BENDING INSTALLATION AND MANIPULATOR WITH ROTATABLE GRIPPER ARRANGEMENT

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A manipulator (1) for components (2), in particular for sheet metal parts, wherein the manipulator (1) is configured to pick up, transport, hold and set down a component (2), comprising: a base body (4), which can be mounted in a stationary manner or moved along a guide arrangement (3); a first pivot arm (6) pivotally coupled to the base body (4) via a horizontal first pivot axis (5); a second pivot arm (8) pivotally coupled to the first pivot arm (6) via a horizontal second pivot axis (7); and a third pivot arm (10) pivotally coupled to the second pivot arm (6) via a horizontal third pivot axis (9); wherein a first axis of rotation (11) extending radially to the third pivot axis (9) is formed on the third pivot arm (10) wherein a gripper support arm (12) rotatably coupled to the third pivot arm (10) via the first axis of rotation (11) is formed, wherein the gripper support arm (12) extends radially with respect to the first axis of rotation (11), and wherein a gripping arrangement (13) is rotatably coupled to the gripper support arm (12) via a second axis of rotation (14), which is spaced apart from the first axis of rotation (11).

2. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first axis of rotation (11) and the second axis of rotation (14) are formed parallel to one another.

3. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gripping arrangement (13) comprises a base element (15) rotatably mounted on the gripper support arm (12) and a gripper element (16), which can be coupled to the base element (15) as required and which can in particular be changed without any tools.

4. The manipulator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the gripper element (16) comprises a pincer gripper and/or a magnetic gripper.

5. The manipulator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the gripper element (16) comprises a negative-pressure gripper (17) and wherein at least one negative-pressure gripper element (18) is formed on the negative-pressure gripper (17).

6. The manipulator (1) according to claim 5, wherein a vacuum line (19) is formed, which is formed as a rotary union in the transition portion (20) between the third pivot arm (10) and the gripper support arm (12) and/or in the transition portion (20) between the gripper support arm (12) and the gripping arrangement (13).

7. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gripper support arm (12) is rotatably coupled to the third pivot arm (10) and by means of a first pivot bearing (21) via a coupling (22), which can be activated and deactivated as required.

8. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gripping arrangement (13) is rotatably coupled to the gripper support arm (12) by means of a second pivot bearing (23).

9. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a torque support (24) is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the third pivot arm (10), preferably a releasably configured torque support (24) is formed.

10. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a toothed belt transmission (25) is formed, said toothed belt transmission (25) comprising a first gear (26), which is rotationally fixed relative to the first axis of rotation (11) and comprising a second gear (27), which is rotatable about the second axis of rotation (14), and said toothed belt transmission (25) comprising a belt (28), which couples the first gear (26) and the second gear (27) in terms of movement.

11. The manipulator (1) according to claim 10, wherein the first gear (26) has a larger diameter than the second gear (27).

12. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a first rotary drive is configured to rotate the gripper support arm (12) about the first axis of rotation (11), and wherein a second rotary drive (42), which acts independently of the first rotary drive, is configured to rotate the gripping arrangement (13) about the second axis of rotation (14).

13. The manipulator (1) according to claim 12, wherein the second rotary drive (42) is configured as an electromotive actuator, preferably as a stepping motor, or wherein the second rotary drive (42) is configured as a pneumatic actuator, and wherein the second rotary drive (42) is fastened to the gripper support arm (12).

14. The manipulator (1) according to claim 12, wherein the second rotary drive (42) is configured to rotate the gripping arrangement (13) between a first end stop (43) and a second end stop (44), a rotational movement being possible, preferably a rotational movement by up to 180?, to be carried out between the first end stop (43) and the second end stop (44).

15. The manipulator according to claim 1, wherein a spur gear transmission is formed, said spur gear transmission comprising a first spur gear, which is rotatable about the first axis of rotation (11) and comprising a second spur gear, which is rotatable about the second axis of rotation (14), wherein the first and the second spur gears interact directly or indirectly in a movement-coupled manner.

16. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a maximum height (29) of the projecting portion of the gripper support arm (12), including the gripping arrangement (13) held on the gripper support arm (12), is less than a structural height (30) of a lower tool (31) relative to a bending table (32) of a bending machine (33), in particular is a maximum of 150 mm, preferably is a maximum of 100 mm.

17. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the gripper support arm (12) comprises a first support arm portion (34) and a second support arm portion (35), the first support arm section (34) and the second support arm section (35) being arranged offset to one another in the direction of the first axis of rotation (11) or second axis of rotation (14).

18. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein a support arm length (36) of the gripper support arm (12), said support arm length (36) extending between the first axis of rotation (11) and the second axis of rotation (14), is shorter than a length of the first, second and/or third pivot arm (6, 8, 10).

19. The manipulator (1) according to claim 3, wherein the base element (15) comprises at least two gripper-element support arms (45) having a respective first end portion (46) and a respective second end portion (47), said gripper-element support arms (45) being radially spaced apart from the second axis of rotation (14), and said gripper-element support arms (45) being adjustably guided at their first end portion (46) in preferably arcuate guide portions (48) in the base element (15) of the gripping arrangement (13) and being releasably fixed, and said gripper-element support arms (45) having a gripper element (16) at their second end section (47).

20. The manipulator (1) according to claim 19, wherein the at least two gripper-element support arms (45), preferably in the region of their respective first end portion (46), comprise a fixing means (49), said fixing means (49) being configured to releasably fix the at least two gripper-element support arms (45) relative to the base element (15).

21. The manipulator (1) according to claim 5, wherein a vacuum line (19) of the at least one negative-pressure gripper element (18) is formed with a fluidic shut-off element (50).

22. The manipulator (1) according to claim 1, wherein, with respect to its pivot axes, it exclusively comprises said horizontal first pivot axis (5), said horizontal second pivot axis (7), said horizontal third pivot axis (9), said first axis of rotation (11) and said second axis of rotation (14).

23. A bending installation (37) comprising a bending machine (33), at least one manipulator (1), a guide arrangement (3) with a guide axis (38), the at least one manipulator (1) being movable along said guide axis (38), or a fixed anchoring for the at least one manipulator (1), and an installation control, which is configured to predefine movements and/or movement sequences of the at least one manipulator (1), wherein the at least one manipulator (1) is formed according to claim 1.

24. The bending installation (37) according to claim 23, wherein the bending machine (33) comprises a bending table (32) and a press beam (39), which can be adjusted relative to the bending table (32), and at least one lower tool (31) is positioned within outer boundary edges (41) of the bending table (32), a component support plane (40) for the vertical support of at least one component to be machined being formed on said lower tool (31).

Description

[0038] FIG. 1A bending installation with an embodiment of the manipulator and a bending machine, wherein the manipulator is shown in two working positions

[0039] FIG. 2A further embodiment of the manipulator in side view

[0040] FIG. 3 The embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 with a bending table and a lower tool in frontal view

[0041] FIG. 4 The embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 with a bending table and a lower tool in side view

[0042] FIG. 5A first positioning example of the embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 in plan view

[0043] FIG. 6A second positioning example of the embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 in plan view

[0044] FIG. 7A third positioning example of the embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 in plan view

[0045] FIG. 8A fourth positioning example of the embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 in plan view

[0046] FIG. 9A fifth positioning example of the embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 in plan view

[0047] FIG. 10A sixth positioning example of the embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 in plan view

[0048] FIG. 11A seventh positioning example of the embodiment of the manipulator according to FIG. 2 in plan view

[0049] FIG. 12 a further embodiment of the manipulator in three-dimensional view

[0050] It is worth noting here that the same parts have been given the same reference numerals or same component configurations in the embodiments described differently, yet the disclosures contained throughout the entire description can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component configurations. The indications of position selected in the description, such as above, below, on the side etc. refer to the figure directly described and shown, and these indications of position can be applied in the same way to the new position should the position change.

[0051] FIG. 1 shows a bending installation 37 with a first embodiment of the manipulator 1 in accordance with the invention and a bending machine 33. The manipulator 1 is shown as an example in two different working positions. The bending installation 37 further comprises a guide arrangement 3 with a guide axis 38, the at least one manipulator 1 being movable along said guide axis 38. Alternatively, the at least one manipulator 1 is configured with a fixed anchoring. Furthermore, a system control (not depicted) is provided, which is configured to specify movements or movement sequences of the manipulator 1.

