Patent Publication Number: US-11376647-B2

Title: Tools, machines, and methods for machining planar workpieces

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 from PCT Application No. PCT/EP2017/074298 filed on Sep. 26, 2017, which claims priority from German Application No. 10 2016 118 175.7, filed on Sep. 26, 2016, and German Application No. 10 2016 119 464.6, filed on Oct. 12, 2016. The entire contents of each of these priority applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The invention relates to a tools and methods for machining planar workpieces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A machine tool for machining planar workpieces is known from EP 3 106 241 A1. This machine tool comprises an upper tool that is moveable along a stroke axis by an upper stroke drive device in the direction of a workpiece to be machined by the upper tool and in the opposite direction, and which is moveable by a motor drive assembly along an upper positioning axis running perpendicular to the stroke axis. Associated with the upper tool is a lower tool that is moveable along a lower positioning axis by a motor drive. The upper tool and lower tool are each moveable independently of one another along their respective positioning axes in a frame interior of a machine frame. Associated with this machine frame are two workpiece rests for receiving the workpiece, to position the workpiece between the upper tool and the lower tool for machining. 
     A machine tool is further known from EP 2 527 058 B1. That document discloses a machine tool in the form of a press for machining workpieces, wherein an upper tool is provided on a stroke device that is moveable relative to a workpiece to be machined, along a stroke axis in the direction of the workpiece and in the opposite direction. A lower tool is provided in the stroke axis and opposite the upper tool and is positioned relative to a lower side. A stroke drive device for a stroke movement of the upper tool is controlled by a wedge gear. The stroke drive device with the upper tool arranged thereon is moveable along a positioning axis by a motor drive. The lower tool is thereby moved synchronously with the upper tool by a motor drive. 
     DE 10 2006 049 044 A1 discloses a tool for machining planar workpieces that can be used, for example, in a machine tool according to EP 2 527 058 B1. This tool for cutting and/or shaping planar workpieces includes a punch and a die. For machining a workpiece arranged between the punch and the die, the punch and the die are moved towards one another in a stroke direction. A cutting tool having a cutting edge is arranged on the punch, and at least two counter cutting edges are provided on the die. The punch and the die are rotatable relative to one another about a common positioning axis. The counter cutting edges are thereby so oriented relative to the common positioning axis that the cutting edge of the cutting tool can be positioned relative to the counter cutting edges by a rotary movement of the cutting tool of the punch. The distance of the counter cutting edges from the positioning axis corresponds to the distance of the cutting edge from the common positioning axis. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure provides tools, machines, and methods for machining planar workpieces, by which the number of set-up operations during the machining of different material thicknesses of workpieces is reduced. 
     A tool for machining planar workpieces which has an upper tool that includes a clamping shaft and a main body, which lie in a common positioning axis, and includes at least one tool body arranged on the main body opposite the clamping shaft and having a cutting edge, and has a lower tool that includes a main body having a rest surface for the workpiece and has at least one counter tool body, provided on the main body that includes a counter cutting edge, wherein the main body of the lower tool has a positioning axis which is oriented perpendicular to the rest surface, wherein the upper and lower tools, for machining a workpiece arranged between them, are moveable towards one another in a stroke direction. In this tool, the counter cutting edge of the counter tool body is configured as a closed contour, and the cutting edge of the at least one tool body has on the upper tool a cutting contour which corresponds in profile to the closed contour of the counter cutting edge. There is provided on the lower tool at least one group of at least two counter tool bodies which correspond to the at least one tool body on the upper tool, wherein in the at least one group of counter tool bodies the size of the contour of the first counter tool body corresponds to the cutting contour of the tool body with a first cutting gap width and the size of the contour of the second or further counter tool body corresponds to the cutting contour of the tool body on the upper tool with a second or further cutting gap width. By such a tool it is made possible that different material thicknesses of the workpiece can be machined using the same tool. By the association of at least two counter tool bodies with a contour, which, relative to the cutting contour of the at least one tool body on the upper tool, include different cutting gap widths, it is possible using the same tool body on the upper tool to process at least two different material thicknesses of workpieces with one tool. For this purpose, it is provided that the at least one tool body with respect to the chosen closed contour to the corresponding counter tool body from the associated group on the lower tool takes place solely by a traversing movement perpendicular or inclined to the positioning axis of the upper tool and/or lower tool or by a combination of the traversing movement perpendicular or inclined to the positioning axis and by a rotary movement about the positioning axis of the upper tool and/or lower tool. Such a tool makes it possible to reduce the number of set-up operations and to adjust the tools to the material thicknesses of the workpieces to be machined. 
