Method and device for aiding in manual handling of a work piece during machining

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for aiding in manual handling of a work piece during machining, which method comprises the steps of: reading a predetermined work plan, comprising a required orientation of the work piece for each machining step of the work plan; detecting the orientation of the work piece; comparing the detected orientation of the work piece with the required orientation; and projecting an indication on the work piece for aiding to manually orient the work piece to the required orientation for the machining step to be performed. Al disclosed is a device for performing the method.

Claims

1. A method for aiding in manual handling of a work piece during machining, which method comprises the, steps of: reading a predetermined work plan, comprising a required orientation of the work piece for each machining step of the work plan; detecting an orientation of the work piece to obtain a detected orientation; comparing the detected orientation of the work piece with the required orientation; and projecting an indication on the work piece for aiding to manually orient the work piece to the required orientation for the machining step to be performed and wherein the indication comprises at least one virtual bending line to indicate to the operator which part of the work piece should be bent, wherein the indication follows the work piece as it moves.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication further shows the position of the next machining step on the work piece.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication further shows hints for orienting the work piece to the required orientation for the machining step to be performed.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the indications is projected on the machine with which the machining step is performed.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the machining step is performed on a press brake.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indications are projected on the work piece by a laser.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined work plan further comprises a three dimensional model of the work piece for each machining step and wherein the method further comprises detecting the shape of the work piece and comparing the detected shape with the three dimensional model.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indication on the work piece is projected by augmented reality.

9. A method for aiding in manual handling of a work piece during machining, which method comprises the steps of: reading a predetermined work plan, comprising a required orientation of the work piece for each machining step of the work plan; detecting an orientation of the work piece to obtain a detected orientation; comparing the detected orientation of the work piece with the required orientation; and projecting an indication on the work piece for aiding to manually orient the work piece to the required orientation for the machining step to be performed, wherein the indication shows translation and/or rotation for moving the work piece to the required orientation for the machining step to be performed and wherein the hints are made up of icons.

10. The method for aiding in manual handling of a work piece during machining in accordance with claim 9, wherein the icons are comprised of an icon for showing how the work piece should be rotated and another icon for showing how the work piece should be translated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) These and other features will be elucidated in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

(2) FIG. 1 shows a press brake device in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

(3) FIG. 1 shows a press brake 1. This press brake 1 has a frame 2 with a stationary lower beam 3 and a movable upper beam 4. The lower beam 3 and movable upper beam 4 comprise two sets of tools 5, 6 and 7, 8 for performing two separate machining operations.

(4) The press brake 1 has at the top two camera's 9, 10 which capture a three dimensional image of a metal sheet 11. Based on these images an orientation of the metal sheet 11 relative to the press brake can be determined. This orientation is compared in a controller 12 with a required orientation. As a result the controller controls a projector 13 at the top of the press brake 1, to project images on the metal sheet 11.

(5) The controller 12 projects with the projector 13 a virtual bending line 14 to indicate to the operator, which part of the metal sheet 11 should be bent. Furthermore an icon 15 for rotating the metal sheet 11 is shown, telling the operator that the sheet 11 should be rotated for a correct orientation. Also an arrow 16 is shown indicating that the sheet 11 should be moved along the press brake 1 to the tools 7, 8, which are necessary for the current operation.

(6) The projector 13 can also be used to project indications on the lower beam 3 and upper beam 4 to help the operator to prepare the press brake 1 by inserting the tools 5, 6, 7, 8 at the correct position in the beams 3, 4.