DE29918968U1 - Device for the continuous processing of plate or strip-shaped workpieces - Google Patents

Description

76 969 v2 28.10.1999

FRIZ Maschinenbau GmbH

In Holderbusch 7

D-74189 Weinsberg

Device for continuous machining of plate or strip-shaped workpieces

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a device for continuous processing, in particular laminating, of plate- or strip-shaped workpieces.

STATE OF THE ART

In the manufacture of ceiling and wall coverings, in the furniture industry and other branches of industry, plate or strip-shaped workpieces, in particular made of wood materials or plastics or metals, whose visible surfaces and/or workpiece edges have profiles in the form of depressions, grooves, beads, channels, elevations, webs, through-openings and the like for technical and design reasons, are to be provided with a covering lamination, i.e. with a coating material. The profiles mentioned usually run in the longitudinal and/or width direction of the workpieces, but can also have different orientations in the workpiece width and/or longitudinal direction. The coating material is, for example, decorative paper, plastic films or veneers, which are permanently bonded to the workpiece surface and for this purpose have an already

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have a pre-prepared adhesive coating or are only coated with an adhesive shortly before the lamination process. The lamination provides a visually appealing workpiece surface, for example in the form of a wood decor, and at the same time protects the workpiece material against weather influences as well as mechanical and chemical effects. Additional processing stations can be installed upstream and/or downstream of the continuous lamination, for example for pre-treating the workpiece surface or for reworking the applied lamination or other workpiece areas.

From the applicant's as yet unpublished German patent application DE 198 38 581.1-16, a generic device for continuous processing (i.e. in this case, laminating) of plate or rod-shaped workpieces is known, the surface of which has differently oriented profiles or so-called 3D profiles in relation to a workpiece length and width direction. In this device, a flexible, fixable coating material is laminated onto continuously moving workpieces using various tools in a continuous process. The device comprises a workpiece support device which forms a support plane on which the workpieces can be moved while supported, and a workpiece movement device for continuously moving the workpieces in a predetermined direction of travel on the support plane. The device is also equipped with a coating material feed device and a coating material application device for feeding and applying the coating material to the surface of the continuously moving workpieces to be coated. Furthermore, the device comprises a pressing device for pressing the coating material onto the surface to be coated, wherein the pressing device has at least one pressing tool which can be moved during the pressing process and which has at least one contact surface which is

has an elastic pressing body associated with the surface to be coated, which continuously presses, presses and fixes the coating material onto the surface to be coated and its differently oriented profiles. The pressing tool is preferably designed in the form of one or more pressing rollers, which are also referred to as profile rollers. The device can in turn comprise further tools which can be used for continuous processing or post-processing of the workpieces and which may be designed differently.

With continuous processing devices in general, and especially with devices of the type mentioned above, setting up, changing and maintaining the tools, which can be present in a considerable number depending on the type of workpiece to be processed or its respective 2D or 3D profiles, is sometimes very complex and time-consuming. In particular, adapting to a new type of workpiece involves a considerable amount of time and effort, which has a negative impact on production costs, primarily in the case of small to medium-sized workpiece series or workpiece variations. It would therefore be desirable not only to make setting up, changing and maintaining the tools easier, but also to speed them up with regard to the productivity and cost-effectiveness of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is based on the object of developing a generic device for the continuous processing of plate- or strip-shaped workpieces in such a way that the setting up, changing and maintenance of the tools used in this device can be facilitated and accelerated in the simplest and most effective way possible.

The above-mentioned object is achieved by a device according to the invention having the features of claim 1.

This device for continuous processing, in particular laminating, of plate- or strip-shaped workpieces comprises a workpiece support device which forms a support plane on which the workpieces are supported and can be moved in a predetermined direction of passage; and at least one tool carrier unit arranged above the workpiece support device, which can be rotated about a pivot axis extending essentially parallel to the support plane and has at least two tool holders for tools, wherein the tool holders are arranged at different angular positions relative to the pivot axis, so that for a tool change the at least one tool holder can be rotated into at least one tool change position and the at least one other tool holder can be rotated into at least one standby or operating position.

The device can in principle be equipped not only with one, but also with two or more tool carrier units. These can be arranged, for example, axially one behind the other, next to each other, one above the other, or even in an intersecting manner. The device according to the invention can preferably be used for laminating plate- or strip-shaped workpieces in a continuous process, but it is not exclusively limited to this application. A respective tool holder can be attached to the tool carrier unit directly or indirectly, i.e. via further intermediate components. The tools used in connection with the tool holders can be designed the same or different. If the device according to the invention is used for laminating workpieces, the tools that are to be used in the tool holders are