     In some embodiments, the counter tool bodies of the at least one first group of counter tool bodies on the lower tool are arranged in a line one behind the other. It is thereby possible to orient the tool body on the upper tool relative to the counter tool body, for example, by a traversing movement of the upper tool along the upper positioning axis of the processing machine. Alternatively, the counter tool body can be oriented relative to the tool body by a traversing movement of the lower tool along the lower positioning axis of the processing machine. A relative movement of the upper and lower tool can likewise be carried out. 
     An advantageous form of the tool provides that the at least one group of counter tool bodies can be inserted in the main body of the tool on a main body insert in each case individually or together on a main body insert. This has the advantage that, in the case of wear of the counter tool bodies, it is possible simply to change them without having to replace the entire lower tool. 
     It can further advantageously be provided that the at least one main body insert is rotatably arranged in the main body of the lower tool. For example, it can also be rotatably controlled in its orientation. An additional orientation of the closed contour of the counter tool body in the lower tool can thereby be made possible. The upper tool itself can likewise be arranged in a tool receptacle of the processing machine so that it is rotatable about its positioning axis, so that the tool body of the upper tool can be adjusted in terms of its orientation to the counter tool body of the lower tool. 
     In some embodiments, the upper tool is in the form of a multi tool and has at least two tool bodies, and the lower tool includes at least two groups of counter tool bodies. The at least two tool bodies arranged on the upper tool differ from one another in contour and/or size. This has the advantage that the versatility in the machining of workpieces is increased. For example, with the two different tool bodies on the upper tool, it is already possible to process two different closed contours. With one or more counter tool bodies that are correspondingly associated with the first or further tool body, a number of different material thicknesses of the workpieces can be machined in dependence on the number of associated counter tool bodies. 
     The at least two counter tool bodies of the at least one group lie outside a common circle in the rest surface of the lower tool. Any desired arrangement of the counter tool bodies is possible. Where there is a plurality of counter tool bodies the counter tool bodies individually associated with one another are arranged adjacent to one another per group. Alternatively, the plurality of counter tool bodies in the case of a plurality of groups can be so arranged and oriented that maximum utilization in terms of the number of counter tool bodies to be provided in the rest surface of the lower tool is achieved. The counter tool bodies can thereby be associated as a group, or an arbitrary unsorted arrangement can be chosen. The number of set-up operations can thus be reduced still further. 
     A further alternative embodiment of the tool provides that at least two counter tool bodies of the at least one group lie on a common circle in the rest surface of the lower tool and the contours of those counter tool bodies differ from a circular geometry and lie outside an angular position on the circle that is assumed by the contour on rotation along a circle. This makes it possible to achieve a further optimization in the introduction of the number of counter tool bodies in the rest surface of the upper tool. 
     Furthermore, the first and the at least one further group of counter tool bodies lie outside a common circle in the rest surface of the lower tool. An optimization in terms of the remaining support surfaces which adjoin the counter cutting edges of the counter tool bodies, and the number of counter tool bodies to be introduced is thereby at the forefront. 
     A processing machine has an upper tool that is moveable along a stroke axis by a stroke drive device in the direction of a workpiece to be machined by the upper tool and in the opposite direction and which can be positioned along an upper positioning axis running perpendicular to the stroke axis and is moveable along the upper positioning axis by a drive assembly. The processing machine further has a lower tool that is oriented relative to the upper tool and is moveable along a lower stroke axis by a stroke drive device in the direction of the upper tool and can be positioned along a lower positioning axis that is oriented perpendicular to the stroke axis of the upper tool, and is moveable along the lower positioning axis by a drive assembly. The motor drive assemblies are controllable by a controller of the processing machine to move the upper and lower tool. It is thereby provided that the traversing movement of the upper tool along the upper positioning axis and the traversing movement of the lower tool along the lower positioning axis are each controllable independently of one another so that, when a tool according to one of the above-described embodiments is used, it is possible to orient the tool body of the upper tool relative to at least one group of at least two counter tool bodies on the lower tool. By this independent control of the upper tool and/or lower tool, the at least one upper tool and the associated counter tool body can be chosen and positioned relative to one another in dependence on the material thickness of the tool to be machined. Adjustment of the cutting gap for the workpiece to be machined is thus achieved. 
     Via the processing machine the upper tool and/or lower tool carry out a traversing movement along their positioning axis or inclined to their positioning axis or can be positioned by a combination of one of the above-mentioned traversing movements with a superposition by a rotary movement about the positioning axis. Any desired orientation of the at least one tool body on the upper tool relative to the at least one counter tool body on the lower tool can thereby be made possible. 
