Clamping system for a press brake, tool and assembly thereof

Abstract

A clamping system for a press brake or folding press includes a beam for holding one or more tools. The clamping system includes a first and a second transducer, each capable of transducing electrical energy to light and vice versa. The first and second transducers each are configured to transmit light towards, and to receive light from, the one or more tools held by the beam. An assembly of such a clamping system and a tool including a marking being configured to reflect light received from the first and second transducers, and to such a tool.

1 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A clamping system for a press brake or folding press, the clamping system comprising:
 a beam for holding one or more tools, and   a first transducer and a second transducer, each of the first and second transducers being capable of transducing electrical energy to light and vice versa, the first and second transducers further each being configured to transmit light towards, and to receive light from, the one or more tools held by the beam.   
     
     
         28 . The clamping system according to  claim 27 , wherein the at least two transducers are LED's. 
     
     
         29 . The clamping system according to  claim 27 , further comprising a controller for controlling the first and second transducer. 
     
     
         30 . The clamping system according to  claim 29 , wherein the controller is configured to send an electrical signal to the first transducer while receiving an electrical signal from the second transducer during at least a first interval. 
     
     
         31 . The clamping system according to  claim 30 , wherein the controller is further configured to receive an electrical signal from the first transducer while sending an electrical signal to the second transducer during a second, different interval. 
     
     
         32 . The clamping system according to  claim 29 , comprising a plurality of first transducers, wherein the controller is configured to:
 send an electrical signal to the plurality of first transducers while receiving an electrical signal from the second transducer during at least another, third interval, and/or   send an electrical signal to the second transducer while receiving an electrical signal from the plurality of first transducers during at least another fourth interval.   
     
     
         33 . The clamping system according to  claim 32 , further comprising a plurality of second transducers, wherein the controller is configured to:
 send an electrical signal to the plurality of first transducers while receiving an electrical signal from the plurality of second transducers during at least another, fifth interval.   
     
     
         34 . The clamping system according to  claim 29 , wherein the controller is configured to send an electrical signal to at least one of the first and the second transducer, and at the same time receive an electrical signal from the same at least one of the first and the second transducer, wherein optionally, the clamping system comprising a plurality of transducers, wherein the controller is configured to:
 alternatingly select different ones of the plurality of transducers as first or second transducers.   
     
     
         35 . The clamping system according to  claim 29 , wherein:
 the controller is configured to control the first and/or the second transducer to transmit light at different intensity levels and/or   the controller is configured to determine a characteristic of an electric signal received from the first and/or the second transducer, the characteristic being for instance a power, a frequency, a voltage or a current level.   
     
     
         36 . The clamping system according to  claim 27 , wherein the first and second transducers are configured for transmitting light at mutually differing wavelengths. 
     
     
         37 . The clamping system according to  claim 27 , wherein the beam comprises a longitudinal receiving space for receiving at least a part of the one or more tools when held by the beam, wherein the first and second transducers are arranged in the receiving space, and wherein optionally the transducers are arranged at a side or a blind end of the receiving space as seen in cross section thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The clamping system according to  claim 27 , further comprising a plurality of first transducers and a plurality of second transducers, wherein the first and second transducers are arranged in a matrix. 
     
     
         39 . An assembly of a clamping system according to  claim 27  and a tool, wherein the tool comprises a marking having encoded therein at least an identification number. 
     
     
         40 . The assembly according to  claim 39 , wherein the marking has features of a characteristic dimension similar to or larger than a dimension of the first and/or second transducer. 
     
     
         41 . The assembly according to  claim 39 , wherein the marking comprises features distinguishable by a surface characteristic, optionally being colour, roughness or reflectance. 
     
     
         42 . The assembly according to  claim 41 , wherein:
 the surface characteristic is continuously variable, and optionally the encoding is analogue; or   the identification number of the marking is encoded in a discrete code.   
     
     
         43 . The assembly according to  claim 42 , wherein the code is of a higher ordinal than two or a code of a higher ordinal. 
     
     
         44 . A tool for use in a press brake or folding press, the tool comprising a marking having encoded therein at least an identification number, the marking being configured to reflect light received from the first and second transducers. 
     
     
         45 . The tool according to  claim 44 , wherein the marking comprises features distinguishable by a surface characteristic, optionally being colour, roughness or reflectance. 
     
     
         46 . The tool according to  claim 45 , wherein
 the surface characteristic is continuously variable, and optionally the encoding is analogue; or   the identification number of the marking is encoded in a discrete code, wherein optionally the code is of a higher ordinal than two or a code of a higher ordinal.