hydraulically or pneumatically controlled clamping pots and / or clamping rings and / or clamping bolts on the universal clamping element.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the universal clamping element and / or the first coupling interface has or have a toggle lever and / or eccentric unit which is set up to secure the universal clamping element to the first coupling interface in a process-reliable manner. In addition, the universal clamping element can be fastened by means of screws, using, for example, T-slots or holes. In addition, the universal clamping element can be attached by means of a locking bolt unit.

In addition, the universal clamping element and / or the first coupling interface can be designed to form a vacuum and / or magnetic connection. The activation of the universal clamping element with the supply medium means in particular that the supply medium brings about and / or removes a clamping effect of the universal clamping element for fixing the first workpiece. It is also preferred that the clamping system has two or more universal clamping elements. The first clamping unit is preferably set up to position the first workpiece with the first workpiece geometry. The positioning of a workpiece usually includes the geometrically determined positioning on the first clamping unit. Positioning can also be done using a defined clamping sequence of two or more universal clamping elements. Furthermore, the positioning can be done by linearly displaceable positioning elements. Positioning, on the other hand, does not essentially include fixing; this is done with the universal clamping element. The first clamping unit is preferably set up so that the first workpiece can be positioned on it outside of the processing machine. For this purpose, the first clamping unit can also have positioning force elements which hold the first workpiece in the first clamping position with a positioning force. In order to enable setup parallel to production, it is preferred that the clamping platform is arranged on a pallet and the workpiece can be clamped outside of a machine. There are various options for providing the supply medium. The pallet is taken out of the machine with the clamping platform and placed on a specially designed filling station that has a media supply similar to that of the processing machine. A filling nozzle located at a filling station approaches a coupling provided for this purpose on the clamping platform and supplies it with the required supply medium. This can take place both inside and outside the processing machine. The media supply is implemented manually or automatically via hoses, cables, coupling points or the like through simple coupling connections with the correspondingly required supply media. The couplings in or next to the zero point connections are in principle suitable for maintaining the pressure when the pallet is uncoupled. It is advantageous to integrate a pressure accumulator and / or check valve technology in the hydraulic system of the plate.

The first tensioning unit further comprises the first coupling interface. The coupling interface is set up to fasten the universal clamping element. The universal clamping element can be releasably attached to the first coupling interface. Furthermore, in its position defined by the first coupling interface, the universal clamping element is set up in such a way as to fix the first workpiece in the first clamping position. The positioning step is preferably carried out by the first clamping unit and the fixing is carried out by the universal clamping element. It is also conceivable that the universal clamping element positions the workpiece. The coupling interface preferably has lines for leading the supply medium through. This is particularly preferred when the supply medium is through the first clamping unit and / or the first base plate is passed through. The first coupling interface can also comprise a spacer, so that a coupling area between the first coupling interface and the universal clamping element is spaced apart from the surface of the first base plate. With the spacer, it can be implemented in a modular way that the universal clamping elements clamp the workpiece at different heights, if this is required by the geometry of the workpiece, without the universal clamping elements having to be specifically adapted.

In a preferred development of the clamping system it is provided that the first clamping unit comprises a first base plate on which the first coupling interface is arranged. The first base plate can be designed as a continuous plate. Alternatively, the first base plate can also be designed as a grid. In addition, the base plate can be cube-shaped, pyramidal, tower-like or with another suitable geometry. In particular, the first base plate is designed to arrange the first coupling interface on it. As explained below, the first base plate can also have grooves or holes.

A preferred embodiment variant of the clamping system is characterized in that the first clamping unit is set up for detachable attachment to the clamping platform. In this preferred embodiment variant, the clamping platform and the first clamping unit are two separate units. The clamping platform is preferably designed in such a way that the first clamping unit can be releasably attached to it. For this purpose, the clamping platform preferably has a horizontal support surface. Furthermore, the clamping platform preferably has means for fastening the clamping unit. The first clamping unit is arranged and designed to be releasably attached to the clamping platform. For example, the clamping platform zero-point clamping pots and the clamping unit can have clamping bolts corresponding to these clamping pots, so that the first clamping unit is fastened with the clamping bolts within the clamping pots of the clamping platform.

Another preferred embodiment variant of the clamping system is characterized in that the first clamping unit is formed integrally with the clamping platform. In this exemplary embodiment, the first tensioning unit and the tensioning platform are essentially a single unit, which preferably cannot be separated from one another in a non-destructive manner. Integral can also mean that the first clamping unit and the clamping platform are designed to be essentially inseparable when the clamping system is in operation.

In a preferred development of the clamping system it is provided that it comprises a second clamping unit for a second workpiece with a second workpiece geometry, the second clamping unit being set up for detachable attachment to the clamping platform, comprising a second coupling interface for attaching the universal clamping element, wherein the Universal clamping element is releasably attached to the second coupling interface and is set up to fix the second workpiece in a second clamping position, wherein the second coupling interface is preferably arranged on a second base plate.

A modular clamping system is formed by the second clamping unit for a second workpiece with a second workpiece geometry. As an alternative or in addition, the second clamping unit can also be designed for the first workpiece in a second clamping position. The second clamping unit is set up in such a way that the universal clamping element can be arranged on it and with it the second workpiece can be fixed in the second clamping position. The clamping system thus comprises the fixed components, namely the clamping platform and the universal clamping element, and the exchangeable components, namely the first clamping unit and the second clamping unit. This advantageously creates a modularization which, compared to the prior art, enables rapid conversion, generates lower clamping system costs and, moreover, can advantageously be automated.

Another preferred development of the clamping system is characterized in that the supply system is or comprises a hydraulic supply system and the supply medium is a hydraulic fluid, and in particular the universal clamping element can be controlled with the hydraulic fluid.