     Also described are methods for machining planar workpieces, such as metal sheets, in which an upper tool that is moveable along a stroke axis by a stroke drive device in the direction of a workpiece to be machined by the upper tool and in the opposite direction and which can be positioned along an upper positioning axis running perpendicular to the stroke axis, is moved along the upper positioning axis by a drive assembly, and in which a lower tool that is oriented relative to the upper tool and can be positioned along a lower positioning axis which is oriented perpendicular to the stroke axis of the upper tool, is moved along the lower positioning axis by a drive assembly, and in which the motor drive assemblies are controlled by a controller to move the upper and lower tool, wherein a tool according to one of the preceding embodiments is used and the at least one tool body of the upper tool for machining the workpiece is chosen and, in dependence on the material thickness of the workpiece to be machined, there is chosen from the at least one group of counter tool bodies of the lower tool the counter tool body that forms with the tool body of the upper tool the cutting gap width required for the material thickness of the workpiece. Only a traversing movement of the upper and/or lower tool perpendicular to their positioning axes or along the upper and lower positioning axis is thereby controlled. Alternatively, a combination of the traversing movement perpendicular to the positioning axis and a rotary movement about the positioning axis of the upper and/or lower tool can be provided. Furthermore, it can alternatively be provided that a traversing movement of the upper and/or lower tool is controlled in which the traversing movement is inclined to the positioning axis of the upper and/or lower tool. This can also be superposed with a rotary movement of about the positioning axis. Accordingly, at least two workpieces having different material thicknesses can be machined using one tool, without the need for a change of tool. This reduces the set-up time and increases productivity. 
     The tool body and counter tool body are oriented relative to one another by a traversing movement along the upper and/or lower positioning axis and/or by a rotary movement of the upper tool and/or lower tool about the positioning axis. The flexibility in the traversing movement and/or the rotary movement of the upper tool and also in the traversing movement and/or the rotary movement of the lower tool makes possible a respective choice and association of the tool body and counter tool body for the required adjustment to the necessary cutting gap. Tolerances in the positioning axes can also be compensated for by such a tool. 
     Furthermore, a multi tool is used as the upper tool and, by controlling the processing machine, an activating device is actuated, by which one of the at least two tool bodies provided on the main body of the upper tool is chosen. By such a multi tool, the number in terms of the size and/or contour of the recesses to be introduced into the tool can be increased. 
     Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, the drawings, and from the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The invention and further advantageous embodiments and developments thereof will be described and explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features inferred from the description and the drawings can be applied in accordance with the invention individually or in any combination. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a processing machine. 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic depiction of the fundamental structure of a stroke drive device and a motor drive of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic graph of a superposed stroke movement in the Y and Z direction of the ram of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic graph of a further superposed stroke movement in the Y and Z direction of the ram of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic view from above of the processing machine of  FIG. 1  with workpiece rest surfaces. 
         FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tool. 
         FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tool as compared to  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of the tool as compared to  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 9  shows a schematic view of the lower tool of the tool in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the lower tool as compared to  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a processing machine  1  that is configured as a punch press. This processing machine  1  includes a supporting structure with a closed machine frame  2  that includes two horizontal frame limbs  3 ,  4  and two vertical frame limbs  5  and  6 . The machine frame  2  surrounds a frame interior  7  that forms the working area of the processing machine  1  with an upper tool  11  and a lower tool  9 . 
     The processing machine  1  is used to machine planar workpieces  10  that for the sake of simplicity have not been shown in  FIG. 1  and can be arranged in the frame interior  7  for machining purposes. A workpiece  10  to be machined is placed on a workpiece support  8  provided in the frame interior  7 . The lower tool  9 , for example in the form of a die, is mounted in a recess in the workpiece support  8  on the lower horizontal frame limb  4  of the machine frame  2 . This die can have a die opening. In the case of a punching operation the upper tool  11  is a punch that dips into the die opening of the lower tool  9  formed as a die. 
     The upper tool  11  and lower tool  9 , instead of being a punch and a die for punching, can also be a bending punch and a bending die for shaping workpieces  10 . 
     The upper tool  11  is fixed in a tool receptacle on a lower end of a ram  12 . The ram  12  is part of a stroke drive device  13 , by which the upper tool  11  can be moved in a stroke direction along a stroke axis  14 . The stroke axis  14  runs in the direction of the Z axis of the coordinate system of a numerical controller  15  of the processing machine  1  indicated in  FIG. 1 . The stroke drive device  13  can be moved perpendicular to the stroke axis  14  along a positioning axis  16  in the direction of the double-headed arrow. The positioning axis  16  runs in the direction of the Y axis of the coordinate system of the numerical controller  15 . The stroke drive device  13  receiving the upper tool  11  is moved along the positioning axis  16  by a motor drive  17 . 
