CN114981070A

CN114981070A - Machine for welding plastic profiles

Info

Publication number: CN114981070A
Application number: CN202180009325.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 安德烈·瓦卡瑞
Original assignee: Graf Synergy SRL
Current assignee: Graf Synergy SRL
Priority date: 2020-01-17
Filing date: 2021-01-15
Publication date: 2022-08-30
Also published as: IT202000000856A1; EP4090519A1; WO2021144755A1

Abstract

The machine (1) comprises: -a support seat (2); -at least one lateral welding device (3) associated with the support seat (2) and provided with a lateral heating plate (13), the lateral heating plate (13) being suitable for heating one main profile (5) and the corresponding lateral profile (6); and-at least one intermediate welding device (4) associated with the support seat (2) and provided with an intermediate heating plate (18), the intermediate heating plate (18) being suitable for heating the main section (5) and the respective transverse section (7), wherein the main section (5) comprises a pair of intermediate zones (19) to be welded and the transverse section (7) comprises a pair of transverse zones (21) to be welded; wherein the intermediate welding device (4) comprises an intermediate removal device (42) to form at least one groove (43), said groove (43) being on a peripheral edge of the intermediate zone (19) to be welded and/or of the transverse zone (21) to be welded.

Description

Machine for welding plastic profiles

Technical Field

The invention relates to a machine for welding plastic profiled elements.

Background

More in detail, the invention relates to a welding machine provided with three or more welding devices in series for realising windows/doors made of plastic material, in particular PVC.

These windows/doors consist of a series of profiled pieces made of plastic material, usually formed by extrusion or similar techniques. They are welded together to form a frame-shaped frame in which a central panel of glass or other material can be placed.

For certain types of windows and doors, it may be necessary to build a frame-shaped frame provided with one or more cross-members, in particular if the dimensions are large and/or for design and aesthetic reasons. As will be described below, the purpose is to make the finished window/door more stable, robust and/or to obtain a different door/window design and/or to divide the door/window into a fixed/closed part and a movable/openable part.

In order to optimise the number of operations for these windows/doors, machines are known for welding plastic profiles having three or more welding devices arranged in line, able to weld a primary profile simultaneously with three or more secondary profiles.

The secondary profile piece is divided into two lateral profile pieces and one or more transverse profile pieces. The lateral profiles are intended to define, together with the main profiles, a peripheral frame of the window/door, and the transverse profiles are intended to create an internal frame of the window/door itself.

For this purpose, a cut is then made at each end of the main section piece to define the respective zones to be welded, preferably inclined by 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main section piece itself. And similarly, cuts are made at the respective ends of the lateral section pieces to define, at 45 °, the respective zones to be welded.

The main profile piece is further shaped, for example by a cutting operation, defining two areas to be welded in an intermediate position. These two areas are inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the profiled element itself and abut each other to form a recess. Instead, the transverse profile piece is cut at the end to define two areas to be welded adjacent to each other to form a convex part complementary to the aforesaid concave part.

Welding machines of known type are provided with lateral welding devices, responsible for welding the lateral section bars to the main section bars, and with intermediate welding devices, responsible for welding the transverse section bars to the main section bars.

In particular, machines of known type have a support base on which the welding device can move according to the dimensions of the main profiled element and the position of the area to be welded defined thereon.

The welding devices are placed side by side and connected to each other in line and define a working area extending in the longitudinal direction. They can be moved relative to each other along the longitudinal direction.

In particular, the lateral welding means and the intermediate welding means can be moved by moving towards/away from each other to position themselves at the location of the respective areas to be welded of the main profile piece.

Furthermore, the welding device is provided with holding members of the profile pieces, which can be moved close to each other to bring the respective areas to be welded into contact.

The welding of the primary profile piece to the secondary profile piece is carried out by heating and melting the areas to be welded with suitable resistance plates and then pressing the areas to be welded against each other to form the welding areas.

For this purpose, the intermediate welding device is expediently provided with a "V" shaped heating plate to heat the recesses of the main profile part and the projections of the transverse profile part simultaneously.

The machine for welding profiled elements described above can be used both for the simple construction of the peripheral frame and for the construction of the frame with cross-beams.

For the construction of the peripheral frame, it is convenient to use only the lateral welding means, or alternatively, one of the lateral welding means or the intermediate welding means, to allow welding of the ends of the profiled pieces cut at 45 °. In contrast, for the construction of a frame with transverse beams, both lateral and intermediate welding devices are used.

However, the known types of welding machines do have some drawbacks.

In fact, for the construction of the peripheral frame, some welding device is not used and the working area can be cluttered by interfering with the movement of the profiled elements.

Furthermore, especially in the case of small main profile pieces, the intermediate welding devices may become an obstacle to access to the lateral welding devices, thereby preventing the correct machining of the window/door.

In the construction of frames with transverse beams, machines for welding profiled elements of known type present another drawback. It requires correct positioning of the intermediate welding device with respect to the recess formed in the main profile piece.

In fact, it is crucial to position the intermediate welding device extremely precisely with respect to the recess of the main profile piece and to position the transverse profile piece simultaneously with respect thereto, in order to ensure that the welding is effective and robust.

A wrong positioning can lead to major defects in the welding of the transverse profile pieces, which affect the overall finishing of the window/door.

Finally, the known types of machine must be inconveniently combined with finishing machines adapted to remove the weld bead formed during the fusion of the profiled elements.

In fact, in the welding zone of the profiled elements, the excess molten material partially escapes and protrudes from the visible surface of the profiled elements forming a bead.

For this reason, in order to give the finished window/door a considerable aesthetic appearance, the profile pieces must be transferred after welding to a finishing machine for a bead removal operation.

This process of removing the bead can greatly affect the cost and time of the window/door construction and can be very complex to perform, especially in the presence of rounded corners and/or curved surfaces, with the risk of damage and/or aesthetic defects at the point of the welding zone.

In this respect, this drawback is partially solved by patent application WO 2013/132406 a1, which in fact describes a welding device provided with a removal device adapted to form a groove on the peripheral edge of the area to be welded, so that in the welding of the profiled elements, the weld bead extends towards the inside of the profiled elements, and is thus not visible on the visible surface of the window/door.

The device described in WO 2013/132406 a1 is also provided with a pressing device which achieves a surface finish of the window/door at the point where the welding area of the profile elements is located.

In particular, these pressing means are intended to abut in the groove and form a containment compartment for the welding bead, so as to prevent the welding bead itself from coming out of the containment compartment.

However, the above-described device is applied to the welding of the corners of the peripheral frame and is easy to further upgrade, with the aim of adapting the above-described removal device and pressing device to the application thereof to the intermediate welding device for the transverse profile pieces.

Disclosure of Invention

The main object of the present invention is to provide a machine for welding plastic profiled elements which is able to eliminate the need to transfer the welded profiled elements to a finishing machine suitable for removing the weld bead.

Based on this technical aim, an object of the present invention is to avoid finishing operations on the welding area after removal of the weld bead.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine for welding plastic profiles which is particularly versatile and allows to carry out the welding operation in a practical and easy way, regardless of the length dimensions of the main profiles.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine for welding plastic profile pieces which is easily adaptable to the shape of the main profile piece and in particular to the position of its recesses.