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are fixed, mostly so-called laminating rollers or profile rollers, which are used to press and cling coating material to the workpieces passing through and their 2D and/or 3D profiling. Such laminating rollers or profile rollers usually have a single or multi-part, rod-shaped roller or roller carrier, which is also called a profile rod. A laminating roller or profile roller is usually attached to the tool holder by clamping the profile rod into the tool holder. A multi-part, adjustable profile rod allows the position or location of the respective laminating roller or profile roller to be adjusted relative to the workpiece passing through and its 2D or 3D profiling. In principle, however, tools of a different design, e.g. cutting tools, grinding tools, edge finishing tools or the like, can also be used. In a device according to the invention, a large number of such tools are preferably arranged one behind the other in the direction of passage and/or next to one another in a direction running transversely thereto. Each tool can also have a different position, location and setting in relation to the workpieces passing through. The tool carrier unit of the device according to the invention can basically be rotated through any angle within a range of 0 - 360°. Multiple rotations of the tool carrier unit are also conceivable, but are generally not necessary. The angle of rotation is preferably 180°, 120°, 90°, 60° or 45°. The direction of rotation is in principle arbitrary. The device is expediently equipped with means which hold the tool carrier unit securely in a certain rotational position after a rotation has been completed; these means can be, for example, suitable locking devices or the like.

An angular position of a tool holder is its mounting position on the tool carrier unit in relation to

the swivel axis of the tool carrier unit. If, for example, an imaginary reference coordinate system is placed with its origin in the swivel axis, the angular position could be determined simply by connecting the coordinate origin and the relevant tool holder with an imaginary line and measuring its exact angle in the reference coordinate system. For example, one tool holder could be at 0° and the other at 180°. To define an angular position, it is also conceivable to simply divide the tool carrier unit into an upper section (above the swivel axis) and a lower section (below the swivel axis), and to refer to the tool holders arranged on the upper section as upper tool holders and the tool holders arranged on the lower section as lower tool holders, thus simplifying the definition of an "up/down" angular position. This is completely sufficient in many applications, for example when the tool carrier unit can be rotated by 180° and the tool holders attached to the tool carrier unit offset by 180° are rotated up or down with the tool carrier unit. An angular position can be fixed or variable - the latter is usually the case with directly and/or indirectly adjustable tool holders, which will be discussed in more detail below. The term tool change position also includes a tool maintenance or tool exchange position.

In the device according to the invention, due to the rotatable arrangement of the tool carrier unit, at least one tool or tool set can always be in an operating or standby position and at least one other tool or tool set can be in a tool change position. In this way, it is possible, for example, to replace, maintain or set up a tool set while the other tool set is being used to machine the workpieces. Depending on

Depending on the respective design, the tools can be exchanged, maintained and set up individually, in groups or as a complete tool set. Depending on the choice of the angle of rotation of the tool carrier unit and the arrangement of the tool holders and thus of the tools on the tool carrier unit represented by the angular position, the device according to the invention can thus be preconfigured for two or more different machining applications and operated alternately without significant time delays. This is also beneficial for reproducibility and the achievable product quality. The conversion or adaptation of the device to a wide variety of workpiece types, sizes and shapes can therefore also be carried out with a comparatively low expenditure of time and effort, which has a very positive effect on production output and production costs, particularly in the case of small to medium workpiece series and workpiece variations. In particular in the case of continuous processing devices that have a large number of tools participating in workpiece processing at the same time, the device according to the invention offers a considerable simplification and acceleration of the work steps required for setting up, changing and maintaining the tools or the entire machine and opens up the possibility of further automation. Longer idle or downtime times are avoided. The device according to the invention thus enables a not inconsiderable rationalization effect in a comparatively simple and effective manner and thus an increase in productivity and profitability.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pivot axis runs essentially parallel to the direction of travel and longitudinally to the support plane. Accordingly, the longitudinal axis of the tool carrier unit also runs parallel to the axial direction of the

Swivel axis. This arrangement has proven to be particularly advantageous when there are a large number of tools arranged one behind the other on the tool carrier unit in the direction of travel, since when the tool carrier unit is rotated, the tools intended for maintenance or replacement are swiveled out to the side in relation to the travel path or the support plane and brought into a lateral or upper tool change position, while at the same time the tools intended for workpiece machining are guided into their standby or operating position. In addition, the tools are particularly easy to access with such a configuration.

A further embodiment of the device according to the invention provides that the pivot axis runs essentially transversely to the direction of travel and thus also transversely across the support plane. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when the tool carrier unit has a large number of tools which are arranged next to one another in a direction extending transversely to the direction of travel and are intended, for example, for machining relatively wide workpieces. For certain special cases it is of course also conceivable for the pivot axis to run at an oblique angle to the direction of travel and/or to the support plane.

According to another design feature of the device according to the invention, the position of the tool carrier unit can be adjusted in a direction that is essentially vertical with respect to the support plane towards the support plane and away from the support plane. The tool carrier unit is preferably moved linearly and translationally, although the invention is not limited to this type of movement. Such an adjustment is generally necessary if the pivot axis of the tool carrier unit runs essentially parallel to the direction of travel.

In this way, the tools can be preset together to different workpiece thicknesses and/or moved back from the workpieces before the tool carrier unit is rotated and thus disengaged in order to prevent the tools from colliding with the workpieces or the support plane during the subsequent turning process. A corresponding adjustment of the tool carrier unit is of course also possible with a different position of the swivel axis.

