Tools and methods for the handling of workpieces in a processing machine are provided herein. The tools have a tool body, having a clamping pin that is fixedly arranged on the tool body and having an indexing wheel that is arranged between the clamping pin and the tool body. At least one suction element is provided, to which a fluid channel leads, and the at least one suction element can be transferred by the indexing wheel or the tool body into an active position, in which the fluid channel is closed and, due to lengthening of the at least one suction element, the at least one suction element is attached by suction to the workpiece, and the at least one suction element can be transferred by the indexing wheel or the tool body into a rest position, in which the fluid channel is open.

An automatic feeding system adapted to arrange a variety of components having different shapes comprises a storage apparatus and a first conveying device. The storage apparatus includes loaded storage devices loaded with the components and unloaded storage devices unloaded with the components. The first conveying apparatus includes a pair of first support frames disposed opposite to each other, a loading conveying apparatus mounted between the first support frames and configured to convey the unloaded storage devices to a loading position to load the components thereon and change the unloaded storage devices to loaded storage devices, and an unloading conveying apparatus mounted between the first support frames and configured to receive the loaded storage devices conveyed from the loading position. The unloading conveying apparatus conveys the unloaded storage devices to the loading conveying apparatus after the components on the loaded storage devices are picked up by a pick-up apparatus.

An automatic feeding system adapted to arrange a variety of components having different shapes comprises a storage apparatus and a first conveying device. The storage apparatus includes loaded storage devices loaded with the components and unloaded storage devices unloaded with the components. The first conveying apparatus includes a pair of first support frames disposed opposite to each other, a loading conveying apparatus mounted between the first support frames and configured to convey the unloaded storage devices to a loading position to load the components thereon and change the unloaded storage devices to loaded storage devices, and an unloading conveying apparatus mounted between the first support frames and configured to receive the loaded storage devices conveyed from the loading position. The unloading conveying apparatus conveys the unloaded storage devices to the loading conveying apparatus after the components on the loaded storage devices are picked up by a pick-up apparatus.

Provided is a workpiece conveying apparatus including: two SCARA robots each including: a raising and lowering frame supported on a stationary frame so as to be movable in an up-and-down direction, the stationary frame being mounted to extend along a width direction orthogonal to a workpiece conveying direction of a passage space for conveying a workpiece; a first arm supported on the raising and lowering frame through intermediation of a first joint; a second arm held through intermediation of a second joint; a first arm driving mechanism configured to drive the first arm to rotate; and a second arm driving mechanism configured to drive the second arm to rotate; raising and lowering mechanisms arranged to correspond to the two SCARA robots, respectively, and configured to enable the corresponding raising and lowering frames to mutually independently move in the up-and-down direction; a cross arm; and a cross bar unit.

Provided is a workpiece conveying apparatus including: two SCARA robots each including: a raising and lowering frame supported on a stationary frame so as to be movable in an up-and-down direction, the stationary frame being mounted to extend along a width direction orthogonal to a workpiece conveying direction of a passage space for conveying a workpiece; a first arm supported on the raising and lowering frame through intermediation of a first joint; a second arm held through intermediation of a second joint; a first arm driving mechanism configured to drive the first arm to rotate; and a second arm driving mechanism configured to drive the second arm to rotate; raising and lowering mechanisms arranged to correspond to the two SCARA robots, respectively, and configured to enable the corresponding raising and lowering frames to mutually independently move in the up-and-down direction; a cross arm; and a cross bar unit.

Provided is a workpiece holding tool changing system configured to change at least one of a relative position and a posture of a holding tool of a workpiece conveying apparatus with respect to a feed bar. The feed bar includes at least one set among: an X-axis direction linear mechanism with an X-axis linear brake; a Y-axis direction linear mechanism with a Y-axis linear brake; a Z-axis direction linear mechanism with a Z-axis linear brake; and a ball joint portion and a ball brake. Under a state in which inhibition of movement or change in posture by a corresponding brake is canceled, a robot changes the relative position or the posture of the holding tool to a desired relative position or a desired posture. After the change, the workpiece holding tool changing system is brought into a holding state in which the movement or the change in posture is inhibited.

A loading and unloading device for a machine, a machine for machining panel-like workpieces, and a workpiece support for such a machine and a method for loading and unloading such a machine, having a loading and unloading module, wherein the loading and unloading module has a vertically upwardly oriented raising device for lifting a cut-free workpiece part and a vertically downwardly oriented gripping device (38) for holding an unmachined, panel-like workpiece.

A loading and unloading device for a machine, a machine for machining panel-like workpieces, and a workpiece support for such a machine and a method for loading and unloading such a machine, having a loading and unloading module, wherein the loading and unloading module has a vertically upwardly oriented raising device for lifting a cut-free workpiece part and a vertically downwardly oriented gripping device (38) for holding an unmachined, panel-like workpiece.

Method for providing sheet metal pieces, which are arranged at least in part side-by-side on a planar deposition surface, for drawing into a sheet metal bending machine by means of a side drawing-in device which is arranged on the sheet metal bending machine, wherein the side drawing-in device includes a pick-up device that is movable into the sheet metal bending machine and is intended for picking up a sheet metal piece to be drawn into the sheet metal bending machine at a pick-up position above the deposition surface that can be approached by the pick-up device.

A machine arrangement for processing panel-like workpieces includes a processing station for processing a workpiece to produce a processing product, a workpiece support for supporting the workpiece during the workpiece processing and the processing product after the workpiece processing, the workpiece support including an unloading-side support part and a further support part that are arranged laterally side-by-side and substantially flush with one another in a horizontal direction at their upper sides at a common level, a movement device to which the workpiece and the processing product can be attached in a detachable manner and by which the workpiece attached to the movement device and the processing product attached to the movement device can be moved over the workpiece support, and a handling device for unloading the processing product from the workpiece support.