Device and method for monitoring the reception state of a workpiece

A machine tool comprising:

• a frame,
• a working space with a workpiece mount for a workpiece, and
• a monitoring device for monitoring a mounting state of a workpiece in the workpiece mount the device, comprising
• an illumination arrangement operable for illuminating the working space in a normal mode of operation, wherein the illumination arrangement is further operable in at least one signal mode of operation,
• at least one workpiece sensor which is configured to detect an actual state of the workpiece in the workpiece mount and to provide a monitoring signal that describes the actual state of the workpiece, and
• a monitoring device that is configured to:
• determine, on the basis of the monitoring signal, whether the workpiece is in a correct mounting state or an incorrect mounting state, and
• based thereon, operate the illumination arrangement in the signal mode of operation to provide visual information in the working space for visualizing the mounting state of the workpiece.

A device configured to monitor a mounting state of a workpiece in a workpiece mount of a machine tool, comprising:

• an illumination arrangement that illuminates the workpiece mount in a normal mode of operation,
• at least one workpiece sensor that is configured to detect an actual state of the workpiece in the workpiece mount in the working space and to provide a monitoring signal which describes the actual state of the workpiece, and
• a monitoring device,
• wherein the illumination arrangement is further operable in at least one signal mode of operation, and
• wherein the monitoring device is configured to:
• determine, on the basis of the monitoring signal, whether the workpiece is in a first mounting state or a second mounting state, and
• selectively operate the illumination arrangement in the signal mode of operation to provide visual information in the working space for visualizing the mounting state of the workpiece.

A method for monitoring a mounting state of a workpiece in a workpiece mount in a working space or a defined surrounding area of a machine tool, the method comprising the steps of:

• operating an illumination arrangement in a normal mode of operation for illuminating the working space,
• receiving a workpiece in the workpiece mount in the working space,
• identifying of the actual state of the workpiece in the workpiece mount in the working space,
• providing a monitoring signal describing the actual state of the workpiece,
• determining, on the basis of the monitoring signal, whether the workpiece is in a first mounting state or a second mounting state, and
• based thereon, selectively operating the illumination arrangement in a signal mode of operation to provide visual information in the working space for visualizing the mounting state of the workpiece.