[0052] As shown, the bending machine 33 can comprise a bending table 32 and a press beam 39, which is adjustable relative to the bending table 32. Within the outer boundary edges 41 of the bending table 32, at least one lower tool 31 can be positioned in relation to the plan view according to the following FIGS. 5-11, on which a component support plane 40 can be formed for the vertical support of at least one component to be machined.

[0053] The manipulator 1 according to the invention is configured to pick up, transport, hold and/or set down components 2, in particular sheet metal parts. A base body 4 of the manipulator 1 is configured to be movable along the guide arrangement 3. The manipulator 1 comprises a first pivot arm 6 pivotally coupled to the base body 4 via a horizontal first pivot axis 5, a second pivot arm 8 pivotally coupled to the first pivot arm 6 via a horizontal second pivot axis 7, and a third pivot arm 10 pivotally coupled to the second pivot arm 6 via a horizontal third pivot axis 9. A first axis of rotation 11 extending radially to the third pivot axis 9 is formed on the third pivot arm 10. A gripper support arm 12 rotatably coupled to the third pivot arm 10 is formed via the first axis of rotation 11. In this case, the gripper support arm 12 extends radially in relation to the first axis of rotation 11. Furthermore, a gripping arrangement 13 is formed, which is rotatably coupled to the gripper support arm 12 via a second axis of rotation 14, which is spaced apart from the first axis of rotation 11.

[0054] FIG. 1 also shows that the first axis of rotation 11 and the second axis of rotation 14 can be formed parallel to one another. The gripping arrangement 13 may also comprise a base element 15 rotatably mounted on the gripper support arm 12 and a gripper element 16, which can be coupled to the base element 15 as required and which can in particular be changed without any tools. It is also possible, but not shown in the figures, for the gripper element 16 to comprise a pincer gripper and/or a magnetic gripper. It is also shown that the gripper element 16 can comprise a negative-pressure gripper 17, on which one or more negative-pressure gripper elements 18 are formed. Four negative-pressure gripper elements 16 arranged symmetrically on a gripper element 18 are shown as an example. Furthermore, a support arm length 36 of the gripper support arm 12, which extends between the first axis of rotation 11 and the second axis of rotation 14 may be shorter than a length of the first, second and/or third pivot arm 6, 8, 10.

[0055] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the manipulator 1. In principle, FIG. 2 shows a further and optionally independent embodiment of the manipulator 1, wherein the same reference numerals or component configurations as in the preceding FIG. 1 are used for identical parts. For this reason and in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference is made to the detailed description in preceding FIG. 1.

[0056] The manipulator 1 according to the invention schematically depicted in FIG. 2 is configured to pick up, transport, hold and/or set down components 2, in particular sheet metal parts. The manipulator 1 is not shown in full in FIG. 2 but, for more clarity, begins with its third swivel arm 10, which is coupled via the third swivel axis 9 to a second swivel arm 8 (not shown). In addition, a first pivot arm 6, which is pivotally coupled to a base body 4 via a horizontal first pivot axis 5, and a second pivot arm 8, which is pivotally coupled to the first pivot arm 6 via a horizontal second pivot axis 7, are explicitly not shown or are hidden. A first axis of rotation 11 is formed on the third pivot arm 10 extending radially in relation to the third pivot axis 9. A gripper support arm 12 rotatably coupled to the third pivot arm 10 is formed via the first axis of rotation 11. In this case, the gripper support arm 12 extends radially in re-lation to the first axis of rotation 11. Furthermore, a gripping arrangement 13 is formed, which is rotatably coupled to the gripper support arm 12 via a second axis of rotation 14, which is spaced apart from the first axis of rotation 11.

[0057] The first axis of rotation 11 and the second axis of rotation 14 may be formed parallel to one another. Furthermore, as shown, the gripping arrangement 13 can be provided to comprise a base element 15 rotatably mounted on the gripper support arm 12 and a gripper element 16, which can be coupled to the base element 15 as required and which can in particular be changed without any tools. The gripper element 16 can be, for example, a pincer gripper, a magnetic gripper and/or a negative-pressure gripper 17. FIG. 2 shows a negative-pressure gripper 17, on which a plurality of negative-pressure gripper elements 18 can be arranged. This shows that a vacuum line 19 can be formed, which can be formed as a rotary union in the transition portion 20 between the third pivot arm 10 and the gripper support arm 12 and/or in the transition portion 20 between the gripper support arm 12 and the gripping arrangement 13.

