The disclosure relates to a workpiece support for a processing machine for flat workpieces, wherein the workpiece support has support elements forming a plurality of support points for the workpieces which span a workpiece support plane for the flat workpiece, wherein a transfer device for transferring at least one of the support elements from a first position into at least one further position is provided. At least one support element is thus configured to be transferred from the first position into the at least one further position even when a workpiece is loaded, by a movement parallel to the workpiece support plane. The disclosure also relates to a processing machine including such a workpiece support and a method for processing a workpiece.

A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.

A system for supporting workpieces during machining. The system comprises one or more adjustable workpiece support assemblies and a robotic unit. Each workpiece support assembly comprises a pedestal and a rotatable fixture element. The robotic assembly comprises means of mobilizing and immobilizing each support assembly, so that the fixture element may be secured in a particular orientation. The robotic unit moves along a frame, and manipulates and fixes the position of the fixture elements to match the contour of a workpiece. Vacuum forces may be applied through the workpiece support assemblies to secure the workpiece against the fixture elements.

The machining station can include a table; at least three robots each having a multi-axis mover secured to the table, and a gripper opposite the table, the robots being interspaced from one another on the table; and a controller. The controller controls the robots to hold a workpiece in a coordinated manner. The computer numerical command (CNC) machine-tool system machines the workpiece while the workpiece is held by the robots. The workpiece can be moved into and out from the machining station with a trolley which slidingly engages a trolley path formed within the table.

A device forming a clamping pad includes a body (1) presenting a first face (1a) to be secured by suction to a worktable (T) and a second face (1b) to be secured by suction to a workpiece (P). The body (1) contains elements for generating suction, which elements are linked to the first face (1a) to be secured to the worktable (T) and to the second face (1b) to be secured to a workpiece (P). The device is applicable to double-sided clamping of workpieces (P) with a view to treating them or to working on them.

A workpiece fixture assembly is provided herein. The workpiece fixture assembly includes a baseplate including an engagement surface. First and second static risers are configured to maintain a position of a workpiece. The first static riser includes a first gage bore thereon. A dynamic riser is configured to abut the workpiece and has a second gage bore thereon. A numerical control machine has a probe to measure an offset distance between the first and second gage bores. A linearly actuable workpiece support is disposed on the baseplate.

The machine tool (1) includes: at least one work head (9) adapted to support at least one tool (21); at least one workpiece holder (30) comprising at least two substantially parallel beams (31) arranged at a distance adjustable orthogonally to the longitudinal extension of the beams; on each beam (31) at least one carriage (35) movable along the longitudinal extension of the beam (31); on each carriage (35) a suction cup (39) for blocking the workpieces (P) to be machined.

The position of each suction cup (39) with respect to the carriage (35) onto which the cup is mounted is adjustable by rotating around an axis (D-D) which is substantially orthogonal to a blocking surface, for blocking the workpieces, defined by the suction cups (39). To each suction cup (39) an actuator (46, 48) is associated, controlling the rotation of the suction cup (39) with respect to the carriage (35) onto which the cup is mounted.

A system for machining semi-rigid curved panels includes a fixturing device within an enclosure cell, the cell having a sealable entrance and a sealable exit. A holding table, moveable through the sealable entrance between the inside and outside of the cell, is configured to receive unfinished semi-rigid curved panels. Another holding table, fixed outside of the cell, is configured to receive processed semi-rigid curved panels. A first robot inside the cell transports the semi-rigid curved panels from the first holding table and onto the fixturing device, later transporting the curved panels from the fixturing device onto the second holding table through the sealable exit. A second robot processes the semi-rigid curved panels on the fixturing device. A controller is configured to sequentially actuate first and second robots for transporting and processing the semi-rigid curved panels, and to manage a vacuum clamping system for workpiece retention on the fixturing device.

A holding device (200) for holding a sheet material (12) in a machining device (10), in particular a laser machining device, includes a working plate (204), vacuum devices (206), and support modules (208). The working plate (204) has a plate upper side (220) extending along a plate plane (222). The vacuum devices (206) extend along a holding direction (271), each having a base (226) arranged on the plate upper side (220) and a nozzle head (256) arranged on the base (226) for suctioning the sheet material (12). The support modules (208) extend along the holding direction (271), each having a module base (288) arranged on the plate upper side (220) and a brush (302) arranged on the module base (288) and extending along a brush plane (301) for supporting the sheet material (12).

A processing device (10) for processing flat material (12) extending along a material plane (11) includes at least one holding device (200) for holding the flat material (12), at least one clamping device (400) for fastening the flat material (12) in place and for clamping the flat material (12) along the material plane (11), and at least one laser device (600) for cutting at least one cut piece (1) from the flat material (12). The holding device (200) is designed such that the at least one cut piece (1) is held by the holding device (200) after the laser cut.