DE20202519U1 - Saw chain, especially for cutting sandwich panels, has blade at same height as cutting depth restricting part - Google Patents

Abstract

The blade (12, 13) is positioned at the same height as the cutting depth restricting part (9, 10). The chain (1) has at least one blade and at least one cutting depth restricting part, the blades and cutting depth restricting parts being arranged next to one another, extending transverse to the chain running direction (5) and transverse to the cutting direction.

Description

TELEPHONE: 0 7 11 /4$ 4*/»3 1 "FAX* 0*711/7800995/96 KÖHLER SCHMID + P. RUPPMANNSTR. 27 D-70565 STUTTGART

KÖHLER SCHMID + PARTNER

PATENT ATTORNEYS

25 019 Sl/nu

TRUMPF Grüsch AG

Outfield

CH-7214 Grusch

Saw chain with deep cutting edge

The invention relates to a saw chain for cutting workpieces, in particular sandwich panels, wherein the saw chain can be driven in a chain running direction and the driven saw chain and the workpiece to be machined can be moved relative to one another in a machining direction, wherein at least one cutting edge penetrating the workpiece during machining and at least one associated depth limiter limiting the penetration depth of the cutting edge on the workpiece are provided on the saw chain, and the cutting edge and the associated depth limiter are arranged next to one another transversely to the chain running direction and transversely to the machining direction.

Depth stops on saw chains are known to ensure that the saw chain runs smoothly and thus enable high-quality cutting results and to avoid uncontrolled movements of the saw chain and the device equipped with it in relation to the workpiece to be processed. For this purpose, the depth stops are set back by a certain amount in relation to the associated cutting edge(s) in the direction of processing. In this way, the depth stops should ensure that the cutting edges of the saw chain penetrate the workpiece to a defined depth. The penetration depth of the cutting edges should be selected such that the material in front of the cutting edges can be removed with as uniform a cutting movement as possible, in particular without the cutting edges getting caught.

A saw chain of this type is disclosed in DE-A-31 45 672. This known saw chain is designed in three rows. Cutting links and side links are located opposite one another on middle drive links that follow one another in the direction of chain travel. The cutting links each have a cutting edge and a depth limiter that leads the cutting edge in the direction of chain travel. A further depth limiter is provided on the associated side link and is located there at the height of the depth limiter on the cutting link when viewed in the direction of chain travel.

The invention is based on the object of providing a saw chain with improved running properties compared to the prior art.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the saw chain according to claim 1. In the case of the invention, at least one cutting edge is arranged at the level of at least one associated depth limiter, viewed in the direction of chain travel. This ensures that whenever a cutting edge is in engagement with the workpiece to be processed, an associated depth limiter is effective. This is particularly advantageous when processing thin workpieces, such as when processing metal cover layers of sandwich panels. These cover layers are usually formed from metal sheets with a thickness of 0.5 mm to 1 mm. An offset of the cutting edge and associated depth limiter in the direction of chain travel that deviates from the invention would in this case lead to the cutting edge penetrating the thin-walled and relatively strong metal sheets without being protected against excessively large-area impact on the workpiece by means of a depth limiter. The risk of the cutting edge snagging on the metal sheets and resulting reaction forces on the saw chain and on the device equipped with it would be the result. Due to the inventive juxtaposition of cutting edge and associated depth limiter, sudden stresses on the saw chain are avoided in every machining operation.

avoided. A depth limit is followed by at least one cutting edge in the direction of chain travel. According to the invention, the saw chain according to the invention runs exceptionally smoothly, which in turn is reflected in high processing speeds with relatively little wear and high functional reliability. The smooth running of the saw chain that occurs when the features of the invention are implemented is also associated with easy handling of the device provided with the saw chain and high work safety for the operator of this device.

Particular embodiments of the invention according to claim 1 result from the dependent claims 2 to 10.

