A method for assisting a user with sorting workpieces disposed on a sorting table uses a positioning system for determining a spatial position of a user's hand. The position can be determined by a sorting assistance unit worn near a hand of the user and the position of which is detected by the positioning system, or by image-based positioning using one or more cameras. The method comprises providing a position data set that includes the positions of the workpieces produced of the machining plan on the sorting table; by the positioning system, detecting a position of the user's hand and comparing it with the positions of the position data set; identifying at least one workpiece that is paired with the position of the user's hand; and outputting a sorting signal which comprises information about the at least one workpiece paired with the position of the user's hand.

A method for supporting a sorting process of workpieces arranged on a sorting table that have been produced on a machine tool by a processing plan, comprising providing of a processing image data set of the processing plan based on the arrangement of at least one workpiece. The method further relates to an imaging-based capturing of the sorting table having a plurality of adjacent workpieces to each other and generating a first sorting image data set, and repeated image-based capturing of the sorting table and generating of a second sorting image data set once at least one workpiece has been removed from the sorting table. The method comprises comparing of the sorting image data sets, incorporating the processing image data set, wherein a sorting signal is generated which contains information that comprises the type, the position and/or the shape of the at least one removed workpiece.

A method for supporting a sorting process of workpieces arranged on a sorting table that have been produced on a machine tool by a processing plan, comprising providing of a processing image data set of the processing plan based on the arrangement of at least one workpiece. The method further relates to an imaging-based capturing of the sorting table having a plurality of adjacent workpieces to each other and generating a first sorting image data set, and repeated image-based capturing of the sorting table and generating of a second sorting image data set once at least one workpiece has been removed from the sorting table. The method comprises comparing of the sorting image data sets, incorporating the processing image data set, wherein a sorting signal is generated which contains information that comprises the type, the position and/or the shape of the at least one removed workpiece.

A machine for separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece by a processing beam. The machine has a first movement unit for moving the workpiece in a first direction, a second movement unit for moving a processing head in a second direction, two workpiece bearing supports for bearing the workpiece, and a parts chute. The two workpeice bearing supports are separated from each other by a gap that extends along the second direction. The parts chute is movable between a first chute position and a second chute position so as to move a cut-free workpiece part that has dropped into the gap, laterally away from the gap. The machine includes a receiving unit movable in the second direction, to receive the cut-free workpiece part at a transfer position and transport the workpiece part to one or more discharging positions of the machine along the second direction.

A machine for separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece by a processing beam. The machine has a first movement unit for moving the workpiece in a first direction, a second movement unit for moving a processing head in a second direction, two workpiece bearing supports for bearing the workpiece, and a parts chute. The two workpeice bearing supports are separated from each other by a gap that extends along the second direction. The parts chute is movable between a first chute position and a second chute position so as to move a cut-free workpiece part that has dropped into the gap, laterally away from the gap. The machine includes a receiving unit movable in the second direction, to receive the cut-free workpiece part at a transfer position and transport the workpiece part to one or more discharging positions of the machine along the second direction.

The present invention relates to a selecting device to be disposed downstream of a springs forming device of a springs forming machine. The selecting device may include an inlet adapted to receive springs formed in the springs forming device, outlets adapted to eject each of the springs from the selecting device, means for selectively conveying each of the springs entering the selecting device through the inlet towards the outlets, and means to form conduits to connect the inlet to the outlets. The selecting device may include means for generating a depression in at least one of the conduits and means for generating a compressed air flow directly inside the selecting device at one of the conduits.

The present invention relates to a selecting device to be disposed downstream of a springs forming device of a springs forming machine. The selecting device may include an inlet adapted to receive springs formed in the springs forming device, outlets adapted to eject each of the springs from the selecting device, means for selectively conveying each of the springs entering the selecting device through the inlet towards the outlets, and means to form conduits to connect the inlet to the outlets. The selecting device may include means for generating a depression in at least one of the conduits and means for generating a compressed air flow directly inside the selecting device at one of the conduits.

A technology that can prevent leakage of confidential workpiece information in a course of workpiece transfer is provided. A pallet transfer system includes a transfer device, a pallet storage, a work station, a machine tool, and a control device. The control device determines whether or not the workpiece is a confidential target based on information indicating whether or not the workpiece to be machined is a confidential target, the control device transfers the pallet to which the workpiece is attached by a first transfer method when determining that the workpiece is not the confidential target, and the control device transfers the pallet to which the workpiece is attached by a second transfer method different from the first transfer method when determining that the workpiece is the confidential target.

A technology that can prevent leakage of confidential workpiece information in a course of workpiece transfer is provided. A pallet transfer system includes a transfer device, a pallet storage, a work station, a machine tool, and a control device. The control device determines whether or not the workpiece is a confidential target based on information indicating whether or not the workpiece to be machined is a confidential target, the control device transfers the pallet to which the workpiece is attached by a first transfer method when determining that the workpiece is not the confidential target, and the control device transfers the pallet to which the workpiece is attached by a second transfer method different from the first transfer method when determining that the workpiece is the confidential target.

A sorting method automatically sorts workpieces produced in a flatbed machine tool according to a scheduled sorting process by a sorting device. The method includes: providing at least one piece of process information created as a result of manufacturing of the workpieces; analyzing the at least one piece of process information, such that it is determined whether there is a sorting disruption; and upon determining that there is the sorting disruption, automatically modifying the sorting process.