Patent EP-2172301-B1 (EP)
Inventor: FISCHER GUNTER
IPC: B23C3/00
Filed: 2008-10-01
Granted: 2011-11-30
Abstract: The machine comprises a processing unit (21) by which a metal profile (25) passing with its longitudinal direction along a machine-longitudinal axis (15) is processed, and/or a holding- and centering device (1) for the metal profile, where the holding- and centering device comprises a holding device (2) and a centering device (3). The holding device is guidable in a holding condition and/or in a releasing condition and the metal profile is located in the holding condition in the direction of the machine-longitudinal axis on the holding and centering device. The machine comprises a processing unit (21) by which a metal profile (25) passing with its longitudinal direction along a machine-longitudinal axis (15) is processed, and/or a holding- and centering device (1) for the metal profile, where the holding- and centering device comprises a holding device (2) and a centering device (3). The holding device is guidable in a holding condition and/or in a releasing condition and the metal profile is located in the holding condition in the direction of the machine-longitudinal axis on the holding and centering device, and in the releasing condition for a movement relative to the holding- and centering device along the machine-longitudinal axis. The metal profile is positioned diagonally to the machine-longitudinal axis in a predetermined position by the centering device present in a centering condition. The releasing condition of the holding device and the centering condition of the centering device are simultaneously realizable. The metal profile is movable in the releasing condition of the holding device and in centering device along the machine-longitudinal axis relative to the holding- and centering device and is positioned diagonally to the machine-longitudinal axis in the predetermined position. The holding device and the centering device are rotatable around the machine-longitudinal axis. The centering device comprises a centering element in the form of a roller element, which is rotatably arranged around a rotation axis running transverse to the machine-longitudinal axis and which adjoins to a profile longitudinal side in the centering condition of the centering device and the profile is positioned transverse to the machine-longitudinal axis. The holding device and the centering device comprise a common holding and centering device, which adjoins to the profile longitudinal side and is guidable in the holding and releasing condition. The holding- and centering elements are fixed in holding condition on the holding and centering device in the direction of the machine-longitudinal axis, and in releasing condition for a movement relative to the holding- and centering device along the machine-longitudinal axis. The holding and centering element is equipped to a roller element, which is rotatably fixed around a rotation axis running transverse to the machine-longitudinal axis. The roller element adjoins in the centering condition of the centering device to the workpiece longitudinal side, is locked in the holding condition against a rotatable movement to its rotation axis and is released in the releasing condition for the rotation movement to its rotation axis. The centering device comprises two pairs of centering elements, where the centering element pairs define centering axis passing transverse to the machine-longitudinal axis and are transferred along the machine-longitudinal axis against each other. The centering axes pass to each other in the projection in a projection plain arranged vertical to the machine-longitudinal axis, under a right angle. The holding device comprises a pair of holding elements. The holding elements and the centering elements are disposed opposite to each other diagonally to the machine-longitudinal axis. The centering element pair and the holding element pair are transferred along the machine-longitudinal axis against each other. The two holding and centering devices shifted against each other along the machine-longitudinal axis are provided for the metal profile and are movable relative to each other along the machine-longitudinal axis during the holding device is present in the holding condition and the centering device is present in the centering condition, in one of the holding and centering device and during the holding device is present in the releasing condition and the centering device is present in the centering condition, in another holding and centering device. Independent claims are included for: (1) a method for processing metal profiles (2) a processing program for operating a processing machine; (3) a method for generating a processing program; and (4) a computer program product.