Machines for the separative machining of plate-shaped workpieces
The invention relates to machines and methods for separative machining of plate-shaped workpieces by a processing beam. The machines include a first movement unit configured to move the workpiece in a first direction and a second movement unit including a machining head configured to emit the processing beam. The second movement unit is configured to move the machining head in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction to direct the processing beam onto the workpiece. The machines include a first workpiece support unit including a first workpiece-bearing face and a second workpiece support unit including a second workpiece-bearing face spaced apart by a gap from the first workpiece support unit and the first workpiece-bearing face. The gap extends along the second direction. The machines include at least one support slide arranged to move in the second direction within the gap and including a support slide bearing face.
1. A machine for the separative machining of a plate-shaped workpiece by a processing beam, the machine comprising:
a first movement unit configured to move the plate-shaped workpiece in a first direction (X);
a second movement unit comprising a machining head configured to emit the processing beam, wherein the second movement unit is configured to move the machining head in a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X) to direct the processing beam onto the workpiece;
a first workpiece support unit including a first workpiece-bearing face for supporting the workpiece;
a second workpiece support unit including a second workpiece-bearing face for supporting the workpiece, wherein the first workpiece support unit and the first workpiece bearing face are spaced apart by a gap from the second workpiece support unit and the second workpiece-bearing face, wherein the gap extends along the second direction (Y);
at least one support slide arranged to move freely in the second direction (Y) within the gap, wherein the at least one support slide comprises a support slide bearing face for supporting workpiece parts that are cut in the course of the separative machining, and wherein the at least one support slide can move freely within a displacement range of the processing beam along the gap and includes at least one opening in the support slide bearing face that extends through the support slide to enable passage of the processing beam through the support slide, wherein the at least one opening extends through an external edge of the support slide so that the processing beam can be positioned within the opening without having to be switched off; and
a drive unit configured to displace the at least one support slide in a controlled manner within the gap independent of movement of the machining head.
2. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the drive unit is configured to displace the at least one support slide in a controlled manner in the first direction (X) within the gap.
3. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the machine comprises a third movement unit for moving the machining head in the first direction (X) within the gap.
4. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one opening comprises a plurality of openings of at least one of various sizes and various geometries.
5. The machine of claim 4 , wherein at least two of the openings are interconnected by a channel.
6. The machine of claim 4 , wherein at least two of the plurality of openings extend through the external edge of the at least one support slide.
7. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the at least one support slide is displaceable in the second direction (Y) to a parking position (Y P ) outside of a displacement range of the machining head.
8. The machine of claim 1 , wherein one or more of at least one part-region of the bearing face of the at least one support slide and the at least one support slide itself is at least one of displaceable in the direction of gravity (Z) and downwardly pivotable.
9. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a discharge flap arranged adjacent to the gap wherein the at least one support slide is displaceable along the discharge flap and is arranged to pivot downwards conjointly with the discharge flap.
10. The machine of claim 1 , wherein the bearing face of the at least one support slide forms the upper side of a suction box for suctioning residual process materials.
11. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a small-parts container and a parts chute attached to the at least one support slide.
12. The machine of claim 1 , further comprising a controller unit configured to determine the position (YU, XU) of the at least one support slide in the gap so as to depend on one or more of a size, a shape, and a thickness of a workpiece part to be cut off from the workpiece in the separative machining.
13. The machine of claim 12 , wherein the controller unit is configured to determine at least one of the position (X U ) of the at least one support slide and of the opening of the bearing face in the first direction (X) so as to depend on the position (X S ) of the machining head in the first direction (X).