WO2024133194A1

WO2024133194A1 - Tool exchange system and sheet processing machine with tool exchange system

Info

Publication number: WO2024133194A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/086533
Authority: WO
Inventors: Adem UYAR; Thomas SERRA-TOSIO
Original assignee: Bobst Mex Sa
Priority date: 2022-12-22
Filing date: 2023-12-19
Publication date: 2024-06-27

Abstract

The invention relates to a tool exchange system (54) for a sheet processing machine (10), comprising at least one transport carrier (56) is capable of storing and carrying a plurality of tools (34) for the sheet processing machine (10). System (54) further comprises a lifting device (58) which is attachable to the transport carrier (56) and adapted to move the transport carrier (56) across the platform (38) to at least one exchange position (46) in which tools can be exchanged between the transport carrier (56) and the sheet processing machine (10). Further, system (54) comprises at least one alignment mechanism (60) which is configured to lock the transport carrier (56) at the least one exchange position (46).

Description

Tool exchange system and sheet processing machine with tool exchange system

The invention relates to a tool exchange system for a sheet processing machine and a processing machine with the tool exchange system.

Sheet processing machines are known in the art and used to automatically cut packaging materials such as paper, carton or corrugated cardboard into blanks that are subsequently folded into an outer package. Subtypes of sheet processing machines are a die-cutting machine or a platen press.

In order to process sheets in an efficient manner, a sheet processing machine comprises a conveyer road that is divided into different working stations. Each station is equipped with a different tool suitable for executing a specific task during the sheet processing procedure. In principle, the tools used are configured to cut the sheets, remove the cut-out parts of the sheets and to collect the final cut sheets.

Since not every tool is suitable for every cutting job, it is necessary that an operator exchanges certain tools between two different processing jobs.

There are methods for exchanging tools and devices for carrying out these methods available. A typical apparatus for handling and positioning tools in a cutting press is disclosed by EP 0 683 004 A1. Another device for exchanging cutting tools is known from US 5 573488 A.

Up to now, devices for exchanging tools in a sheet processing machine suffer from a number of disadvantages.

The most prominent drawback is that devices for exchanging tools are often bulky and include complex equipment. To handle such equipment properly requires often more than one operator.

Moreover, known methods for carrying out exchange jobs are often time consuming because they involve long-term procedures including several steps for the exchange of tools. A one-step approach for the exchange of tools on not known. In addition, the use of devices for exchanging tools is sometimes accompanied by the installation of cost-intensive and permanent auxiliary systems. In other cases, the tools are carried by an operator, and thus, when the tools are heavy, two operators are needed for loading the tools in the machine

Another drawback is that known devices merely allow the change of one tool at a time. The exchange of a plurality of tools by using one single device is not known.

So far, these issues have not been addressed.

Thus, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a tool exchange system for a sheet processing machine that overcomes one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

This objective is achieved by a tool exchange system for a sheet processing machine. The tool exchange system comprises at least one transport carrier which is capable of storing and carrying a plurality of tools for the sheet processing machine. Preferably, the tool is mounted on wheels, to transport the tools across the shop floor. The tool exchange system also comprises a lifting device which is attachable or permanently attached to the transport carrier and adapted to lift the transport carrier from a floor adjacent to the platform to move the transport carrier across the platform to at least one exchange position in which tools can be exchanged between the transport carrier and the sheet processing machine. Further, the tool exchange system comprises at least one alignment mechanism, which is configured to lock the transport carrier at the at least one exchange position.

The main idea of the invention is to provide a tool exchange system which is easy to use and can be handled by a single operator. This is accomplished by the interaction of three key components, namely transport carrier, lifting device and alignment mechanism.

The transport carrier transports and stores a plurality of tools for the exchange job. Therefore, the carrier is enabled to load a machine in one-step procedure because there is no need for reloading the carrier during the exchange with tools. This significantly reduces the downtime of the sheet processing machine. The carrier is moved and lifted by the lifting device, which allows a single operator to execute the exchange job. Manual lifting of the carrier by the operator is therefore not necessary, since the weight of the carrier can be handled by the lifting device.

In order to precisely align the transport carrier at the exchange position, at least one alignment mechanism is foreseen in the invention. The at least one alignment mechanism has a dual function. On one side, it ensures that the carrier is always in the correct position for exchanging the tools, whereas on the other side, it locks the carrier at the exchange position such that a displacement of the carrier is prevented. Thus, the time for exchanging the tools can be minimized.

Stationary and permanent measures such as rail systems for moving the carrier are not within the scope of the present invention.

A “plurality of tools” means that the transport carrier includes means to carry and store at least two or more tools, preferably three or more tools, more preferably four or more tools.

The exchange position is defined as a position in front of the sheet processing machine at which a single operator can exchange tools between the carrier and the machine. Preferably, the exchange position is located on a platform disposed adjacent to the machine. In particular, the exchange position is assigned to a working station of the sheet processing machine. There can also be more than one exchange position depending on the type of sheet processing machine.

According to an embodiment, the at least one transport carrier is a rack having at least one storage unit that comprises a pair of horizontally arranged crossbars extending parallel to each other and defining therebetween a receptacle in which a tool for a sheet processing machine is slidably stored.

According to another embodiment, the at least one transport carrier is a rack having at least one storage unit that comprises a platform and defining therebetween a receptacle on which a tool for a sheet processing machine is stored, and can be slid in and out of the sheet processing machine.

The advantage of providing a receptacle is that the tools can be safely sheltered inside the rack during transportation. Since the tools are slidably stored in or on the receptacle, said tools can also slidably be removed or inserted in the storage unit, which facilitate the exchange job. Hence, no further auxiliary equipment is needed to transfer the tools from the rack to the machine and vice versa.

According to another aspect, the rack further comprises an upper frame and a lower frame, wherein the frames are stacked on top of each other. Each of the frames comprises at least one storage unit. The storage unit of the upper frame and of the lower frame are adapted to match to a respective tool holder unit of the sheet processing machine such that the tools can be slidably exchanged between the storage unit and the respective tool holder unit when the transport carrier is locked at the first or at the second exchange position, respectively. In at least one exchange position, the transport carrier is held by the lifting device in a distance above the bottom of the platform.

The basic idea behind this aspect is that the rack is divided into two different portions (frames), each of the portions being able to carry and store different sized of tools assigned to different working station of the sheet processing machine. Thus, different workings station, i.e. the different loading units, may be supplied with tools by using one single rack. Since the tools can be stored in the upper and the lower frame in parallel, one above the other, the space for storing the tools is even further reduced. Thus, a rack may carry all the tools related to a specific processing job.

In particular, the upper frame und the lower frame may be adapted to the size and dimensions of the tool to bear inside. For example, the upper frame may be configured to store and carry the blanking tools, whereas the lower frame may be configured to carry and store the waste ejection tools. The arrangement of tools can also be vice versa. In the described case, the lower frame may be larger in size, i.e. wider and longer, than the upper frame.

The term “tool holder unit” is understood to mean a position or a receptacle in the sheet processing machine in which the respective tool for the job at hand is located. Each station of the sheet processing machine may have at least one tool holder unit. The tool holder unit may also be located in different parts of the sheet processing machine. Furthermore, different sized tools can be transported by using a single transport carrier.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the rack comprises a plurality of storage units, said storage units are disposed in the rack with vertical distance being equal to a loading distance of the tools in the sheet processing machine.