In this respect, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a machine for welding plastic profiles in which the transverse profiles can be correctly positioned at the points where the recesses defined on the main profiles are located.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a machine for welding plastic profiles which is capable of overcoming the drawbacks of the prior art previously described, with a solution that is simple, rational, easy, effective to use, affordable and of compact dimensions.

The above object is achieved by the machine for welding plastic profiles according to the invention, which has the features of claim 1.

Drawings

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from the description of an embodiment of a machine for welding profiled pieces, which is preferred, but not exclusive, and which is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is an isometric view of a machine for welding plastic profiles according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed isometric view of a lateral welding device according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed isometric view of an intermediate welding apparatus according to the present invention;

figure 4 is a schematic side view of a machine for welding plastic profiled elements according to the present invention;

FIGS. 5-14 are detailed isometric views of an intermediate welding apparatus according to the present invention;

15-17 are cross-sectional schematic views of components of an intermediate welding apparatus according to the present invention;

fig. 18-21 schematically show stages of operation of an intermediate soldering device according to the invention.

Detailed Description

With particular reference to these figures, the reference numeral 1 generally designates a machine for welding plastic profiled pieces.

The machine 1 can be used for welding profiled

elements

5, 6, 7 made of plastic material, preferably PVC, for building windows/doors.

However, it cannot be ruled out that the

profile pieces

5, 6, 7 are made of a heat-sealable plastic material other than PVC and/or a plastic material loaded with an example of a reinforcing material, such as a reinforcing material in the form of fibers, for example glass fibers or the like. Embodiments cannot also be ruled out in which the

sectional elements

5, 6, 7 are made partly of plastic and partly of different materials, in a manner similar to some well-known materials, for example with a ceiling, an outer covering, or an inner core made of metal, wood or the like.

The machine 1 for welding plastic profile pieces comprises at least one support base 2 extending in a first direction X, at least one lateral welding device 3 and at least one intermediate welding device 4 associated with the support base 2.

In particular, in the embodiment shown in the figures, the machine 1 comprises two lateral welding devices 3.

The lateral welding means 3 are adapted to weld the main profiles 5 to the respective lateral profiles 6, thus forming the peripheral frame of the window/door.

On the other hand, the intermediate welding device 4 is adapted to weld the main profiles 5 to the transverse profiles 7.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, the machine 1 comprises a plurality of intermediate welding devices 4 adapted to weld a corresponding number of transverse profiles 7 to the main profile 5; the intermediate welding devices 4 are identical to each other and for the sake of simplicity in the following discussion we will refer to only one intermediate welding device 4 and only one transverse profile piece 7, the intermediate welding devices 4 and the associated transverse profile pieces 7 described therein also being applicable to the others.

The total volume is defined between the lateral welding devices 3.

The main profile piece 5 is positioned in a working area extending in the first direction X within the entire volume.

For the purposes of the present description, the term "total volume" refers to the working area of the profiled

elements

5, 6, 7 and is composed of the volume occupied by the lateral welding devices 3 and the spaces defined between them.

Each lateral welding device 3 comprises at least one lateral frame 8 associated with the support seat 2 and one lateral machining assembly 9 associated with the lateral frame 8 for machining the main profile 5 and the lateral profile 6.

The lateral machining assembly 9 comprises a holding device for the lateral profile 10.

The holding device of the lateral profile 10 is of the vice type operated by a piston cylinder.

The lateral machining assembly 9 also comprises lateral retaining means 11 of the main profiled element 5.

The lateral holding means 11 are of the vice type operated by a piston cylinder.

The lateral welding device 3 comprises lateral displacement means 12 of a lateral holding device 11 to move the main profile 5 between at least one position away from the lateral profile 6 and at least one position closer to the lateral profile 6. Wherein the main profile 5 and the lateral profile 6 are welded together, as better described below.

The lateral displacement device 12 effects a precise and accurate displacement of the main profile 5 relative to the lateral profile 6.

The lateral welding device 3 is provided with at least one lateral heating plate 13, which lateral heating plate 13 is adapted to heat at least the main profile 5 and the respective lateral profile 6.

The lateral heating plate 13 is mounted on the lateral machining assembly 9, of the flat resistance plate type.

The lateral heating plate 13 is adapted to melt at least part of the plastic material of the profile pieces 5, 6, which will then engage and press together so that the molten plastic material comes into contact.

After cooling, the plastic material hardens and holds the joined profile pieces together.

For this purpose, the profile elements 5, 6 are provided at the respective ends with areas to be welded.

Within the scope of the present discussion, the term "area to be welded" refers to the surface of the profiled element obtained by cutting the profiled element itself along a respective oblique direction.

Suitably, the areas to be welded are inclined at an angle of between 10 ° and 80 ° with respect to the longitudinal extension of the profile element.

Preferably, the areas to be welded are substantially inclined 45 °.

The main profile 5 comprises two end zones 14 to be welded, obtained by cutting the ends, suitable for welding to the respective end zones 14 to be welded of the lateral profiles 6.

Conveniently, the lateral welding device 3 is provided with lateral removal means 15 for forming a groove on the peripheral edge of the end region 14 to be welded.

In particular, the grooves influence the peripheral edges of the visible faces of the profile pieces 5, 6.

For the purposes of this discussion, the term "visible face" refers to the surface of the profile piece that is intended to remain visible after the window/door assembly.

In fact, when the frame is mounted on a wall, the visible face is the face of the profiled element facing the inside or outside of the wall.

The grooves have the function of partially reducing the length of the visible face. In this way, after the profile elements have been welded, the weld bead extends towards the inside of the profile elements 5, 6 and is therefore not visible on the visible side of the window/door.

For the purposes of the present discussion, the term "bead" refers to the portion of excess molten plastic material that is compressed during joining of the profiled elements and that may protrude with respect to the visible face of the profiled elements themselves.

Thereby, after welding the profile pieces 5, 6, the visible faces of the profile pieces perfectly match the corresponding visible faces of the adjacent profile pieces.

The lateral removal means 15 also have the function of removing a thin layer of plastic material, sufficient to smooth and even the end region 14 to be welded.

In other words, the lateral removal means 15 are not only used to form the shape of the groove, but are absolutely necessary for flattening the wall and correcting any cutting errors.

Without such a flattening function, the end region 14 to be welded would be too irregular and therefore unweldable.

It should also be noted that the flattening of the groove and the end region 14 to be welded is carried out by the lateral removal means 15 of the lateral welding device 3 when the profile pieces 5, 6 have been mounted on the lateral holding means 11 and respectively on the holding means of the lateral profile piece 10. The end areas 14 to be welded are joined and melted together without the profiled pieces 5, 6 having to be removed from the

respective holding devices

11, 10.

In other words, the machining of the profiled elements 5, 6 on the

respective holding devices

11, 10 takes place only once, and the lateral welding device 3 is able to perform all the steps required for the machining, without the need to prepare and/or machine the profiled elements 5, 6 on other machines.

This particular feature, together with the considerable execution speed ensured, makes it possible to avoid welding errors due to incorrect assembly of the profile pieces 5, 6 on the

respective holding devices

11, 10.