According to claim 2, at least in one case a plurality of cutting edges following one another in the direction of chain travel are combined to form a cutting unit and this cutting unit is assigned a depth limiter in the form of a depth limiting surface extending in the direction of chain travel. Such a design of the saw chain according to the invention is particularly expedient for structural reasons.

From a design point of view, the inventive design according to claim 3 is particularly advantageous. In the case of this saw chain, cutting links and depth limiting links form functional units that are to be manufactured separately and which can be adjusted depending on

· · I · · * • • · •
• • ·
· •
• • ···· ^ · · •
• · · &bgr; ·
· · · · · · · · · · · · ···
• • •
• ·
· · • · • • · · » · · · · · ·

the desired processing properties, in particular the desired running properties of the saw chain. According to claim 4, in the interest of high cutting performance, several cutting edges following one another in the direction of chain travel can be provided on a single cutting link. In this case, the associated depth limiting links are provided with a depth limiting surface.

Features which contribute particularly to a smooth running of the saw chain according to the invention are realized in the case of the inventive designs according to claims 5 to 7.

According to claim 5, in each of the relevant chain link rows, a cutting link is followed by a depth limiting link and vice versa. In accordance with the basic idea of the invention, each cutting link of one chain link row is assigned a depth limiting link of the other chain link row, which is at the same height in the direction of chain travel. According to claim 6, an effective and structurally simple movement-related coupling of the cutting link and the associated depth limiting link is provided. In particular, the cutting link and the associated depth limiting link pivot simultaneously about their common hinge pins. Due to the inventive feature according to claim 7, a uniform support of the cutting edges of a cutting unit or a cutting link is possible.

against too deep penetration into the workpiece to be machined.

Due to its particularly smooth running and its exceptionally effective guidance in the cutting or machining direction, the inventive design according to claim 8 is preferred.

According to claim 9, one and the same depth limiting member can provide for suitably defined machining conditions both on at least one central cutting member and on the associated outer cutting member.

Finally, the variant of the invention according to claim 10 is characterized by a particularly simple production.

The invention is explained in more detail below using exemplary schematic representations. They show:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a section of a saw chain with three rows of chain links lying next to each other,

Figure 2 shows the saw chain section according to Figure 1 in side view,

— *7 _

Figure 3 shows the saw chain section according to Figures 1 and 2 when machining a sandwich panel,

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the saw chain section according to Figures 1 to 3 with the cutting plane IV indicated in Figure 3,

Figure 5 a cutting link of the right chain link row in Figure 1

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the cutting element according to Figure 5 with a cutting path indicated in Figure 5 by the line VI-VI,

Figure 7 a cutting link of the left chain link row in Figure 1,

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the cutting element according to Figure 7 with a cutting path indicated in Figure 7 by the line VIII-VIII,

Figure 9 shows a depth limiting element according to Figure 1,

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the depth limiting member according to Figure 9 with a section indicated in Figure 9 by the line X-X,

Figure 11 a cutting link of the middle chain link row in Figure 1 and

Figure 12 is a sectional view of the cutting member according to Figure 11 with a cutting path indicated in Figure 11 by the line XII-XII.

According to Figures 1 to 4, a saw chain 1 comprises three rows of chain links, namely two outer rows of chain links 2, 3 and an inner row of chain links 4 located between them. A chain running direction 5 is indicated by an arrow in Figures 1 and 3. Accordingly, an arrow in Figure 3 illustrates a processing direction 6 of the saw chain 1 on a sandwich plate 7 that is stationary in the example shown.

The outer chain link row 2 consists of outer cutting links 8 and depth limiting links 9, whereby the outer cutting links 8 and the depth limiting links 9 alternate in the chain running direction 5. Accordingly, the outer chain link row 3 comprises outer cutting links 10 and depth limiting links 11. The outer cutting links

·

·

· f

"5

The 8 are provided with 5 consecutive cutting edges 12 in the direction of chain travel, the outer cutting links 10 with 5 consecutive cutting edges 13 in the direction of chain travel. The depth limiting links 9 have a depth limiting surface 14, the depth limiting links 11 have a depth limiting surface 15. The depth limiting links 9, 11 are identical in construction and can be arranged optionally in one of the two outer chain link rows 2, 3.