A hydraulic supply system and a supply medium designed as hydraulic fluid have the advantage that a hydraulic supply is available in a large number of commercially available processing machines. Existing connections of processing machines can thus be used to supply the clamping system and no additional installations are required in the processing machine. In addition, hydraulic fluid offers advantageous properties when controlling universal clamping elements, for example, due to the almost incompressibility of the hydraulic fluid, the high clamping forces necessary for efficient machining can be generated and transmitted. In the case of hydraulics, for example, in comparison to electrical systems, no complex mechanical converter, in particular a gear, is required in order to generate the necessary forces from the low electromagnetic forces over significant distances. The universal clamping elements are thus more compact and robust, which is advantageous in the modular, reusable solution, where limited space is the rule.

Furthermore, feedback of the hydraulic fluid from the clamping point can advantageously be used for process analysis and monitoring. The hydraulic fluid is preferably in liquid form at room temperature. It is particularly preferred that the hydraulic fluid is oil.

Furthermore, it can be preferred that the supply system is or comprises a pneumatic supply system and the supply medium is a pneumatic fluid, and in particular the universal clamping element can be controlled with the pneumatic fluid. A A pneumatic supply system and a supply medium designed as a pneumatic fluid also have the advantage that many existing processing machines already have pneumatic supplies. In addition, a pneumatic fluid can be advantageous for certain clamping tasks, especially when low clamping forces are required. The pneumatic fluid can be air, for example.

The pneumatic fluid has the advantage that it can also be used for other functions, for example for removing chips or for cleaning, in particular positioning elements. Furthermore, the pneumatic fluid can be used to query the position of workpieces and / or to check the tension of zero point clamping pots. In addition, the pneumatic fluid can advantageously be used as sealing air in order, for example, to ensure that workpieces rest securely against stops. This is particularly preferred for machining tasks in which comparatively small chips occur, for example when machining certain nickel-based alloys.

Another preferred development of the clamping system is characterized in that the supply system is or includes an electrical supply system and that

The supply medium is electrical current and / or electrical signals, and in particular the universal clamping element can be controlled with the electrical current and / or the electrical signals and / or is supplied with information-carrying data and / or provides the information-carrying data. Electrical supply systems and supply media designed as electrical current and / or supply media designed as electrical signals can also be used advantageously. The universal clamping element can be operated electrically, for example. In addition, information can be passed on and / or received by means of the electrical signals. It is particularly preferred that the supply system is a combination of a hydraulic supply system, a pneumatic supply system and / or an electrical supply system. In particular, it is preferred that the

Supply system comprises the electrical supply system in addition to the pneumatic or hydraulic supply system, so that in addition to supplying the universal clamping element with a supply medium for generating clamping forces, additional information, in particular data-based information, preferably in the form of electrical signals, can be received and / or used.

In a further preferred development of the clamping system, it is provided that the first clamping unit comprises a first positioning element, in particular a first stop and / or a first guide, for positioning the first workpiece in the first clamping position, and the first positioning element is preferably arranged on the first base plate and / or the second tensioning unit is a second positioning element, in particular a second stop and / or a second guide for positioning the second workpiece in the second clamping position, and preferably the second positioning element is arranged on the second base plate.

With the first positioning element, the first workpiece can be positioned, in particular prepositioned, in the first clamping position. This has the advantage that the first workpiece can be advantageously positioned on the first clamping unit, for example, independently of the clamping platform and / or the processing machine. That is, a processor or an automated solution can position the first workpiece on the first clamping unit by means of the first positioning element. It is particularly preferred that two or more first positioning elements are encompassed by the first tensioning unit. In particular, it is preferred that the first positioning elements are arranged and designed in such a way that the first workpiece is positioned in a geometrically determined manner in the first clamping position. The first clamping unit furthermore preferably comprises a first holding element that holds the first workpiece in the first clamping position after positioning in the first clamping position. This can be, for example, a spring or a spring-loaded ball.

In an analogous manner, the second clamping unit preferably has the second positioning element for positioning the second workpiece in the second clamping position. The second tensioning unit also preferably comprises two or more second positioning elements and furthermore preferably a second holding element.

Furthermore, the first clamping unit can also have a second positioning element and / or further positioning elements, in particular a plurality of positioning elements, in order to position the first workpiece and / or the second workpiece in a clamping position different from the first clamping position and / or from the second clamping position. Due to the possibility according to the invention of reconfiguring the first clamping unit with little effort in such a way that the universal clamping elements are moved to a second position for a second clamping position, a single first clamping unit can already be used for a larger processing spectrum than special devices compared to the prior art usually allow.

In a further preferred embodiment of the clamping system, it is provided that the first clamping unit has several first positioning elements which are arranged and designed to position the first workpiece in a statically determined manner, in particular by means of a first six-point nest, and preferably a first spring element for positioning and / or holding of the first workpiece in the first clamping position, and / or the second clamping unit has a plurality of second positioning elements which are arranged and designed to position the second workpiece in a statically determined manner, in particular by a second Six-point nest, and preferably comprises a second spring element for positioning and / or holding the second workpiece in the second clamping position.

A six-point nest is characterized by positioning a workpiece at three points in a first direction, positioning at two points in a second direction and positioning at one point in a third direction, the first, second and third directions each being orthogonal to one another are. As a result of such a positioning, the first workpiece is generally statically determined, since in this way its three translational and three rotational geometric degrees of freedom are withdrawn from the first workpiece in an unambiguous manner. The first spring element acts on the first workpiece in such a way that it holds the first workpiece in the first clamping position. Such a design supports the possibility of external positioning of the workpiece on the first clamping unit.