In fact, if the end region 14 to be welded is flattened on a different machine and then mounted on the lateral welding device 3 to be welded, there is a risk of the welding profiles 5, 6 being defective. This is because the end regions 14 to be welded may not be perfectly straight and parallel.

The lateral removal device 15 is mounted on the lateral machining assembly 9 and comprises a pair of milling tools 16 arranged on opposite sides of a particular support element.

In particular, the milling tool 16 is positioned such that the grooves on both profile pieces 5, 6 are formed simultaneously.

In more detail, the milling tools 16 are arranged facing the respective end region 14 to be welded and are rotated about an operating axis substantially orthogonal thereto.

The operating axis is substantially horizontal and is inclined by substantially 45 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction of the main profile 5 and the lateral profile 6.

The lateral removal means 15 are conveniently provided with suction means suitable for removing the plastic chips by suction. The plastic chips are formed during the removal operation.

At least one of the lateral welding devices 3 is movable on the support base 2 along the first direction X to position itself at the point of the respective end region 14 to be welded of the main profile 5.

Conveniently, the machine 1 comprises at least one first sliding guide 17. The first sliding guide 17 is associated with the support seat 2, extends along a first direction X, and at least one lateral welding device 3 is slidingly mounted on the first sliding guide 17.

The first sliding guide 17 comprises a set of guides and the lateral welding device 3 sliding in the first direction X is associated thereto by the lateral frame 8.

The overall volume thus varies according to the mutual position of the lateral welding devices 3 on the support seat 2.

The movement of one of the lateral welding devices 3 along the first sliding guide 17 allows correct positioning of the lateral welding device 3, which is positioned according to the measurement of the actual length of the main section bar 5.

The lateral profiles 6 are positioned at the point where the respective lateral welding device 3 is located, so that the end region to be welded 14 faces the end region to be welded 14 of the main profile 5 for subsequent welding.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1, only one of the lateral welding devices 3 can be moved in the first direction X, while the other is fixed to the support base 2. However, alternative embodiments of the invention cannot be ruled out, in which both lateral welding devices 3 can slide on the first sliding guide 17.

The intermediate welding means 4 are provided with at least one intermediate heating plate 18, which intermediate heating plate 18 is "V" shaped and is adapted to heat at least the main profiles 5 and the respective transverse profiles 7.

The intermediate heating plate 18 is adapted to at least partially melt the plastic material of the

profile pieces

5,7 and then to join and press the

profile pieces

5,7 together so that the melted plastic material comes into contact. After cooling, the plastic material hardens and fixes the profile elements together.

In practice, the main profile 5 comprises at least one pair of intermediate zones 19 to be welded, which are adjacent to each other to form a "V" shaped recess 20, and the transverse profile 7 comprises: at least one end, a pair of transverse zones 21 to be welded, which abut each other to form a "V" shaped protrusion 22 substantially complementary to the recess 20.

The intermediate welding device 4 is movable on the support base 2 in a first direction X to position itself at the respective intermediate zone 19 to be welded of the main profile 5.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises at least one second sliding guide 23. The second sliding guide 23 is associated with the support seat 2, extends along the first direction X, and the intermediate welding device 4 is slidingly mounted on the second sliding guide 23.

The second slide rail 23 is spaced apart and distinct from the first slide rail 17.

In particular, the second sliding guide 23 comprises a set of guides which is not a set of guides of the first sliding guide 17.

The second sliding guide 23 allows the intermediate welding device 4 to move on the support seat 2 for the entire longitudinal extension of the support seat itself, so as not to obstruct the lateral welding devices 3.

The intermediate welding device 4 comprises at least one intermediate frame 24, the intermediate frame 24 being associated with the support 2 and being slidable along the first direction X.

In particular, the intermediate frame 24 is movably slidably associated with the second sliding guide 23.

The intermediate welding device 4 comprises at least one intermediate processing assembly 25 for processing the main profiles 5 and the transverse profiles 7, which is associated with an intermediate frame 24 and is provided with an intermediate heating plate 18.

The intermediate welding device 4 also comprises a transverse profile-piece holder 26, which is associated with the intermediate frame 24.

The characteristics of the intermediate machining assembly 25 and of the transverse profile holder 26 will be described in detail later in this description.

Advantageously, the intermediate machining assembly 25 and the transverse profile-member retaining means 26 are arranged on opposite sides of the first sliding guide 17.

The intermediate frame 24 comprises at least one connecting portion 24a between the intermediate tooling assembly 25 and the transverse-profile-member retaining means 26, which connecting portion 24a is located below the first sliding guide 17.

The connecting portion 24a serves to hold the intermediate tooling assembly 25 and the transverse profile-member holder 26 together when the intermediate frame 24 is moved along the second sliding guide 23 so that they can be positioned simultaneously relative to the support base 2.

The machine 1 comprises moving means 27, 31 of the intermediate welding means 4 between an operating position, in which the intermediate welding means 4 are placed between the transverse welding means 3 within the total volume, and an initial position, in which the intermediate welding means 4 are placed outside the total volume. (FIG. 4)

In fact, the machine 1 can also be used for simple realisations of transom-less doors and windows.

In fact, when it is not necessary to weld the transverse profile 7 to the main profile 5, the intermediate welding device 4 can be moved away from the work area to avoid interference with the lateral welding devices 3 during the respective welding operation.

This is particularly advantageous, in particular when the main profile 5 is small, so that the intermediate welding device 4 becomes an obstacle to the correct positioning of the lateral welding devices 3.

In the initial position, the intermediate welding device 4 is movable in the first direction X for the entire extension of the second sliding guide 23.

In contrast, in the operating position, the intermediate welding device 4 is movable along the second sliding guide 23 between the lateral welding devices 3.

The arrangement shown in fig. 1, for example, two intermediate welding devices 4 are located between the lateral welding devices 3, close to one end of the sliding

guides

17 and 23, while the other intermediate welding device 4 stops close to the other end of the sliding

guides

17 and 23, to constitute a window/door with only two beams; however, it is readily understood that, thanks to the movement means 27, 31, the machine 1 can assume other configurations, for example:

all three intermediate welding devices 4 are arranged between the transverse welding devices 3 in the operating position, thus forming a window/door with three cross beams;

an intermediate welding device 4 is arranged between the lateral welding devices 3 in the operating position, and the two intermediate welding devices 4 are parked close to one end of the sliding

guides

17 and 23. This allows the formation of a window/door with two beams;

all three intermediate welding devices 4 are parked near one end of the sliding

guide rails

17 and 23 to form a window/door without a beam.

The movement means 27, 31 comprise a first movement assembly 27 of the intermediate processing assembly 25 with respect to the intermediate frame 24.

The first movement assembly 27 allows the intermediate machining assembly 25 to move between the operating position and the initial position along a second direction Y, substantially perpendicular to the first direction X.

In more detail, the second direction Y is substantially horizontal.

Conveniently, the first movement assembly 27 comprises horizontal sliding

means

29, 30 for moving the intermediate processing assembly 25 along the second direction Y.

The horizontal slides 29, 30 allow the intermediate machining assembly 25 to move to the front, towards the whole volume, or to the rear, away from the whole volume, to position itself in the operating or initial position, respectively.