[0058] The gripper support arm 12 can be rotatably coupled to the third pivot arm 10 and by means of a first pivot bearing 21 via a coupling 22, which can be activated and deactivated as re-quired. The gripping arrangement 13 can be rotatably coupled to the gripper support arm 12 by means of a second pivot bearing 23. FIG. 2 also shows that a torque support 24, which is preferably detachable, can be arranged on the third pivot arm 10.

[0059] It is also shown that a toothed belt transmission 25 can be formed, which produces a move-ment-coupling connection between the gripper support arm 12 and the gripping arrangement 13. A first gear 26, which is rotatable about the first axis of rotation 11, and a second gear 27, which is rotatable about the second axis of rotation 14 are depicted. In addition, a belt 28 that couples the first gear 26 and the second gear 27 in terms of movement can be formed. It should be noted that this toothed belt transmission 25 shown in simplified form in FIG. 2 is only an exemplary embodiment and that, of course, further advantageous structural configura-tions known to the person skilled in the art are also conceivable and possible. The first gear 26 can have a larger diameter than the second gear 27. As a result of the movement-coupling belt 28 connection, a movement of the first gear 26 can, in principle, always lead to a movement of the second gear 27. However, decoupling the first gear 26 and the second gear 27 is also conceivable and perhaps advantageous.

[0060] Alternatively, a spur gear (not shown in the figure) can also be formed, which can be config-ured to adjust the angular position of the gripping arrangement 13. A generic spur gear trans-mission can comprise a first spur gear, which is rotatable about the first axis of rotation 11 and comprise a second spur gear which is rotatable about the second axis of rotation 14, wherein the first and the second spur gear interact directly or indirectly in a movement-cou-pled manner.

[0061] A maximum height 29 of the gripper support arm 12, including the gripping arrangement 13 held on the gripper support arm 12, can be smaller than a structural height 30 of a lower tool 31 relative to a bending table 32 of a bending machine 33. In particular, the greatest height 29 can be a maximum of 150 mm, preferably a maximum of 100 mm. The structural height 30 of the lower tool 31 relative to the bending table 32 of a bending machine 33 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0062] The gripper support arm 12 can comprise a first support arm portion 34 and a second support arm portion 35, wherein the first support arm portion 34 and the second support arm portion can be arranged offset relative to one another in the direction of the first axis of rotation 11 or second axis of rotation 14. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 2, the first and second support arm portion 34, 35 can be offset relative to one another in such a way that the second support arm portion 35 is lower than the first support arm portion 34 with respect to a horizontal position of the gripper support arm 12. This can result in a low maximum height 29.

[0063] The two FIGS. 3 and 4 show a third embodiment of the manipulator 1 with a bending table 32 and a lower tool 31 in front view and in side view, respectively. In principle, FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further and optionally independent embodiment of the manipulator 1, wherein the same reference numerals and component configurations are used as in preceding FIGS. 1 and 2 for identical parts. For this reason and in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, reference is made to the detailed description in the preceding Figures.

[0064] The manipulator 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is configured to pick up, transport, hold and/or set down components 2, in particular sheet metal parts. The manipulator 1 is not shown in full in FIGS. 3 and 4 but, for more clarity, begins with its third swivel arm 10, which is coupled to a second swivel arm 8 (not shown) via the third swivel axis 9. A first axis of rotation 11 is formed on the third pivot arm 10 extending radially in relation to the third pivot axis 9. A gripper support arm 12 rotatably coupled to the third pivot arm 10 is formed via the first axis of rotation 11. In this case, the gripper support arm 12 extends radially in relation to the first axis of rotation 11. Furthermore, a gripping arrangement 13 is formed, which is rotatably coupled to the gripper support arm 12 via a second axis of rotation 14, which is spaced apart from the first axis of rotation 11.

[0065] The manipulator 1 shown, as well as the bending table 32 shown with a lower tool 31 mounted thereon, are components of a bending machine 33, which in turn is part of a bending installation 37. The bending installation 37 can also comprise a guide arrangement 3 (shown in FIG. 1) with a guide axis 38 or a fixed anchoring for the at least one manipulator 1 and comprises an installation control.