     The movement of the ram  12  along the stroke axis  14  and the positioning of the stroke drive device  13  along the positioning axis  16  are achieved by a motor drive  17  that can be configured in the form of a drive assembly  17 , e.g., a spindle drive assembly, with a drive spindle  18  running in the direction of the positioning axis  16  and fixedly connected to the machine frame  2 . The stroke drive device  13 , in the event of movements along the positioning axis  16 , is guided on three guide rails  19  of the upper frame limb  3 , of which two guide rails  19  can be seen in  FIG. 1 . The other guide rail  19  runs parallel to the visible guide rail  19  and is distanced therefrom in the direction of the X axis of the coordinate system of the numerical controller  15 . Guide shoes  20  of the stroke drive device  13  run on the guide rails  19 . The mutual engagement of the guide rail  19  and the guide shoe  20  is such that this connection can also bear a load acting in the vertical direction. The stroke device  13  is mounted on the machine frame  2  via the guide shoes  20  and the guide rails  19 . A further component of the stroke drive device  13  is a wedge gear  21 , by which the position of the upper tool  11  relative to the lower tool  9  is adjustable. 
     The lower tool  9  is received moveably along a lower positioning axis  25 . This lower positioning axis  25  runs in the direction of the Y axis of the coordinate system of the numerical controller  15 . The lower positioning axis  25  can be oriented parallel to the upper positioning axis  16 . The lower tool  9  can be moved directly on the lower positioning axis  16  by a motor drive assembly  26  along the positioning axis  25 . Alternatively or additionally, the lower tool  9  can also be provided on a stroke drive device  27  that is moveable along the lower positioning axis  25  by the motor drive assembly  26 . This drive assembly  26  can be configured as a spindle drive assembly. The structure of the lower stroke drive device  27  can correspond to that of the upper stroke drive device  13 . The motor drive assembly  26  likewise can correspond to the motor drive assembly  17 . 
     The lower stroke drive device  27  is mounted displaceably on guide rails  19  associated with a lower horizontal frame limb  4 . Guide shoes  20  of the stroke drive device  27  run on the guide rails  19 , such that the connection between the guide rails  19  and guide shoes  20  at the lower tool  9  can also bear a load acting in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the stroke drive device  27  is also mounted on the machine frame  2  via the guide shoes  20  and the guide rails  19 , moreover at a distance from the guide rails  19  and guide shoes  20  of the upper stroke drive device  13 . The stroke drive device  27  can also include a wedge gear  21 , by which the position or height of the lower tool  9  along the Z axis (e.g., lower stroke axis  30 , as shown in  FIG. 1 ) is adjustable. 
     Via the numerical controller  15 , both the motor drives  17  for a traversing movement of the upper tool  11  along the upper positioning axis  16  and the one or more motor drives  26  for a traversing movement of the lower tool  9  along the lower positioning axis  25  can be controlled independently of one another. The upper and lower tools  11 ,  9  are thus moveable synchronously in the direction of the Y axis of the coordinate system. An independent traversing movement of the upper and lower tools  11 ,  9  in different directions can also be controlled. This independent traversing movement of the upper and lower tools  11 ,  9  can be controlled simultaneously. As a result of the decoupling of the traversing movement between the upper tool  11  and the lower tool  9 , an increased versatility of the machining of workpieces  10  can be attained. The upper and lower tools  11 ,  9  can also be configured to machine the workpieces  10  in many ways. 
     One component of the stroke drive device  13  is the wedge gear  21  that is shown in  FIG. 2 . The wedge gear  21  includes two drive-side wedge gear elements  122 ,  123 , and two output-side wedge gear elements  124 ,  125 . The latter are combined structurally to form a unit in the form of an output-side double wedge  126 . The ram  12  is mounted on the output-side double wedge  126  so as to be rotatable about the stroke axis  14 . A motor rotary drive device  128  is accommodated in the output-side double wedge  126  and advances the ram  12  about the stroke axis  14  as necessary. Here, both a left-handed and a right-handed rotation of the ram  12  in accordance with the double-headed arrow in  FIG. 2  are possible. A ram mounting  129  is shown schematically. The ram mounting  129  allows low-friction rotary movements of the ram  12  about the stroke axis  14 , supports the ram  12  in the axial direction and dissipates loads that act on the ram  12  in the direction of the stroke axis  14  in the output-side double wedge  126 . 