In particular, intermediate tooling assembly 25 includes a support structure 28 associated with intermediate frame 24.

The support structure 28 is slidingly associated with the intermediate frame 24 by means of horizontal sliding

means

29, 30.

The horizontal sliding

means

29, 30 comprise a motor unit 29, which motor unit 29 is provided with a worm drive shaft 30.

Furthermore, the

displacement device

27, 31 comprises a second displacement assembly 31 of the transverse profile-piece holder device 26 relative to the intermediate frame 24.

The second movement assembly 31 allows the transverse profile-piece holder 26 to move between the operating position and the initial position along a third direction Z, which is substantially perpendicular to the first direction X.

In more detail, the third direction Z is substantially vertical.

Essentially, the first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z are mutually orthogonal and define a cartesian space.

The second moving assembly 31 comprises a vertical slide 32 for moving the transverse profile-piece holder 26 in the third direction Z.

The vertical slide 32 comprises at least one linear actuator with a pneumatic cylinder.

The transverse profile-member holder 26 can then be moved upwards or downwards to be positioned in the operating position or initial position, respectively.

In order to perform the welding operation of the transverse profiles 7, the intermediate welding device 4 is positioned so as to be arranged within the entire volume.

The intermediate working assembly 25 is then moved horizontally towards the working area, while the transverse profile holder 26 is slid vertically upwards.

In the operating position, the intermediate welding device 4 can be moved further in the first direction X to position itself at the point of the main profile 5 where the pair of intermediate zones 19 to be welded are located.

Advantageously, the machine 1 comprises detection means 33 of the recess 20 for positioning the intermediate welding device 4 with respect to the recess 20 along the first direction X.

The detection device 33 allows the intermediate welding device 4 to be positioned correctly and extremely precisely, so that the machining and the subsequent welding of the profiled

pieces

5,7 are accurate and efficient.

The detection means 33 conveniently comprise at least one light emitter 34. The light emitter is mounted on the intermediate welding device 4 and is adapted to project a light beam 35 onto the recess 20, illuminating its surface.

Light emitter 34 may be associated with intermediate tooling assembly 25.

In this case, the light emitters 34 may for example be arranged above the main profile 5 and direct the light beam 35 from top to bottom towards the visible face of the main profile itself.

Alternatively, the light emitter 34 may be associated with the transverse-profile-member holder 26.

In this case, the light emitter 34 may for example be placed beside the main profile 5 and direct the light beam 35 substantially horizontally towards the side of the main profile itself.

For the purposes of the present discussion, the term "lateral surface" refers to the surface of the transverse profile element relative to the visible surface.

In particular, in this particular case, the side is a lateral surface that participates in the cutting during the realisation of the intermediate zone 19 to be welded, which is therefore provided with a recess 20.

The light beam 35 is selected from the list comprising: including a point beam and a line beam.

In the case of a spot beam, the light emitter 34 projects the single beam of light into the space which impinges the primary profile 5 at a single point.

In the case of a line beam, the light emitter 34 projects a series of rays into the space which hit the main profiled element 5 along a line.

The light emitter 34 is configured to emit a light beam 35 in a vertical projection plane P, which is substantially orthogonal to the first direction X.

In other words, the light emitter 34 is arranged and oriented to emit a light beam 35 so as to intersect the primary profile 5 and project on its surface a luminous marking 35a (point or line) indicating the position of the intermediate welding device 4 with respect to the primary profile 5.

In this way, by moving the intermediate welding device 4 in the first direction X, a kind of "scanning" of the main profile 5 and the recess 20 is performed. (FIG. 7)

In one embodiment of the invention, the light emitter 34 is a laser pointer device.

The correct positioning of the intermediate welding device 4 is therefore based on the visual inspection by the operator of the luminous marker 35a, which luminous marker 35a is formed when the light beam 35 intersects the main profile-piece 5.

In practice, the operator slides the intermediate welding device 4 in the first direction X until the beam 35 hits exactly the vertex of the recess 20. In this position, the intermediate welding device 4 is aligned with the recess 20 and its sliding in the first direction X is blocked by the operator using the parking brake (not shown in the figures).

Optionally, the light emitter 34 is a laser ranging device provided with means for sensing the distance that the light beam 35 irradiates a portion of the recess 20.

The distance sensing means are able to determine the distance of the face of the main profile piece 5 with respect to the reference system on the intermediate welding device 4 and thus in which position the intermediate welding device 4 is located with respect to the recess 20.

The laser ranging device is operatively connected to a display device that detects the distance.

The distance display means presents to the operator, through a graphical interface, a numerical value representative of the measured distance.

In more detail, the laser distance measuring device can detect and transmit to the display device an approximation for the width measurement of the visible face of the main profile piece 5 or for the depth measurement of the side face of the main profile piece 5, depending on whether the laser distance measuring device is mounted on the intermediate machining assembly 25 or on the transverse profile piece holder 26, respectively.

Essentially, if the light beam 35 is emitted towards the visible face of the main profile piece 5, the distance sensing means detect a value that decreases as the portions of the recess 20 move closer, with the intermediate area 19 to be welded being engaged (i.e. the apex of the recess 20).

After detecting the portion of the recess 20 where the intermediate zone to be welded 19 engages, the movement of the intermediate welding device 4 in the first direction X is again interrupted by a parking brake, not shown in the figures.

During the "scanning" of the main profile 5 and the intervention of the detection device 33, the main profile 5 is held stationary by the lateral holding device 11 of the lateral welding device 3.

Conveniently, the intermediate welding means 4 are also provided with means allowing to block the main section bar 5 and means comprising intermediate retaining means 36.

The intermediate holding device 36 is mounted on the support structure 28 of the intermediate processing assembly 25.

The intermediate holding device 36 is of the vice type by means of a vertically operating piston cylinder.

The intermediate welding device 4 also comprises intermediate displacement means 37 of the intermediate holding means 36 to move the main profiles 5 between at least one position moved away from the transverse profiles 7 and at least one position moved close to the transverse profiles 7. In which the intermediate zone 19 to be welded and the transverse zone 21 to be welded are welded together.

The intermediate displacement device 37 allows the main profile-piece 5 to be moved precisely and accurately relative to the transverse profile-piece 7.

The intermediate displacement means 37 coincide with the first movement assembly 27 of the aforementioned movement means 27, 31.

In other words, the first movement assembly 27 moves the hidden intermediate machining assembly 25 between the operating position and the initial position, also making it possible to move the main profiles 5 closer to and further away from the transverse profiles 7 in use.

The intermediate displacement device 37 is operatively connected to the lateral displacement device 12 to allow coordinated movement of the main profile pieces 5.

For this purpose, machine 1 comprises connection means between intermediate displacement means 37 and lateral displacement means 12, not shown in detail in the figures. In particular, the connection means are of the electrical type.

However, it is not excluded that the connecting means are of different types.

In fact, during operation of the machine 1, the transverse profiles 7 and the lateral profiles 6 remain stationary, while the main profiles 5 move to bring the areas to be welded 14, 19, 21 closer to or further away from each other.

The transverse profile-piece 7 is positioned on the intermediate welding device 4 such that the projection 22 faces the recess 20.