A rack that has the same vertical distance between the storage units as the loading distance in the sheet processing machine enables a fast exchange or removal of tools without the need of repositioning the rack. Furthermore, a plurality of tools can be exchanged or removed at the same time.

According to another aspect of the invention, the rack further comprises a plurality of locking handles for locking the tool at the storage unit. Each locking handle is switchable to a releasing position or a fastening position. In the releasing position, the tool can be removed from the rack into the sheet processing machine whereas in the fastening position, the tool is rigidly coupled to the rack.

Locking handles provide an easy to use and cost-efficient locking system without the need of advanced tooling equipment. Further, the provision of locking handles allows a single operator to lock or unlock tools from the rack.

In another aspect of the invention, the lifting device is a crane mounted on the platform or on the floor next to the platform of the sheet processing machine. A stationary crane compared to a mobile crane and is therefore in particular suitable for lifting heavy duty.

The lifting device may be equipped with a controller and an input interface that are connected to each other, wherein the input interface is configured to receive an input information based on which the controller can perform a movement of the crane.

With the abovementioned system, the lifting device can be easily controlled by a single operator. In fact, the crane serves as a mechanical support for the operator. In principle, the input interface may be a control pad on which the operator can input instructions for controlling the crane.

According to a further embodiment, the input interface and the controller are remotely connected. With this measure, the operator can control the crane without being on the platform. For example, the crane may be controlled from a separate monitoring station through a Bluetooth or W-LAN connection.

According to a preferred alternative the lifting device is void of any electronic controller. The crane may be powered by pressurized air, and the lifting or locking of the transport carrier position may be controlled by pneumatic valves actionable by the operator on a control panel.

The lifting device may be adapted to lift and move the weight of the transport carrier having a length of at least 2 m and a weight of at least 100 kg. A crane which is configured to lift a transport carrier with the above specification is particularly suitable for the tool exchange system.

According to another preferred embodiment, the lifting device is a crane comprising two arms or a bridge crane, the crane with two arms or the bridge crane being connected to the transport carrier and configured to lift or lower the transport carrier along a vertical direction and displace the transport carrier with three additional degrees of freedom, wherein two of the degrees of freedom are the displacements parallel to the platform and one of the degrees of freedom is the rotation around a vertical axis.

Using a bridge crane provides the advantage that it has lower height compared to other crane types rendering the bridge crane compatible with installation places where the ceiling is low.

According to another preferred embodiment, the crane comprises a first crane arm being L-shaped and pivotally mounted at a crane body, the first crane arm having a free end located opposite to the crane body and at which a second crane arm is pivotally mounted, said second crane arm having a free end located opposite to the first crane arm and at which a coupling element is pivotally mounted, said coupling element being configured to attach to the transport carrier. The above crane is in particular suitable for lifting and carrying a transport carrier from a floor adjacent to the platform, across the platform, and toward the sheet processing machine.

It is further preferred that the first crane arm is pivotable by 360° around a longitudinal access arranged perpendicular with respect to a plane parallel to the platform, the second crane arm being pivotable at least 300° around the longitudinal access and in a direction opposite to the crane body, and a coupling element being pivotable 360° around the longitudinal access.

The crane with two arms or the bridge crane may be suitable for locking the transport carrier along the vertical direction while keeping the three additional degrees of freedom unlocked.

According to a further embodiment, the bridge crane comprises a pair of beams extending parallel to each other, each beam comprising a longitudinal rail extending along the respective beam. The beams are connected by a traveling bridge which is adapted to move along the rails and parallel to the platform. With this bridge crane set-up the transport carrier can be moved in a stable manner across the platform.

According to another embodiment, the travelling bridge is permanently attached to the transport carrier via a stiff lifting arm. The use of a stiff lifting arm increases the stability of the bridge crane during the movement of the transport carrier.

According to a further embodiment, each beam is mounted on top of at least two support elements, in particular, the support element being a pillar, a wall or a scaffold. The use of pillars as support elements is particular preferred since they acquire less space compared to the other options. However, the use of scaffolds and walls increase the stiffness and stability of the bridge crane.

According to another embodiment, the bridge crane is rigidly mounted onto the floor and/or the platform. Hence, the installation of the bridge brane is very versatile and not limited to a specific place. For example, the bridge crane may mounted partially on the floor and partially on the platform. However, the bridge crane may also be solely mounted on the floor or the platform. It is particular preferred that the bridge crane is mounted via pillars around the platform on the floor.

According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the crane with two arms or the bridge crane includes an arrangement module with a command panel which is configured to control the movement of the crane automatically and/or manually. The control panel may be arranged at a fixed radial distance from and rigidly connected to a gripping unit, wherein the gripping unit is configured to grab and hold the transport carrier.

The arrangement module can be used by an operator to move the transport carrier to an exchange position. The combination of gripping unit and command panel within one single module allows a precise arrangement of the transport carrier at the exchange position since the movement of crane, i.e. the movement of the carrier, is controlled in proximity of the carrier by the operator. In particular, the fixed radial distance between the control panel and the gripping unit effects that the gripping unit will always follow the movement of control panel since both units are rigidly coupled to each other.

In this respect, manually means that an operator can move the command panel around the gripping unit by simply using physical force without being actively supported by a force of the crane.

Automatically means that the crane performs a movement using its own power e.g., hydraulic force or air-pressure.

According to a further embodiment, the command panel may be configured to control the vertical movement of the transport carrier.

According to a further embodiment, the control panel comprises an operating element configured as a dead man switch such that, upon activation of said switch, a movement of the crane is unlocked such that the transport carrier can be moved manually according to the three additional degrees of freedom. In other words, once the height of the transport carrier is correctly adjusted, the transport carrier can be moved horizontally by hand, and pivot around its vertical axis, which allows an operator to manually position and orient the transport carrier toward a processing station of the sheet processing machine. In another aspect of the invention, the command panel provides at least one operating element, wherein the operating element upon activation is enabled to effect a movement of the crane. With other words, the movement of the crane can be controlled by activating a control element.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the operating element has at least the following functions:

- Moving the crane vertically along an Up- and a down-direction;

- Opening and closing of the gripping unit such as said gripping unit can be attached to the transport carrier;

- Rotating the command panel by 360° around gripping unit;

- Rotating the first crane arm and the second crane arm around their respective rotation axis;

- Moving the command panel vertically and independently from the crane along an Up- and a down-direction; and

- Locking and/or unlocking a movement of the crane.

In particular, the function of rotating the command panel by 360° around the transport carrier allows that the operator can reposition him or herself by simply moving with the command panel in hand around the carrier.

The function of moving the command panel vertically and independently from the crane along an Up- and a down-direction allows the operator to grab the command panel while standing on the platform.

Rotating the command panel by 360° around the gripping unit and rotating the first crane arm and the second crane arm around their respective rotation axis allows the crane to move an attached carrier in all spatial directions with a maximum amount of operational freedom.

Locking and unlocking the movement is a security feature that enables the operator to easily stop the movement of the crane if necessary.

According to another preferred embodiment, the alignment mechanism includes two interlocking elements configured to engage with each other. One of the two interlocking elements is fixedly mounted on the sheet processing machine, preferably on a housing of the sheet processing machine. The other of the two interlocking elements is fixedly mounted on the transport carrier, preferably on the front side of the transport carrier.

This provides the advantage that the exchange position is predetermined by position of the one interlocking disposed at the sheet processing machine. If required the exchange position may be varied by simply attaching the one interlocking element to a different position of the machine.

