EP0155881A1 - Process and automatic machine for cutting off the rim and slicing a wheel of cheese - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Process for cutting off the rim and slicing a wheel of cheese consisting in : - moving forwards the wheel (110) transversely flat with respect to a longitudinal symmetrical axis of the centering station (1) up to center said wheel on said longitudinal symmetrical axis, - centering the wheel (110) on said longitudinal symmetrical axis of the centering station (1) by causing said wheel to transversely slide when two stops (24), which longitudinally extend from each side of said axis, are simultaneously displaced at the same speed towards said axis, the wheel (110) having been previously positionned between the two stops (24), - measuring the diameter of the wheel (110) by means of sensors (30) mounted on stops (24) and coupled to transmitters of measure signals, - drawing aside the stops (24) until they return to the initial position, - measuring the diameter of the wheel (110), - determining along said symmetrical longitudinal axis a common thickness to be provided to the two rims with the same size on purpose to be sliced at right angles to said longitudinal symmetrical axis at the two ends of the wheel (110) as well as an integer and a common thickness of the loins to be cut between the two rims, - determining along the direction at right angles to said symmetrical longitudinal axis a common thickness to be provided to the two rims to be cut in parallel relationship to said longitudinal symmetrical axis at the two ends of each loin on purpose that the latter could be cut into an integer of plates having the same size, - transferring the wheel (110) to a cutting off and slicing station (2) onto the longitudinal symmetrical axis from which the wheel (110) is centered, - locating the wheel (110) with respect to a transverse cutting blade (67) of the cutting off and slicing station, and cutting and then discharging a first rim having the predetermined thickness, - then locating again the wheel (110) with respect to the transverse cutting blade (67) and simultaneously transversely locating two longitudinal cutting off blades (93) at the slicing and cutting off station with respect to the transverse cutting blade (67), - simultaneously cutting a loin by means of the transverse blade (67) and the two end rims by means of the two longitudinal cutting off blades (93), - discharging the cut loin and rims, - carrying again the two previous steps until the predetermined integer of loins have been cut and discharged, and finally - discharging the second rim.

Description

The present invention relates to an automatic installation for slicing and calibrating cheeses, and it relates more precisely to such an installation for slicing and calibrating cheeses produced in millstones, in particular emmental.

The cheese wheels have so far been cut manually, using a device called a slicer, by first cutting each wheel in a direction substantially perpendicular to a certain diameter of the wheel, in successive and substantially parallel slices, the first and last of which, consisting essentially of crust, are called the heels, and the others of which are called the loins. The two heels, the removal operation of which is called offset, are generally not of equal thickness. Then, each loin is taken up manually for the cutting of the two falls visually, constituted not only by the pieces of crusts, at the two ends of the loin, but also by the pieces of cheese located outside the maximum parallelepiped volume of cheese that 'it is possible to cut in each lanyard. Finally, each lanyard, free of its two scraps, is cut into plates, which can then be individually conditioned, for example by an automatic weighing, packaging and labeling chain.

This traditional method has the disadvantages not only of being relatively painful to implement for the large workforce assigned to this work, but also of causing significant falls, and therefore of being d 'poor performance and uneconomic. These drawbacks result in particular from the fact that the heels are of unequal thicknesses, and that the slicing of successive lanyards to which the staff seeks to give, as much as possible, equal thicknesses, does not guarantee obtaining an integer lanyards of the same thickness by slicing the detachable grinding wheel, or obtaining an entire number of plates of the same size by cutting each lanyard stripped of its end scraps, also called detachable lanyard.

By the present invention, it is proposed to remedy the drawbacks mentioned above, and the object of the invention is to allow the slicing of a grinding wheel into a whole number of loins having substantially the same thickness, and each of which is ready for subsequent slicing into a whole number of inserts of substantially identical size, while producing the minimum of scraps.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the slicing time of a grinding wheel, by the simultaneous execution of the cutting and the grading of each lanyard, that is to say by simultaneously carrying out the separation of a lanyard from the rest of the grinding wheel, which is limited to a heel when it is the last loin of a grinding wheel, and the separation of the two end falls of this lanyard.

