Method for producing a seam using a bending machine, and bending machine configured for this purpose

Abstract

A method for producing a seam on a workpiece made of flat material using a bending machine is disclosed. The bending machine comprises a first clamping jaw, a second clamping jaw that is mounted movably relative to the first clamping jaw and configured to clamp, together with the first clamping jaw, the workpiece, and a bending unit that is arranged on one of the clamping jaws and has a bending tool, the bending unit being configured to bend a portion of the workpiece by moving the bending tool relative to the associated clamping jaw to form a fold. The method comprises producing a pre-seam on the workpiece, comprising forming a first fold, and closing the pre-seam to form a seam by closing the first fold with the bending unit in a state in which the other of the clamping jaws is spaced from the seam.

1 . A method for producing a seam on a workpiece made of flat material using a bending machine,
 the bending machine comprising:
 a first clamping jaw; 
 a second clamping jaw that is mounted movably relative to the first clamping jaw and configured to clamp, together with the first clamping jaw, the workpiece; and 
 a bending unit that is arranged on one of the clamping jaws and has a bending tool, the bending unit being configured to bend a portion of the workpiece by moving the bending tool relative to the associated clamping jaw, 
   the method comprising:
 producing a pre-seam on the workpiece, comprising forming a first fold; and 
 closing the pre-seam to form the seam by closing the first fold with the bending unit in a state in which the other of the clamping jaws is spaced from the seam. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of closing the pre-seam is performed in a state in which the first clamping jaw or the second clamping jaw is spaced from the workpiece. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of closing the pre-seam is performed in a state in which the workpiece rests on the first or second clamping jaw. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of closing the pre-seam is performed in a state in which the workpiece is not clamped between the clamping jaws. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the step of producing the pre-seam, the first fold is formed by the bending machine, in particular by moving the bending tool relative to the first or second clamping jaw. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the step of closing the pre-seam, the first fold is closed by retracting the bending tool relative to the first clamping jaw or the second clamping jaw. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein, in the step of closing the pre-seam, the first fold is closed by extending the bending tool relative to the first clamping jaw or the second clamping jaw. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of closing the pre-seam comprises closing the first fold completely to form a U bend. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after the step of producing the pre-seam, moving the first clamping jaw or the second clamping jaw away from the workpiece. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein producing a pre-seam on the workpiece comprises forming a plurality of folds. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the bending tool comprises a hook-shaped bending portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, and wherein the step of closing the pre-seam is performed by moving the inner surface of the hook-shaped bending portion toward the first or second clamping jaw. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the bending machine comprises a further bending unit that is arranged on the other of the clamping jaws and has a further bending tool, the further bending unit being configured to bend a portion of the workpiece by moving the further bending tool relative to the associated clamping jaw and to form a fold, wherein, in the step of producing the pre-seam, one of the plurality of folds is formed by bending with the further bending tool. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein producing the pre-seam further comprises forming a second fold as a standing seam, the second fold being different from the first fold. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein producing the pre-seam further comprises forming a third fold as a U bend, the third fold being different from the first fold and preferably from the second fold. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising producing a standing seam, including, in particular, a U bend, by bending a portion of the workpiece about a second fold which is different from the first fold, wherein, when producing the pre-seam, the standing seam is bent about the first fold relative to a clamped portion of the workpiece, and wherein, when closing the pre-seam, the standing seam projects from the associated clamping jaw toward the spaced clamping jaws. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the seam comprises a closed seam, wherein the flat material comprises sheet metal, and wherein the bending machine comprises a long folding machine. 
     
     
         17 . A bending machine for producing a seam on a workpiece made of flat material, comprising:
 a first clamping jaw;   a second clamping jaw that is mounted movably relative to the first clamping jaw and configured to clamp, together with the first clamping jaw, the workpiece;   a bending unit that is arranged on one of the clamping jaws and has a bending tool, the bending unit being configured to bend a portion of the workpiece by moving the bending tool relative to the associated clamping jaw to form a fold; and   a control unit configured to:
 produce a pre-seam on the workpiece comprising a first fold; and 
 close the pre-seam to form the seam by closing the first fold with the bending unit in a state in which the other of the clamping jaws is spaced from the seam. 
   
     
     
         18 . The bending machine of  claim 17 , wherein the bending tool comprises a hook-shaped bending portion having an inner surface and an outer surface. 
     
     
         19 . The bending machine of  claim 17 , further comprising a further bending unit that is arranged on the other of the clamping jaws and has a further bending tool, the further bending unit being configured to bend a portion of the workpiece by moving the further bending tool relative to the associated clamping jaw to form a fold. 
     
     
         20 . The bending machine of  claim 17 , wherein the seam comprises a closed seam, wherein the flat material comprises sheet metal, and wherein the bending machine comprises a long folding machine.