[0066] As shown, the bending machine 33 can comprise a bending table 32 and a press beam 39, which is adjustable relative to the bending table 32. The press beam 39 is shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Within the outer boundary edges 41 of the bending table 32, at least one lower tool 31 can be positioned in relation to the plan view according to the following FIGS. 5-11, on which a component support plane 40 can be provided for the vertical support of at least one component to be machined.

[0067] A maximum height 29 of the gripper support arm 12, including the gripping arrangement 13 held on the gripper support arm 12, can be smaller than a structural height 30 of a lower tool 31 relative to a bending table 32 of a bending machine 33. In particular, the greatest height 29 can be a maximum of 150 mm, preferably a maximum of 100 mm.

[0068] FIGS. 5 to 11 show seven positioning examples of a fourth embodiment of the manipulator 1 in plan view. The manipulator 1 according to the invention is configured to pick up, transport, hold and/or set down components 2 in particular sheet metal parts. In order to illus-trate the positionability of the arrangement, the component 2 is not shown in FIGS. 5 to 11. As already shown in the preceding figures, the manipulator 1 is not shown in full in FIGS. 5 to 11 but, for more clarity, begins with its third swivel arm 10, which is coupled to a second swivel arm 8, which is no longer shown, via the third swivel axis 9. A first axis of rotation 11 is formed on the third pivot arm 10 extending radially in relation to the third pivot axis 9. A gripper support arm 12 rotatably coupled to the third pivot arm 10 is formed via the first axis of rotation 11. In this case, the gripper support arm 12 extends radially in relation to the first axis of rotation 11. Furthermore, a gripping arrangement 13 is formed, which is rotatably cou-pled to the gripper support arm 12 via a second axis of rotation 14, which is spaced apart from the first axis of rotation 11. FIGS. 5 to 11 also show a bending table 32 of a bending machine 33, wherein a lower tool 31 is arranged or mounted on the bending table 32.

[0069] As shown, the bending machine 33 can comprise a bending table 32 and a press beam 39, which is adjustable relative to the bending table 32. The press beam 39 is shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Within the outer boundary edges 41 of the bending table 32, at least one lower tool 31, on which a component support plane 40 can be provided for the vertical support of at least one component to be machined, can be positioned in relation to the plan view.

[0070] FIGS. 5 to 8 show positioning examples of a gripping arrangement 13, which can be arranged with a negative-pressure gripper 17 with a total of six negative-pressure gripper elements 18 In FIG. 5, the gripping arrangement 13 is oriented at an angle of 0? with respect to the lower tool 31. In the following FIGS. 6 to 8, a rotational movement of the gripping arrangement 13 took place about the second axis of rotation 14. This rotational movement took place in FIG. 6 at an angle of 90?, in FIG. 7 at 180? and in FIG. 8 at 270?. This illus-trates that, while the gripping arrangement 13 rotates between the position according to FIG. 5 and the position according to FIG. 8 at approximately 270? about the second axis of rotation 14, the gripper support arm 12 need only carry out a rotational movement about the first axis of rotation 11 of only 90? approximately. This can be fulfilled in particular by forming a toothed belt transmission 25, comprising a first gear 26, which is rotatable about the first axis of rotation 11 and comprising a second gear 27, which is rotatable about the second axis of rotation 14. The toothed belt transmission 25 can comprise a belt 28, which couples the first gear 26 and the second gear 27 in terms of movement. A desired transmission ratio between the first gear 26 and the second gear 27 can be technically realized in that the first gear 26 has a larger diameter than the second gear 27. FIGS. 9 to 11 also show that, if necessary, those two angular range quadrants can also be reached with the gripping arrangement 13 that face away from the bending table 32. Between FIGS. 9 to 11, the gripper support arm 12 performs a comparatively small rotational movement of approximately 45?, while the gripping arrangement 13 rotates by 180?.

[0071] FIG. 12 shows a further advantageous embodiment, in which a first rotary drive (not shown) can be configured to rotate the gripper support arm 12 about the first axis of rotation 11 and in which a second rotary drive 42, acting independently of the first rotary drive, can be config-ured to rotate the gripping arrangement 13 about the second axis of rotation 14. In principle, in order to avoid repetitions, reference is again made to the preceding description of FIG. 2. In the embodiment according to FIG. 12, the second rotary drive 42 can be configured as an electromotive actuator or as a pneumatic actuator and can be fastened to the gripper support arm 12. For this purpose, the second rotary drive 42 can be coupled to the gripping arrangement 13 in terms of movement by a belt 28, for example. An electromotive actuator config-used as a stepping motor is preferable. The second rotary drive 42 can be configured to rotate the gripping arrangement 13 between a first end stop 43 and a second end stop 44, wherein a rotational movement of up to 180? can preferably take place between the first end stop 43 and the second end stop 44.