The two interlocking elements form a pair of interlocking elements. In principle, there may be more than one pair of interlocking elements, in particular more than two pairs of interlocking elements. Preferably, two pairs interlocking elements are foreseen for each exchange position of the sheet processing machine.

According to another preferred embodiment, one of the two interlocking elements is a recess unit, comprising preferably a conical recess part, and the other of the two interlocking elements is a counterpart unit that is configured to engage with the recess unit, preferably a conical protrusion.

A recess and counterpart unit therefore can be manufactured in a cost efficient manner. Further, sheet processing machine can easily post-modified with such elements. Above elements are also space-saving since they require a minimum amount of surface to which they need to be attached.

In particular, the recess unit assigned to the sheet processing machine and the counterpart unit is assigned to the carrier. Arranging the interlocking elements this way, allows that the transport carrier may be simply pushed against the sheet processing machine such that the two interlocking elements engage with each other thereby locking the carrier at the exchange position.

The recess unit and the counterpart unit may both be made from a magnetic material and one of them comprises at least one magnet. The at least one magnet is configured to pull the counterpart unit of the transport carrier into the recess unit of the sheet processing machine such that counterpart unit snaps into the recess unit when the counterpart unit is in proximity to the recess. The provision of the magnet also prevents a displacement of the transport carrier when the carrier is locked at the exchange position. In particular, unintended movement of the carrier can be avoided during the exchange procedure.

In general, the magnet provides a strong physical interlock between the recess unit and the counterpart unit. Moreover, a magnet resembles a simple and cost-efficient measure to prevent the movement of the carrier when the carrier is locked at the exchange position.

It is further preferred that the magnet has a sufficient magnetic force such that an oscillation of the lifting device is prevented if the carrier is locked at the exchange position.

If the carrier is completely loaded with tools, it may happen that an oscillation of the crane and the lifting device by a few centimeters can occur. However, oscillation prevents a precise exchange of tools at the exchange position. To hinder oscillation to occur, it is preferred to use magnets having a sufficient magnetic force to prevent such an oscillation by strongly adhering the carrier to the machine.

In another aspect of the invention, the transport carrier has at least one recess unit and at least one balance unit, wherein the balance unit has a dummy element that is formed as an abutment part. Said abutment part having a conical shape, wherein both units are preferably disposed on the front side of the rack.

The invention is further related to a sheet processing machine for processing paper or cardboards comprising a conveyor road for cutting sheet using different tools, a platform adjacent to the conveyor road and a floor adjacent to the platform for storing transport carriers. The conveyor road comprises a housing that includes in the following sequence an introduction station for the supply of sheets, a platen station for cutting the sheets, a waste ejection station for removing cut-out sheets and a blanking station for collecting final cut sheets. The platform provides at least one exchange position for exchanging tools, and wherein the sheet processing machine further comprises the tool exchange systems according to the above description.

The sheet processing machine according to the invention improves the productivity of such a machine by reducing the downtime during the exchange of tools. Regarding the advantages of the tool exchange systems, reference is made to the above description.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail by making reference to the annexed drawings, in which

- Figure 1 is a scheme of a sheet processing machine known in the prior art;

- Figure 2 is an isometric view of a sheet processing machine with the tool exchange system according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is an isometric view of a transport carrier of the tool exchange system from Figure 2;

- Figure 4 is an isometric view of a storage unit of a transport carrier from Figure 3;

- Figure 5 is a detailed view on a locking handle of the storage unit from Figure 4;

- Figure 6 is a close-up view of another locking handle of the storage unit of Figure 4;

- Figure 7 is a side-view of a lifting device of the tool exchange system from Figure 2;

- Figure 8 is a top view of a mounting plate of the lifting device from Figure 7;

- Figure 9 is a side-view of the lifting device from Figure 7 which is equipped with an arrangement unit;

- Figure 10 is a perspective view of the arrangement unit from Fig. 9;

- Figure 11 is a cross-sectional and isometric view of an alignment mechanism of the tool exchange system from Figure 2;

- Figure 12 is an isometric and cross- sectional view of a balance unit of the transport carrier of the tool exchange system from Figure 2;

- Figure 13 is a top view of the sheet processing machine with the tool exchange system from Fig. 2; - Figure 14 is a side view of the sheet processing machine and the tool exchange system from Fig. 2;

- Figure 15 is an isometric view of a transport carrier locked at a first exchange position of the tool exchange system from Figure 13;

- Figure 16 is an isometric view of a transport carrier locked at a second exchange position of the tool exchange system from Figure 13; and

- Figure 17 is an isometric view of a lifting device embodied as a bridge crane.

Figure 1 depicts the essential parts of a sheet processing machine 10 as known in the prior art. Sheet processing machine 10 comprises a number of processing stations 11 arranged along a conveyor road 12. The processing stations 11 and the conveyor road 12 are both encapsulated in a housing 14 of the sheet processing machine 10.

The conveyor road 12 comprises in the following sequence an introduction station 16 for the supply of sheets, a platen station 18 for cutting the sheets, a waste ejection station 20 for removing cut-out sheets, a blanking station 22 for collecting final cut sheets and a pick-up station 24 for the removing the collected sheets from the machine 10.

In principle, sheets 26 as raw material are introduced by the introduction station 16 and are then further processed by the platen station 18, which cuts the sheets 26 into the desired shape. The waste ejection station 20 removes the cutout sheets from the final cut sheets final. Subsequently, the blanking station 22 collects final sheets 26 in a stack which can be removed from the sheet processing machine 10 through the pick-up station 24 located adjacent to the blanking station 22.

For the sake of clarity, only some of the sheets 26 are labelled with reference numbers in Figure 1 and not all of them. Sheets 26 can also be cardboard or paper.

To transport sheets 26 between the processing stations 11 , the conveyor road 12 is equipped with a conveyor belt 28 and a number of gripper bars 30 attached to conveyor belt 28. Conveyor belt 28 is arranged in a loop, which allows gripper bars 30 to follow a trajectory that passes in succession through the introduction station 16, platen station 18, waste ejection station 20, blanking station 22 and the pick-up station 24 and then back to the introduction station 16. Conveyor belt 28 is driven by a chain drive 32 that allows the sheets 26 attached to the gripper bars 30 to be moved along the conveyor road 12.

Further, at least one tool 34 is foreseen in each of the processing station stations 18, 20, 22 that may be exchanged in dependence of the respective cutting job.

In Figure 2, the sheet processing machine 10 according to Figure 1 is displayed.

Adjacent to the sheet processing machine 10, a workspace 36 is located that allows an operator to interact with the sheet processing machine 10. In addition, workspace 36 provides the space to execute the exchange of cutting tools 34 from the sheet processing machine 10.

The workspace 36 comprises a platform 38 in form of a podium located adjacent to the sheet processing machine 10. In circumferential direction the platform 38 is surrounded by a safety railing 40, which prevents that equipment or personnel from falling off the platform 38.

An entrance for the operator is provided in the form a staircase 42 that is located at one side of the workspace 36. The staircase 42 connects the platform 38 with a floor 44, which forms a lower level adjacent to the platform 38. Both the floor 44 and the platform 38 provide plain and even surfaces. Neither the floor 44 nor the platform 38 are modified with functional systems such as a railings or grooves.

For the sake of clarity, the bottom of the platform 38 is depicted as transparent.

On the platform 38 at least one exchange position 46 is disposed, which will be described later in more detail.