Furthermore, the position of the tool carrier unit can be adjusted in a direction that is essentially horizontal with respect to the support plane and transverse to the direction of travel. In this way, the tool carrier unit and its tools can be better adapted to specific machining conditions and workpiece types.

According to yet another advantageous design feature of the device according to the invention, the position of the tool carrier unit is adjustable in a direction substantially parallel to the direction of travel. This can be achieved, for example, by a suitable longitudinal mobility of the tool carrier unit itself and/or the provision of a correspondingly movable frame on which the tool carrier unit is held, or the like. This allows further adaptation of the tool carrier unit and its tools to specific processing conditions and workpiece types.

Furthermore, it has proven to be advantageous to design the tool carrier unit in an elongated manner in at least one embodiment of the device according to the invention and to provide it with a plurality, i.e. two or more, of tool holders spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the pivot axis. For this purpose, the tool carrier unit can, for example, have an elongated carrier body, on which further connection elements, bearings and the

Tool holders can be attached. In this way, several tools or tool sets can be arranged one behind the other in the direction of travel for a successive machining sequence and can be swiveled laterally in relation to the travel path or the support plane into a lateral or upper tool change position or an operating position assigned to the workpieces to be machined.

In the device according to the invention, the positions of the tool holders on the tool carrier unit are preferably adjustable in a direction running essentially parallel to the pivot axis. The adjustment can be carried out individually and independently of one another or together. This means that the tools fixed to the tool holders can be specifically adapted to the workpieces and the respective required processing measures in relation to the direction of passage that is decisive for the workpiece processing. By correspondingly adjusting the positions of the tool holders on the tool carrier unit in a direction running transversely to the pivot axis, which in turn can be carried out individually and independently of one another or together, the adjustment and processing options of the device according to the invention can be further expanded, particularly in the width direction of the workpieces. It is of course also conceivable to design a tool holder in such a way that the position of one or more tools clamped in it can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction of the tool holder and/or transversely to it, for a comparable effect.

It is further preferred to design the tool holders associated with the tools so that they are movable in at least one axis, which also enables more complex spatial machining processes.

For quick and secure fixing of the tools, it has proven useful for the tool holders to include a hydraulic tool clamping unit. However, the invention is of course not limited to such a special clamping device; purely mechanical clamping units or other suitable clamping devices can also be used.

As part of a further advantageous embodiment of the device according to the invention, at least one cross rail is arranged on the tool carrier unit at at least one of the tool change, standby or operating positions provided for one or more tool holders, on which the position of the respective tool holder can be adjusted in a direction running essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cross rail. A cross rail is to be understood as a carrier-like component that is either itself equipped with at least one guide rail, track or the like for the tool holder or at least has corresponding attachments that take on this function. The connection of a cross rail to the tool carrier unit can be made directly and/or indirectly, i.e. by means of intermediate components or via a detachable or non-detachable connection. For example, it is conceivable to attach a first cross rail to a first side of the tool carrier unit, three cross rails to a second side and five cross rails to a third side. The longitudinal direction of the cross rail preferably extends transversely or at right angles to the direction of travel or, if the swivel axis of the tool carrier unit points in the direction of travel, also transversely or at right angles to the swivel axis. Configurations are also conceivable in which the cross rail is mounted in an oblique arrangement relative to the tool carrier unit. One or more tool holders can be mounted on a cross rail and used individually or

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adjust together. This adjustment can take place in the tool change position or the maintenance position, in the standby position and even while the device is running. When the tool carrier unit rotates, at least one cross rail rotates with it. Due to the device features described above, the tools assigned to the tool holders can be individually adapted to a wide variety of workpiece types and workpiece geometries as well as various other processing parameters in a direction that runs transversely and/or diagonally to the direction of travel. If the cross rail is detachably attached to the tool carrier unit, it is particularly easy to assemble and disassemble and can be replaced or maintained as an assembly together with the tool holders and tools.

According to the invention, it is also provided to provide several cross rails spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the pivot axis for each tool change, standby or operating position, to which one or more tool holders are then assigned. In this way, it is possible to position a large number of similar or different tools in the direction of travel and transversely or diagonally to it on the travel path and to pivot them with the tool carrier unit into the tool change position or the standby or operating position.

If the position of at least one cross rail is adjustable in a direction that runs essentially parallel to the swivel axis, the cross rail and the tool holders and tools attached to it can be variably arranged on the tool carrier unit and flexibly adapted to a wide variety of processing conditions and workpiece types. If there are several cross rails, the mutual distance between the cross rails can also be adjusted in this way.