• - à avancer chaque meule à plat jusque dans un poste de centrage,
• - à déplacer la meule à plat, transversalement par rapport à un axe longitudinal de symétrie du poste de centrage, jusqu'à la centrer sur ledit axe longitudinal de symétrie,
• - à mesurer le diamètre de la meule,
• - à déterminer une épaisseur commune, selon ledit axe longitudinal de symétrie, à donner aux deux talons de même dimension à trancher perpendiculairement audit axe longitudinal de symétrie, aux deux extrémités de la meule, ainsi qu'un nombre entier et une épaisseur commune de longes à découper entre les deux talons,
• - à déterminer une épaisseur commune, selon la direction perpendiculaire audit axe longitudinal de symétrie à donner aux deux chutes à trancher, parallèlement audiε axe longitudinal de symétrie, aux deux extrémités de chaque longe, afin que cetze dernière puisse être tranchée en un nombre entier de plaquettes de même dimension,
• - à transférer la meule à un poste de tranchage et de détalonnage, sur l'axe longitudinal de symétrie duquel la meule est centrée,
• - à positionner la meule par rapport à une lame transversale de tranchage du poste de tranchage et de détalonnage, et à couper puis évacuer un premier talon ayant l'épaisseur prédéterminée,
• -àrepositionner ensuite la meule par rapport à la lame de tranchage et, simultanément, à positionner transversalement deux lames longitudinales de détalonnage du poste de tranchage et de détalonnage par rapport à la lame de tranchage,
• - à couper simultanément une longe, avec la lame de tranchage, et les deux chutes d'extrémité de cette longe, avec les deux lames longitudinales,
• - à évacuer la longe et les chutes coupées,
• - à répéter les trois étapes précédentes jusqu'à avoir découpé et évacué le nombre entier prédéterminé de longes, et enfin
• - à évacuer le second talon.

To this end, the process for slicing and calibrating cheese wheels according to the invention is characterized in that it consists:

• - to advance each wheel flat to a centering station,
• moving the grinding wheel flat, transversely with respect to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the centering station, until it is centered on said longitudinal axis of symmetry,
• - to measure the diameter of the grinding wheel,
• - to determine a common thickness, along said longitudinal axis of symmetry, to give the two heels of the same dimension to be cut perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of symmetry, at the two ends of the grinding wheel, as well as an integer and a common thickness of lanyards to cut between the two heels,
• - to determine a common thickness, in the direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of symmetry to be given to the two scraps to be cut, parallel to the longitudinal axis of symmetry, at the two ends of each lanyard, so that the latter can be sliced into a whole number of plates of the same dimension,
• - to transfer the grinding wheel to a slicing and calibration station, on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of which the grinding wheel is centered,
• to position the grinding wheel relative to a transverse cutting blade of the cutting and descaling station, and to cut and then evacuate a first bead having the predetermined thickness,
• then reposition the grinding wheel relative to the slicing blade and, simultaneously, position two longitudinal blades for the calibration of the slicing station and for calibration on the cutting blade transversely,
• - to simultaneously cut a lanyard, with the cutting blade, and the two end falls of this lanyard, with the two longitudinal blades,
• - to evacuate the loin and cut scraps,
• - repeat the previous three steps until you have cut and removed the predetermined whole number of lanyards, and finally
• - to evacuate the second heel.

In a variant, the implementation of which is simple and practical, the method consists in centering the grinding wheel on said longitudinal axis of symmetry of the centering station by sliding it transversely, by displacement, simultaneously and at the same speed, and towards said axis, of two stops extending longitudinally, on either side of said axis, after an initial positioning of the grinding wheel between the two stops, to measure the diameter of the grinding wheel using feelers mounted on the stops and coupled to at least one transmitter of measurement signals, and then laterally spread the stops until they return to an initial position.