In particular, the transverse profile 7 is held in place by a transverse profile holder 26.

The transverse profile-piece holder 26 comprises a vice provided with two jaws 38 that can be moved relative to each other to intercept the transverse profile-piece 7.

Conveniently, the opening and closing movement of the jaws 38 is carried out along a horizontal direction parallel to the first direction X.

Advantageously, the transverse profile-member holder 26 comprises at least one centering device 39 of the transverse profile member 7 with respect to the vertical reference plane R of the intermediate welding device 4.

The vertical reference plane R coincides with the vertical projection plane P of the light emitter 34.

In this case, the centering device 39 comprises a self-centering double rack system, associated with the jaws 38.

Essentially, each of the two jaws 38 is associated with a rack 40, and the two racks 40 are arranged so that their respective teeth face each other.

The two racks 40 are connected and moved by a gear 41, which gear 41 is located between the two racks and is associated with both of them.

When the gear 41 is set in rotation, the rack 40 moves in the opposite direction and at the same time the jaws 38 move away from or close to the vertical reference plane R.

The self-centering vice allows positioning and holding the transverse profile piece 7 so that the apex of the convex portion 22 lies on the vertical reference plane R: since the vertical reference plane R coincides with the vertical projection plane P of the light emitter, aligning the light beam 35 to the apex of the recess 20 also means aligning the recess 20 of the main profile 5 and the protrusion 22 of the cross profile 7 with each other.

The intermediate processing assembly 25 comprises intermediate removal means 42 to form at least one groove 43 on at least one peripheral edge of the intermediate zone 19 to be welded and/or of the transverse zone 21 to be welded.

The intermediate removal means 42 are adapted to remove part of the plastic material from the

section elements

5,7 at the point where the

areas

19, 21 to be welded are located.

In particular, the grooves 43 are formed on the visible face of the profiled

elements

5,7 and along the peripheral edges of the

zones

19, 21 to be welded, defining the recesses 20 and the protrusions 22 respectively. It can be seen that the groove 43 is substantially "V" shaped.

The intermediate removal device 42 is intended to partially reduce the extension of the visible face, so that, as a result of the welding of the

profiles

5,7, the weld bead extends towards the inside of the

profiles

5,7 and is therefore not visible on the visible face of the window/door, giving the window/door itself a pleasant aesthetic effect.

Like the lateral removal means 15, the intermediate removal means 42 also have the function of removing a thin layer of plastic material sufficient to level and level the zones to be welded 19 and 21 of the respective profiled

elements

5, 7.

It is worth emphasizing that the groove 43 and the flattening of the areas to be welded 19, 21 are achieved by the intermediate removal device 42 of the intermediate welding device 4 when the

profile elements

5,7 have been mounted on the intermediate holding device 36 and on the transverse profile element holding device 26, respectively. The

areas

19, 21 to be welded are joined and melted together without the need to remove the

profile pieces

5,7 from the

respective holding devices

36, 26.

In other words, the machining of the profiled

elements

5,7 on the

respective holding devices

36, 26 takes place only once, and the intermediate welding device 4 is able to perform all the steps required for the machining without the need for the profiled

elements

5,7 to be prepared and/or machined on other machines.

This particular feature, together with the considerably faster execution speed ensured, allows avoiding welding errors due to incorrect assembly of the

profile pieces

5,7 on the

respective holding devices

36, 26.

In fact, if the

areas

19, 21 to be welded are leveled on different machines and then mounted on the intermediate welding device 4 to be welded, there will be a risk of poor welding of the profiled

elements

5, 7. This is because the

areas

19, 21 to be welded may not be perfectly opposite and parallel.

The intermediate removal device 42 comprises at least one milling tool 16, which milling tool 16 can be rotated about a working axis a, which working axis a is substantially parallel to the intermediate zone 19 to be welded and/or the transverse zone 21 to be welded.

The working axis a is substantially perpendicular to the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5, 7.

Advantageously, the working axis a is substantially vertical.

The vertical arrangement of the milling tool 16 is actually more advantageous than the intermediate removal device 42, since the intermediate region 19 to be welded and the transverse region 21 to be welded define a narrow working space and in which it is difficult to insert and move the machining tool. The tool is capable of properly removing plastic material.

Thus, the arrangement of the milling tool 16 along the vertical working axis a allows for accurate and easy formation of the groove 43.

Other embodiments cannot however be ruled out in which the working axis a is horizontal but parallel to the area to be welded a, or it is inclined but parallel to the area to be welded 19, 21, or it is transverse to the area to be welded 19, 21.

The intermediate removal device 42 includes at least one holding frame 44 and at least one tool set 45 associated with the holding frame 44. The holding frame 44 is movably associated with the support structure 28.

The tool set 45 comprises the above-mentioned milling tool 16 and faces at least one face of at least one of the main profile-piece 5 or the transverse profile-piece 7 to form the groove 43.

The kit 45 also comprises a suction unit 46, which suction unit 46 is adapted to suction the residues of plastic material generated during the formation of the grooves 43.

The suction unit 46 comprises a suction opening 46a, which suction opening 46a is defined at the point where the milling tool 16 is located, through which suction opening 46a plastic residues are conveyed to a recovery container.

In more detail, the milling tool 16 is arranged by the suction opening 46a towards the

areas

19, 21 to be welded.

The suction unit 46 comprises a series of brush elements 47 arranged in a radial pattern around the suction opening 46a and adapted to promote the collection of debris and the more efficient removal of residues of plastic material.

Advantageously, the intermediate removal means 42 comprise a pair of tool groups 45, each of which can be placed facing a respective visible face of at least one of the main profiles 5 or the transverse profiles 7.

The tool sets 45 are arranged above and below the

profile elements

5,7 with respect to the lying plane thereof, so as to machine the upper and lower visible faces, respectively.

Each tool set 45 includes a milling tool 16.

The milling tools 16 are aligned along the same working axis a and are arranged on opposite sides of the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5, 7.

However, it cannot be excluded that the milling tool 16 may be mounted differently on the intermediate machining assembly 25.

In contrast to the support structure 28, the intermediate removal device 42 also comprises a movement system 48 that holds the frame 44.

The movement system 48 allows the tool set 45 to be moved relative to the visible face of the

profile pieces

5,7 to form the groove 43.

The motion system 48 includes at least one set of controlled axes 49 mounted on the support structure 28.

For the purposes of this discussion, the term "controlled axis" refers to a numerical control system that allows the tool set 45 to move along a predefined axis with controlled millimeter or micrometer displacements.

The set of controlled shafts 49 is movable along a first axis X 'substantially parallel to the first direction X, a second axis Y' substantially perpendicular to the first axis X ', and a third axis Z' substantially perpendicular to the first axis X 'and the second axis Y'.

In particular, the second axis Y 'is substantially horizontal and parallel to the second direction Y, and the third axis Z' is substantially vertical and parallel to the third direction Z.

The movement system 48 allows a movement of the holding frame 44 and thus the tool set 45 in space to move the milling tool 16 along the visible face of the

profile pieces

5, 7.

As already mentioned, the intermediate welding device 4 comprises an intermediate heating plate 18 which is "V" shaped and which serves to melt and heat at least the main profile piece 5 and the respective transverse profile piece 7.