Each of the outer cutting links 8, 10 of an outer chain link row 2, 3 is assigned a depth limiting link 9, 11 of the other outer chain link row 2, 3. All cutting edges 12, 13 on the outer cutting links 8, seen in the chain running direction 5, are located at the level of the depth limiting surface 14, 15 on the assigned depth limiting link 9. The outer cutting links 8, 10 and depth limiting links 9, 11, which belong together in pairs, are each seated on a common hinge pin 16 at both ends in the chain running direction 5.

The hinge pins 16 pass through the cutting links 8, 10 and depth limiting links 9, 11, which are assigned to one another, as well as through middle cutting links 17, which form the inner row of chain links 4 and establish the connection between pairs of outer cutting links 8, 10 and depth limiting links 9, 11 which are adjacent to one another in the chain running direction 5. The hinge pins 16 are used to connect the cutting links 8, 10 and depth limiting links 9, 11 which are adjacent to one another in the chain running direction 5.

following chain links of the outer chain link rows 2, 3 and the inner chain link row 4 relative to each other
swiveling.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the hinge pins 16 have a graduated diameter. An axle section 18 with a relatively large diameter is followed on both sides by an axle section 19 with a relatively small diameter. The outer cutting elements 8, 10 and the depth limiting elements 9, 11 sit on the reduced-diameter axle sections 19. In the area of the axle section 18, the hinge pins 16 support the middle cutting elements 17. The axle sections 18 of the hinge pins 16, with their annular radial projections relative to the axle sections 19 in the axial direction of the hinge pins 16, form effective supports for the outer cutting elements 8, 10 and depth limiting elements 9, 11 sitting on the axle sections 19.

The middle cutting links 17 are also provided with a plurality of cutting edges 20 which follow one another in the direction of the chain travel 5. After the middle
Cutting links 17 overlap with the chain links of the outer chain link rows 2, 3, the end cutting edges 20 of each middle cutting link 17 are located at the level of the depth limiting surfaces 14, 15 as seen in the chain running direction 5.
two, on opposite sides of the middle cutting

Depth limiting links 9, 11 arranged on the cutting links 17. Drive and guide projections 21 of the middle cutting links 17 serve to guide the saw chain 1 on a conventional chain bar (not shown in detail). At the same time, the power for driving the saw chain 1 in the chain running direction 5 is introduced at the drive and guide projections 21 by means of a conventional chain drive wheel. As usual, the driven saw chain 1 rotates as an endless chain on the chain bar.

The conditions resulting from the processing of the sandwich panel 7 with the saw chain 1 are shown in Figure 3. Accordingly, a preliminary cut is made by the middle cutting links 17, which precedes the cut made by means of the outer cutting links 8, 10 in the processing direction 6. This is due to the fact that the cutting edges 20 on the middle cutting links 17 are set forward by a dimension a compared to the cutting edges 12, 13 of the outer cutting links 8, 10 in the processing direction 6 (Figure 4).

At the same time as the cutting edges 12, 13 engage an outer cutting element 8, 10, the depth limiting surface 14, 15 on the associated depth limiting element 9, 11 is effective. The depth limiting surfaces 14, 15 on the depth limiting elements 9, 11 are positioned opposite the cutting edges 12, 13 on the associated outer cutting elements 8, 10 in the machining direction.

