The underlying invention relates in particular to a production module for a production line which is modularly populatable with production modules. In embodiments, provision is made whereby the production module comprises at least one manipulator unit with which a workpiece or a workpiece component is, during the production process, transferable between a deposit position and a production position in the production space of a production module which, for the execution of a production step, is positioned directly downstream in a production direction (R) along the production line.

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 method and a device for producing bipolar plates for fuel cells. A bipolar plate is formed by joining an anode plate to a cathode plate, wherein the anode plate and the cathode plate are formed by forming a substrate plate.

In order to provide a cost-effective and automated method, it is proposed that a plate already provided with a reactive coating or catalyst coating, which is transported, automatically driven, via a transport device from the forming device to the joining device, is used as substrate plate.

Tooling (100) for picking up two-dimensional workpieces comprises a main body (110) and a plurality of holding elements (131, 132) arranged on the main body (110), wherein the holding elements (131, 132) are movable relative to the main body (110) independently of one another. Each of the holding elements (131, 132) is fastened in an end region of an arm (121.1 . . . 10, 122.1 . . . 10). The arms (121, 122) are movable passively relative to the main body (110) along a linear movement path in a longitudinal extension of each particular arm (121, 122). The tooling (100) comprises, for each of the arms (121, 122) a fixing apparatus, by means of which a position of each particular arm (121, 122) along the movement path is fixable. On account of its passive character, the tooling (100) according to the invention is lightweight and can be produced cost-effectively. Compared with fixedly configured tooling, reduced costs arise on account of the configurability, because different types of tooling do not have to be kept available and provided. The storage area for replacement tooling is saved, and also an automatic tooling changing station or a manual tooling change become superfluous. As a result of the geometry according to the invention, the tooling (100) can be set easily, no complex movements and accordingly no complicated setting devices (for example multiaxial robots) are necessary.

An automated transforming tooling system apparatus and method for shuttling a workpiece to and from an industrial operation. The system includes a workstation for complementarily engaging and securing the workpiece, and at least one holder removably secures at least on end effector tool to the workstation. At least one transfer bar is movably positioned with respect to the workstation. At least one automated transforming tooling assembly is connected to the transfer bar and has a plurality of links adjustably connected by motorized joints to automatically position the automated transforming tooling assembly. An automated tool changer is connected to the automated transforming tooling assembly and releasably engages the end effector tool between a disengaged position, wherein the end effector tool is disengaged from the automated tool changer, and an engaged position, wherein the end effector tool is engaged by the automated tool changer.

An apparatus is provided for molding a contact pad in place on an automation template. The apparatus includes an automation template having a contact pad retainer and a molding cap received over the contact pad retainer and retained using a self-locking fit. A mold cavity is formed between the automation template and the molding cap.

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 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.