In order to facilitate the control of the implementation of the method, the latter also consists preferably in positioning and repositioning the grinding wheel relative to the transverse blade by advancing the grinding wheel up to a predetermined point beyond the cutting position of the transverse blade, then moving the wheel back on a stroke which is a function of the predetermined thickness of the heels or lanyards respectively, depending on whether it is the positioning or repositioning of the wheel, and finally stopping it in the cutting position. In order to avoid any unnecessary maneuvering of the positioning conveyor, the method also consists in transferring from the positioning conveyor to the evacuation conveyor the heel or the loin which has just been cut by advancing the grinding wheel up to this audit predetermined point beyond the cutting position of the transverse blade, during the next repositioning of the grinding wheel relative to said transverse blade.

In a variant allowing a rapid installation of the two adjustment blades, between two successive cuts, the method also consists in positioning the two longitudinal blades transversely with respect to the transverse blade by symmetrically and step by step apart the two longitudinal blades l 'from one another, after the successive cuts of the transverse blade, and from an initial position in which the two longitudinal or relief blades are tightened towards one another.

To prevent the wheel from being carried away by the transverse blade when the latter emerges from the wheel, after a cut, it is advantageous to press the wheel to immobilize it, after the cut of the first heel and each lanyards except, possibly, the last few lanyards of the grinding wheel, and while the transverse blade is still in the cutting position, then releasing this support after the transverse blade has left its cutting position.

In order to avoid tilting the grinding wheel, when there are only a few lanyards left to cut, the method advantageously consists, while the transverse blade is still in the cutting position, of planting a wedge in the second heel of the grinding wheel, and, after cutting the last lanyard, and while the transverse blade is still in the cutting position, push the second heel against this transverse blade, spreading the wedge of the latter, in order to release the wedge from the second heel, then to evacuate the latter after the transverse blade has left its cutting position.

The invention also relates to an automatic installation for implementing the method of slicing and calibrating cheese wheels which has just been presented above.

• une machine de centrage des meules, comportant :
  • - un châssis
  • - un convoyeur motorisé, supporté par le châssis et présentant un axe longitudinal de symétrie,
  • - deux butées latérales de centrage, disposées de part et d'autre dudit axe longitudinal de symétrie, et dont chacune s'étend longitudinalement et sensiblement - perpendiculairement au convoyeur.
  • - un mécanisme de guidage de chaque butée en translation transversale, perpendiculairement audit axe longitudinal de symétrie, et supporté par le châssis,
  • - un mécanisme d'entraînement de chaque bu- ^tée en translation transversale, et supporté par le châssis,
  • - des palpeurs de centrage et de mesure du diamètre des meules, qui sont portés par les butées,et
  • - au moins un émetteur d'un signal de mesure du diamètre des meules,
• une machine de tranchage et de détalonnage, comportant :
  • - un châssis,
  • - un convoyeur motorisé de positionnement des meules, à deux sens de déplacement, supporté par le châssis correspondant de sorte que les deux convoyeurs soient sensiblement dans le-prolongement l'un de l'autre et présentent un axe longitudinal de symétrie commun,
  • - une lame principale de coupe, destinée à trancher un talon et les longes des meules, et s'étendant transversalement et dans un plan sensiblement perpendiculaire au convoyeur de positionnement des meules,
  • - un mécanisme de guidage de la lame principale en déplacement dans son plan, et qui est supporté par le châssis correspondant,
  • - un mécanisme d'entraînement de la lame principale en déplacement dans son plan, entre deux positions dont l'une est une position de tranchage de la meule et l'autre une position dégagée de la meule, et qui est supporté par le châssis correspondant,
  • - deux lames de détalonnage, destinées à trancher les deux chutes d'extrémité des longes des meules, et s'étendant longitudinalement en étant sensiblement accolées à la lame principale,
  • - un mécanisme de guidage des lames de détalonnage en déplacement transversal l'une par rapport à l'autre et par rapport à la lame principale,
  • - un mécanisme d'entraînement des lames de détalonnage en déplacement transversal, et
  • - un convoyeur motorisé d'évacuation des longes coupées, supporté par le châssis correspondant, et adjacent à l'extrémité du convoyeur de positionnement, du côté opposé à la machine de centrage.