In an analogous manner, the second tensioning unit can have a plurality of second positioning elements, which are also arranged as a six-point nest. The other features and the advantages mentioned above for the first six-point nest on the first clamping unit apply in an analogous manner.

In a further preferred embodiment of the clamping system it is provided that the clamping platform, in particular the supply system, has at least one coupling, the coupling being connectable to the universal clamping element by means of at least one line element for transferring the supply medium, and preferably the at least one line element is a hydraulic hose Pneumatic hose and / or an electrical line is or includes.

It is particularly preferred that the coupling is permanently and preferably releasably connected to the universal clamping element by means of the at least one line element. The universal clamping element can thus be dismantled from the first and second clamping units, although the connection to the coupling remains. It is particularly preferred that the coupling has two connections and the universal clamping element likewise has two connections, and one connection in each case is connected to a line element, so that a total of two line elements are provided. In this way, double-acting hydraulic universal clamping elements can also advantageously be used, which have a more compact design and a longer service life than single-acting hydraulic universal clamping elements which are based on a spring return. In this preferred embodiment variant, it is therefore also preferred that the universal clamping elements are designed to be double-acting, in particular hydraulically double-acting. In a further preferred embodiment of the clamping system it is provided that the clamping platform has a supply interface for connection to a corresponding one Receiving interface of the first tensioning unit and / or the second tensioning unit, the connection being formed by properly fastening the first tensioning unit and / or the second tensioning unit to the tensioning platform, and the first tensioning unit and / or the second tensioning unit each have a line system coupled to the receiving interface wherein the line system is arranged and designed to supply the universal clamping element with the supply medium when it is attached to the first coupling interface or to the second coupling interface, so that the universal clamping element can be controlled with the supply medium.

This variant is an addition or an alternative to the variant with a line element described above. In this embodiment variant, the supply medium is brought through the clamping platform and the first clamping unit to the universal clamping element, for which purpose no external line elements are preferably required. The clamping platform has a supply interface for this purpose. The first tensioning unit and / or the second tensioning unit has or have a receiving interface that corresponds to the supply interface. This means in particular that the supply medium present at the supply interface can be conducted to the first tensioning unit or the second tensioning unit by means of the receiving interface. In a preferred development, the first tensioning unit has a first receiving interface and the second tensioning unit has a second receiving interface. A connection between the supply interface and the receiving interface is established by properly fastening the first clamping unit or the second clamping unit to the clamping platform. It is particularly preferred that the first tensioning unit or the second tensioning unit is placed on the tensioning platform and thus the connection between the supply interface and the receiving interface is established. The first clamping unit and the second clamping unit each have a with the

Receiving interface coupled line system. The line system preferably comprises lines which are arranged in particular in the interior of the first tensioning unit or the second tensioning unit and lead from the receiving interface to the first or second coupling interface. The coupling interface preferably has means for transferring the supply medium to the universal clamping element, which are preferably designed as lines. The universal clamping element can be supplied with the supply medium through this line system. This takes place in particular in that the supply medium is conducted to the first coupling interface of the first clamping unit or to the second coupling interface of the second clamping unit by means of the line system. The clamping platform also preferably has a machine interface for the

Supply medium on. The supply medium is fed to the clamping platform at the machine interface. In a further preferred embodiment of the clamping system it is provided that it comprises a valve unit with one connection, preferably at least two connections, for the individual control of two or more universal clamping elements for setting individual time and / or pressure curves of the supply medium. The valve unit can also be designed as a unit with the coupling mentioned above and / or be coupled to the line system. It is particularly preferred that the valve unit has at least two connections. Two universal clamping elements can be controlled individually using two connections. Thus, in particular, time and / or pressure curves of the supply medium can be implemented. In addition, special machining strategies can be mapped. For example, no machining can take place at a clamping point of the universal clamping element when it is fixed by means of the universal clamping element. For the moment of machining at this point, the universal clamping element can, for example, open for a moment, so that a machining tool, for example a milling cutter, can be used here. In a further preferred embodiment, it is provided that the clamping platform, the first clamping unit and / or the second clamping unit, preferably each, has or have a touchable reference zero point element that can be used as a zero point reference for a machining process, preferably the first clamping unit and / or the second clamping unit can be arranged on the clamping platform with a positional accuracy of less than 15 pm, in particular less than 10 pm.

In the case of low accuracy requirements when machining the first workpiece or the second workpiece, the known position of the first clamping unit or the second clamping unit relative to the clamping platform and thus relative to the machining tool ensures sufficient accuracy of the workpiece positioning relative to a machining tool to be used. If the machining accuracy requirements are high, it is also necessary that a zero point is touched by the machine tool. On the basis of the exact position of the reference zero point element, conclusions can be drawn about the exact position of the workpiece in the machining area of the processing machine.

In a further preferred embodiment of the clamping system it is provided that the clamping platform, the first clamping unit and / or the second clamping unit can be releasably fastened to one another by means of a non-positive and / or positive connection interface, in particular a zero point clamping system, preferably the clamping platform at least one first connection unit of the Has connection interface, in particular a clamping pot and / or a clamping ring, and / or preferably the first clamping unit and / or the second clamping unit each on a side not to be used for the machining to the first connection unit has or have corresponding, second connection unit of the connection interface, in particular a clamping bolt.

By means of a non-positive and / or positive connection interface between the clamping platform and the clamping units to be arranged on the clamping platform, a defined and rapid positioning of the clamping units relative to the clamping platform can be ensured. In particular, the position of the workpiece positioned on the clamping unit can be determined relative to the clamping platform and thus relative to the processing machine. In particular, the use of a zero point clamping system can avoid or reduce time-consuming measuring processes. It is preferred that the clamping platform has a clamping pot, preferably two or more, in particular four, clamping pots and the clamping units have clamping bolts that correspond to the clamping pot. In particular, it is preferred that the clamping platform has four clamping pots and the clamping units each have four clamping bolts. Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the clamping units to have the clamping pots and the clamping platform to have the clamping bolts. However, since the clamping bolts are generally inexpensive and the clamping pots are more expensive, it makes sense to provide the cost-intensive clamping pots in the clamping platform, which is only to be made available once.