As described before, the sheet processing machine 10 is located adjacent to the platform 38 and extends parallel thereto. A side panel 47 of the housing 14 of the sheet processing machine 10 spatially separates the conveyor road 12, particular the working stations 11 , from platform 38.

In order to allow the exchange of tools 34, each of the working stations 11 can be accessed from the platform 38 through a maintenance port 48 by an operator. As shown in Fig. 2 the maintenance port 48 may be a rectangular shaped opening which can be opened or closed by a sliding window 50.

The conveyor road 12 may be further accessed through one of the main doors 52 adjacent to the floor 44. From the main doors 52 stacked sheets 26 may be removed from the pick-up station 24.

Sheet processing machine 10 is further equipped with a tool exchange system 54. Tool exchange system 54 comprises one transport carrier 56, a lifting device 58 and an alignment mechanism 60.

In the following, the transport carrier 56, the lifting device 58 and the alignment mechanism 60 will be described in greater detail.

First, the transport carrier 56 will be described in detail.

In principle, transport carrier 56 is movable on the platform 38 of the sheet processing machine 10 and is capable of storing and carrying a plurality of tools 34 for the sheet processing machine 10.

Figure 3 displays the principle set-up of transport carrier 56.

The transport carrier 56 comprises a rack 62, which can be denoted also as a frame.

The rack 62 comprises in the shown embodiment four bottom bars 64 arranged perpendicular to each other, each of which extends substantially horizontally. The bottom bars 64 together form a rectangular bottom area 66 of the rack 62 to which rollers 68 are assigned for displacing the rack 62 on the platform 38 or the floor 44.

However, the rollers 68 may also be omitted. In this case, the rack 62 can merely by moved by the assistance of the lifting device 58. From each corner of the rectangular bottom area 66, a sidebar 70 extends substantially vertically and upwardly.

The four sidebars 70 in the shown embodiment are each divided into an upper portion 71 and a lower portion 72. In principle, lower portion 72 is displaced with respect to the upper portion 71 by a lateral offset.

Each lower portion 72 extends from of the corner of the rectangular bottom area 66 into a horizontally support plate 73 to which it is connected.

The upper portion 71 extends from this support plate 73 in perpendicular direction. The upper and the lower portion 71, 72 of the sidebar 70 may be welded to the support plate 73.

A S-shaped connecting component 74 is further attached to upper and the lower portion 71 , 72 of the sidebar 70 in the area of the support plate 73. In fact, the connecting component 74 bridges the support plate 73. Connecting component 74 is attached to each of the upper and the lower sidebar 71 , 72 by two bolts.

Two of the sidebars 70 are each coupled in pairs at their ends of the upper portion 71 opposite to the bottom area 66 by a crossbar 76.

Further, two crossbars 76 are each connected by to two stiffening members 77, which couples the two crossbars 76 together so that an upper end 78 of the rack 62 is obtained. Each of the stiffening members 77 extends perpendicular between the crossbars 76.

Further, two sidebars 70 are each associated with a side 80 of the rack 62.

The rack 62 has a front side 82 and a backside 84 being opposite to the front side 82. Accordingly, the front side 82 and the backside 84 are not connected by the sidebars 70. With other words, each side 80 of the rack 62 has a sidebar 70 associated with the front side 82 and a sidebar 70 associated with the backside 84.

The front side 82 and the backside 84 are freely accessible in order to permit the insertion or removal of tools 34 into the rack 62. Accordingly, the rack 62 encloses a storage space 85 defined by the bottom area 66, the sides 80, the front side 82, the backside 84 and the upper end 78.

A plurality of storage units 86 are provided within the storage space 85.

One storage unit 86 includes a pair of oppositely disposed and horizontally arranged crossbars 88 extending parallel to each other and defining therebetween a receptacle 90 in which a tool 34 for a sheet processing machine 10 is slidably stored.

Each crossbar 88 of the pair of crossbars 88 has two connecting points, wherein each of the connecting points is connected to one sidebar 70.

In the embodiment shown, there are in total of five storage units 86 that are evenly spaced apart from each other and stacked on top of each other. In particular, the storage units 86 are disposed in the rack 62 with vertical distance being equal to a loading distance of the tools 34 in the sheet processing machine 10.

At least one crossbar 88 of the pair of crossbars 88 has an L-shaped profile that includes a horizontally oriented support rail 91 from which a wall extends vertically upward. The support rail 91 provides an even and plain surface at which a tool 34 can be slidably beared. The free end of the support rail 91 points towards the storage space 85.

Further, two crossbars 88 of the pair of crossbars 88 may have the above described shape.

However, it is preferred that merely one crossbar 88 of the pair of crossbars 88 features the above shape, whereas the other crossbar 88 is tailored to carry and store a certain tool 34. For example, the other crossbar 88 may comprise hooks, retainers, grooves or supports depending on the respective tool 34.

However, the depending on the tool 34, which should be stored in the storage unit, the shape of the respective cross bars 88 may vary.

In addition, the storage units 86 are disposed in the rack 62 with vertical distance being equal to a loading distance of the tools 34 in the sheet processing machine 10. In the shown embodiment, the rack 62 is composed of an upper frame 92 and a lower frame 94. Both frames are stacked on top of each other and each of the frames 92, 94 comprises at least one storage unit 86. In fact, the upper frame 92 comprises three storage units 86, wherein the lower frame 94 comprises two storage units 86.

Upper frame 92 is defined by the upper portion of the sidebars 70 and lower frame 94 is defined to the lower portion of the sidebars 70. Since each of the lower portion 72 of the sidebars 70 has an lateral offset with respect to the upper portion 71 of the sidebars 70, the lower frame 94 exhibits a larger horizontal cross-section compared to the upper frame 92. Accordingly, storage units 86 disposed in the lower frame 94 are larger i.e. wider and longer compared to the storage units 86 disposed in the upper frame 92.

This measure allows that larger tools 34 can be accommodated in the lower frame 94, whereas smaller tools 34 can be accommodated in the storage units 86 in the upper frame 92.

Thus, different sized tools 34 can be carried and stored inside one single rack 62.

Figure 4 depicts a single storage unit 86. Storage unit 86 may comprise two additional stiffening elements 95, which horizontally extend between the pair of crossbars 88. In this embodiment, the crossbars 88 are interconnected by two stiffing elements 95, which extend perpendicular between crossbars 88.

Stiffening elements 95 and crossbars 88 define the rectangular receptacle 90, in which a tool 34 can be slidably stored. One of the stiffening elements 95, which is assigned to the backside 84 of the rack 62, forms a hinge 96 such that the tool 34 can only be removed only from the front side 82 of the rack 62.

In principle, the storage units 86 are designed to be universal and can be adapted to a variety of tools 34.

For securely locking the tool 34 in the storage unit 86 during transportation of the rack 62, a number of locking elements 97, 98 is foreseen. As it is shown in the embodiment in Figure 4, at least one crossbar 88 is equipped with a locking hook 97, which can snap into an eyelet mounted on one side of the tool 34 thereby securely attaching the tool 34 at the storage unit 86.

Another locking feature is a number of locking handles 98, each locking handle 98 being assigned to one of the four corners of the storage unit 86.

In fact, the locking handles 98 are mounted on both crossbars 88.

Details of the locking handles 98 are shown in the Figures 5 and 6. In these Figures, each locking handle 98 is in fact a clamping lever 100.

Each locking handle 98 comprises at least one locking block 102 that is configured to limit the movement of the tool 34 in the storage unit 86. As it is shown in the embodiment of Figure 5, the locking block 102 may be formed as a hook-like element that engages with the upper side of a pin 103 of the tool 34.