This installation is characterized in that it includes:

• a wheel centering machine, comprising:
  • - a chassis
  • - a motorized conveyor, supported by the chassis and having a longitudinal axis of symmetry,
  • - Two lateral centering stops, arranged on either side of said longitudinal axis of symmetry, and each of which extends longitudinally and substantially - perpendicular to the conveyor.
  • a mechanism for guiding each stop in transverse translation, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of symmetry, and supported by the chassis,
  • - a drive of each bu- ^ted in transverse translation mechanism, and supported by the frame,
  • - feelers for centering and measuring the diameter of the grinding wheels, which are carried by the stops, and
  • - at least one transmitter for a measurement signal of the diameter of the grinding wheels,
• a slicing and calibration machine, compor so much:
  • - a chassis,
  • a motorized conveyor for positioning the grinding wheels, with two directions of movement, supported by the corresponding chassis so that the two conveyors are substantially in line with one another and have a longitudinal axis of common symmetry,
  • a main cutting blade, intended to cut a heel and the loins of the grinding wheels, and extending transversely and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the grinding wheel positioning conveyor,
  • a mechanism for guiding the main blade moving in its plane, and which is supported by the corresponding chassis,
  • a mechanism for driving the main blade moving in its plane, between two positions, one of which is a slicing position of the grinding wheel and the other a position released from the grinding wheel, and which is supported by the corresponding chassis ,
  • - two adjustment blades, intended to cut the two end falls of the lanyards of the grinding wheels, and extending longitudinally while being substantially contiguous to the main blade,
  • - a mechanism for guiding the adjustment blades in transverse displacement relative to one another and relative to the main blade,
  • - a mechanism for driving the adjustment blades in transverse displacement, and
  • - a motorized conveyor for evacuating cut loins, supported by the corresponding chassis, and adjacent to the end of the positioning conveyor, on the side opposite to the centering machine.

Preferably, the slicing and descaling machine furthermore comprises at least one support jack intended to apply the grinding wheel against the positioning conveyor when stopped, after the main blade has come into the cutting, to hold the grinding wheel against the conveyor during the movement of the main blade in the disengaged position of the grinding wheel, and to disengage itself from the grinding wheel so as not to hinder a subsequent movement of the latter on the positioning conveyor.

Preferably also, the slicing and descaling machine comprises a retractable block, equipped with at least one point intended to be planted in the grinding wheel, and at least one pusher intended to release the point or points of the grinding wheel, and a mechanism for moving the retractable block from an engagement position against the grinding wheel to a position released from the grinding wheel and allowing the latter to move freely on the positioning conveyor.

In a simple embodiment, the motorized conveyor of the centering machine is a table with rollers of transverse axes, supported by the corresponding chassis, and driven from a geared motor group with electric motor, also supported by the corresponding chassis , via a pulley and belt transmission.

Similarly, in a simple embodiment, the mechanism for guiding the stops in transverse translation comprises two transverse shafts, parallel, spaced longitudinally, and supported by the corresponding frame above the conveyor of the centering machine, and, for each stop at least two sockets, each of which is, on the one hand, slidably mounted along one of the two shafts, and, on the other hand, integral with the corresponding stop ...

Advantageously, the drive mechanism of each .stop in transverse translation is a screw-nut system, comprising a screw common to the two stops, suspended transversely to the corresponding chassis, above the conveyor of the centering machine, and having a part central, by which the screw is pivotally mounted in a fixed position on the chassis and driven in rotation from a gearmotor group with electric motor, supported by the chassis, by means of a transmission with sprockets and chains, as well as two lateral threaded rods with opposite pitches, each of which is screwed in a nut secured to the ur of the two stops.

Preferably, each stop of the centering machine is a flange holder equipped with a feeler consisting of a flange, pivotally mounted on the flange holder and located on the side of the internal face of the latter, and of two transverse cylindrical axes. , spaced apart longitudinally, and each passing through one of two passage openings in the corresponding flange holder.