Another preferred development of the clamping system is characterized in that it comprises a control unit, in particular a programmable logic controller, which is set up to control a media supply of the universal clamping element with the supply medium, in particular such that in one or more predetermined or determined by the control unit Points in time a predetermined clamping pressure can be set, wherein the clamping pressure can also preferably be set in a time-variable manner, and / or a clamping sequence can be set in the case of two or more universal clamping elements. Providing clamping systems with control units is usually not an economical solution, since the control unit would have to be provided separately and therefore multiple times for each individual clamping system, that is to say at least for each individual workpiece. As a result of the clamping system described above with a clamping platform that can be used for a large number of workpieces, the use of a control unit can advantageously be used in that the control unit is also used for a large number of workpieces.

The control unit can also be used to control complex valve controls and sensors and as an interface for connecting additional sensors. The control unit can also be used for process monitoring. In addition, it can be advantageous for information to be exchanged with the control unit of the clamping system via a wireless communication. For example, such communication with the clamping system can be via mobile devices, in particular smartphones, respectively. In this way, for example, sensors of the clamping system, as will be explained in more detail below, can be read out.

In addition, special pressures can be set. There is also the option of mapping service and maintenance functions on the software side. Applications, in particular mobile applications, can advantageously also be provided for process monitoring with such a control unit. For example, tool wear can also be analyzed by means of such evaluations, since the clamping system must be precisely evaluated via the supply medium.

Another preferred development of the clamping system provides that the control unit is set up to evaluate properties of the supply medium, in particular in the form of sensor data, by means of control and / or regulation algorithms and preferably to provide the evaluated sensor data for process monitoring and / or process control. For example, natural frequencies can be evaluated during the machining of a workpiece by means of a pressure sensor and / or other sensors described below.

Another preferred embodiment variant of the clamping system comprises at least one clamping pressure sensor which is set up to determine a clamping pressure of the universal clamping element, the clamping platform, in particular the supply system, preferably having the clamping pressure sensor. The clamping pressure sensor is also preferably arranged in the coupling. In addition, the clamping pressure sensor can also be connected to interfaces for the

Be arranged supply medium.

In addition, the clamping system can comprise at least one force sensor and / or at least one vibration sensor, wherein the first clamping unit and / or the second clamping unit preferably has the at least one force sensor and / or the at least one vibration sensor, wherein the universal clamping element also preferably has the

Has a force sensor and / or the at least one vibration sensor. Furthermore, it is preferred that the clamping pressure sensor, the force sensor and / or the vibration sensor is or are coupled to the control unit for signaling purposes.

Furthermore, an acceleration sensor can be arranged in and / or on the clamping platform. The dynamic status of the machining process can be recorded with the acceleration sensor. For example, the acceleration sensor can be used to evaluate chatter vibrations, instabilities and / or other disturbance variables so that, for example, a tool to be changed can be identified. In addition, the universal clamping element can also have an acceleration sensor, in particular a piezoelectric acceleration sensor, or a strain gauge. In the prior art, process monitoring in a machining process, for example a milling process, is carried out via the acquisition of a large number of data. A large amount of this data is recorded on the spindle, in particular a milling spindle, for example. The acquisition of data on the clamping system is advantageous, however. The spindle exhibits a large number of disturbance variables, for example those that are emitted by the spindle drive.

The clamping system, on the other hand, is essentially a static system without any significant disturbance variables. Furthermore, the clamping system is in direct contact with the measuring point to be measured, namely the workpiece. For example, the quality of the machining process can be inferred from vibrations in the clamping system. In addition, specific noises can be detected on the clamping system, for example, which suggest a broken milling tooth. In particular, by providing the data that characterize a clamping pressure, a clamping force and / or a vibration, process monitoring can advantageously take place.

In a further preferred embodiment it is provided that the control unit has a communication interface, the communication interface being set up to receive and / or send data that include a clamping pressure, a clamping sequence, a sensor value of the clamping pressure sensor, a sensor value of the force sensor, and / or represent a sensor value of the vibration sensor. The communication interface can be wired and / or wireless. A wireless communication interface can be, for example, a W-LAN, a Bluetooth or an NFC interface.

In addition, in a preferred embodiment of the clamping system it can be provided that the first clamping unit and / or the second clamping unit, in particular the first base plate and / or the second base plate, has or have a fastening grid, the fastening grid being a substantially flexible fastening of the Coupling interface, the first positioning element and / or the second positioning element enabled, wherein the fastening grid is preferably formed by T-slots and / or by a hole arrangement.

According to a further aspect, the object mentioned at the beginning is achieved by a processing machine comprising a clamping system according to one of the embodiment variants described above. The processing machine can be a processing machine for carrying out one, two or more manufacturing processes. In principle, it can be used for any manufacturing process, in particular also for additive manufacturing processes. According to a further aspect, the above-mentioned object is achieved by a method for clamping a workpiece, comprising the steps of: arranging a first clamping unit on a Clamping platform with a supply system for providing at least one supply medium, detachable fastening of a universal clamping element to a first coupling interface of the first clamping unit and coupling of the universal clamping element to the supply system, positioning of a first workpiece in a first clamping position on the first clamping unit, in particular on a first base plate, and fixing of the first workpiece in the first clamping position with the universal clamping element, in particular by controlling the universal clamping element with the supply medium.

