Processing machine, workpiece table and method for processing a workpiece

1 . A long folding machine for machining a workpiece made of sheet metal, comprising:

a workpiece table defining a supporting area on which the workpiece can be placed at least in sections during machining; and

at least one tool for machining the workpiece while the workpiece is placed on the supporting area;

wherein the workpiece table comprises at least one table assembly having a base plate and a swivel plate, the base plate and the swivel plate each defining a portion of the supporting area, wherein the swivel plate is pivotably mounted relative to the base plate in such a way that a swivel movement of the swivel plate can be generated for turning the workpiece over, and wherein the tool is configured to bend a portion of the workpiece to be bent over relative to a clamped portion of the workpiece about a bending axis, and wherein the swivel movement of the swivel plate is defined by at least one swivel axis arranged parallel to the bending axis.

2 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , further comprising a receiving area in which the workpiece can be arranged at least in sections during machining, wherein the swivel plate is arranged and/or can be arranged outside the receiving area for turnover.

3 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one table assembly comprises a holder configured to keep the workpiece stationary relative to the swivel plate for turnover so that the workpiece, when held, follows a movement of the swivel plate.

4 . The long folding machine of claim 3 , wherein the holder is configured to hold the workpiece by means of negative pressure.

5 . The long folding machine of claim 3 , wherein the holder comprises at least one holding member that is movable relative to the swivel plate and configured to selectively clamp and release the workpiece on the swivel plate.

6 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , further comprising a movement device configured to automatically generate the swivel movement of the swivel plate.

7 . The long folding machine of claim 6 , wherein the movement device comprises a separate drive for the swivel plate.

8 . The long folding machine of claim 6 , wherein the movement device comprises a force transmission configured to transmit an actuating force for generating the swivel movement from a location away from the swivel plate to the swivel plate.

9 . The long folding machine of claim 6 , wherein the movement device comprises at least one force transducer that converts a generated actuating force into a force required to generate the swivel movement.

10 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , wherein the tool is configured to provide an actuating force to generate the swivel movement.

11 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , wherein the swivel plate is pivotable from a non-swiveled state by at least 90 degrees.

12 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , wherein in a state in which the swivel plate is swiveled to a maximum degree, a gap remains between the swivel plate and the base plate, wherein the gap has a thickness of at least 3 millimeters (mm).

13 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one table assembly comprises at least one coupling joint that pivotably couples the swivel plate to the base plate and that defines a movement path of the swivel plate that deviates from a circular path.

14 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , further comprising a machine frame, wherein the at least one table assembly is linearly movable relative to the machine frame.

15 . The long folding machine of claim 1 , further comprising a handling device configured to move the workpiece relative to the at least one table assembly for handling at a time that is one or more of before, during or after machining and to fix the workpiece as required, wherein the handling device comprises at least one handling arm configured to mechanically act on the workpiece to advance it onto the swivel plate before turning it over.

16 . A method comprising:

providing a long folding machine for machining a workpiece made of sheet metal, wherein the long folding machine comprises (i) a workpiece table defining a supporting area on which the workpiece can be placed at least in sections during machining, and (ii) at least one tool for machining the workpiece while the workpiece is placed on the supporting area, wherein the workpiece table comprises at least one table assembly having a base plate and a swivel plate, the base plate and the swivel plate each defining a portion of the supporting area, wherein the swivel plate is pivotably mounted relative to the base plate in such a way that a swivel movement of the swivel plate can be generated for turning the workpiece over, and wherein the tool is configured to bend a portion of the workpiece to be bent over relative to a clamped portion of the workpiece about a bending axis, and wherein the swivel movement of the swivel plate is defined by at least one swivel axis arranged parallel to the bending axis;

placing the workpiece onto the supporting area;

machining the workpiece;

generating a swivel movement of the swivel plate to turn the workpiece over; and

machining the turned-over workpiece.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

advancing the workpiece onto the swivel plate such that the entire workpiece is pushed off the base plate before the swivel movement for turning the workpiece over is generated.