     The output-side double wedge  126  is defined by a wedge surface  130 , and by a wedge surface  131  of the output-side gear element  125 . Wedge surfaces  132 ,  133  of the drive-side wedge gear elements  122 ,  123  are arranged opposite the wedge surfaces  130 ,  131  of the output-side wedge gear elements  124 ,  125 . By longitudinal guides  134 ,  135 , the drive-side wedge gear element  122  and the output-side wedge gear element  124 , and also the drive-side wedge gear element  123  and the output-side wedge gear element  125 , are guided moveably relative to one another in the direction of the Y axis, that is to say in the direction of the positioning axis  16  of the stroke drive device  13 . 
     The drive-side wedge gear element  122  has a motor drive unit  138 , and the drive-side wedge gear element  123  has a motor drive unit  139 . Both drive units  138 ,  139  together form the spindle drive assembly  17 . 
     The drive spindle  18  shown in  FIG. 1  is common to the motor drive units  138 ,  139 , as is the stroke drive device  13 ,  27  that is mounted on the machine frame  2  and consequently on the supporting structure. 
     The drive-side wedge gear elements  122 ,  123  are operated by the motor drive units  138 ,  139  in such a way that the wedge gear elements move, for example, towards one another along the positioning axis  16 , whereby a relative movement is performed between the drive-side wedge gear elements  122 ,  123  on the one hand and the output-side wedge gear elements  124 ,  125  on the other hand. As a result of this relative movement, the output-side double wedge  126  and the ram  12  mounted thereon is moved downwardly along the stroke axis  14 . The punch mounted on the ram  12  for example as the upper tool  11  performs a working stroke and in so doing machines a workpiece  10  mounted on the workpiece rest  28 ,  29  or the workpiece support  8 . By an opposite movement of the drive wedge elements  122 ,  123 , the ram  12  is in turn raised or moved upwardly along the stroke axis  14 . 
     The above-described stroke drive device  13  of  FIG. 2  can be of the same design as the lower stroke drive device  27  and receives the lower tool  9 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a schematic graph of a possible stroke movement of the ram  12 . The graph shows a stroke profile along the Y axis and the Z axis. By a superposed control of a traversing movement of the ram  12  along the stroke axis  14  and along the positioning axis  16 , an obliquely running stroke movement of the stroke ram  12  downwardly towards the workpiece  10  can, for example, be controlled, as shown by the first straight line A. Once the stroke has been performed, the ram  12  can then be lifted vertically, for example, as illustrated by the straight line B. An exclusive traversing movement along the Y axis is then performed in accordance with the straight line C, to position the ram  12  for a new working position relative to the workpiece  10 . The previously described working sequence can then be repeated. If the workpiece  10  is moved on the workpiece rest surface  28 ,  29  for a subsequent machining step, a traversing movement along the straight line C can also be omitted. 
     The possible stroke movement of the ram  12  on the upper tool  11  shown in the graph in  FIG. 3  can be combined with a lower tool  9  that is held stationary. Here, the lower tool  9  is positioned within the machine frame  2  in such a way that, at the end of a working stroke of the upper tool  11 , the upper and lower tools  11 ,  9  each assume a defined position. 
     This exemplary superposed stroke profile can be controlled for both the upper tool  11  and the lower tool  9 . Depending on the machining of the workpiece  10  that is to be performed, a superposed stroke movement of the upper tool and/or lower tool  11 ,  9  can be controlled. 
       FIG. 4  shows a schematic graph illustrating a stroke movement of the ram  12  in accordance with the line D, shown by way of example, along a Y axis and a Z axis. In contrast to  FIG. 3 , in this exemplary embodiment a stroke movement of the ram  12  can pass through a curve profile or arc profile by controlling a superposition of the traversing movements in the Y direction and Z direction appropriately by the controller  15 . By a versatile superposition of this kind of the traversing movements in the X direction and Z direction, specific machining tasks can be performed. The control of a curve profile of this kind can be provided for the upper tool  11  and/or the lower tool  9 . 
       FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of the processing machine  1  of  FIG. 1 . Workpiece rests  28 ,  29  extend laterally in one direction each on the machine frame  2  of the processing machine  1 . The workpiece rest  28  can, for example, be associated with a loading station (not shown in greater detail), by which unprocessed workpieces  10  are placed on the workpiece rest  28 . A feed device  22  is provided adjacent to the workpiece rest  28 ,  29  and includes a plurality of grippers  23  to grip the workpiece  10  placed on the workpiece rest  28 . The workpiece  10  is guided through the machine frame  2  in the X direction by the feed device  22 . The feed device  22  can also be controlled so as to be moveable in the Y direction. A free traversing movement of the workpiece  10  in the X-Y plane can thus be provided. Depending on the work task, the workpiece  10  can be moveable by the feed device  22  both in the X direction and against the X direction. This movement of the workpiece  10  can be adapted to a movement of the upper tool  11  and lower tool  9  in and against the Y direction for the machining work task at hand. 
