The present invention relates to a plant for processing sheet metal, comprising a conveyor for moving sheet metal; at least one image acquisition apparatus placed above a horizontal plane defined by said conveyor. The apparatus in turn comprises a camera comprising a lens; first moving means for moving the camera parallel to the horizontal plane; an illuminator that is placed beneath the camera and is equipped with a plurality of light sources to illuminate a portion of said horizontal plane located beneath the camera. Said apparatus further comprises second moving means for moving said illuminator with respect to said camera perpendicularly to said horizontal plane supporting the sheet metal.

A back gauge for a back gauge positioning system of a bending machine includes a stop finger on which at least one stop surface is configured, and a base unit that is configured for coupling with the back gauge positioning system. The stop finger is coupled with the base unit by a linear guide, and the stop finger can be displaced relative to the base unit between a pushed-forward working position and a retracted position. The stop finger and the base unit are coupled with a first spring element, by which the stop finger is pre-loaded into its working position, and a locking device is configured, by which the stop finger can optionally be locked in the working position or is released into its retracted position for displacement counter to the spring force of the first spring element.

The invention relates to a workpiece processing machine (1), and to a method for operation of a workpiece processing machine (1). The workpiece processing machine (1) comprises an automatically adjustable stop finger (17), and has, for monitoring adjustment movements of the stop finger (17), a monitoring device (36, 37, 38) that comprises an illuminating device (36) and at least one optical detection device (37). In operation of the workpiece processing machine (1), during an automatically controlled adjustment movement of the stop finger (17), a light beam (38) is radiated into an area ahead of the stop finger (17) in the adjustment direction. Upon detection of a first light image (43) projected onto an object surface (42) by the first light beam (38), a safety measure is triggered.

A method for calibrating a metal profile blank configured as a hollow-chamber profile having at least one solid wall. A pressing tool is closed in a main direction about one end region of an element of the profile blank until surfaces of the pressing tool lie against a pair of surfaces of the profile blank to be calibrated, deforming and bending the at least one end region of the element. The pressing tool is closed in a secondary direction perpendicular to the main direction until surfaces of the pressing tool lie against surfaces of the at least one end region, and wedge-like limbs of a drive element of the pressing tool engage wedge-like dies of the pressing tool. The pressing tool is closed further in the secondary direction, subjecting the profile blank to plastic deformation so as to reduce or eliminate the bending of the end region.

The invention relates to a folding machine for folding an object, using a measurement system for measuring an angle between a first plane through a first surface area and a second plane through a second surface area of an object. The system includes a sensor arrangement for measuring the coordinates in a measurement coordinate system of a plurality of measurement spots in the first surface area, and an inclinometer for measuring an inclination of the measurement coordinate system to the direction opposite to the direction of the force of gravity. The measurement system also includes a processing device for determining the angle between the first plane and the second plane based on the measured coordinates of the plurality of measurement spots, the measured inclination and information on the angle between the second plane and the direction opposite to the force of gravity.

An embossed component for positioning an article having a through hole includes a planar portion and an embossed portion projecting from a surface of the planar portion. The embossed portion is tapered toward a tip side and to be fitted into the through hole. The embossed portion includes a straight base end portion continuous with the planar portion and extending vertically with respect to the planar portion toward the tip side of the embossed portion, and an opening is at a tip of the embossed portion.

An embossed component for positioning an article having a through hole includes a planar portion and an embossed portion projecting from a surface of the planar portion. The embossed portion is tapered toward a tip side and to be fitted into the through hole. The embossed portion includes a straight base end portion continuous with the planar portion and extending vertically with respect to the planar portion toward the tip side of the embossed portion, and an opening is at a tip of the embossed portion.

One aspect of this disclosure provides a finger baffle for a heating furnace. This embodiment includes an elongated support plate having a length, and at least one finger baffle extending outwardly and in a vertically oriented direction from the elongated support plate. The at least one finger baffle has a width that extends along the length of the elongated support plate. The finger baffle may be employed in a high-efficiency gas furnace.

One aspect of this disclosure provides a finger baffle for a heating furnace. This embodiment includes an elongated support plate having a length, and at least one finger baffle extending outwardly and in a vertically oriented direction from the elongated support plate. The at least one finger baffle has a width that extends along the length of the elongated support plate. The finger baffle may be employed in a high-efficiency gas furnace.

The present invention relates to a linear motion guide unit manufactured at low cost by forming at least a slider from a single metal plate, and reduced in sliding resistance of rolling elements as well as a method of manufacturing the same. The linear motion guide unit includes a guide rail, and the slider formed from a single metal plate. The guide rail has a bottom part, and a pair of longitudinal side parts standing from opposite sides of the bottom part, extending longitudinally in a mutually facing manner, and having respective raceway grooves in which the rolling elements roll. The slider includes an upper part, a pair of mutually facing sleeve parts extending downward from opposite sides of the upper part and having respective raceway grooves and return passages, and end cap parts formed respectively at opposite ends of the upper part and having turnaround grooves.