··· ·· ·· ·
•
· ·· ·· ·· ···· t ·· · · ·
· <
t · *
» ·
·· · ·■ · · ·
· ·
· · &bull; « ·
· ·
·· ···· ···
&bull;
&bull;
·· ·
» ·· ·
·
»· ·· · ·
· I
·· ·<

6 is set back by a dimension b (Figure 4). This limits the penetration depth of the cutting edges 12, 13 of the outer cutting elements 8, 10 on the sandwich panel 7. An excessive penetration depth of the cutting edges 12, 13 is avoided. This in turn enables a uniform, vibration-free movement of the saw chain 1 processing the sandwich panel 7 in the chain running direction 5. In particular, it is impossible for the cutting edges 12, 13 to get caught on the cover layers of the sandwich panel 7, which consist of thin metal sheets.

In individual representations, an outer cutting member 8 is shown in Figures 5 and 6, an outer cutting member 10 in Figures 7 and 8, a depth limiting member 9 in Figures 9 and 10 and a middle cutting member 17 in Figures 11 and 12.

Accordingly, the outer cutting links 8, 10 are provided with cross-sectional extensions on the cutting side, in the example shown with lateral bends 22, 23 pointing in opposite directions. The depth limiting links 9 have a corresponding cross-sectional extension, here a lateral bend 24. The depth limiting links 11 are identical in construction to the depth limiting links 9. Due to the component symmetry with respect to the middle transverse plane, one and the same depth limiting link can be used either as part of one or, after appropriate rotation, as part of the other outer chain link row 2, 3. The middle

- 13 -

Cutting members 17, unlike the outer cutting members 8, 10 and the depth limiting members 9, 11, have flat side surfaces.

To accommodate the hinge pins 16, there are 8 bearing eyes 25 on the outer cutting links, 10 bearing eyes 26 on the outer cutting links, 9, 10 bearing eyes 27 on the depth limiting links and 17 bearing eyes 28 on the middle cutting links.

An imaginary connecting line 2 9 of the cutting edges 13 of the outer cutting link 10 is shown in dash-dot lines in Figure 7. A comparison with Figure 9 shows that the imaginary connecting line 2 9 runs parallel to the depth limiting surface 14 of the depth limiting link 9. Accordingly, the cutting edges 12 on the outer cutting links 8 and the cutting edges 20 on the middle cutting links 17 are arranged along an arcuate line and the course of the depth limiting surface 15 on the depth limiting links 11 is selected. Due to the arrangement of the cutting edges 12, 13, 20 on the outer cutting links 8, 10 and the middle cutting links 17 along an arcuate line, the saw chain 1 can cut into workpieces to be machined, in particular into sandwich panels 7, in the area of its deflection at the free end of the chain blade without snagging. The arcuate depth limiting surfaces 14, 15 on the depth limiting members 9, 11 are effective according to their function.

In Figures 5 and 9, the oversize of blanks 8', 9' from which the outer cutting links 8 and the depth limiting links 9 arranged in the same outer chain link row 2 were manufactured is indicated by dashed lines. It is obvious that these blanks 8 ¹ , 9' are of the same type. As part of the relevant manufacturing process, the cutting edges 12 on the blank 8 ¹ were cleared to manufacture the cutting link 8 shown in Figure 5. To manufacture the depth limiting link 9 according to Figure 9, the depth limiting surface 14 was created on the blank 9'.

Claims (10)