The locking block 102 is fixedly mounted at a sliding element 104, which is slidably attached to the crossbar 88. The locking block 102 and the sliding element 104 can also be constructed as one single element as it is shown in embodiment of Figure 6.

A locking bolt 106 extends substantially through the sliding element 104 and engages with one end with a channel 108 of the crossbar 88. The channel 108 extends substantially along the crossbar 88 and serves as a rail along which the sliding element 104 can be moved.

The other side of the locking bolt 106 is attached to a handle 110. A movement of the handle 110 leads to a subsequent movement of the locking bolt 106 such that the locking bolt 106 penetrates into the channel 108 or detaches from said channel 108.

With other words, the locking handle 98 is switchable to a releasing position or a fastening position. If the locking handle 98 is switched to the releasing position, the locking handle can be moved away from the tool 34, in particular from the pin 103 of the tool 34. Hence, the tool 34 is released and can be removed from the rack 62. If the locking handle 98 is switched to the fastening position, the movement the locking handle 98 is blocked. Thus, tool 34 is locked at the storage unit 86. In an alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the pin 103 of the tool 34 is sandwiched between two locking blocks 102. In this configuration, at least one locking block 102 is also configured as a sliding element 104, such that the sliding element 104 and the locking block 102 are constructed as one single component.

As it can be derived from Fig. 6, the locking handle 98 is attributed on a crossbar 88 that has is not L-shaped, rather said crossbar 88 provides a groove 111 extending substantially horizontally from the front side 82 of the rack to the back side 84. In fact, the groove 111 serves as a rail along which the sliding element 104 can be moved.

In particular, the groove 111 points towards the opposite crossbar 88.

At least one of the locking blocks 102, 104 is equipped with a locking bolt 106 and a handle 110, attached to the locking bolt 106, wherein the locking bolt 106 interacts with the groove 111.

In the following, the lifting device 58 will be described in detail.

The lifting device 58 is attachable to the transport carrier 56 and further adapted to lift the transport carrier 56 from the floor 44 adjacent to the platform 38 onto the platform 38 and to move the transport carrier 56 across the platform 38 to an exchange position in which tools 34 can be exchanged between the transport carrier 56 and the sheet processing machine 10.

Figure 7 depicts such a lifting device 58. According to this embodiment, the lifting device 58 is constructed as a crane 112.

The crane 112 is mounted on the platform 38 through a mounting plate 116.

The mounting plate 116 is shown in more detail in Figure 8. In principle, the mounting plate 116 is a flat and even metal plate having four openings 118 for attaching the metal plate to the platform 38, for example, by using bolts or screws.

The crane 112 comprises crane body 120, which is attached to the mounting plate 116. For example, the crane body 120 and the mounting plate 116 may be welded together or constructed as one piece. From the mounting plate 116, the crane body 120 extends substantially vertically upwards. At the end of the crane body 120, opposite to the mounting plate 116, a first crane arm 122 is mounted.

First crane arm 122 is L-shaped and pivotally mounted at the crane body 120. Pivotable means that the first crane arm 122 can be pivoted by 360° around a longitudinal axis, which is arranged perpendicular with respect to a plane parallel to the platform 38.

Preferably, the first crane arm 122 is telescopically extendable along the longitudinal axis.

The first crane arm 122 has a free end, located opposite to the crane body 120, and at which a second crane arm 124 is pivotally mounted.

In contrast to the first crane arm 122, the second crane arm 124 can be pivoted by 300° around the longitudinal access in a direction opposite to the crane body 120. With other words, the first crane arm 122 and the second crane arm 124 can both be pivoted around the longitudinal access; thereby achieving an operational degree of freedom which is preferable to move a transport carrier 56 across the platform 38.

Said second crane arm 124 has a free end, located opposite to the first crane arm 122, and at which a coupling element 126 is pivotally mounted. Preferably, the coupling element 126 may be pivotable by 360° around the longitudinal access.

In order to lift a transport carrier 56, the coupling element 126 is attachable to the transport carrier 56, preferably to the upper end 78 of the rack 62.

Preferably, the above-described crane 112 includes a hydraulic system, which enables the crane 112 to lift heavy duty. In particular, the crane 112 is adapted to lift and move the weight of a transport carrier 56 having a length of at least 2 m and a weight of at least 100 kg.

If the rack 62, as described in Figures 3 to 6, is completely loaded with tools 34, each tool having a weight of at least 100 Kg, the crane 112 may lift the weight of at least 500 kg not counting the weight of the rack 62 itself. The crane 112 is further equipped with an arrangement module 200 which is configured to arrange the rack 62 of the transport carrier 56 at the exchange position. For achieving this purpose, the arrangement module 200 has a gripping unit 202 to couple the crane 112 to the carrier 56 and a command panel 204 to control a movement of the crane 112 and the gripping unit 202.

The gripping unit 202 is coupled to a free end of the second arm crane 124. The free end is formed by a flange 206 which connects the second crane arm 124 to a vertically arranged bar 208 which extends substantially parallel to the rotational axis of the second crane arm 124. In fact, the prior mentioned coupling element 126 of the second crane 124 and the vertically arranged bar 208 have a common rotational axis which is oriented perpendicular to a plane being parallel to the platform 38.

A free end of the vertically arranged bar 208 which is located opposite to the flange 206 is coupled to the gripping unit 202 in a non-rotating manner. Thus, the gripping unit 202 follows a rotational movement of the vertically arranged bar 208 around its rotational axis.

Between the flange 206 and the gripping unit 202, a hinge 210 is mounted at a central portion of the vertically arranged bar 208. Said hinge 210 is enabled to rotate freely around the common rotational axis of the vertically arranged bar 208 and the second crane arm 124.

From the hinge 210 a further cross bar 212 extends which is oriented substantially perpendicular to the vertically arranged bar 208.

The further cross bar 212 has a free end which is arranged opposite of the hinge 210, said free end is fixedly mounted at one arm of an L-shaped element 214. At the other arm of the L-shaped element 214, the command panel 204 is mounted such that a front side of the command panel 204 faces away from the vertically arranged bar 208.

With other words, the command panel 204 can be freely rotated by the hinge 210 in a fixed radial distance around the vertically arranged bar 208.

Details of the command panel 204 are shown in Fig. 10. The command panel

204 comprises a rectangular shaped handle bar 216. In particular, the handle bar 216 is configured such that an operator can manually grab the command panel

204.

In detail, the rectangular shaped handle bar 216 comprises two substantially vertically gripping bars 218 extending parallel to each other and two substantially horizontally gripping bars 220 extending parallel to each other, too. The vertically arranged gripping bars 218 and the horizontally arranged gripping bars 220 are connected to each other at their ends such that they together form the rectangular shaped handle bar 216, wherein the vertically arranged gripping bars 218 are forming the longitudinal side of the rectangular shaped handle bar 216.

Further, the rectangular shaped handle bar 216 encompasses two control modules 222 which provide electrical support for the control of the crane 112. The two control modules 222 have at least one operating element 224 which is assigned to the front side of the handle bar 216, wherein the operating element 224 upon activation is enabled to effect a movement of the crane 112.

As it can be seen from Fig. 10, the operating element 224 can be a joystick or a bottom.

In particular, the joystick is configured as a dead man switch such that upon activation of said switch a movement of the crane 112 is unlocked, whereas upon deactivation of said switch, a movement 112 of the crane is locked and the command panel 204 can be moved manually around the gripping unit 202.