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The device according to the invention further comprises a design in which two cross rails are provided at at least one point on the tool carrier unit, the longitudinal sides of which are opposite one another in the radial direction of the pivot axis and which run essentially parallel to one another, each of which is assigned to a tool change, standby or operating position of the respective associated tool holder(s). In this configuration, for example, one cross rail is arranged below (standby or operating position) and one above (tool change position) the tool carrier unit or its pivot axis. It is also possible to provide several such pairs of cross rails in the longitudinal direction of the tool carrier unit. The two cross rails can be exactly opposite one another in relation to the longitudinal direction of the tool carrier unit or can also be offset from one another. If the cross rails are exactly opposite one another, they can be connected to one another, preferably at their free end sections, e.g. for the purpose of stabilizing the entire construction. This variant allows a structurally particularly favorable arrangement of the cross rails on the tool carrier unit that can be realized with comparatively simple means, which has proven particularly effective with a rotation angle of the tool carrier unit of 180° and accordingly two interchangeable tool sets.

If the at least one cross rail is attached to the tool carrier unit so that it can rotate in at least one axis, this offers the advantage that the spatial angular position of the cross rail and the tool holders and tools attached to it can be variably adjusted.

According to yet another design feature of the device according to the invention, at least two tool holders are provided per cross rail, the position of which in the longitudinal direction of the cross rail can be individually or jointly

is adjustable. This variant is particularly advantageous when the workpieces are to be machined from several sides at the same time and/or the workpieces are symmetrical or asymmetrical in cross-section, since the respective tool can be individually adapted to the corresponding workpiece sections and workpiece widths via its tool holder.

The present invention also includes a device variant in which at least two cross rails or cross beams are provided at least one of the tool change, standby or operating positions provided for a respective tool holder, which cross rails or cross beams are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction of the tool carrier unit and are connected to one another by at least one longitudinal rail extending in the longitudinal direction to which the at least one tool holder is fastened. Preferably, such a configuration comprises two (or even more) longitudinal rails lying opposite one another and arranged at opposite end sections of the cross rails. The position of the longitudinal rail can be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the cross rails. In addition, it is conceivable to also design the position of the at least one tool holder to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rail. The aforementioned embodiments are particularly advantageous when several tool holders and tools are provided which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the tool carrier unit and which are to be adjusted or set up together and uniformly in the transverse direction. This can be done by simply adjusting or moving the respective entire longitudinal rail on the cross rails on which it is mounted. In addition, the mutual distances between the tool holders can be easily changed in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rails and thus adapted to specific machining conditions. If the longitudinal rails are attached to the cross rails in an articulated manner,

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Furthermore, an angular position of the longitudinal rails in relation to the tool carrier unit can be achieved.

In addition, a further advantageous design feature of the device according to the invention provides that the tool carrier unit is mounted on a frame arranged to the side and/or above the workpiece support device. This frame can, for example, comprise post-, frame- or gallows-shaped frame elements and can be arranged either stationary or movable on the throughput path of the device. The tool carrier unit can thus be easily positioned at a suitable point on the throughput path or the support plane without hindering the continuous transport of the workpieces or other device assemblies. The frame also enables easy access to the tool carrier unit and to its tool holders and tools.

Preferably, the previously explained cross and longitudinal rails, the frame and even the tool carrier unit itself as well as their sub-areas or assemblies are at least partially made from largely prefabricated profile bodies, e.g. aluminum extruded profiles, which, depending on the design, can in turn be equipped with one or more integrally formed grooves or rail tracks or the like. However, the invention is not limited to such a design. It is also conceivable to design essential parts or assemblies of the device in a differential design.

According to yet another design detail of the invention, the tool holders each have at least one articulated, adjustable rod-like holding device to which at least one of the tools can be attached. With the help of such a holding device, the tools can be particularly easily and effectively

can be arranged in a wide variety of spatial or angular positions relative to the workpiece to be machined.

Finally, it has also proven advantageous to design the articulated, adjustable rod-like holding device as a so-called central clamping unit. According to the invention, a central clamping unit is to be understood as a device in which all the joint areas of the holding device can either be centrally locked in a desired position via a single actuating device and/or individually adjusted and fixed by motor via at least one central control device. This can be achieved, for example, with hydraulically clampable joint areas. However, central clamping units can also be implemented with a purely mechanical clamping or locking mechanism; for example, an actuating lever can be coupled to an eccentric which, when the lever is adjusted, actuates further eccentrics via one or more plungers, so that all the joint areas can be locked or released again with a single movement. Using the central clamping unit, it is possible to significantly minimize the assembly effort when attaching, adjusting or setting the tools. Due to the simple handling of the central clamping unit, which does not require any special assembly tools to attach the tools to be fixed, as well as due to its automated adjustment and operation, only comparatively short assembly and adjustment times are required.

For the adjustment or movement of the entire tool carrier unit, the tool holders, the articulated adjustable rod-like holding device(s), the cross rails, the longitudinal rails and the frame, suitable manually and/or automatically operated adjusting devices, such as mechanical, electrical, pneumatic or hydraulic actuators, are expediently used.

Gearboxes and the like, or suitable hybrids thereof. Depending on the application, these actuating devices can in turn be functionally coupled with monitoring, control, regulating and/or data processing devices.