1. Saw chain for cutting workpieces, in particular sandwich panels ( 7 ), wherein the saw chain ( 1 ) can be driven in a chain running direction ( 5 ) and the driven saw chain ( 1 ) and the workpiece to be machined can be moved relative to one another in a machining direction ( 6 ), wherein at least one cutting edge ( 12 , 13 ) penetrating the workpiece during machining and at least one associated depth limiter limiting the penetration depth of the cutting edge ( 12 , 13 ) on the workpiece are provided on the saw chain ( 1 ), and the cutting edge ( 12 , 13 ) and the associated depth limiter are arranged next to one another transversely to the chain running direction ( 5 ) and transversely to the machining direction ( 6 ), characterized in that, viewed in the chain running direction ( 5 ), at least one cutting edge ( 12 , 13 ) is arranged at the level of at least one associated depth limiter. 2. Saw chain according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one cutting unit is provided which comprises a plurality of cutting edges ( 12 , 13 ) following one another in the chain running direction ( 5 ), and that at least one cutting unit is assigned a depth limitation in the form of a depth limitation surface ( 14 , 15 ) extending in the chain running direction ( 5 ). 3. Saw chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the saw chain ( 1 ) comprises at least two rows of chain links ( 2 , 3 , 4 ) arranged next to one another transversely to the chain running direction ( 5 ) and transversely to the machining direction ( 6 ), of chain links following one another in the chain running direction ( 5 ), that at least one chain link of a chain link row ( 2 , 3 ) is designed as a cutting link ( 8 , 10 ) with at least one cutting edge ( 12 , 13 ) and at least one chain link of another chain link row ( 2 , 3 ) is designed as a depth limiting link ( 9 , 11 ) with at least one depth limit, and that a cutting link ( 8 , 10 ) of one chain link row ( 2 , 3 ) is assigned a depth limiting link ( 9 , 11 ) of the other chain link row (2, 3) arranged at the same height in the chain running direction ( 5 ). Chain link row ( 2 , 3 ) is assigned. 4. Saw chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cutting link ( 8 , 10 ) is designed as a cutting unit with several cutting edges ( 12 , 13 ) following one another in the chain running direction ( 5 ), and that this cutting link ( 8 , 10 ) is assigned a depth limiting link ( 9 , 11 ) with a depth limit in the form of a depth limiting surface ( 14 , 15 ) extending in the chain running direction (S). 5. Saw chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in each of the respective chain link rows ( 2 , 3 ) cutting links ( 8 , 10 ) and depth limiting links ( 9 , 11 ) follow one another alternately in the chain running direction ( 5 ). 6. Saw chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the chain links of the chain link rows ( 2 , 3 ), viewed in the chain running direction ( 5 ), are connected to one another at both ends so as to be pivotable relative to one another via a respective hinge pin ( 16 ) with its axis running transversely to the chain running direction ( 5 ) and transversely to the machining direction ( 6 ), and that at least one cutting link ( 8 , 10 ) of a chain link row ( 2 , 3 ) and the associated depth limiting link ( 9 , 11 ) are seated at both ends on a common hinge pin ( 16 ). 7. Saw chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an imaginary connecting line ( 29 ) of the cutting edges ( 12 , 13 ) on at least one cutting unit and the associated depth limiting surface ( 14 , 15 ) extending in the chain running direction ( 5 ) run parallel to one another. 8. Saw chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the saw chain ( 1 ) comprises three rows of chain links ( 2 , 3 , 4 ) arranged next to one another transversely to the chain running direction ( 5 ) and transversely to the machining direction ( 6 ), that in the two outer rows of chain links ( 2 , 3 ) on the one hand at least one outer cutting link ( 8 , 10 ) and on the other hand at least one depth limiting link ( 9 , 11 ) are provided and an outer cutting link ( 8 , 10 ) of one row of chain links ( 2 , 3 ) is assigned a depth limiting link ( 9 , 11 ) of the other row of chain links ( 2 , 3 ) arranged at the same height in the chain running direction ( 5 ), and that the middle row of chain links ( 4 ) comprises at least one middle cutting link ( 17 ) with at least one cutting edge ( 20 ), which is positioned opposite the cutting edge(s) ( 12 , 13 ) of the outer cutting member(s) ( 8 , 10 ) in the machining direction ( 6 ). 9. Saw chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cutting edge ( 20 ) is arranged on at least one central cutting link ( 17 ) at the level of a depth limiting link ( 9 , 11 ) as seen in the chain running direction ( 5 ). 10. Saw chain according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cutting link ( 8 , 10 ) and at least one depth limiting link ( 9 , 11 ) are made from similar blanks ( 8 ', 9 ').