The intermediate heating plate 18 is of a resistance plate type and is integrally formed.

However, it cannot be excluded that the intermediate heating plate 18 may be composed of a plurality of mutually associated heating elements to define a "V" shape.

The intermediate heating plate 18 is mounted on the holding frame 44 of the intermediate removal device 42 and can be moved relative thereto to position itself between the intermediate zone 19 to be welded and the transverse zone 21 to be welded.

The intermediate heating plate 18 is movable between:

an active condition, in which it is located between the main profile 5 and the transverse profile 7, to heat and melt at least part of the intermediate zone 19 to be welded and the transverse zone 21 to be welded; and

an initial condition in which it is removed from the main profile-piece 5 and the transverse profile-piece 7.

The intermediate heating plate 18 is movable between an activated state and an initial state relative to the holding frame 44 by means of a pneumatic cylinder.

However, other embodiments in which the intermediate heating plate 18 is moved by a different type cannot be excluded.

In the activated state, the intermediate heating plate 18 is movable to approach the transverse profile 7 and to be closer to the transverse area 21 of the transverse profile 7 to be welded. The transverse profile element 7 is blocked by the transverse profile element holder 26.

At the same time, the main profile 5 again approaches the intermediate heating plate 18 via the lateral and intermediate moving

devices

12, 37, and moves forward at substantially twice the speed of the intermediate heating plate 18 approaching the transverse profile 7.

For this purpose, since the intermediate holding device 36 and the intermediate heating plate 18 are mounted on the same support structure 28, the intermediate holding device 36 is moved in the second direction Y by the intermediate displacement device 37, approaching the transverse profile-member holding device 26, while the intermediate heating plate 18 is moved in the second axis Y', away from the transverse profile-member holding device 26, by the movement system 48.

Thus, the concave portion 20 and the convex portion 22 are simultaneously in contact with the opposite surfaces of the intermediate heating plate 18.

After the melting of the plastic material, the intermediate heating plate 18 returns to the initial state to allow the main profile piece 5 to be joined with the transverse profile piece 7.

The intermediate welding device 4 also comprises at least one

containment element

50, 51 suitable to abut on the groove 43 to define a containment compartment 52 of the weld bead.

The receiving

elements

50, 51 are intended to be positioned on the visible face of the profiled

elements

5,7, at the point where the groove 43 is located.

In more detail, when the profiled

elements

5,7 are joined to achieve welding, the respective grooves 43 are juxtaposed to each other and define a cavity intended to be filled by the molten plastic material.

When the containing

element

50, 51 is positioned on the visible face of the profiled

elements

5,7, it closes the cavity, thus defining a containing compartment 52 and avoiding the escape of molten plastic material therefrom.

As mentioned above, the groove 43 is substantially "V" shaped, the groove 43 being formed along the peripheral edges of the recess 20 and the protrusion 22. The containment compartment 52 obtained by joining the

profiles

5,7 is therefore also substantially "V" shaped.

More specifically, the containment compartment 52 comprises at least two rectilinear portions arranged transversely to each other.

The two straight portions are arranged relative to each other to form an angle of substantially 90 °.

Furthermore, the containment compartment 52 comprises at least one curvilinear portion, which is located between the rectilinear portions.

In practice, the groove 43 is made by the milling tool 16, is substantially cylindrical, has a milling radius F, and is obtained by rotation about the working axis a. It results in the removal of circular plastic material types.

The effect of this rounding off is more pronounced at the apex of the recesses 20 and the projections 22 of the

respective profile piece

5, 7. The passage of the milling tool 16 in these areas thus rounds the apex of the recess 20 and the apex of the protrusion 22 and correspondingly the apex of the groove 43.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the containing

element

50, 51 is substantially "V" shaped and comprises two containing portions 58, said two containing portions 58 being arranged substantially at 90 ° to each other so as to overlap on the groove 43.

However, it cannot be excluded that the containing

elements

50, 51 have different shapes and consist, for example, of rectangular plates (or other shapes) of these dimensions, so as to completely cover the recess 43.

The

containment elements

50, 51 are associated with the intermediate processing assembly 25.

The containing

elements

50, 51 are movable along the approaching/distancing movement direction D between an operating position, i.e. a position close to the at least one groove 43, and an initial position, i.e. a position moved away from the at least one groove 43.

In the illustrated embodiment, the approach/distance movement direction D is substantially vertical. However, it cannot be ruled out that the approaching/distancing movement direction D can also be oriented according to a different axis (for example horizontal), but always in such a way that the containing

elements

50, 51 overlap on the groove 43.

Conveniently, the intermediate welding device 4 comprises at least one displacement assembly 53, which displacement assembly 53 is adapted to move the containing

elements

50, 51 along the approaching/distancing movement direction D between the operating position and the home position.

Advantageously, the intermediate welding device 4 comprises at least one pair of containing

elements

50, 51 arranged on opposite sides of the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5,7 and each facing a respective visible face of the main profiled element and of the transverse profiled element 7.

The containing

elements

50, 51 are aligned and movable in the same vertical direction approaching/departing from the movement direction D.

In this way, on both visible surfaces of the window/door, the

containment elements

50, 51 are able to contain the welding bead inside the containment compartment 52.

However, it cannot be ruled out that the containing

elements

50, 51 are arranged in a different way on the intermediate processing assembly 25.

Conveniently, the intermediate welding device 4 comprises a plurality of receiving

elements

50, 51, these receiving

elements

50, 51 being arranged on the same side as the lying plane of the

profile pieces

5,7 and facing only one visible side of the main profile piece 5 and the transverse profile piece 7.

The containing

elements

50, 51 are side by side and can move along various approach/departure movement vertical directions D.

The particular "V" shape of the containing

elements

50, 51 allows reducing the overall dimensions of the containing elements themselves on the intermediate machining assembly 25 and avoiding obstructing the movements of the other movable parts.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, in particular, the first containing element 50 and the second containing element 51 are arranged on the same portion of the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5, 7.

In more detail, in the embodiment of the invention shown in fig. 1 to 14, the intermediate welding device 4 comprises a pair of first containing elements 50, one of which is arranged above the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5,7 and one of which is arranged below the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5,7, and a pair of second containing elements 51, one of which is arranged above the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5,7 and one of which is arranged below the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5, 7.

Conveniently, the first containing element 50 is provided with a contact surface 50a, the contact surface 50a comprising at least one projection 54, the projection 54 being adapted to fit at least partially within the containing compartment 52.

The projection 54 is substantially "V" shaped and comprises at least two rectilinear portions 54a arranged transversely to each other.

In particular, the straight portions 54a are arranged to form an angle of substantially 90 ° with each other.

Each rectilinear portion 54a is adapted to fit within a respective rectilinear portion of the containment compartment 52.

The projection 54 also includes at least one curved portion 54b, the curved portion 54b being located between the straight portions 54 a.

The curvilinear portion 54b is adapted to fit within the curvilinear portion of the containment compartment 52.

In the present case, the curved portion 54b is in the shape of a circular arc.

The curved portion 54b is provided with a radius of curvature C which is substantially equal to or larger than the milling radius F of the above-mentioned milling tool 16.

