The invention relates to an improved bending press and method of operation and management thereof.

WO201 6/063579 and EP1160024, taken here as an example of the technology field of interest, describe a bending press and associated tool storage unit equipped with a tool handling mechanism.

Despite all the automation, the pieces to be bent on the presses are still fed by hand, resulting in slow production and safety problems for human operators.

The main object of the invention is to propose an improved press compared to the state of the art.

Another object is to solve or mitigate the aforementioned problems related to slow production or safety at work.

A bending press is then proposed comprising: a fixed crossbar, a crossbar moveable toward the fixed crossbar to bend a workpiece between the two crossbars, a first electronic unit for controlling the operation of the press, a sensor for detecting voice commands, a second electronic unit that is connected with the sensor and the first electronic unit, and configured to

• receive from the sensor an electrical signal related to a detected voice command,

• process the signal coming from the sensor to recognize the voice command, and

• generate a signal compatible with the data communication protocol of the first electronic unit in order to send a command signal for the press corresponding to the voice command to the first electronic unit and have it executed by the press.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of operating a bending press comprising a fixed crossbar, a crossbar displaceable toward the fixed crossbar to bend a workpiece between the two crossbars, and an electronic unit adapted to control the operation of the press, with the steps of electronically detecting voice commands of a press operator, processing an electrical signal related to the voice command to recognize the voice command, generating a signal compatible with a data communication protocol of the electronic unit in order to send to the electronic unit a command signal for the press corresponding to the voice command and have the press execute it.

The above press and method make the bending phase much easier for the operator; who does not have to use his hands to enter controls and can hold them on the workpiece. It is then possible for the operator to take parallel actions, e.g., moving the workpiece and/or setting the press. The reduction of the movements of the operator not only increases productivity but also reduces the risk of accidents.

In addition, the second electronic unit offers the advantage of retro-fitting. Each press is generally bom already equipped with the first electronic unit, and the second electronic unit adds the functionality to the press to recognize and execute voice commands without having to alter the structure of the original press control system (commands or signals for the press organs start from the first unit instructed by the second unit).

Below are preferred variants of the press and method.

In a preferred variant, the sensor is a microphone, e.g. placed on a crossbar of the press, and/or an image sensor, adapted to detect lip movements of the operator.

An example of a voice command recognized by the sensor is the setting of the control of the bending angle for the workpiece. For this purpose, the second unit is configured to generate and send a signal for the first electronic unit in order to command the latter to activate the bending control via two cameras, or laser measurement systems or known systems.

Another example of a voice command recognized by the sensor is the start or loading of a bending program. For this purpose, the second unit is configured to generate and send a signal for the first electronic unit to command the latter to find the new bending program in a program database and execute or load it. The voice command will also contain the name of the program to be executed or loaded, and the second unit is configured to recognize it.

Another example of a voice command recognized by the sensor is the changing of the press setup. For example, the modification of the bending angle without manually acting on the machine's CNC, but by interacting vocally in real time, resulting in significant savings on the normal bending corrections.

Another example of a voice command recognized by the sensor is the loading of programs without having to use a manual search in the database or barcodes on sheets of paper, again saving considerable time. Preferably the press comprises a visualizer or display, e.g, a projector to project images on the upper crossbar. Generally speaking, the second unit is configured to recognize a voice command related to the display of an object, generate and send a signal for the first electronic unit in order to command it to search a database for the object to be displayed, and drive the display or visualizer to display data found in the database related to the object.

Then, another example of a voice command recognized by the sensor is the display of a drawing on the display or visualizer. For this purpose, the second unit is configured to generate and send a signal for the first electronic unit to command the latter to search a database of drawings for the drawing to be displayed, and to drive the display or visualizer to display it. The voice command will also contain the name or code of the drawing to be displayed.

Another example of a voice command recognized by the sensor is the display of a bending sequence. For this purpose, the second unit is configured to generate and send a signal for the first electronic unit to command the latter to find in a database of bending sequences the desired one and show it on the display or visualizer. The voice command will also contain the name or code of the sequence to be displayed.

If the first unit is equipped with a CNC (computer numerical control) running the automation part of the machine and a HIM (human interface machine) software as the user interface, preferably the second electronic unit is configured to send the command signal directly to the HIM software to simplify the system architecture. Then the HIM software will drive the press via the CNC in accordance with the received command to make it execute. E.g. the HIM software recognizes and/or handles commands for the press entered via a touch-screen, keyboard, PC, or cell phone.

In a variant, the first unit comprises a user interface software that is adapted to send commands to a control module of the press, comprised in the electronic unit, that are encoded with the communication protocol of the electronic unit, and the second electronic unit is configured to send the generated command signal directly to the user-interface software.

