The invention relates to a tool changing device (1) for a forming press (2), in particular a press brake, comprising at least one tool magazine (3, 4) and at least one transfer device (5, 6) for the transfer of the forming tools (7, 8) of the at least one tool magazine (3, 4), which are storable in the at least one tool magazine (3, 4), from the at least one tool magazine (3, 4) to the forming press (2) and in the reverse direction, wherein the at least one transfer device (5, 6) has a drivable thrust chain (9, 10) for the transmission of compressive and tensile forces.

A servo press line operation method operates a servo press line in which a servo press and a servo transfer device are disposed in a workpiece transfer direction. The servo press line operation method includes causing a transfer controller to receive a master signal that causes the servo transfer device to make a motion in synchronization with the servo press, the transfer controller controlling a motor of the servo transfer device using a motor instruction, causing the transfer controller to determine whether or not an abnormality in the master signal has occurred, and causing the transfer controller to generate the motor instruction based on a stop signal that stops the motor of the servo transfer device, instead of the master signal, when the transfer controller has determined that an abnormality in the master signal has occurred.

A servo press line operation method operates a servo press line in which a servo press and a servo transfer device are disposed in a workpiece transfer direction. The servo press line operation method includes causing a transfer controller to receive a master signal that causes the servo transfer device to make a motion in synchronization with the servo press, the transfer controller controlling a motor of the servo transfer device using a motor instruction, causing the transfer controller to determine whether or not an abnormality in the master signal has occurred, and causing the transfer controller to generate the motor instruction based on a stop signal that stops the motor of the servo transfer device, instead of the master signal, when the transfer controller has determined that an abnormality in the master signal has occurred.

Bending machine with a machine bed including a workpiece table with a workpiece support surface and an upper tool which is linearly movable mounted to the machine bed along a movement axis and which has a bottom edge arranged adjacent to the workpiece support surface. The lower edge and the movement axis define a movement plane which separates a handling space from a workpiece receiving space, in which a first optical safety device is arranged in the handling space and a second optical safety device is arranged in the workpiece receiving space, and with a safety controller to process sensor signals from the optical safety devices and for switching off a drive associated with the upper tool. The safety controller provides a first operating mode, in which only the first sensor signals are processed, and a second operating mode, in which only the second sensor signals are processed.

Bending machine with a machine bed including a workpiece table with a workpiece support surface and an upper tool which is linearly movable mounted to the machine bed along a movement axis and which has a bottom edge arranged adjacent to the workpiece support surface. The lower edge and the movement axis define a movement plane which separates a handling space from a workpiece receiving space, in which a first optical safety device is arranged in the handling space and a second optical safety device is arranged in the workpiece receiving space, and with a safety controller to process sensor signals from the optical safety devices and for switching off a drive associated with the upper tool. The safety controller provides a first operating mode, in which only the first sensor signals are processed, and a second operating mode, in which only the second sensor signals are processed.

A press brake assembly configured to bend a workpiece that includes an upper beam configured to hold an upper punch and a lower beam configured to hold a lower die. A safety latch is disposed within a safety latch cavity of the upper punch, and the upper punch is partially housed within a first cavity of the upper beam. A biasing member is also disposed within the safety latch cavity. A pin extends from a lateral side of the upper punch through the safety latch, and the safety latch is configured to rotate about the pin. The safety latch includes a cam configured to engage the upper beam within a second cavity of the upper beam. The biasing member is configured to bias the cam in a forward direction towards the upper beam cavity to prevent the upper punch from disengaging the upper beam.

A press brake assembly configured to bend a workpiece that includes an upper beam configured to hold an upper punch and a lower beam configured to hold a lower die. A safety latch is disposed within a safety latch cavity of the upper punch, and the upper punch is partially housed within a first cavity of the upper beam. A biasing member is also disposed within the safety latch cavity. A pin extends from a lateral side of the upper punch through the safety latch, and the safety latch is configured to rotate about the pin. The safety latch includes a cam configured to engage the upper beam within a second cavity of the upper beam. The biasing member is configured to bias the cam in a forward direction towards the upper beam cavity to prevent the upper punch from disengaging the upper beam.

An exchangeable plate is suspended on a top plate and held in a lower end position without force by a hydraulic clamps. In an upper end position, it is connected with force fit to, and re-detached from, the top plate as a function of a stripping operation of a scrap web from a V-ring pressure plate. The exchangeable plate is transferred from the lower into the upper end position by movement of a ram, and transferred from the upper into the lower end position by gravity. A sensing distance, adapted to the brake path of the drive system, is provided between the top plate and the exchangeable plate. A sensing device in the V-ring pressure plate outputs a signal to the computer for stopping the drive system and deactivating the hydraulic system. A. sensor detects premature movement of a pressure plate in the exchangeable plate.

An exchangeable plate is suspended on a top plate and held in a lower end position without force by a hydraulic clamps. In an upper end position, it is connected with force fit to, and re-detached from, the top plate as a function of a stripping operation of a scrap web from a V-ring pressure plate. The exchangeable plate is transferred from the lower into the upper end position by movement of a ram, and transferred from the upper into the lower end position by gravity. A sensing distance, adapted to the brake path of the drive system, is provided between the top plate and the exchangeable plate. A sensing device in the V-ring pressure plate outputs a signal to the computer for stopping the drive system and deactivating the hydraulic system. A. sensor detects premature movement of a pressure plate in the exchangeable plate.

Provided is an abnormality prediction system and an abnormality prediction method that are capable of predicting an abnormality occurring in a die that is used in a press machine. A die abnormality prediction system (50) includes: an acoustic emission (AE) sensor (62) configured to detect an elastic wave that occurs in a processing portion of a die during processing performed by a press machine using the die; a stamping load detection sensor (61) configured to detect a parameter (a stamping load) other than a parameter regarding the elastic wave, out of parameters regarding a state of the die during the processing performed by the press machine using the die; a score calculation unit (56) configured to calculate an abnormality prediction score of the die based on an output signal from the AE sensor (62) and an output signal from the stamping load detection sensor (61); and an abnormality prediction unit (57) configured to predict an abnormality occurring in the die, based on a result of the calculation performed by the score calculation unit (56).