On the other hand, the second containing element 51 is provided with a finishing surface 51a, which finishing surface 51a is suitable for surface finishing at the point where the containing compartment 52 is located.

In the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 16 and 21, the finished surface 51a is substantially flat.

In the context of the present discussion, the expression "substantially flat" means that the finished surface 51a lies on a single plane, but depending on the type of profiled element, it may have roughness or veining features that are complementary to those currently present in the profiled element itself. In this way, the pressure of the second containing element 51 on the molten plastic material can keep the aesthetic effect of the profiled

pieces

5,7 unaltered.

With reference to the embodiment shown in fig. 1 to 15 and 18 to 21, each of the containing

elements

50, 51 is integrally formed from a rigid material of the rigid plastic type.

On the other hand, in the embodiment shown in fig. 16 and 17, the second containing element 51 is made by assembling different parts. In practice, it comprises at least one plate-like element 55 and at least one flexible element 56. The plate-like element 55 defines a finished surface 51a, made of a hard material, and is adapted to abut the groove 43. The flexible element 56 supports said plate-like element 55 and is made of a soft material.

The plate-like element 55 consists of a thin plate, for example made of metal or hard plastic material, which has a reduced thickness, so as to be elastic and suitable for the surface of the profiled

pieces

5, 7.

On the other hand, the flexible element 56 is a layer made of rubber or comprising a spring-like elastomer, for example.

Fig. 17 shows an embodiment of the second containing element 51, in which the finishing surface 51a comprises an embossed finishing portion 57, the embossed finishing portion 57 being substantially "V" shaped and adapted to fit at least partially inside the containing compartment 52.

The embossing finishing 57 has a substantially oval section and has the function of creating a particular aesthetic effect in the welding zone of the profiled

elements

5,7 and in particular of allowing the "V" shape of the profiled elements themselves to be embossed.

Conveniently, the embossing finishing 57 comprises, similarly to the projections 54 of the first containing element 50, at least two rectilinear finishing portions and at least one curvilinear finishing portion, the curvilinear finishing portion being located between the rectilinear finishing portions.

However, it cannot be excluded that the embossing finishing 57 may have a different shape.

The operation of the present invention is as follows.

Initially, one of the lateral welding devices 3 moves on the support seat 2 along the first sliding guide 17, based on the actual length dimension of the main profiled element 5, defining a total volume.

The intermediate welding device 4 of the machine 1 is positioned outside the total volume defined by the lateral welding devices 3.

A certain number of intermediate welding devices 4 are placed within the total volume, according to the type of work to be performed. This number is equal to the number of transverse profiles 7 to be welded to the main profile 5.

For the sake of simplicity, the operation of the machine 1 will be described for the case where only one transverse profile 7 is to be welded to the main profile 5.

In this case, only one intermediate welding device 4 is brought into the total volume, while the others remain parked and unused.

For this purpose, the intermediate working assembly 25 of the intermediate welding device 4 to be used is moved in the second direction Y to the initial position by means of the

horizontal slides

29, 30.

At the same time, the transverse profile-piece holder 26 is brought into the initial position in the third direction Z by the vertical slide 32. (FIGS. 4 and 5)

The intermediate welding device 4 can now be moved in the first direction X on the support base 2 for the entire extension of the second sliding guide 23.

The intermediate welding device 4 is positioned on the support base 2 such that the intermediate frame 24 is in a position between the lateral welding devices 3.

The intermediate machining assembly 25 and the transverse profile holder 26 are then moved into the operating position within the entire volume.

The main profile piece 5 is positioned in the operating area in order to position the end area 14 to be welded at the point where the lateral welding device 3 is located.

The intermediate welding device 4 is moved again in the first direction X on the second sliding guide 23 to position itself at the location of the intermediate zone 19 to be welded. (FIG. 6)

Thanks to the light emitter 34, it is possible to perform a scan of the main profiled element 5 to detect the portion of the recess 20 in which the intermediate zone 19 to be welded is engaged. (FIG. 7)

After the intermediate welding device 4 has been correctly positioned, its parking brake is activated to prevent further sliding along the second sliding guide 23, and the intermediate holding device 36 is activated to hold the main profile 5 stationary relative to the intermediate welding device 4.

The lateral profiles 6 and the transverse profiles 7 are positioned on the respective welding device 3, 4 and are held stationary by the

respective holding device

10, 26.

In particular, the transverse profile element 7 is held by the centering device 39 so that the transverse zone to be welded 21 faces the intermediate zone to be welded 19. (FIG. 8)

At this point the removal means 15, 42 form a groove 43, which groove 43 is formed at the point where the visible face of the

respective profile piece

5, 6, 7 is located.

In more detail, the lateral removal means 15 operate simultaneously on the visible face of the main profile 5 and on the visible face of the respective lateral profile 6 to define the grooves 43 above and below the lying plane of the profiles 5, 6.

On the other hand, the intermediate removal device 42 is moved by a set of controlled axes 49 in such a way that one of the tool sets 45 first operates on the visible face of the main profile-piece 5 and on the visible face of the transverse profile-piece 7, which operation is above the laying plane. Then, another tool group 45 operates on the respective visible face, below the lying plane of the profiled

elements

5, 7. (FIGS. 10 and 11)

Subsequently, the lateral heating plates 13 and the intermediate heating plates 18 are moved in the operating state to the

respective zones

14, 19, 21 to be welded in order to position themselves between the

profile elements

5, 6, 7.

The lateral displacement device 12 and the intermediate displacement device 37 move the main profile 5 towards the lateral profile 6 and towards the transverse profile 7 to approach and contact the

heating plates

13, 18.

At the same time, the

heating plates

13, 18 move to contact the

areas

14, 19, 21 to be welded (fig. 12).

After the melting of the plastic material, in the initial state the

heating plates

13, 18 are moved apart to allow the main profile 5 to access the lateral profiles 6 and the transverse profiles 7.

The

profiles

5, 6, 7 are engaged and the

containment elements

50, 51 are moved to abut in the groove 43 and define the containment compartment 52 of the weld bead (fig. 13).

In this connection, according to a possible sub-phase sequence, when the profiled

elements

5,7 are juxtaposed to each other, the first containing element 50 abuts the groove 43 both above and below the resting surface of the profiled element 5, the projection 54 being located within the relative containing compartment 52. As shown in fig. 18, the containment compartment 52 thus formed is substantially free of molten plastic material. Subsequently, during the relative approach of the profiled

elements

5,7, the weld bead produced extends in the centre of the containment compartment 52 and comes into contact with the projection 54, which diverts it towards the side wall 52 of the containment compartment (fig. 19).

However, it cannot be excluded that the above-mentioned stages are performed in a different way. For example, according to an alternative sequence of sub-stages, not shown in detail in the figures, initially set close to the profiled

pieces

5,7 to produce a weld bead, and then the first containing element 50 is positioned at the point of the groove 43, so as to define a containing compartment 52 filled with molten plastic material.

Subsequently, the first containing element 50 is spaced apart from the profiled elements 5,7 (fig. 20) and the second containing element 51 is moved to bring the finishing surface 51a into contact with the visible faces of the profiled

elements

5,7 at the point where the groove 43 is located. In this position, the finishing surface 51a flattens the visible face of the profiled

elements

5,7 and contains any pressure from the weld bead towards the visible face. In fact, at this stage, the profiled

elements

5,7 continue to be brought closer together and the molten plastic material continues to form until the containment compartment 52 is completely filled (fig. 21).