     The further workpiece rest  29  is provided on the machine frame  2  opposite the workpiece rest  28 . This further workpiece rest can be associated, for example, with an unloading station. Alternatively, the loading of the unprocessed workpiece  10  and unloading of the machined workpiece  10  having workpieces  81  can also be associated with the same workpiece rest  28 ,  29 . 
     The processing machine  1  can furthermore include a laser machining device  201 , such as the laser cutting machine that is shown schematically in in  FIG. 5 . This laser machining device  201  can be configured, for example, as a CO 2  laser cutting machine. The laser machining device  201  includes a laser source  202  that generates a laser beam  203  that is guided by a beam guide  204  (shown schematically) to a laser machining head, such as cutting head  206 , and is focused therein. The laser beam  204  is then oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the workpiece  10  by a cutting nozzle to machine the workpiece  10 . The laser beam  203  acts on the workpiece  10  at the machining location, e.g., the cutting location, jointly with a process gas beam. The cutting point, at which the laser beam  203  impinges on the workpiece  10 , is adjacent to the machining point of the upper tool  11  and lower tool  9 . 
     The laser cutting head  206  is moveable by a linear drive  207  having a linear axis system at least in the Y direction, or in the Y and Z direction. This linear axis system, which receives the laser cutting head  206 , can be associated with the machine frame  2 , fixed thereto or integrated therein. A beam passage opening can be provided in the workpiece rest  28  below a working space of the laser cutting head  206 . A beam capture device for the laser beam  21  can be provided preferably beneath the beam passage opening  210 . The beam passage opening and as applicable the beam capture device can also be configured as one unit. 
     The laser machining device  201  can alternatively also include a solid-state laser as laser source  202 , the radiation of which is guided to the laser cutting head  206  with the aid of a fiber-optic cable. 
     The workpiece rest  28 ,  29  can extend to the workpiece support  8  that at least partially surrounds the lower tool  9 . Within a resultant free space created therebetween, the lower tool  9  is moveable along the lower positioning axis  25  in and against the Y direction. 
     On the workpiece rest  28  there lies, for example, a machined workpiece  10 , in which a workpiece part  81  has been cut free by a cutting gap  83 , for example by punching or by laser beam machining, apart from a remaining connection  82 . The workpiece  81  is held in the workpiece  10  or the remaining sheet skeleton by this remaining connection. To separate the workpiece part  81  from the workpiece  10 , the workpiece  10  is positioned by the feed device  22  relative to the upper and lower tool  11 ,  9  for a separation and discharge step. Here, the remaining connection  82  is separated by a punching stroke of the upper tool  11  relative to the lower tool  9 . The workpiece part  81  can, for example, be discharged downwardly by partially lowering the workpiece support  8 . Alternatively, in the case of larger workpiece parts  81 , the cut-free workpiece part  81  can be transferred back again onto the workpiece rest  28  or onto the workpiece rest  29  to unload the workpiece part  81  and the sheet skeleton. Small workpiece parts  81  can also be discharged optionally through an opening in the lower tool  9 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of a tool  31 . The tool  31  is configured, for example, as a punching tool and includes an upper tool  11  that is also referred to as a punch. The tool  31  further includes a lower tool  9  that is also referred to as a die. The upper tool  11  has a main body  33  with a clamping shaft  34  and an adjustment or indexing wedge  36  arranged thereon. Opposite the clamping shaft  34  is a tool body  39  that has at least one cutting edge  38 . The main body  33  and the clamping shaft  34  preferably lie along a positioning axis  35  that can also be a longitudinal axis of the upper tool  11 . Via the adjustment or indexing wedge  36 , the upper tool is oriented in an upper tool receptacle on the machine and is fixed thereto by the clamping shaft  34 . By a possible rotary movement in the case of a tool body  39  that is not cylindrical and not arranged centrally relative to the positioning axis  35 , an orientation of the tool body  39  relative to the lower tool  9  can take place. 
     The lower tool  9  likewise includes a main body  41  for arrangement of the lower tool  9  in the lower tool receptacle on the machine. In this exemplary embodiment of the lower tool  9 , the lower tool has a guide  402  by which the main body  31  of the lower tool  9  is moveable along a lower tool receptacle. Alternatively, the main body  41  of the lower tool  9  can be fixedly arranged in the lower tool receptacle and a traversing movement along the arrow in the Y direction within the machine frame  2  controlled by the lower drive assembly  26  along the lower positioning axis  25 . 
