A method for selecting optimum operation performance criteria for a metal working process. The method includes the step of developing a process model relating process parameters for the operation with performance variables for said operation, wherein the process parameters and performance variables are retrievable via integrated multiple data sources, and selecting at least one optimization technique to define a function, said function including process parameters. Moreover, the method includes generating the function for optimization by using acceptable tolerances of a product to be machined as a basis to define ranges for performance variables along with ranges for process parameters, and applying the at least one optimization technique to said function, whereby optimum operation performance criteria are calculated for the process model including process parameters and performance variables to obtain a set of requirements to be used for controlling the metal working process.

In certain embodiments described herein, a heated line forming system includes a heating coil system configured to produce a heated line on a surface of a metal part. The heated line forming system also includes an air knife cooling system configured to maintain a dry area for the heated line, and to direct a coolant (e.g., cooling water, liquified gases such as liquid argon, solidified gases such as carbon dioxide snow, and so forth) around the heated line via a spray mechanism such that the coolant does not flow or splash into the heated line on the metal part. In certain embodiments, the heated line forming system includes multiple induction coils arranged along a line and spaced a short distance apart, but which, when operated simultaneously together, form a heated line on a surface of a metal part.

A detection unit for detecting a data row of a press position and a load at the press position; an input/storage unit for inputting and storing a value serving as a reference for determining a bend point in a relation between the press position and the load at the press position; a data-row calculation unit for calculating a data row of a press position and a load at a constant distance interval based on the data row of the press position and the load detected; a slope calculation unit for calculating a slope of the load based on the press position and the load at the press position detected; and a bend-point determination unit for determining a point, at which the calculated slope of the load exceeds the value serving as the reference for determining the bend point, as the bend point are provided.

An automated bending machine for bending metal sheet material, provided with driving means which are integrated in a table and/or ram depending on whether the driving means are designed for moving and arranging bottom tools and/or top tools respectively on the respective tool holder of the automated bending machine, whereby the driving means are such that several tool segments can be simultaneously controlled with the latter in order to make these multiple tool segments simultaneously undergo a movement, independently from one another, along the tool holder concerned.

An improved production plan is created for producing a three-dimensional component from a metal sheet by cutting, bending, and/or welding. A method creates the improved production plan by: dividing a first two-dimensional construction plan of the original production plan along bending edges, or the bending edges and weld seams, into surfaces; rearranging the surfaces to form a second two-dimensional construction plan, assessing the construction plans according to a length of an outer contour for cutting the component out of the metal sheet, a length of the weld seams, or a number of bends; and producing the improved production plan from the second construction plan based upon the assessment of the second construction plan being better than the assessment of the first construction plan.

In certain embodiments described herein, a heated line forming system includes a heating coil system configured to produce a heated line on a surface of a metal part. The heated line forming system also includes an air knife cooling system configured to maintain a dry area for the heated line, and to direct a coolant (e.g., cooling water, liquified gases such as liquid argon, solidified gases such as carbon dioxide snow, and so forth) around the heated line via a spray mechanism such that the coolant does not flow or splash into the heated line on the metal part. In certain embodiments, the heated line forming system includes multiple induction coils arranged along a line and spaced a short distance apart, but which, when operated simultaneously together, form a heated line on a surface of a metal part.

An information processing apparatus is capable of reducing a burden on an operator to process data exchanged between systems. An information processing apparatus processes data including a data structure defining a plurality of machining processes selected from a laser cutting process, a punch cutting process, and a non-cutting process and implemented on a plate workpiece. The data structure includes shape information defining positions of machining lines that serve as targets of the machining processes, and machining information defining a type of each machining process corresponding to each machining line among the machining processes.

A device and a method are provided for shaping sheet metal. The device is provided with a plurality of support and clamping elements which are designed to cooperate with one another so as to clamp the sheet metal for a shaping process by mechanically contacting the sheet metal and by holding, orienting, and/or positioning processes. A plurality of actuators are designed to orient and/or position the plurality of support and clamping elements. A controller for the actuators is designed to control the plurality of actuators for adjusting the orientation and/or position of the support and clamping elements.

A bending method includes acquiring a reference value of an original position of a punch with respect to a die for each processed part before an operation of bending of a workpiece by a bending machine including the punch and the die is started, storing each of the acquired reference values in association with each of the processed parts, reading the reference value associated with the processed part to which the bending is to be executed, acquiring a measurement value of the original position after the operation of the bending of the workpiece is started, calculating, based on the acquired measurement value, a secular change amount from the reference value or a previous measurement value as a secular change correction value for a pushing amount of the punch with respect to the die or the original position of the punch, and resetting, for each predetermined trigger condition, the pushing amount or the original position by using the secular change correction value during an automatic operation of the bending of the workpiece.

A system for generating rules inserted into at least one pattern board including: a controller configured to generate at least one shape diagram, the controller also configured to determine number and measurement of crease rules to be generated based on the at least one shape diagram; a cutting station configured to receive and cut a first crease rule into the number and measurement of the crease rules; and a sorter configured to receive the crease rules from the cutting station and sort the crease rules according to the measurement of the crease rules, wherein the sorted crease rules are inserted into each of the at least one pattern board along with a cutting rule shaped by each of at least one bender.