However, the possibility of using only one of the first containing element 50 or the second containing element 51 cannot be excluded.

All the sub-stages shown in fig. 18 to 21 are carried out rapidly in such a way as to prevent the molten material from solidifying before the containment compartment 52 is completely filled.

It has been determined in practice that the described invention achieves the intended aim, and particular emphasis is given to the fact that the machine for welding plastic profiled elements is able to eliminate the need to transfer the welded profiled elements to a finishing machine suitable for removing the weld bead.

In fact, the machine according to the invention is also capable of forming grooves at the intermediate and transverse zones for housing the weld beads.

Furthermore, the machine for welding plastic profiles can avoid finishing in the welding area after removal of the weld bead.

Claims

1. Machine (1) for welding plastic profile pieces, characterized in that it comprises:

-at least one support seat (2) extending along a first direction (X);

-at least one lateral welding device (3) associated with said support seat (2) and provided with at least one lateral heating plate (13), said lateral heating plate (13) being adapted to heat at least one main profile piece (5) and a respective lateral profile piece (6); and

-at least one intermediate welding device (4) associated with said support seat (2) and provided with at least one intermediate heating plate (18), said intermediate heating plate (18) being shaped like a "V" and being suitable for heating at least said main section (5) and the respective transverse section (7), wherein said main section (5) comprises at least one pair of intermediate zones to be welded (19) which abut each other to form a "V" shaped recess (20), and said transverse section (7) comprises at least one end a pair of transverse zones to be welded (21) which abut each other to form a "V" shaped projection (22) substantially complementary to said recess (20), wherein said intermediate welding device (4) comprises:

-at least one intermediate frame (24) associated with said support (2) and sliding movably along said first direction (X);

-at least one intermediate machining assembly (25) for the machining of the main profiles (5) and the transverse profiles (7), associated with the intermediate frame (24) and provided with the intermediate heating plate (18); and

-a transverse profile-piece holding device (26) associated with the intermediate frame (24);

wherein the intermediate processing assembly (25) comprises intermediate removal means (42) to form at least one groove (43), said groove (43) being on at least one peripheral edge of the intermediate zone (19) to be welded and/or of the transverse zone (21) to be welded.

2. Machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said intermediate removal means (42) comprise at least one milling tool (16), said milling tool (16) being rotatable about an operating axis (a), the operating axis (a) being substantially parallel to the intermediate zone (19) to be welded and/or to the transverse zone (21) to be welded.

3. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said operating axis (A) is substantially orthogonal to the lying plane of said profiled elements (5, 6).

4. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said operating axis (a) is substantially vertical.

5. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said intermediate working assembly (25) comprises a supporting structure associated with said intermediate frame (24), and said intermediate removing means (42) comprise:

-at least one holding frame (44), said holding frame (44) being associated in a movable manner with said supporting structure (28);

-at least one tool assembly (45), said tool assembly (45) being associated with said holding frame (44), facing at least one exposed face of at least one of said main profile (5) or said transverse profile (7), to form said groove (43); and

-a movement system (48) of the holding frame (44) with respect to the support structure (28).

6. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said tool assembly (45) comprises said milling tool (16).

7. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said intermediate removal means (42) comprise a pair of said tool assemblies (45), each of which can be placed facing a respective exposed face of at least one of said main profile (5) or said transverse profile (7).

8. Machine (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that each said tool assembly (45) comprises said milling tool (16), wherein said milling tools (16) are aligned along a same operating axis (A) and are arranged on opposite sides of said lying plane of the section bar (5, 7).

9. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said movement system (48) comprises at least a group of controlled shafts (49) mounted on said supporting structure (28), said controlled shafts (49) being movable along a first axis X 'substantially parallel to said first direction X, a second axis Y' substantially perpendicular to said first axis X ', and a third axis Z' substantially perpendicular to said first axis X 'and said second axis Y'.

10. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said intermediate welding means (4) comprise at least one containing element (50, 51), said containing element (50, 51) being suitable to abut on said at least one groove (43) to define at least one containing compartment (52) of the weld bead.

11. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that:

-said at least one containing element (50, 51) is movable along a direction of approach/distancing movement (D) between an operating position, in which it is moved close to said at least one recess (43), and an initial position, in which it is moved away from said at least one recess (43); and

-said intermediate welding device (4) comprises at least one displacement assembly (53), said displacement assembly (53) being adapted to move said containing element (50, 51) between said operating position and said initial position along said approaching/distancing movement (D).

12. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said containing element (50) is provided with a contact surface (50a), said contact surface (50a) comprising at least one protrusion (54) suitable for fitting at least partially inside said containing compartment (52).

13. Machine (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that said projection (54) is substantially "V" shaped and comprises at least two rectilinear portions (54a) arranged transversely to each other, said containment compartment (52) being substantially "V" shaped and comprising at least two rectilinear portions arranged transversely to each other, wherein each of said rectilinear portions (54a) is adapted to fit within a respective rectilinear portion of said containment compartment (52).

14. Machine (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that said projection (54) comprises at least one curvilinear portion (54b) between said rectilinear portions (54a), said containment compartment (52) comprising at least one curvilinear portion between said rectilinear portions, said curvilinear portion (54b) being adapted to fit inside said curvilinear portion of the containment compartment (52).

15. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said at least one groove (43) is made by means of at least one milling tool (16) having a milling radius (F), said curvilinear portion (54b) having a radius of curvature (C) substantially equal to or greater than said milling radius (F).

16. Machine (1) according to one or more of claims 10 and 11, characterized by the fact that said containing element (51) is provided with a finishing surface (51a), said finishing surface (51a) being suitable for surface finishing at the point where said containing compartment (52) is located.

17. Machine (1) according to claim 16, characterized in that said containing element (51) comprises:

-at least one plate-like element (55) defining said finished surface (51a), made of a hard material and adapted to abut said groove (43); and

-at least one flexible element (56) supporting said plate-like element (55) and made of soft material.

18. Machine (1) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that said finished surface (51a) is substantially flat.

19. Machine (1) according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that said finishing surface (51a) comprises an embossed finishing portion (57) substantially shaped as a "V" and adapted to fit at least partially inside said containment compartment (52).

20. Machine (1) according to claim 19, characterized in that said embossing finishing portion (57) comprises at least two rectilinear finishing portions and at least one curvilinear finishing portion, said curvilinear finishing portion being located between said rectilinear finishing portions.

21. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said intermediate welding device (4) comprises at least a pair of said containing elements (50, 51), said containing elements (50, 51) being oppositely arranged with respect to the lying plane of said profiles (5, 7), wherein each of said containing elements (50, 51) faces the respective exposed face of said main profile (5) and of said transverse profile (7).

22. Machine (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said intermediate welding device (4) comprises a plurality of said containing elements (50, 51), said containing elements (50, 51) being arranged from the same side of the lying plane of said section pieces (5, 7) and facing one of said exposed faces of said main section pieces (5) and of said transverse section pieces (7).