Preferably the second unit comprises a database containing commands to be recognized.

Preferably the second unit comprises software running on it, and the software processes the signal from the sensor and generates the command signal for the first unit. E.g. the commands to be recognized are transformed into software-interpreted strings by means of a communication DLL, which communicates to the first unit the command to be executed for every speech recognition.

Generally speaking, it is advantageous for the functions described here of the second electronic unit to be performed by a software, e.g. running on a microprocessor. Although with more complication, the second electronic unit could also work only via analog circuitry.

For safety, the second electronic unit preferably comprises a database with a list of allowed commands in it, and is configured to compare the recognized voice command with the commands in the list and only accept those. The purpose is to exclude commands that could create a dangerous situation for the operator, e.g. those that determine a mechanical movement of the press and auxiliary members thereof, or to exclude nonsensical or ambiguous commands. Commands that could affect work safety or its proper execution will only be interpreted but not sent to the first unit.

Preferably, the second electronic unit comprises an electronic filter to suppress or cancel background or environmental noise. The second electronic unit is then configured to process the electrical signal received from the sensor to suppress or cancel background or environmental noise. The advantage is to improve the recognition of voice commands. Suppression or cancellation can be done by analog or digital filtering, e.g. to filter out certain frequency ranges or to eliminate impulsive and/or repeated sounds, which are typical noises in an industrial environment.

In this text, terms such as top, bottom, horizontal, etc. refer to a press as in use.

The advantages of the invention will be better elucidated by the following description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated in the attached drawing wherein:

• Fig. 1 shows a bending press and a block diagram of an electronic control.

In the figure, arrows indicate signal functional connections.

A bending press MC has a known lower table or crossbar 12 on which a known vertically movable upper table or crossbar 14 can press. Tools that are to be changed during machining and can be picked up from, e.g. a tool storage unit 20, are mounted on the tables 12, 14. The tools (punches) on the table 14 abut against dies mounted on the table 12 to bend a workpiece.

A motorized carriage 22 is used for gripping and moving the tools by taking them from the storage unit 20 and bringing them into position on the table 14, or vice versa.

A known programmable electronic control unit or unit 40 (or similar electronic circuitry, e.g. a PLC or microprocessor) controls the position and functions of the member/carriage 22, as well as generally the operation of the press MC.

The control unit 40 is connected with a data memory 42, either internal or external, and a user interface 44, e.g. a touch-screen. The user interface 44 can receive commands from the user then translated into electrical control signals for the control unit 40 and can receive data from the control unit 40 to generate images visible to the operator.

The press MC comprises a sensor 50 to detect voice commands from an operator, such as a microphone. The sensor 50, preferably mounted on the crossbar 14, is connected with an electronic unit 60, which in turn is connected with the control unit 40. In particular (see hatched arrow), the electronic unit 60 is preferably connected with the user interface 44, which is already configured to send command signals accepted by the control unit 40.

Preferably, the press MC comprises a display 70, e.g. a projector, to project or generate images on the upper crossbar 12.

In general, the sensor 50 emits an electrical signal when it detects a voice command from the operator. The unit 60 processes such electrical signal to recognize the voice command and then generates a signal compatible with the communication protocol of the unit 40. The compatible signal is a command signal for the press MC corresponding to the voice command, and it is sent from the unit 60 to the unit 40, which can recognize it and have it executed by the components of the press MC. The great advantage of the unit 60 is that it converts the voice command into a signal that the unit 40 can accept and decode according to its own internal protocol to recognize the command and have it executed by the press MC, e.g. as if the command came from the user interface 44.

For safety, the electronic unit 60 comprises a database 62 with a list of allowed commands in it, and is configured to compare the recognized voice command with those in the list. Only if a command is in the database 62 it is transferred to the unit 40.

Preferably, the electronic unit 60 comprises a stage 64 to process the electrical signal received from the sensor 50 and suppress or cancel background or ambient noise. Known noise suppression or cancellation technologies can be used via e.g. analog or digital filtering, e.g. filtering out certain frequency ranges or eliminating impulsive and/or repeated sounds.

The execution of some voice commands can result in information being displayed via the display 70. The display 70 can be driven by the unit 60 or 40.

The functions of the unit 40 are preferably camed-out via software by a microprocessor.

It is understood that the press MC allows for easier bending work of the operator, who does not have to use his hands to enter controls and can hold them on the workpiece. The press MC allows the operator to perform several actions simultaneously, e.g. moving a workpiece and/or setting the press.