A preferred variant of the method comprises the steps: releasing the universal clamping element from the first clamping unit, releasing the first clamping unit from and arranging the second clamping unit on the clamping platform, releasably fastening the universal clamping element to a second coupling interface of the second clamping unit and coupling the universal clamping element to the supply system, Positioning a second workpiece in a second clamping position on a second clamping unit, in particular on a second base plate, and fixing the second workpiece in the second clamping position with the universal clamping element, in particular by controlling the universal clamping element with the supply medium.

The method steps of the method described above are, as far as technically possible and sensible, to be carried out in any order. In a preferred embodiment variant of the method, it is provided that the method steps are carried out in the order described.

The method and its possible further developments have features or method steps that make them particularly suitable for being used for a clamping system and its further developments. For further advantages, design variants and design details of the further aspects and their possible further developments, reference is also made to the description given above for the corresponding features and further developments of the clamping system.

Preferred exemplary embodiments are explained by way of example with the aid of the accompanying figures. Show it:

FIG. 1: a schematic, three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamping system within a processing machine with a workpiece;

FIG. 2: a schematic, three-dimensional detailed view of the clamping system shown in FIG. 1 without a workpiece and without universal clamping elements;

FIG. 3: a further schematic, three-dimensional detailed view of the clamping system shown in FIG. 1 without a workpiece, without universal clamping elements and without a clamping unit; FIG. 4: a schematic, three-dimensional view of the clamping system shown in FIG. 1 with a second clamping unit;

FIG. 5: a schematic, three-dimensional detailed view of the clamping system shown in FIG. 4 without a workpiece and without universal clamping elements; FIG. 6: a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further embodiment variant of the second tensioning unit;

FIG. 7: a further schematic, three-dimensional view of the second tensioning unit shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8: a further schematic, three-dimensional view of an exemplary embodiment of a clamping system;

FIG. 9: an exploded drawing of the clamping system shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10: schematic, three-dimensional views of exemplary embodiments of universal clamping elements;

FIG. 11: a schematic representation of an exemplary method for clamping workpieces; and

FIG. 12: a schematic, exemplary embodiment of the method shown in FIG.

Identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are denoted by the same reference symbols in the figures. The clamping system 1 arranged in a processing machine 2 comprises a clamping platform 100, universal clamping elements 200, 202, 204 and a first clamping unit 300. The clamping platform 100 comprises a supply system 102 for providing at least one supply medium, for example hydraulic oil, in order to use the supply medium to the universal clamping elements 200, 202 To control 204 so that they develop a clamping effect or a clamping effect and clamp the workpiece 500. The supply system 102 is only partially shown and can comprise a multiplicity of lines, interfaces, connections, couplings and / or valves. The supply system 102 comprises a first coupling 104, a second coupling 106 and a third coupling 108. The couplings 104, 106, 108 comprise connections 110. Lines 112, 114 can be connected to the connections 110. The lines 112, 114 connect the couplings 104, 106 to the universal clamping elements 200, 202, 204. A supply medium located in the supply system 102 can thus reach the universal clamping elements 200, 202, 204. FIG. 2 shows a schematic, three-dimensional detailed view of the clamping system shown in FIG. 1 without a workpiece and without universal clamping elements. The first universal clamping element 200 is fastened to a first coupling interface 302 of the first clamping unit 300. In an analogous manner, the second universal clamping element 202 is on the first clamping unit 300 by means of the first coupling interface 304 and the third

Universal clamping element 204 is coupled to first clamping unit 300 by means of first coupling interface 306.

The first clamping unit 300 comprises a first base plate 301. The first base plate 301 comprises the aforementioned first coupling interfaces 302, 304, 306. In addition, a plurality of first positioning elements 310 are combined on the first base plate 301 to form a first six-point nest 308.

In FIG. 3, the clamping platform 100 is shown without a clamping unit. The clamping platform 100 has the first connection unit 120. The first connection unit 120 is part of a connection interface with which the clamping platform 100 and the first clamping unit 300 and / or the second clamping unit 340, which will be explained in more detail below, are releasably fastened to one another in a non-positive and / or form-fitting manner.

The first connection unit 120 comprises the four clamping pots 122-128. The structure of the clamping pots 122-128 is explained below using the clamping pot 122 as an example. The clamping pot 122 has two supply interfaces 130, 132. The supply interfaces 130, 132 are designed in such a way that they can be coupled to a receiving interface of the clamping unit 300, 340, which will be explained in more detail below, so that the supply medium can be fed via the supply interface 130, 132 to the clamping unit 300, 340 and, starting from this, to the Universal clamping elements 200-204 can reach. In addition, the connection unit 120 has a pressure sensor 134 with which a pressure in the supply medium can be determined. Furthermore, one, two or more of the clutches 104, 106, 108 can also have one or more pressure sensors 134.