Preferably, the operating elements 224 are assigned to the ends of each of the vertically aligned gripping bars 218 thereby enabling the operator to reach out to the operating elements 224 from different positions.

In principle, the control panel 204 has at least the following functions:

- Moving the crane 112 vertically along an Up- and a down-direction;

- Opening and closing of the gripping unit 202 such as said gripping unit 202 can be attached to the transport carrier 56;

- Rotating the command handle 204 by 360° around gripping unit 202;

- Rotating the first crane arm 122 and the second crane arm 124 around their respective rotation axis; Moving the command panel 204 vertically and independently from the crane 112 along an Up- and a down-direction; and

Locking and/or unlocking a movement of the crane 112.

The above function can be controlled and/or enabled by the at least one operating element 224.

The gripping unit 202 is depicted in more detail in Fig. 10. Said gripping unit 202 is mounted at the free end of the vertically arranged bar 208. In detail, the vertically arranged bar 208 is connected via a central hinge 226 to a central portion of a longitudinal central cross bar 228, the central cross bar 228 being arranged substantially perpendicular to vertically arranged bar 208.

Two opposite ends of the central cross bar 228 are coupled each to a central portion of a longitudinal gripping bar 230.

Each of the two gripping bars 230 is further equipped with two gripping elements 232. In total, the gripping unit 202 has four gripping elements 232.

Each gripping element 232 has a U-profile and is fixedly mounted at the gripping bar 230. Together, the gripping bar 230 and one of the gripping elements 232 define a free space 233 in which an upper cross bar 76 of the carrier 56 may be accommodated.

Further, each gripping bar 230 is equipped with a power module 234 which is adapted to slide the gripping bar 230 along the longitudinal central cross bar 228, thereby enabling the gripping unit 202 to grab the rack 62 of the carrier 56 from two opposite sides such that the carrier 56 is securely attached to the gripping elements 232.

In the following, the movement and control of the crane 112 is explained in more detail.

An operator can control the movement of the crane 112 by using the operating elements 224 on the command panel 204. In a first step, the operator loads the carrier 56 with tools 34 and brings it on the floor 44 toward the sheet processing machine. After loading the carrier 56, the operator can manually control the crane 112, in particular the gripping unit 202, via the command panel 204 to securely attach the rack 62 to the gripping unit 202. This operation can be carried out while the operator stands on the floor 44 next to the platform 38 (it could also can be carried out from the podium). After the carrier has been securely attached to the crane 112, the operator walks onto the platform and takes the handle bar 216 of the command panel 204. Since the operating elements 224 are assigned to the upper side of the command panel 204, the operator can easily reach out to the handle bar 216 while standing on the platform. Subsequently, the operator can control the crane 112 to move the carrier 56 from the floor 44 above the platform 38 by using the operating elements 224 on the command panel 204. Next, the operator moves the carrier 56 to the exchange position while having the command panel 204 by hand, while its vertical position is locked by the crane. Once the carrier 56 is close to the machine the operator can adjust the height of the carrier (by using the operating elements 224 on the command panel 204) to align the interlocking elements 128, 130 of the carrier and the machine with each other. In other words, the operator can walk with the command panel 204 in hand to the exchange position. Since the command panel 204 and the gripping unit 202 are fixedly connected to each other, the gripping unit 202 together with the attached carrier 56 necessarily follows the movement of the operator.

Next, the alignment mechanism 60 is described in more detail.

In principle, the alignment mechanism 60 is configured to lock the transport carrier 56 at the exchange position, in which tools 34 can be exchanged between said carrier 56 and the machine 10.

Figure 11 depicts details of the alignment mechanism 60 of the tool exchange system 54.

In the shown embodiment, the alignment mechanism 60 includes two interlocking elements 128, 130 configured to engage with each other.

As it can be seen from Figure 11, one of the interlocking elements forms a recess unit 128, whereas the other of the two interlocking elements forms a counterpart unit 130.

First, the recess unit 128 is described. Recess unit 128 comprises a connection plate 132, which is connected through bolts 134 to the housing 14 of the sheet processing machine 10. For the sake of clarity, the housing 14 is not shown.

The connection plate 132 is constructed as a flat and even metal piece having at least two latches 135 for attaching the metal bolts 134. A recess part 136 extends substantially vertically from the connection plate 132 in a direction which points away from the housing 14 of the machine 10.

Said recess part 136 forms a bowl-like structure having side walls 140 that in circumferential direction enclose a circular shaped bottom side 138.

Bottom side 138 and side walls 140 provide a bearing portion 142 for receiving the counterpart unit 130.

The side walls 140 are inclined towards the center of the bottom side 138 in order to allow a smooth engaging of the counterpart unit 130 with the recess unit 128.

For engaging the counterpart unit 130 securely with the recess unit 128, the recess unit 128 further comprises a magnet. There can also be more than one magnet, for example two magnets.

It is also possible that the magnets 144 are disposed behind a metal plate, wherein the metal plate serves as the bottom side 138. Hence, the magnets 144 would be located opposite to the bearing portion 142, behind said metal plate and would therefore not be in direct physical contact with the counterpart unit 38 when the transport carrier 56 is locked at the exchange position.

For example, the at least one magnet 144 may a neodymium magnet.

In the following, the counterpart unit 130 is described in detail.

Counterpart unit 130 comprises as a single front plate 146, which is L-shaped and attached to one sidebar 70 of the transport carrier 56. In fact, the counterpart unit 130 is assigned to the front side 82 of the carrier 56.

For example, the L-shaped front plate 146 can be attached to the sidebar 70 through bolts 134. It is also possible, that the front plate 146 is welded with the sidebar 70. In principle, L-shaped front plate 146 has two limbs extending perpendicular to each other.

One limp of the L-shaped front plate 146 is attached to the sidebar 70, whereas the other limb protrudes laterally away from the sidebar 70 thereby providing a mounting portion 147 to which a counterpart 148 is attached.

The counterpart 148 is attached to the front plate 146 such that the counterpart 148 points away from the sidebar 70.

In fact, the counterpart 148 has a central bolt 134 penetrating through its main body 149 and attaching said main body 149 to the mounting portion 147 of the L- shaped front plate 146.

Said main body 149 may have a cylindrical shape and extends vertically away from the front plate 146 into a cone truncated perpendicularly to its axis. The truncation is therefore located at the tip of the counterpart 148 pointing away from the front plate 146. The initial cylindrical shape is optional. It allows for a sturdier locking of the rack provided that the recess unit 128 has a corresponding cylindrical shape followed by a conical shape.

The recess unit 128 as well as the counterpart unit 130 are both made from a magnetic material. For example, both can be made from iron or an alloy thereof.

Preferably, the counterpart unit 130 is fixedly mounted to the front side 82 of the rack 62. But it is also possible to fixedly mount the counterpart unit 130 to the housing 14 of the machine 10.

In a preferred embodiment, four counterpart units 130 are attached to the front side 82 of the rack 62, wherein each of the two sidebars 70, which are assigned to the front side 82 of the rack 62, comprises two counterpart units 130.

However, it is also possible that the rack 62 is only equipped with one of the counterpart units 130. In this case, it is preferred that at least one at least one balance unit 150 is disposed at the rack 62 as shown in Figure 12.

The balance unit 150 has in principle the same set-up as the counterpart unit

130. The difference is merely that instead of the counterpart 148 a dummy element 152 is attached to the mounting portion 147 of the front plate 146.