     The lower tool  9  has, for example, a group of counter tool bodies  93  that each have a counter cutting edge  51 . The counter cutting edge  51  is configured as a closed contour, whereby an opening is formed inside the counter tool body  93 . A cutting contour of the tool body  39  is adapted to the closed contour of the counter tool body  93 . The counter tool bodies  93 , of which three are depicted, arranged in the lower tool  9  have contours  403 ,  404  and  405  that differ from one another in size. The differences are such that, in relation to the cutting contour of the tool body  37 , there is an adjustment of the cutting gap to different material thicknesses for the workpiece  10  to be machined. For example, in the case of a tool body  39  with a width of a cutting contour of 8 mm, the first contour  403  includes a width of 8.1 mm, the second contour  404  a width of 8.2 mm and the third contour  405  a width of 8.4 mm. As a result it is possible, for example, by combining the tool body  39  with the first contour  403  to cut a workpiece  10  (e.g., a metal sheet) with a material thickness of 1 mm, by combining the tool body  39  with the second contour  404  of the counter tool body  93  to cut a metal sheet with a material thickness of 2 mm, and by combining the tool body  39  with the third contour  405  to cut a metal sheet with a material thickness of 4 mm. 
     Such a tool  31  thus makes it possible that, for example, three different material thicknesses of a workpiece can be machined with only one cutting contour of the tool body  39  on the upper tool  11 , without it being necessary to change the tool  31 . The lower tool  9  can also include only two or also more than three counter tool bodies  93 . 
     For positioning the upper tool  11  relative to the lower tool  9 , the tool body  39  can be oriented relative to the counter cutting edge  93  by a rotary movement about the positioning axis  35 . By a traversing movement of the upper tool  11  along the upper positioning axis  16  and/or of the lower tool  9  along the lower positioning axis  25 , after the material thickness of the workpiece  10  to be machined has been established the tool body  39  of the upper tool  11 , can be moved towards one of the three contours  403 ,  404  or  405  of the counter tool body  93  in the lower tool  9  and oriented so that the positioning axis  35  of the upper tool  11  and the positioning axis  48  of the lower tool  9  coincide. That is, the tool body  39  and the counter tool body  93  are oriented relative to one another. 
     The counter tool bodies  93  can be configured as a main body insert  406 , so that it is replaceable relative to the main body  41  of the lower tool  9 . In the case of wear, simple replacement is made possible. Moreover, the main body insert  406  can be rotatably controllable on the main body  41  of the lower tool  9 . The cutting contour of the tool body  39  can in turn be adjusted and oriented relative to the closed contour of the counter cutting edge  51  in the counter tool body  93  by orientation of the upper tool  11 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment than that of  FIG. 6 . The upper tool  11  of  FIG. 7  corresponds to the upper tool  11  of  FIG. 6 . The lower tool  9  of  FIG. 7  differs from that shown in  FIG. 6  in that the counter tool bodies  93 , of which there are for example three, are on a main body insert  406 . This main body insert  406  can also be replaceable. With regard to the configuration and arrangement of the closed contours  403 ,  404  and  405  of the counter cutting edges  51 , reference can be made to the embodiments of  FIG. 6  in their entirety—likewise in respect of the positioning of the upper tool  11  relative to the lower tool  9 . 
       FIG. 8  shows, in perspective, an alternative embodiment of the tool  31 . In this embodiment, the upper tool  11  is in the form of a multi tool. On the main body  33  are a plurality of tool bodies  39  each having a cutting edge  38 . These tool bodies  39  are configured as inserts that are insertable into the main body  33 . For controlling individual machining tools  37  is an activating device  75  that is rotatable radially relative to the positioning axis. The activating device  75  has teeth  76  on the outer circumference. The activating device  75  can be driven in rotation by a drive on the machine on the upper tool receptacle. By the rotation, an activating element (not shown) extending into the main body  33  is positioned in a position relative to the chosen tool body  39  such that that tool body is fixedly arranged relative to the main body  33 . The further tool bodies  39  are able to be inserted into the main body  33  when the upper tool  11  performs a stroke movement towards the workpiece  10 . 
     The upper tool  11  corresponds to the embodiment in  FIG. 6 . For example, three machining tools  37  are in the upper tool  11  shown in  FIG. 8  that have tool bodies  39  that differ from one another in shape and/or size. 
     The lower tool  9  includes a main body  41  and a rest surface  47  on which the workpiece  10  rests during machining. A plurality of counter tool bodies  93  are on the rest surface  47  of the main body  41  of the lower tool  9 . 