The clamping system 1 comprises components that are used independently of the workpiece. These workpiece-independent components include the clamping platform 100 and the universal clamping elements 200-204. In addition, the clamping system includes workpiece-specific components, in this case the clamping unit 300 with the same workpiece geometry and then explained in more detail for changing a workpiece with a different, second workpiece geometry. The workpiece 500 is arranged and machined as shown in FIG. After the machining of the workpiece 500 has been completed, the universal clamping elements 200, 202, 204 are depressurized so that they essentially no longer fix the workpiece 500, that is to say open and the workpiece 500 is no longer clamped. The workpiece 500 can then be removed and another workpiece with the same workpiece geometry can be inserted. The further workpiece differs from workpiece 500 at this point in time in that it has not yet been processed and thus has a different shape. For the sake of simplification, however, the same workpiece geometry is assigned to both workpieces, which can be, for example, an input geometry before machining or an output geometry after machining. The further workpiece can be clamped after it has been inserted by applying pressure to the universal clamping elements 200, 202, 204. The other workpiece can then be machined. When changing from one workpiece geometry to another workpiece geometry, the workpiece is also machined first. Subsequently, the universal clamping elements 200-204 are switched to zero pressure, the supply of the universal clamping element is decoupled from the supply system of the clamping platform and the universal clamping elements 200-204 are removed from the coupling interfaces 302-306 if necessary. The clamping unit 300 can then be released from the clamping platform 100. A further tensioning unit, for example the second tensioning unit 340 explained in greater detail below, is then arranged on the tensioning platform 100. The universal clamping elements 200-204 are again arranged at coupling interfaces of the further clamping unit, for example the second coupling interfaces 342-346 explained in more detail below. A further workpiece with a further geometry can then be positioned on the further clamping unit. The universal clamping elements 200-204 are then controlled again with the supply medium and the workpiece is fixed in its clamping position by means of the universal clamping elements 200-204. After fixing the workpiece, the workpiece can be processed. It can be seen that the cost-intensive components of the clamping system 1 remain the same when a workpiece or workpiece geometry is changed or a workpiece is arranged. This applies in particular to the clamping platform 100 with the supply medium and the universal clamping elements 200-204. Only the clamping unit 300 with the first coupling interfaces 302-306 and the first six-point nest 308, consisting of first positioning elements 310, are exchanged. The first clamping unit 300 with the corresponding further components is, however, an inexpensive component group.

Furthermore, the clamping platform 100 comprises a control unit 400. The control unit 400 is designed, in particular, as a programmable logic controller. The control unit 400 is set up to control a media supply of the universal clamping elements 200-204 with the supply medium. In particular, the control unit 400 can be set up in such a way that in one or more predetermined or determined by the control unit 400 Points in time, a predetermined clamping pressure can be set, wherein the clamping pressure can also preferably be set in a time-variable manner.

The clamping pressure is to be understood in particular as the pressure of the supply medium applied to the universal clamping elements 200-204, in particular a hydraulic pressure. A clamping pressure is selected in such a way that a required clamping force is applied to the workpiece to be clamped, which, depending on the type, can be calculated from the hydraulic pressure or queried via a sensor.

For example, the control unit 400 can control the clamping pressure in such a way that the first universal clamping element 200 has a first clamping pressure and the second universal clamping element 202 has a second clamping pressure, wherein the first clamping pressure or the second clamping pressure can be different.

In addition, the control unit 400 can control the first clamping pressure and the second clamping pressure in a time-variable manner, in particular change them over time. The clamping pressure can thus be adapted to a specific machining situation, for example with a milling tool. At the moment when a high clamping pressure is required, this can be set high. At a machining point in time when a low clamping pressure is required, this can be set low. In addition, a universal clamping element can also be switched passively, for example if machining is required at the clamping point of the first universal clamping element 200 which would be covered without a passively switched universal clamping element. This reduces reclamping operations.

In an alternative embodiment variant of the clamping system 1, the clamping platform 100 and the first clamping unit 300 can also be designed integrally. For this purpose, instead of the clamping pots 122-128, the plate of the clamping platform shown in FIG. 3 can have means for arranging the coupling interfaces 302-306, such as a T-grid, for example. The modularity of the clamping system 1 becomes clear when observing FIGS. 4-5. It can be seen that a second workpiece 502 is inserted here for machining. Since the second workpiece 502 has a different workpiece geometry than the first workpiece 500, it cannot be positioned and fixed as intended in the first six-point nest 308 of the first clamping unit due to the different workpiece geometries. The second clamping unit 340 shown in FIG. 4 is provided for positioning the second workpiece 502. The second tensioning unit 340 has the second coupling interfaces 342 - 346 shown in FIG. In addition, the second clamping unit has a second six-point nest 348, consisting of second positioning elements 350. The second coupling interfaces 342 - 346 and the second six-point nest 348 are arranged on a second base plate 341 of the second tensioning unit 340. The second coupling interfaces 342 - 346 and the second positioning elements 350 are arranged on the second base plate 341 individually for each workpiece. The actual clamping process for the workpiece 502 by means of the universal clamping elements 200-204, however, takes place in a manner analogous to the clamping of the first workpiece 500. The universal clamping elements 200-204 can thus be used independently of the workpiece.

In Figures 6 and 7, the underside of a further embodiment of the second tensioning unit 340 'is shown. The first tensioning unit 300 can have an essentially identical structure or an essentially identical construction on the underside. The second connection unit 352 of the connection interface mentioned above is arranged on the underside of the second tensioning unit 340 '. The second connection unit 352 comprises the clamping bolts 354-360. The clamping bolts 354-360 are designed to correspond to the clamping pots 122-128. The clamping bolts 354-360 can thus be arranged in the openings of the clamping pots 122-128 and fixed there.

In addition, receiving interfaces are arranged on the underside of the second base plate 341 of the second tensioning unit 340. The receiving interfaces 362, 364 are identified as examples for the further receiving interfaces. The receiving interfaces 362, 364 are designed to correspond to the supply interfaces 130, 132. A supply medium can thus reach the receiving interface 362, 364 from the clamping platform 100 via the supply interfaces 130, 132. The line system 366 is shown in particular in FIG. The line system comprises lines within the second base plate 341. By means of these services, a supply medium can pass from the receiving interfaces 362, 364 to the second coupling interfaces 342-346 and from there to the universal clamping elements 200-204. The universal clamping elements 200-204 can thus be controlled by means of the supply medium.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, a third tensioning unit 380 with a third base plate 381 is shown. The third base plate 381 has third coupling interfaces 382-388. Furthermore, the third clamping unit 380 has a third six-point nest 390 on the third base plate 381, which consists of third positioning elements 392. In addition, the third base plate 381 has a reference zero point element 398 with which a zero point can be probed. The

Baseplate 381 also includes a fastening grid 394 with T-slots 396. By means of this fastening grid 394, the coupling interfaces 382-388 can be arranged in almost any manner. The third base plate 388 can thus be used individually.