The dummy element 152 is formed as an abutment part which may have a cylindrical shape, preferably a circular cylindrical shape. The free end of the abutment part that faces away from the rack has a flat and even surface.

The dummy element 152 may be made from a metal or an alloy. However, , it is preferred that the dummy element 152 is made from a soft material such as an elastic polymer.

The balance unit 150 serves as a kind of “dummy” counterpart and ensures that the carrier 56 can be oriented even with respect to the housing 14 of the machine 10. This can be simply achieved by pushing the flat and even surface of the dummy element against the housing of the machine. Without the balance unit 150, the rack 62 may be oblique positioned at the exchange position with respect to the housing 14.

In Figures 13 to 16, the working principle of the aforementioned tool exchange system 54 will be described in greater detail.

Figures 13-16 displays a case in which two different transport carries 56 are moved to different exchange positions. In fact, a first exchange position 156 and a second exchange position 158 are displayed.

As can be seen from Fig. 15, each of the transport carriers 56 is equipped with four counterpart units 130, wherein two counterpart units 130 are mounted at one sidebar 70 assigned to the front side of the racket 62.

The exchange positions 156, 158 are assigned to different working station 11 of the machine 10 are located in front of those on the platform 38.

The first exchange position 156 is assigned to the blanking station 22, whereas the second exchange position is assigned to the waste ejection station 20.

Of course, if tools 34 of more than one working station 11 must be exchanged, there are also more exchange positions. As it can be seen from Fig. 14 and 15, each of the exchange positions 156, 158 is equipped with two recess units 128. Depending on the exchange job and the respective working station in which the tools 34 have to be exchanged, the recess unit 128 may be located at different positions at the housing 14 of the sheet processing machine 10 since the position of the recess units 128 determines the exchange position.

As displayed in Fig. 15 and 16, the recess units 128 are mounted at the side panel 47 of the housing 14 in proximity of the maintenance port 48.

In fact, the two recess units 128 are disposed above or below the opening of the maintenance port 48.

In Figure 14, the first exchange position 156 is assigned to a tool holder unit 160 of the sheet processing machine 10, whereas the second exchange position 158 is assigned to tool holder unit 160 of the sheet processing machine 10.

Two recess units 128 are assigned to each of the exchange positions 156, 158, wherein the recess units 128 for the first exchange position 156 are arranged higher than the recess units 128 for the first exchange position 158.

When the carrier 56 is locked in one of the exchange positions 156, 158, at least one storage unit 86 the transport carrier 56 matches to the tool holder unit 160 of the sheet processing machine 10.

In the following, an exemplary tool exchange job is described.

In the beginning of the tool exchange job, transport carrier 56 is stored on the floor 44, particularly in a parking position 154.

When the carrier 56 is in the parking position 154, a single operator can freely access the transport carrier 56 in order to load the transport carrier 56 with the required tools 34 for the exchange job. After inserting the tools in the rack 62 of the carrier, said tools 34 are locked in the respective storage units 86 by twisting the locking handles 98 into the fastening position.

After that, the operator attaches the coupling element 126 to the carrier 56. Subsequently, the crane 112 lifts the transport carrier 56 from the parking position 154 of the floor 44 onto the platform 38. When the carrier 56 is on the platform 38, the crane 112 moves the transport carrier 56 across the platform 38 to one of the exchange positions 156, 158.

The crane 112 can move the transport carrier across the platform 38 to the exchange position such that the transport carrier 56 does not touch the platform 38 at any time. In this case, the crane 112 lifts the carrier directly from the parking position 154 to one of the exchange positions 156, 158.

It is also possible that the crane 112 takes the transport carrier from the parking position 154 onto the platform 38 and move the transport carrier 56 across the platform 38 in such a way that the transport carrier 56 is in direct contact with the bottom of the platform 38. In this approach, the crane 112 merely pushes the transport carrier 56 across the platform 38 with the rollers 68 of the transport carrier 56.

However, in both cases, the transport carrier 56 is moved by the crane 112 to one of the exchange positions 156, 158 in which tools can be exchanged between the transport carrier 56 and the sheet processing machine 10.

Depending on the cutting job and the tools which have to be exchanged to execute said job, there can be more than one exchange positions. In the given embodiment, there are two exchange positions 156, 158.

To align the transport carrier 56 with respect to the sheet processing machine 10, the transport carrier 56 is pushed with the front side 82 against the housing 14 of the sheet processing machine 10. This movement is done by the crane 112.

Once the counterpart units 130 are in proximity to the recess units 128, the magnet 144 inside each of recess units 128 pulls the counterpart 148 towards the bearing portion 142 by magnetic forces. As a result, the transport carrier 56 is locked at the in one of the exchange positions 156, 158.

Depending on the exact loading unit 160 and the storage unit 86, which have to be matched, the transport carrier 56 might be lifted up from the bottom of the platform 38 by vertical distance. In the embodiment in Fig. 13 to 16, both carriers 56 are lifted by the crane 112.

After locking the carrier 56 in the exchange position 156, 158, the locking handles 98 are switched to their releasing position. Finally, tools 34 can be slidably exchanged between the storage unit 86 and the tool holder unit 160 by a single operator.

When the tool exchange job is finished, the counterpart 148 can be detached from the bearing portion 142 by using crane 112.

Subsequently, the crane 112 lifts and moves the transport carrier 56 back into its parking position 154 on the floor 44.

Figure 17 displays another embodiment of the lifting device 58.

In the embodiment shown, the lifting device 58 is a bridge crane 300.

The bridge crane 300 comprises a pair of beams 302 extending parallel to each other, each beam 302 comprising a longitudinal rail 304 extending along the respective beam 302.

The beams 302 are connected by a traveling bridge 306 which is adapted to move along the rails 304 and parallel to the platform 38. Further, the crane bridge 300 comprises a motor unit 308 which is adapted to move the traveling bridge 306 along the rails 304 of the beams 302.

In particular, the traveling bridge 306 comprises a central beam 310 which is arranged orthogonally to the pair of beams 302 and a trolley unit 312 which is attached at the central beam 310, wherein the trolley unit 312 is adapted to move along the central beam 310.

The travelling bridge 306 is permanently attached to the transport carrier 56 via a stiff lifting arm 314, wherein the stiff lifting arm 314 is a longitudinal bar which is attached to the trolley unit 312. In addition, the trolley unit 312 comprises means to lift or lower the stiff lifting arm 314 along a vertical direction. For example, the trolley unit 312 may comprise a trolley drive 316 to lift up or lower the stiff lifting arm 314.

A free end of the stiff lifting arm 314 which is arranged opposite to the trolley unit 312 is permanently attached to the transport carrier 56. In particular, the stiff lifting arm 314 is rotatable attached to the transport carrier 56 such that the transport carrier 56 can be rotated around an axis that is aligned orthogonally to the platform 38. To provide a better overview, only the top of the transport carrier 56 is shown in Figure 17.

In detail, the transport carrier 56 and the stiff lifting arm 314 are formed together as one single piece. Further, each beam 302 is mounted on top of at least two support elements. In the embodiment shown, each beam 302 is mounted on two pillars 318.

By using the support elements, the bridge crane 300 is rigidly mounted onto the floor 44 and/or the platform 38.

Further, the bridge crane 300 may be equipped with the arrangement module 200 as described above.

