A manipulator for components, in particular sheet metal parts, includes a base body mountable stationarily or movable along a guide arrangement, a first pivot arm pivotally coupled to the base body via a horizontal first pivot axis, a second pivot arm pivotally coupled to the first pivot arm via a horizontal second pivot axis and a third pivot arm pivotally coupled to the second pivot arm via a horizontal third pivot axis. A first axis of rotation extending radially to the third pivot axis is formed on the third pivot arm. A gripper support arm is rotatably coupled to the third pivot arm via the first axis of rotation and extends radially to the first axis of rotation. A gripping arrangement is rotatably coupled to the gripper support arm via a second axis of rotation spaced from the first axis of rotation. A bending installation includes the manipulator.

A method transports and/or handles components, in particular sheet metal parts, and a production plant includes a manipulator arrangement having a first manipulator arm and at least one second manipulator, wherein the first manipulator and the at least one second manipulator are designed to pick up, transport, hold and/or deposit a component, at least one processing device for carrying out processing steps on the component, wherein the component is transferred from the first manipulator to the at least one second manipulator after a first processing cycle at a predetermined re-gripping time, the re-gripping time being between the first processing cycle and at least one second processing cycle, wherein the component at least in portions rests on the processing device during the re-gripping time and is supported in a load-dissipating manner solely by the processing device.

The method for processing bars provides for feeding a predefined number of bars (2) into a feeding station (3). The method further provides for transferring said fed bars to an operating assembly (4) by means of a transfer assembly (5) comprising at least one transfer device (50).

The method for processing bars provides for feeding a predefined number of bars (2) into a feeding station (3). The method further provides for transferring said fed bars to an operating assembly (4) by means of a transfer assembly (5) comprising at least one transfer device (50).

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.

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.

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.

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.

The invention relates to a gripping device (1) and a method for the monitored movement of objects (2), preferably sheet metals, comprising a system control (3) configured for processing object data (31) and controlling a gripping module (4), wherein the gripping module (4) has at least two gripping jaws (5) formed to cooperate with one another, which form an intermediate receiving space (6) for receiving at least parts of an object (2) to be monitored and transported, and the gripping jaws (5) are formed such that, by applying a pre-definable clamping force (7), at least a friction-type connection between the gripping jaws (5) and at least parts of the object (2) is made possible, whereby the object (2) is movable, and at least one sensor element (8) for collecting object data (31) of the object (2) to be moved and monitored, wherein the at least one sensor element (8) is arranged on at least one gripping jaw (5) with its sensor region (9) facing the receiving space (6), and is formed such that it detects, by means of at least temporary collection of the object data (31), a relative movement and/or relative velocity (26) of the object (2) with respect to at least one of the gripping jaws (5).

A transport system (10) for transporting workpieces (12) on a transport path between two production process stations, includes a set of drones (18, 20), each of which includes at least one gripper (26), which is designed to releasably couple to a surface (28) of a workpiece, and a control device for the simultaneous coordinated control of the drones (18, 20) of the set in such a way that the grippers (26) of the drones (18, 20) couple to different coupling positions on the surface (28) of the workpiece (12) and the orientation of the workpiece (12) can be changed on a transport path between the production process stations by changing the relative positions of the drones (18, 20) while maintaining the relative distances of the coupling positions from one another.