A centering device (1) for centering flat workpieces (700-706) comprises a centering station (100) having at least a first and a second gripping device (300, 301) for gripping the workpiece (700-706), and conveying means for conveying workpieces (700-706) in a conveying direction to the centering station (100). The first and the second gripping device (300, 301) can each be moved horizontally by a first and a second guiding device (200, 201), respectively, and the first and the second gripping device (300, 301) can rotate freely about an axis.

A centering device (1) for centering flat workpieces (700-706) comprises a centering station (100) having at least a first and a second gripping device (300, 301) for gripping the workpiece (700-706), and conveying means for conveying workpieces (700-706) in a conveying direction to the centering station (100). The first and the second gripping device (300, 301) can each be moved horizontally by a first and a second guiding device (200, 201), respectively, and the first and the second gripping device (300, 301) can rotate freely about an axis.

A method for producing a device includes, by an electronic computing unit, determining a nominal value of a nominal property of the device to be produced and/or of a movement apparatus for moving the device in space. By the electronic computing unit, comparing the nominal value with actual values of a property of respective already produced devices and/or of an already produced movement apparatus, where a respective difference between the nominal value and the respective actual value is determined in the comparing. By the electronic computing unit, displaying an item of information on an electronic display, where the information characterizes one of the already produced devices, where one of the actual values belongs to the one device characterized by the information, and where one of the differences was determined on a basis of the one actual value belonging to the device characterized by the information.

A method for producing a device includes, by an electronic computing unit, determining a nominal value of a nominal property of the device to be produced and/or of a movement apparatus for moving the device in space. By the electronic computing unit, comparing the nominal value with actual values of a property of respective already produced devices and/or of an already produced movement apparatus, where a respective difference between the nominal value and the respective actual value is determined in the comparing. By the electronic computing unit, displaying an item of information on an electronic display, where the information characterizes one of the already produced devices, where one of the actual values belongs to the one device characterized by the information, and where one of the differences was determined on a basis of the one actual value belonging to the device characterized by the information.

A method configures a workpiece-related workpiece holding device for press automation. At least one workpiece-specific holding element of the workpiece holding device is configurably secured to a support of the workpiece holding device in at least one degree of configuration freedom. The method has the steps of (a) imaging a real image of the at least one workpiece-specific holding element on a display device and (b) outputting configuration information relating to the at least one workpiece-specific holding element on the display device, the configuration information including at least one piece of reference information relating to a relative reference orientation and/or a relative reference position of at least one region of a workpiece-specific holding element relative to the support.

A crossbar support assembly that supports a crossbar includes a support post, a bracket, a riser, and a lock assembly. The bracket is secured to a distal end of the support post. The lock assembly is configured to releasably secure the riser to the bracket. The lock assembly includes a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In the locked configuration the riser is inhibited from moving with respect to the bracket. In the unlocked configuration the riser is permitted to move with respect to the bracket. The crossbar support assembly may include an adjustment assembly that adjusts a position of the riser with respect to the bracket when the lock assembly is in the unlocked configuration.

A transport device for the transport of workpieces in a workpiece transport direction in a press, which has a carrier rail, which is mounted, via a lifting carriage and a rocker rotatably mounted on the lifting carriage, on a vertically running upright of the press. In order to enable a flexible workpiece transport, it is provided that, on the carrier rail, workpiece grippers are mounted on at least two transport carriages, which each have their own drive mechanism in order to move the transport carriages with the workpiece grippers along the carrier rail independently of each other.

The invention relates to a coupling system, in particular for mechanically coupling a positioning mechanism to a gripper rail, comprising a coupling device (1), in particular on a positioning mechanism, a counter coupling device (2), in particular on a gripper rail, wherein the coupling device (1) and the counter coupling device (2) can be selectively coupled together or uncoupled, and a locking device (8-33), which locks the coupling device (1) to the counter coupling device (2) in a locking state and unlocks the coupling device (1) and the counter coupling device (2) in an unlocking state. According to the invention, the locking device (8-33) unlocks and locks solely on the basis of the motion of the coupling device (1) and of the counter coupling device (2) without an external drive.

A split idle station assembly, a transfer press assembly including a split idle station assembly and a method of operating an idle station for a transfer press assembly. The split idle station includes numerous workpiece mounting brackets that are insertable into corresponding parts of a multi-component movable base assembly such that upon moving from a split configuration into a support configuration, a locking mechanism cooperates with base assembly parts and mounting brackets to form a locking interference fit or engagement for each mounting bracket in order to securely support a workpiece on the brackets. Likewise, the cooperative movement of the first and second base assembly sections away from one another causes a release the interference fit from the notch to effect disengagement of the locking mechanism. The construction of the locking mechanism is such that both the engagement and disengagement may be performed as part of a one-handed operation.

A system for producing a vehicle body assembly is provided. The system comprises an assembly station including a press and a transfer system configured to transfer a metal material to the press. The press is configured to form a vehicle body member from the metal material, and the same press is also configured to connect the vehicle body member with at least one additional vehicle body member to form the vehicle body assembly.