Method for operating a bending press

A bending press for bending a workpiece, the bending press comprising:

• a first platform with a first tool mount and a second platform with a second tool mount, wherein one of the first platform and the second platform is movable relative to another of the first platform and the second platform for performing a working movement,
• a safety device for creating a light barrier extending between the first tool mount and the second tool mount transversely to the working movement of the one of the first platform and the second platform, which light barrier, in a cross-section, forms a light field, wherein the safety device has a first mount, which carries a light emitter for creating the light barrier, and a second mount, which carries a light receiver for receiving the light of the light barrier, and wherein the first mount is arranged on a first side of the first platform and is adjustable relative to the first platform by a first adjustment drive, such that a position of the light barrier relative to the first tool mount can be changed in the direction of the working movement of the one of the first platform and the second platform, and
• a controller that is connected to the first adjustment drive,
• wherein the controller is configured to evaluate and/or process data recorded or evaluated by the light receiver and/or to adjust at least one of the first adjustment drive and a second adjustment drive,
• wherein the controller is configured to control the first adjustment drive, before performing a bending operation or a series of bending operations, to bring the first mount into a working position;
• wherein in the working position, a tool tip of a bending tool held by the first tool mount lies within the light field formed by the light barrier;
• wherein the controller is configured to bring the first mount into the working position depending on a shadow of the tool tip being detected by the light receiver;
• wherein the controller is configured to determine a position of the tool tip within the light field or to determine the position of the light barrier based on the shadow of the tool tip being detected by the light receiver;
• wherein the controller is configured to adjust the first mount depending on a determined position of the tool tip within the light field or a determined position of the light barrier, until the tool tip comes to lie in a target position or a target region within the light field;
• wherein when the tool tip is outside a predefined first region comprising a target position or a target region within the light field and inside a predefined second region within the light field, wherein the predefined first region is inside the predefined second region, the controller is configured to adjust a position of the first mount depending on a determined position of the tool tip within the light field or a determined position of the light barrier;
• and
• wherein the controller is configured to adjust the position of the first mount until the tool tip comes to lie in the predefined first region.