A tool-changing unit for a production plant for forming sheet metal using a bending operation. The tool-changing unit includes a tool-holding device having a carrier body and a number n of tool-holding modules arranged directly next to one another and held on the carrier body. Each one of the tool-holding modules includes a first coupler and a first actuating device cooperating therewith as a component of a coupling device, wherein the first coupler can be brought into coupling engagement and out of coupling engagement with an individual clamping jaw of a clamping jaw set. Moreover, a production plant has the tool-changing unit and the clamping jaw a method changes tools.

A method of forming a vehicle panel includes deforming a sheet metal workpiece between stamping tools to form a first and second edges that converge at a corner of the workpiece's main surface. The first edge is defined by a junction of the main surface and a first flange. The second edge is defined the main surface and a second flange. Forming the first and second edges includes deforming the workpiece so that the second flange has a first region bent to a first angle relative to the main surface and an unwinding region bent to an angle that unwinds from the first region as the second flange approaches the corner. The method includes deforming the workpiece between a second set of stamping tools that deform the first flange and the unwinding region of the second flange until the first and second flanges are bent greater than 90?.

A clamping system for a press brake or folding press includes a beam for holding one or more tools. The clamping system includes a first and a second transducer, each capable of transducing electrical energy to light and vice versa. The first and second transducers each are configured to transmit light towards, and to receive light from, the one or more tools held by the beam. An assembly of such a clamping system and a tool including a marking being configured to reflect light received from the first and second transducers, and to such a tool.

The invention relates to a bending machine (1) for bending sheet metal workpieces (2), for example a press brake or a folding machine, comprising at least one tool carrier (3), wherein a plurality of tool parts (5) that can be moved along a horizontal tool receptacle (4) are arranged on at least one tool carrier (3), at least one adjusting device (6) for moving the tool parts (5), and coupling devices (14) associated with the tool parts (5), each for connecting a respective tool part (5) to the adjusting device (6). Furthermore, according to the invention the adjusting device (6) may comprise a threaded spindle (7) extending parallel to the tool receptacle (4) and each coupling device (14) may comprise a spindle nut segment (15), wherein the spindle nut segment (15) can be coupled to the tool part (5) or to the threaded spindle (7).