A preferred embodiment of the invention with additional design details and further advantages is described and explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows a schematic, highly simplified side view of a device according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a schematic, highly simplified front view of the device of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a profile material used within the device according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the following description and in the figures, to avoid repetition, identical parts and components are also identified with the same reference symbols, unless further differentiation is required. For easier orientation, a Cartesian coordinate system with the directions X, Y, Z is drawn in Figs. 1 and 2, to which reference will also be made below.

In Fig. 1, in a schematic, highly simplified side view, an embodiment of a device according to the invention for continuous processing of plate or

strip-shaped workpieces 2. In the present case, the device is designed to laminate a flexible, fixable coating material onto the continuously moving workpieces 2 using tools 4, 6 in a continuous process. The workpieces 2 have profiles, e.g. in the form of depressions, grooves or edge profiles, which preferably extend in the longitudinal direction (X) of the workpiece 2 or even transversely (Y) or at an angle to it. The coating material used here is a plastic film with a decoration, which is either already provided with an adhesive layer or is provided with an adhesive shortly before the laminating process. The coating material is not shown in the drawings for the sake of clarity. The tools 4, 6 used for laminating are primarily a large number of similar and/or differently designed profile rollers 4, 6.

The device comprises a workpiece support device 8 in the form of a transport roller or roller conveyor 8, which forms a support plane E on which the workpieces 2 are supported and can be moved in a direction of passage D (here parallel to the X direction) predetermined by the path and the transport direction of the rollers or rollers 10. The workpiece support device 8 therefore functions simultaneously as a workpiece movement device or workpiece transport device. The workpieces 2 are clamped in a workpiece clamping device (not shown) during the passage.

Furthermore, the device comprises a tool carrier unit 14 arranged above the workpiece support device 8 on a frame-shaped stand 12 with an elongated carrier body 16, which can be rotated by 180° by means of a drive 18 about a pivot axis A extending essentially parallel to the support plane E and the direction of passage D (here: parallel to the X direction), as indicated by the double arrow 20. In addition, the

Tool carrier unit 14 has a plurality of tool holders 22, 24 to which the profile rollers 4, 6 are each detachably attached via an articulated, adjustable rod-like holding device 26, 28, hereinafter referred to as profile rod 26, 28. In this construction, the axial direction of the pivot axis A corresponds to the longitudinal direction L of the tool carrier unit 14 or runs at least essentially parallel to it. The frame 12 extends laterally and above the support plane E so that the workpieces 2 can run unhindered under or through the frame 12. The pivot bearing 30 of the tool carrier unit 14 on the frame 12 takes place at a front and rear end section of the tool carrier unit 14.

The tool holders 22, 24, which are designed as hydraulic tool clamping units and can hold several tools 4, 6 simultaneously, are arranged at different angular positions a^, a.2, ßi, ß2 with respect to the radial direction of the pivot axis A, namely a tool holder set (24) on the top and a tool holder set (22) on the bottom of the tool carrier unit 14. The tool holder set located on top (here: 24) is in a tool change or maintenance position P _w (hereinafter referred to as change position for short) and the tool holder set located on the bottom (here: 22) is in a stand-by or operating position P _B .

By rotating the tool carrier unit 14 by 180° around the axis A, the tool holder set in the stand-by or operating position P _B can be rotated into the change position P^ and the tool holder set in the change position P _w can be rotated simultaneously into the stand-by or operating position P _B. After completing the 180° rotation, the tool carrier unit 14 can be locked in place by means of a

Can be securely locked in the final rotational position using a locking device (not shown).

The workpieces 2, to which the coating material has already been supplied in a previous work step, move in the direction of flow D along the profile rollers 4 located in the operating position Pß during operation of the device, whereby the coating material is continuously pressed, pressed and fixed to the surfaces of the workpieces 2 to be coated and their differently oriented profiles. This lamination process can be followed by further processing steps at other processing stations of the device or machines connected to it.

As can also be seen in Fig. 1, a plurality of tool holders 22, 24 are provided on the tool carrier unit 14, which are spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the pivot axis A, so that the profile rollers 4, 6 attached to them are arranged one behind the other for a successive processing sequence of the workpieces 2 in the direction of travel D or in the longitudinal direction L. For this purpose, the tool holders 22, 24 are attached to longitudinal rails 32, 34 which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction L. The longitudinal rails 32, 34 in turn are mounted with their end sections on cross members 36, 38 or cross rails of the tool carrier unit 14 which are spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction L, so that the longitudinal rails 32, 34 connect the cross members 36, 38 to one another. The cross members 36, 38 are firmly and immovably fixed to the tool carrier unit 14. As indicated by a double arrow 40, the positions of the tool holders 22, 24 are adjustable in the longitudinal direction (X) of the longitudinal rails 36, 38 and thus in a direction extending parallel to the pivot axis A and the direction of passage D. From Fig. 1 it is also clear that in the present embodiment the tool carrier unit 14 can be used both for the stand-by or