Claims

1. A tool exchange system (54) for a sheet processing machine (10), comprising at least one transport carrier (56) capable of storing and carrying a plurality of tools (34) for the sheet processing machine (10), a lifting device (58) that is attachable or permanently attached to the transport carrier (56) and adapted to lift the transport carrier (56) from a floor (44) adjacent to the platform (38) and to move the transport carrier (56) across the platform (38) to at least one exchange position (46) in which tools can be exchanged between the transport carrier (56) and the sheet processing machine (10), and at least one alignment mechanism (60) which is configured to lock the transport carrier (56) at the least one exchange position (46).

2. The system (54) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transport carrier (56) is a rack (62) having at least one storage unit (86) that comprises a pair of horizontally arranged crossbars (88) extending parallel to each other and defining therebetween a receptacle (90) in which a tool (34) for a sheet processing machine (10) is slidably stored.

3. The system (54) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one transport carrier (56) is a rack (62) having at least one storage unit (86) that comprises a platform and defining therebetween a receptacle (90) on which a tool (34) for a sheet processing machine (10) is slidably stored.

4. The system (54) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the rack (62) further comprises an upper frame (92) and a lower frame (94), wherein the frames (92, 94) are stacked on top of each other and each of the frames (92, 94) comprises at least one storage unit (86), wherein the storage unit (86) of the upper frame (92) is adapted to match to a tool holder unit (160) of the sheet processing machine (10) such that tools (34) can be slidably exchanged between the storage unit (86) and the tool holder unit (160) when the transport carrier (56) is locked at a first exchange position (156), wherein the storage unit (86) of the lower frame (94) is adapted to match to a tool holder unit (160) of the sheet processing machine (10) such that tools (34) can be slidably exchanged between the storage unit (86) and the tool holder unit (160) when the transport carrier (56) is locked at a second exchange position (158).

5. The system (54) according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein the rack (62) comprises a plurality of storage units (86), said storage units (86) are disposed in the rack (62) with vertical distance being equal to a loading distance of the tools (34) in the sheet processing machine (10).

6. The system (54) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the lifting device (58) is a crane (112) comprising two arms (122,124) or a bridge crane, the crane (112) with two arms (122,124) or the bridge crane (300) being connected to the transport carrier (56) and configured to lift or lower the transport carrier (56) along a vertical direction and displace the transport carrier (56) with three additional degrees of freedom, wherein two of the degrees of freedom are the displacements parallel to the platform (38) and one of the degrees of freedom is the rotation around a vertical axis.

7. The system (54) according to claim 6, wherein the crane (112) with two arms (122, 124) or the bridge crane (300) is suitable for locking the transport carrier (56) along the vertical direction while keeping the three additional degrees of freedom unlocked.

8. The system (54) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the bridge crane (300) comprises a pair of beams (302) extending parallel to each other, each beam (302) comprising a longitudinal rail (304) extending along the respective beam (302), and wherein the beams (302) are connected by a traveling bridge (306) which is adapted to move along the rails (304) and parallel to the platform (38).

9. The system (54) according to claim 8, wherein the traveling bridge (306) is permanently attached to the transport carrier (56) via a stiff lifting arm (314).

10. The system (54) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein each beam (302) is mounted on top of at least two support elements, in particular, the support element being a pillar (318), a wall or a scaffold.

11. The system (54) according to the claims 6 to 10, wherein the bridge crane (300) is rigidly mounted onto the floor (44) and/or the platform (38).

12. The system (54) according to claim 6, wherein the crane (112) comprises a first crane (122) arm being L-shaped and pivotally mounted at a crane body (120), the first crane arm (122) having a free end located opposite to the crane body (120) and at which a second crane arm (124) is pivotally mounted, said second crane arm (124) having a free end located opposite to the first crane arm (122) and at which coupling element (126) is pivotally mounted, said coupling element (126) being configured to attach to the transport carrier (56).

13. The system (54) according to claims 6 to 12, wherein the lifting device (58) includes an arrangement module (200) with a command panel (204) which is configured to control the vertical movement of the transport carrier (56).

14. The system (54) according to claim 13 wherein the control panel (204) comprises an operating element (224) configured as a dead man switch such that, upon activation of said switch, a movement of the crane (112) is unlocked such that the transport carrier (56) can be moved manually according to the three additional degrees of freedom.

15. The system (54) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the command panel (204) is configured to control the movement of the crane (112) automatically and/or manually, wherein the control panel (204) is arranged at a fixed radial distance from and rigidly connected to a gripping unit (202), and wherein the gripping unit (202) is configured to grab and hold the transport carrier (56).

16. The system (54) according to claim 15, wherein the command panel (204) provides a joystick assigned to a handle bar (216) of the command panel (204), wherein the joystick is configured as a dead man switch such that upon activation of said switch a movement of the crane (112) is unlocked, whereas upon deactivation of said switch a movement (112) of the crane is locked and the command panel (204) can be moved manually.

17. The system (54) according to claims 15 or 16, wherein the command panel (204) has at least the following functions:

- Moving the crane (112) vertically along an Up- and a down-direction; - Opening and closing of the gripping unit (202) such as said gripping unit (202) can be attached to the transport carrier (56);

- Rotating the command panel (204) by 360° around gripping unit (202);

- Rotating the first crane arm (122) and the second crane arm (124) around their respective rotation axis;

- Moving the command panel (204) vertically and independently from the crane (112) along an Up- and a down-direction; and

- Locking and/or unlocking a movement of the crane (112).

18. The system (54) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the alignment mechanism (60) includes two interlocking elements (128, 130) configured to engage with each other, wherein one of the two interlocking elements (128, 130) is fixedly mounted on the sheet processing machine, preferably on a housing (14) of the sheet processing machine (10), and the other of the two interlocking elements (128, 130) is fixedly mounted on the transport carrier (56), preferably on a front side (82) of the transport carrier (56).

19. The system (54) according to claim 18, wherein one of the interlocking elements (128, 130) is a recess unit (128), comprising preferably a conical recess part (136), and the other of the two interlocking elements is a counterpart unit (130) that is configured to engage with the recess unit (128), preferably a conical protrusion (148).

20. The system (54) according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the at least one of the recess unit (128) or the counterpart unit (130) comprises a magnet (144), wherein the magnet (144) is configured to attach the counterpart unit (130) of the transport carrier (56) to the recess unit (128) of the sheet processing machine (10) such that a displacement of the transport carrier (56) is prevented when the carrier (56) is locked at the least one the exchange position (156, 158).

21. The system (54) according to claim 20, wherein the transport carrier (56) has at least one recess unit (128) and at least one balance unit (150), wherein the balance unit (150) has a dummy element (152) that is formed as an abutment part, said abutment part having a cylindrical shape, wherein both units (128, 150) are preferably disposed on the front side (82) of the rack (62).

22. A sheet processing machine (10) for processing sheets, paper or cardboards (26) comprising a conveyor road (12) for cutting sheets, paper or cardboards (26) using different tools (34), a platform (38) adjacent to the conveyor road (12) and a floor (44) adjacent the platform (38) for storing at least one transport carrier (56), the conveyor road (12) comprises a housing (14) including in the following sequence an introduction station (16) for the supply of sheets, a platen station (18) for cutting the sheets, a waste ejection station (20) for removing cut-out sheets and a blanking station (22) for collecting final cut sheets, wherein the platform (38) provides at least one exchange position (46) for exchanging tools (34), and wherein the sheet processing machine (10) further comprises the tool exchange system (54) according to any one of claims 1 to 21.