In Figure 10, further possible design variants of universal clamping elements 208-218 are shown. The universal clamping elements 208-218 can, for example, with regard to their

Differentiate between functionality, size and connections. FIG. 11 shows a schematic method for clamping workpieces. In step 600, a first workpiece 500 is inserted and positioned in a first clamping position on a first clamping unit 300, in particular on the first base plate 301. In step 602, the first workpiece 500 is in the first clamping position with the universal clamping element already attached to the first clamping unit 300 200-204 fixed, in particular by controlling the

Universal clamping element 200 - 204 with the supply medium. The workpiece 500 fixed and thus clamped in this way can then be machined in step 604, for example with a milling tool. After machining, the workpiece is relaxed in step 606 and the workpiece can be removed. Then either the same workpiece can be machined and clamped using the steps mentioned above, or the clamping system can be converted for a different workpiece. The conversion can be carried out by exchanging the first clamping unit 300 or by repositioning the universal clamping elements 200-204.

A method for equipping the clamping system 1 for the clamping process described above is shown in FIG. In step 700, the first clamping unit 300 is arranged on the clamping platform 100. In step 702, the universal clamping elements 200-204 are attached to the

Coupling interfaces 302-306 of the first tensioning unit 300 are attached and connected to the supply system 102. A workpiece can then be clamped, machined and removed again with steps 600-606.

Then, in step 800, the universal clamping elements 200-204 can be removed from the coupling interfaces 302-306 of the first clamping unit 300. In step 802, the first clamping unit 300 is released from the clamping platform 100 and removed.

Subsequently, steps 700 and 702 can be carried out with a second tensioning unit 340, 340 ', in which the second tensioning unit 340, 340' is arranged on the tensioning platform 100 and the universal tensioning elements 200-204 on second coupling interfaces 342-346 of the second tensioning unit 340 , 340 '. A second workpiece can then be clamped, machined and removed according to steps 600-606.

The method steps described above can in principle be carried out in any order. The sequence described is a preferred variant. REFERENCE LIST

1 clamping system

2 processing machine

100 clamping platform 102 supply system

104 first clutch

106 second clutch

108 third clutch

110 connections 112, 114 lines 120 first connection unit

122, 124, 126, 128 clamping pots

130, 132 supply interface

134 pressure sensor 200 first universal clamping element

202 second universal clamping element

204 third universal clamping element

206 fourth universal clamping element

208-218 further universal clamping elements 300 first clamping unit

301 first base plate

302 first coupling interface

304 first coupling interface 306 first coupling interface

308 first six-point nest

310 first positioning elements

312 Reference zero point element 340 second clamping unit

341 second base plate

342 second coupling interface

344 second coupling interface

346 second coupling interface 348 second six-point nest

350 second positioning elements

352 second connection unit

354, 356, 358, 360 clamping bolts 362, 364 receiving interface 366 line system

380 third clamping unit

381 third base plate

382 third coupling interface

384 third coupling interface 386 third coupling interface

388 third coupling interface

390 second six-point nest

392 second positioning elements 394 mounting grid

396 T-slot

398 Reference zero point element

400 control unit 402 communication interface

500 first workpiece

502 second workpiece

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1 . Clamping system (1) for clamping workpieces (500, 502), comprising a clamping platform (100) which can be arranged in a processing machine and has a supply system (102) for providing at least one supply medium, - a first clamping unit (300) for a first workpiece (500) with a first

Workpiece geometry, a universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) controllable with the supply medium for fixing the first workpiece (500) on the first clamping unit (300) and a second workpiece (502) on a second clamping unit, which is connected to the supply system (102) can be coupled, and wherein the first clamping unit (300) comprises o a first coupling interface (302, 304, 306) for fastening the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206), wherein the universal clamping element is connected to the first coupling interface (302, 304, 306) is releasably attached and is set up to fix the first workpiece in a first clamping position, and o preferably a base plate (301) on which the first coupling interface (302, 304, 306) is arranged.

2. Clamping system (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein o the first clamping unit (300) is set up for releasable attachment to the clamping platform (100), or o the first clamping unit (300) is formed integrally with the clamping platform (100).

3. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a second clamping unit (340) for a second workpiece (502) with a second workpiece geometry, the second clamping unit (340) preferably being set up for releasable attachment to the clamping platform (100) , comprising a second coupling interface (342, 344, 346) for attaching the

Universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206), wherein the universal clamping element is releasably attached to the second coupling interface (342, 344, 346) and is set up to fix the second workpiece (502) in a second clamping position, preferably the second Coupling interface (342, 344, 346) on a second

Base plate (341) are arranged.

4. clamping system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the supply system (102) is or comprises a hydraulic supply system and the supply medium is a hydraulic fluid, and in particular that

Universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) can be controlled with the hydraulic fluid, and / or the supply system (102) is or comprises a pneumatic supply system and the supply medium is a pneumatic fluid, and in particular that

Universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) can be controlled with the pneumatic fluid, and / or - the supply system (102) is or comprises an electrical supply system and the supply medium is electrical current and / or electrical signals, and in particular the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) can be controlled with the electric current and / or the electric signals and / or supplied with information-carrying data and / or provides the information-carrying data.

5. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first clamping unit (300) comprises a first positioning element (310), in particular a first stop and / or a first guide, for positioning the first workpiece (500) in the first clamping position , and preferably the first positioning element (310) is arranged on the first base plate (301), and / or the second clamping unit (340) has a second positioning element (350), in particular a second stop and / or a second guide, for positioning the second Comprises workpiece (502) in the second clamping position, and preferably the second positioning element (350) is arranged on the second base plate (341). 6. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first clamping unit (300) has a plurality of first positioning elements (310) which are arranged and designed to position the first workpiece (500) in a statically determined manner, in particular by a first six-point nest ( 308), and preferably comprises a first spring element for positioning and / or holding the first workpiece in the first clamping position, and / or the second clamping unit (340) has a plurality of second positioning elements that are arranged and designed, the second workpiece (502) static intended to be positioned, in particular by a second six-point nest (348), and preferably comprises a second spring element for positioning and / or holding the second workpiece in the second clamping position.

7. clamping system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping platform (100), in particular the supply system (102), at least one coupling (104, 106, 108), the coupling with the

Universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) by means of at least one

Line element (112, 114) can be connected for the transmission of the supply medium, and preferably the at least one line element (112, 114) is or comprises a hydraulic hose, a pneumatic hose and / or an electrical line.

8. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein - the clamping platform (100) has a supply interface (130, 132) for connection to a corresponding receiving interface of the first clamping unit and / or the second clamping unit, the connection being made by the intended fastening of the first clamping unit and / or the second clamping unit is formed on the clamping platform (100), and - the first clamping unit (300) and / or the second clamping unit (340) each with the

Receiving interface (362, 364) coupled line system (366), wherein the line system is arranged and designed to supply the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) with the supply medium when this is at the first coupling interface (302, 304, 306 ) or to the second coupling interface (342, 344, 346) so that the universal tensioning element (200, 202, 204, 206) with the

Supply medium is controllable.

9. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a valve unit with a connection (110), preferably at least two connections, for the individual control of two or more universal clamping elements (200, 202, 204, 206) for setting individual time and / or pressure curves of the supply medium.

10. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping platform (100), the first clamping unit (300) and / or the second clamping unit (340), preferably each, has or have a touchable reference zero point element (312, 398) , which can be used as a zero point reference for a machining process, wherein the first clamping unit (300) and / or the second clamping unit (340) can preferably be arranged on the clamping platform (100) with a positional accuracy of less than 15 μm, in particular less than 10 μm .

11. clamping system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping platform (100), the first clamping unit (300) and / or the second clamping unit (340) can be releasably attached to one another by means of a non-positive and / or positive connection interface, in particular a zero point clamping system, - preferably the clamping platform (100) at least one first Connection unit

(120) of the connection interface, in particular a clamping pot and / or a clamping ring, and / or preferably the first clamping unit (300) and / or the second clamping unit (340) in each case on a side not to be used for machining one to the first connection unit ( 120) corresponding, second connection unit (352) of

Has connection interface or have, in particular a clamping bolt.

12. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control unit

(400), in particular a programmable logic controller, which is set up to control a media supply of the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) with the supply medium, in particular such that a predetermined clamping pressure at one or more predetermined times or times determined by the control unit can be set, wherein the clamping pressure can also preferably be set in a time-variable manner, and / or a clamping sequence can be set in the case of two or more universal clamping elements (200, 202, 204, 206).

13. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (400) is set up to evaluate properties of the supply medium, in particular in the form of sensor data, by means of control and / or regulation algorithms and preferably the evaluated sensor data for process monitoring and / or process control provide.

14. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one clamping pressure sensor (134) which is set up to determine a clamping pressure of the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206), the supply system (102) preferably having the clamping pressure sensor , and / or - at least one force sensor and / or at least one vibration sensor, wherein the first clamping unit (300) and / or the second clamping unit (340) preferably has the at least one force sensor and / or the at least one vibration sensor, and preferably the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) has the force sensor and / or the at least one vibration sensor, and / or wherein the clamping pressure sensor, the force sensor and / or the vibration sensor is or are preferably coupled to the control unit for signaling purposes. 15. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (400) has a communication interface (402), wherein the communication interface is set up to receive and / or send data containing a clamping pressure; a stretching order; - a sensor value of the clamping pressure sensor; a sensor value of the force sensor; and / or a sensor value of the vibration sensor; represent.

16. Clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first clamping unit (300) and / or the second clamping unit (340), in particular the first base plate (301) and / or the second base plate (341), a fastening grid (394 ) has or have, wherein the fastening grid enables a flexible attachment of the first coupling interface, the second coupling interface, the first positioning element and / or the second positioning element, the fastening grid preferably by T-slots (396) and / or by a

Hole arrangement is formed.

17. Processing machine (2), comprising a clamping system (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

18. A method for clamping a workpiece, comprising the steps of: - arranging a first clamping unit on a clamping platform (100) with a

Supply system for providing at least one supply medium,

Detachable fastening of a universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) to a first coupling interface (302, 304, 306) of the first clamping unit and coupling of the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) to the supply system, Positioning a first workpiece in a first clamping position on the first clamping unit, in particular on a first base plate, and

Fixing the first workpiece in the first clamping position with the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206), in particular by controlling the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) with the supply medium.

19. The method according to the preceding claim, comprising the steps:

Releasing the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) from the first clamping unit,

Detaching the first clamping unit from and arranging the second clamping unit on the clamping platform (100), - Detachable fastening of the universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206) to a second coupling interface (342, 344, 346) of the second clamping unit and coupling of the universal clamping element ( 200, 202, 204, 206) with the supply system,

Positioning a second workpiece in a second clamping position on a second clamping unit, in particular on a second base plate, and fixing the second workpiece in the second clamping position with the

Universal clamping element (200, 202, 204, 206), in particular by controlling the universal clamping element with the supply medium.