Both the operating position P _B and the changing position P _w have respective cross members 36, 38 and longitudinal rails 32, 34.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic, highly simplified front view of the device according to the invention from Fig. with further details. As can be seen in the illustration in Fig. 2, the cross beams 38 provided for the tool holder set (24) located in the change position P^ are arranged above the tool carrier unit 14 or its pivot axis A, and the cross beams 36 provided for the tool holder set (22) located in the standby or operating position P _B are arranged below the tool carrier unit 14. In this way, the upper and lower cross beams 36, 38 lie in pairs and with their long sides running parallel to one another in the radial direction of the pivot axis A. The free end sections of a respective cross beam pair 36, 36; 38, 38 are connected to one another via elongated profile elements 42, the ends of which protrude slightly beyond the cross beam ends.

Furthermore, it can be seen from Fig. 2 that the longitudinal rails on the upper and lower cross members 36, 38 are provided in pairs 32, 32; 34, 34, so that the tool holders 22, 22; 24, 24 of a respective pair of longitudinal rails are opposite each other. Each longitudinal rail 32, 34 is held in a guide track (not shown) of its associated cross member 36, 38. By means of an adjusting device 44, which comprises a spindle 46, the first end section of which is associated with the longitudinal rail 32 or 34 and the second end section of which is associated with a spindle abutment 48, which is provided in the region of the cross member end on the elongated profile element 42, the position of a respective longitudinal rail 32, 34 in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the cross members 36, 38 and consequently transversely to the direction of passage D or transversely to the pivot axis A parallel to the workpiece support plane E can be individually adjusted, as shown in the

Drawing indicated by double arrows 50. The adjustment device 44 is also equipped with a digital counter, which allows a user to read the adjustment path of the longitudinal rails 32, 34 precisely and to control it manually. Instead of manual adjustment, servomotors or the like can of course also be used.

The position of the entire tool carrier unit 14 can be adjusted linearly and translationally towards and away from the support plane E in a direction (Z) that is essentially vertical with respect to the support plane E, as indicated in Fig. 2 by a double arrow 54. For this purpose, the tool carrier unit 14 is held in the area of its front and rear end sections via guide elements 56 in vertical guideways 58 that are provided in a yoke-like section 60 on an upper frame part 62 of the frame 12. The tool carrier unit 14 can be moved up and down in the Z direction in the manner described above via a spindle gear unit 66 that is driven by a motor 64 and mounted on an upper yoke section and that engages the tool carrier unit 14. The motor 64 is coupled to a control panel 68 for operation. Furthermore, the vertical adjustment of the tool carrier unit 14 is functionally coupled to an upper limit switch 70 which, when a certain upper limit position of the tool carrier unit 14 is reached, activates the drive 18 for the swivel device of the tool carrier unit 14 and automatically rotates it by the said 180°. The drive 18 can also be activated or deactivated if required by means of a switching function of the control panel 68 which is independent of the limit switch 70.

The swiveling back and lowering of the tool carrier unit into a lower end position as well as the locking takes place depending on the respective workpiece thickness and/or the

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Dimensions and positions of the respective workpiece profiles essentially analogously with the aid of a separate control function. If the tool carrier unit with its tools provided for the operating position P _w is already set precisely to the workpiece type to be machined, the exact position of the tool carrier unit 14 in the lower end position is determined either via a lower limit switch or via a program routine controlling the motor 64, which is stored in a data processing device 72 connected to the control panel 68. If the positioning of the tool carrier unit 14 must first be set up for a new workpiece type, the adjustment path in the Z direction is expediently monitored by means of an adjustment path measuring device and a corresponding measurement data display in the control panel 68 and/or the data processing device 72. The settings for the new workpiece type can be saved in the data processing device 72 and are available again for later access.

As indicated in Fig. 2, the end sections of the tool carrier unit 14 are each held in an articulated manner about a transverse axis B on the tool carrier unit suspension; and the front and rear end sections of the tool carrier unit 14 are held in the manner of a loose bearing/fixed bearing arrangement on their associated front 12.2 and rear frame sections 12.4 of the frame (see Fig. 1), so that when the tool carrier unit 14 is adjusted vertically, angular inaccuracies can be compensated and tilting or undesirable load conditions can be avoided.

Fig. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a hollow profile material 74 which is used within the device according to the invention. From this profile material, which here is an aluminum extruded profile 74

is designed, in the present embodiment at least the longitudinal rails 32, 34 and parts of the frame 12 are manufactured. The aluminum extruded profile 74 has on its circumference several longitudinally extending, integrally formed rail-like grooves 76 for fastening attachments, such as the tool holders. The dimensions of the profile 74 are different in the present embodiment for the frame 12 and the longitudinal rails 32, 34.

The following is a description of the function of the device according to the invention, starting from its operating state. It is assumed that the device is used for machining two different types of workpiece. The respective profile rollers 4, 6 or their respective setting angles S ₁ - ε ₄ on the associated profile rod 26, 28 are different from one another.