       FIG. 9  shows a view from above of the lower tool  9  of  FIG. 8 . The counter tool bodies  93  have a closed contour; in cooperation with the tool body  39  on the upper tool  11 , a cut of a size and contour defined by the cutting edge  38  and the counter cutting edge  51  is formed in the workpiece  10 . For example, circular, square, rectangular or elongate cutouts or the like can be made. The size and/or geometry is arbitrary. 
     Associated with one of the tool bodies  39  of the upper tool  11  is a first group  411  of counter tool bodies  93  that have closed contours  403 ,  404 ,  405  that differ in size from each other. The difference in size of the contours  403 ,  404  and  405  within a group  411  adjusts the cutting gap to the material thickness of the workpiece  10  to be machined. The number of different contours is only by way of example. The group can have two or more than three mutually different contours. These closed contours  403 ,  404 ,  405  differ from the cutting contour of the first tool body  39  to the effect that there is an adjustment of the cutting gap in relation to different material thicknesses of the workpieces  10  to be machined. 
     In the lower tool  9  there is, for example, in addition to the first group  411 , a second group  412  of counter tool bodies  93  that cooperate with a second tool body  39  on the upper tool  11 . This second group  412  of counter tool bodies  93  is, for example, smaller in diameter than the first group  411  of counter tool bodies  93 . For example, three contours  413 ,  414 ,  415 , which differ in size from one another, of the counter tool bodies  93  can form that group for cutting gap adjustment for the same tool body  39 . The number of counter tool bodies  93  per group  411 ,  412  can also differ from one another. 
     If sufficient free surface is available in the rest surface  47  to form further counter tool bodies  93 , a third group  418  of counter tool bodies  93  as well as a plurality of further groups can be provided. Only by way of example, the third group  418  of counter tool bodies  93  again has three mutually different contours  420 ,  421  and  422  of the counter tool bodies  93 . There can also be only two or more than three counter tool bodies  93 . This third group  418  of counter tool bodies  93  is associated with the third tool body  39  on the upper tool  11 . 
     Advantageously, the number of contours in at least two groups  411 ,  412  of counter tool bodies  3  arranged in the lower tool  9  can be equal, so that the same number of different material thicknesses can be machined with that tool  31 . 
     Alternatively, it is also possible that the first group  411  and the at least one further group  412 ,  418  have numbers of contours on the counter tool body  93  that differ from one another. 
     The shape and/or geometry of the closed contour of the counter tool bodies  93  of the first group  411  can also differ from that of the second group  412  and/or of the further group  418 . 
     The arrangement of the counter tool bodies  93  in the rest surface  47  of the lower tool  9  can be outside a common circle. The first and at least one further group  411 ,  412 ,  418  can also be arranged outside a common circle of the rest surface  47 . By controlling a traversing movement of the upper tool  11  and of the lower tool  9  independently of each other, and also by controlling the rotary movement of the upper tool  11  and of the lower tool  9  again independently of each other, it is possible to orient one tool body  37  on the upper tool  11  appropriately for the respective closed contour of the first group  414  or of the further group  412 ,  418 . An arrangement of the counter tool bodies  93  on a circle concentric to the positioning axis  48  and the arrangement of the tool body  39  concentric to the positioning axis  35  is therefore not necessary. 
       FIG. 10  shows a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the lower tool  9  than that of  FIG. 9 . In this embodiment of the lower tool  9 , only two groups  411  and  412  of counter tool bodies  93  are shown. The first group  411  has counter tool bodies  93  that have, for example, a rectangular closed contour  403 ,  404 ,  405 . In the second group  412 , the counter tool bodies  93  have, for example, an elongate contour  413 ,  414 ,  415 . The first group  411  of counter tool bodies  93  lies on a common circle  425 . The counter tool bodies  93  are so oriented relative to each other that they lie outside an angular position that the contour of the counter tool body  93  assumes if it is also rotated along the circle  425 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the counter tool bodies  93  are, for example, oriented in the same direction. The counter tool bodies  93  can also all be arranged at mutually different angles on a circle  425 , where the angular positions of these counter tool bodies  93  are again different from the position that is assumed by the contour on rotation along a circle  425 . In the case of the arrangement of the counter tool bodies  93  on the circle  425  of the rest surface  47  of the lower tool  9 , contours that have a contour profile that differs from a circular geometry are provided. 
     The first group  411  of counter tool bodies  93  can lie on a circle  425 . The at least one further group  412 ,  418  of counter tool bodies  93  can lie on further circles different from the circle  425  or can also be arranged outside that circle. 
     OTHER EMBODIMENTS 
     A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.