[0072] Furthermore, FIG. 12, shows that the base element 15, with at least two gripper element support arms 45, can comprise respectively a first end portion 46 and respectively a second end portion 47. The gripper element support arms 45 can be radially spaced apart from the second axis of rotation 14, and can be guided and releasably fixed at their first end portion 46 in preferably arcuate guide sections 48 in the base element 15 of the gripping arrangement 13 in a manually or automatically adjustable manner. In particular, if the adjustment can take place manually, it may be expedient to provide a scale 51 in the vicinity of the guide sections 48, preferably in the base element 15, said scale enabling more precise adjustability. In this case, the gripper element support arms 45 can comprise a gripper element 16 at their second end portion 47. Of course, such an advancement would not necessarily be coupled to the example according to FIG. 12 but could also be used, for example, in the arrangement according to FIG. 2.

[0073] The at least two gripper element support arms 45 can, preferably in the region of their respective first end portion 46, comprise fixing means 49, said fixing means being configured to releasably fix the at least two gripper element support arms 45 relative to the base element 15. This fixing means 49 is shown as an example in FIG. 12 as a bow-shaped lever and is shown in a position releasably fixed to the base element 15.

[0074] A vacuum line 19 of the at least one negative-pressure gripper element 18 can be formed with a fluidic shut-off element 50, for example with a shut-off valve. As shown in FIG. 12, such a shut-off element 50 can be formed on or in a gripper element support arm 45. However, a shut-off element 50 can also be formed, for example, in the base element 15 or in the vicinity of a negative-pressure gripper element 18 or a suction cup of a negative-pressure gripper element 18.

[0075] With respect to its pivot axes, the manipulator 1 can exclusively comprise said horizontal first pivot axis 5, said horizontal second pivot axis 7, said horizontal third pivot axis 9, said first axis of rotation 11 and said second axis of rotation 14. This can of course be equally advantageous for all of the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures.

[0076] The embodiments show possible configuration variants, however it is noted at this point that the invention is not restricted to the configuration variants of the same specifically shown, ra-ther various combinations between the individual configuration variants are possible and these possible variants can be developed using the knowledge of the person skilled in the art working in this field based on the teachings of technical practice offered by the current invention.

[0077] The scope of protection is determined by the claims. However, the description and the draw-ings are to be referenced for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the various exemplary embodiments shown and described can represent independent inventive solutions in themselves. The problem to be solved, upon which the independent, inventive solutions are based, can be derived from the description.

[0078] All value ranges specified in the current description are to be understood such that they in-clude any and all sub-ranges e.g. the specification 1 to 10 is to be understood such that all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10 are included i.e. all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or more and end at an upper limit of 10 or less e.g. 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1 or 5.5 to 10.

[0079] As a matter of form and by way of conclusion, it is noted that, to improve understanding of the structure, elements have partially not been shown to scale and/or enlarged and/or shrunk.

TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numerals 1 Manipulator 2 Component 3 Guide arrangement 4 Base body 5 First pivot axis 6 First swivel arm 7 Second pivot axis 8 second swivel arm 9 Third pivot axis 10 Third swivel arm 11 First axis of rotation 12 Gripper support arm 13 Gripping arrangement 14 Second axis of rotation 15 Base element 16 Gripper element 17 Negative-pressure gripper 18 Negative-pressure gripper element 19 Vacuum line 20 20 transition portion 21 First pivot bearing 22 Coupling 23 Second pivot bearing 24 Torque support 25 toothed belt transmission 26 First gear 27 Second gear 28 Belt 29 Height 30 Structural height 31 Lower tool 32 Bending table 33 Bending machine 34 First support arm portion 35 Second support arm portion 36 Support arm length 37 Bending installation 38 Guide axis 39 Press beam 40 Component support level 41 Boundary edge 42 Second rotary drive 43 First end stop 44 Second end stop 45 Gripper element support arm 46 First end portion 47 Second end portion 48 Guide portion 49 Fixing means 50 Shut-off element 51 Scale