The tool carrier unit 14 is positioned in its lower end position shown in Fig. 2 during operation. The lower tool holders 22 are in the operating position P _B with their first tool set, and the first profile rollers 4 conceal the workpieces 2 of the first workpiece type that are being passed through. The upper tool holders 24 are in the change position P _w and are manually equipped there with second profile rollers 6 of a second tool set that are used to machine the second workpiece type (automatic loading is of course also possible). To facilitate this process, the tool holders 24 and the profile rollers 6 or their profile rods 2 8 are provided with corresponding number codes or the like, so that the second tool set can be quickly preconfigured and set up for the second workpiece type. For the purpose of machining the second workpiece type and for changing the active tool set, the motor 64 is now activated via the control panel 68 and the tool carrier unit 14 is moved in the Z direction to

upwards. As soon as it reaches its upper end position, the limit switch 70 is actuated, the motor 64 is switched off and the swivel drive 18 is activated, causing the tool carrier unit to rotate 180° about the axis A. The previously active first tool set (4) is rotated from the operating position P _B to the change position P _w and the newly set up second tool set (6) is rotated from the change position P _w to the operating position P _B. The tool carrier unit 14 is locked in the final rotation position. The motor 64 is then activated again in the opposite direction via the control panel 68 and the tool carrier unit is moved downwards in the Z direction. As soon as it reaches its lower end position, the motor 64 is switched off.

The second profile rollers 6 are now in their working position as a new active tool set and are ready for use to cover the workpieces 2 of the second workpiece type. The first profile rollers 4, which have been rotated into the change position P _w, can in the meantime be dismantled from their tool holders 22, which are now located at the top, and exchanged for a third tool set if necessary. It is clear that the same procedure can be followed for servicing the respective tool sets.

In the previously explained mode of operation, it is not absolutely necessary to switch off the workpiece movement device 8, since the entire tool carrier unit 14 with its tool holders 22 and the profile rollers 4, 6 remains free from the workpiece movement device 8 due to their arrangement and the raising carried out before pivoting or the pivoting carried out before lowering. If required and for certain workpiece types, however, it may be useful or necessary to switch off the workpiece movement device 8 at least temporarily.

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·

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&igr;. *

The invention is not limited to the above embodiment, which merely serves to generally explain the basic idea of the invention. Within the scope of protection, the device according to the invention can also take on other embodiments than those described above. The device can in particular have features that represent a combination of all or only certain individual features of the associated claims. Although the above embodiment provides for locking the tool carrier unit in its respective end position, such an option can also be dispensed with provided that the actuators used for rotating and/or raising/lowering the tool carrier unit are strong enough to hold the tool carrier unit and the tools in their respective positions safely, reliably and without undue play. Raising/lowering the tool carrier unit is not absolutely necessary in every application. In addition, it is conceivable to design the entire tool carrier unit to be interchangeable and to provide suitable quick-clamping devices or the like on the frame or its attachments. Furthermore, according to the invention, it is possible to make the tool carrier unit movable in several axes, which even enables complex three-dimensional machining processes. If the tool carrier unit or its associated components are movable in one or more axes, it is expedient to provide a suitable axis control. The profile material described above in connection with Figure 3 can have a cross-sectional shape other than that shown and, depending on the design, can also be used for the cross members or cross rails as well as the support body of the tool carrier unit and other suitable components of the device according to the invention. If manual adjustment of the device components is sufficient for the respective application, the control panel and the

Data processing equipment can be dispensed with.

Reference signs in the claims, the description and the drawings serve only to improve the understanding of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection.

e *

28

List of reference symbols

They refer to:

2 Workpiece

4 tools, profile rollers for first tool set 6 tools, profile rollers for second tool set 8 workpiece support device / roller/roller conveyor,

Workpiece moving device 10 Rollers of 8 12 Frame-shaped frame 12.2 Front frame section of 12 12.4 Rear frame section of 12 14 Tool carrier unit 16 Elongated carrier body of 18 Swivel drive

20 Double arrow indicating the rotation of 22 tool holders of 14, with hydraulic

Tool clamping unit 24 tool holders of 14, with hydraulic tool clamping unit

26 Adjustable profile bars for 4 28 Adjustable profile bars for 6

3 0 Pivot bearing of 14 32 Longitudinal rails of 14 34 Longitudinal rails of 14 36 Cross beams / cross rails of 14

3 8 cross beams / cross rails of 14

40 Double arrow to indicate longitudinal adjustability

of 22, 24 in X-direction 42 Elongated profile elements 44 Adjustment device

4 6 spindle of 44

48 spindle abutment

50 Double arrows to indicate the adjustability of 22, 24 and 32, 34 in Y-direction

52 digital counters from

54 Double arrow to indicate the adjustability of

in Z-direction

56 guide elements

58 Vertical guideways

60 Joch-like section of

62 Upper frame part of

64 engine of 66

66 Spindle gear unit

68 Control panel

70 limit switches

72 Data processing facility

74 Hollow aluminium extruded profile

76 longitudinal grooves of

0C]_ Angular position

&agr;·2 angular position

ß]_ Angular position

ß2 Angular position

E ₁ -E ₄ setting angle

A swivel axis of

B Transverse axis(s) / transverse axis bearing of

D Flow direction

E Support level

L Longitudinal direction of

P _w Tool change or maintenance position

P _B Stand-by or operating position

X coordinate longitudinal direction

Y coordinate transverse direction

Z coordinate vertical direction

Claims (23)

1. Device for continuous processing, in particular laminating, of plate- or strip-shaped workpieces ( 2 ), comprising 1. a workpiece support device ( 8 , 10 ) which forms a support plane (E) on which the workpieces ( 2 ) are supported and can be moved in a predetermined direction of travel (D), and 2. at least one tool carrier unit ( 14 ) arranged above the workpiece support device ( 8 , 10 ), which is rotatable ( 20 ) about a pivot axis (A) extending substantially parallel to the support plane (E) and has at least two tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) for tools ( 4 , 6 ), wherein the tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) are arranged at mutually different angular positions (α ₁ , α 2 , β ₁ , β ₂ , P _B , P _W ) with respect to the pivot axis ( _A ),
so that
for a tool change, the at least one tool holder ( 22 ; 26 ) is rotatable ( 20 ) into at least one tool change position (P _W ) and the at least one other tool holder ( 24 ; 28 ) into at least one stand-by or operating position (P _B ). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axis (A) runs substantially parallel to the direction of passage (D). 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the pivot axis (A) extends substantially transversely to the direction of passage (D). 4. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position of the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) is adjustable ( 54 ) in a direction (Z) which is substantially vertical with respect to the support plane (E) towards the support plane (E) and away from the support plane (E). 5. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position of the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) is adjustable in a direction (Y) which is substantially horizontal with respect to the support plane (E) and transverse to the direction of passage (D). 6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the position of the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) is adjustable in a direction (X) substantially parallel to the direction of passage (D). 7. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) is elongated ( 16 ) and is provided with a plurality of tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) spaced apart from one another in the axial direction (X) of the pivot axis (A). 8. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positions of the tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) on the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) are adjustable in a direction (X) running substantially parallel to the pivot axis (A). 9. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the positions of the tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) on the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) are adjustable in a direction (Y) running transversely to the pivot axis (A). 10. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) are movable in at least one axis. 11. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) comprise a hydraulic tool clamping unit. 12. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one cross rail (36, 38 ) is arranged on the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) at at least one of the tool change, stand-by or operating positions (P _W , P _B ) provided for one or more tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ), on which the position of the respective tool holder ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) is adjustable in a direction (Y) running essentially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the cross rail ( 36 , 38 ). 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that for each tool change, stand-by or operating position (P _W , P _B ) a plurality of cross rails ( 36 , 38 ) spaced apart from one another in the axial direction of the pivot axis (A) are provided. 14. Device according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the position of the at least one cross rail ( 36 , 38 ) is adjustable ( 40 ) in a direction (X) running substantially parallel to the pivot axis (A). 15. Device according to one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that at least one point of the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) two cross rails ( 36 , 38 ) are provided, which in the radial direction of the pivot axis (A) with their longitudinal sides opposite one another and extend essentially parallel to one another, which are each assigned to a tool change, stand-by or operating position P _W , P _B of the respectively associated tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ). 16. Device according to one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that the at least one cross rail ( 36 , 38 ) is attached to the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) so as to be rotatable in at least one axis. 17. Device according to one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that at least two tool holders ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) are provided per cross rail ( 36 , 38 ), the position of which is adjustable ( 50 ) in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the cross rail ( 36 , 38 ). 18. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the tool change, stand-by or operating positions (P _W , P _B ) provided for a respective tool holder ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) has at least two cross rails ( 36 , 38 ) spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction (L) of the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) which are connected to one another by at least one longitudinal rail ( 32 , 34 ) extending in the longitudinal direction (L) to which the at least one tool holder ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) is fastened. 19. Device according to claim 18, characterized in that the position of the longitudinal rail ( 32 , 34 ) is adjustable ( 50 ) in the longitudinal direction (Y) of the transverse rails ( 36 , 38 ). 20. Device according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the position of the at least one tool holder ( 22 , 24 ; 26 , 28 ) is adjustable ( 40 ) in the longitudinal direction (X) of the longitudinal rail ( 32 , 34 ). 21. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool carrier unit ( 14 ) is mounted on a frame ( 12 ) arranged laterally and/or above the workpiece support device ( 8 , 10 ). 22. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tool holders ( 22 , 24 ) each have at least one articulated, adjustable rod-like holding device ( 26 , 28 ) to which at least one of the tools ( 4 , 6 ) can be attached. 23. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the articulated, adjustable rod-like holding device ( 26 , 28 ) is designed as a central clamping unit.