The conveyor for positioning the grinding wheels on the slicing and descaling machine is, in a simple embodiment, a conveyor belt driven from a reversible hydraulic motor, supported by the corresponding chassis, and by means of a sprocket and chain transmission. Similarly, the evacuation conveyor of the slicing and descaling machine is preferably a conveyor belt driven from a gearmotor group with electric motor, supported by the corresponding chassis, and by means of a transmission. with sprockets and chain, the conveyor belt of the evacuation moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of circulation of the positioning conveyor, and slightly below the latter in its part which is adjacent to the latter.

The guide mechanism of the main blade comprises, in a simple and practical embodiment, two lateral columns, fixed to the chassis on either side of the positioning conveyor and substantially perpendicular to the latter, as well as two sleeves each mounted to slide along of one of the columns and each secured to one of the lateral ends of the main blade.

The drive mechanism of the main blade may advantageously comprise a connecting rod-crank system comprising two lateral connecting rods, arranged on the side and on the other side of the positioning conveyor, and each of which is connected, by one of its ends, to a lateral end of the main blade and, by its other end, to an eccentric point of one of two plates integral with rotation of a transverse shaft, mounted in bearings of the corresponding chassis, and driven in rotation from a geared motor group supported by said corresponding chassis and via a pinion and chain transmission.

By analogy, the mechanism for guiding the two adjustment blades in transverse displacement comprises,. advantageously, two blade holders, on each of which is fixed a relief blade, and each of which is arranged in a slide mounted sliding along a transverse blade holder plate to which the main blade is secured by its edge on the side opposite the positioning conveyor.

Likewise, the mechanism for driving the transverse displacement of the relief blades is preferably a screw-nut system, comprising a screw common to the two relief blades, integral with the main blade and extending transversely above the positioning conveyor, said screw having a central part by which it is pivotally mounted in a fixed position relative to the main blade and rotated from a gear unit, with electric brake motor, also integral with the main blade, by _means' of a transmission with pinions and chain, as well as two threaded lateral rods with opposite pitch, and each of which is screwed into a nut fixed to one of two bead breaker blades.

These descaling blades are preferably perpendicular to the main blade and attached to the face of the latter which faces the discharge conveyor.

Each of the support cylinders is preferably secured to the edge of the main blade opposite the positioning conveyor and extends perpendicularly to the latter, opposite the face of the main blade which is turned. towards the machine this centering, when the cylinder rod is extended.

In a simple embodiment, the retractable wedge equipped with at least one painted and a pusher is carried at the end of an arm mounted to pivot about an axis substantially perpendicular to the positioning conveyor, on one side of the latter , and whose pivoting is controlled by an actuating cylinder, the wedge comprising a shoe having a free part in the form of a wedge and sweeping the upper surface of the positioning conveyor, during the pivoting of the arm, the shoe carrying two points situated on the side and on the other side of the pusher constituted by a jack for extracting the points of the heel of the grinding wheel.

In order to promote synchronization of operations, and to obtain reliable and rapid operation, the centering machine and the machine for slicing and calibrating the installation are preferably controlled by a programmable automaton.

• - la figure 1 est une vue schématique, en élévation latérale, de la machine de centrage et d'une partie amont de la machine de tranchage et de détalonnage d'une installation selon l'invention,
• - la figure 2 est une vue schématique, en partie en élévation de face et en partie en coupe, de la machine de centrage de l'installation de la figure 1,
• - la figure 3 est une vue schématique, en partie en élévation latérale et en partie en coupe, de la machine de tranchage et de détalonnage de l'installation,
• - la figure 4 est une vue schématique en coupe transversale de la machine de la figure 3,
• - la figure 5 est une vue schématique en élévation de l'arrière de la machine de la figure 3,
• - la figure 6 est une vue schématique en plan de la machine de la figure 3, et
• - la figure 7 est une vue partielle en coupe selon VII-VII de la figure 6.

The present invention will be better understood using a particular embodiment, which will be described below, without implied limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view, in side elevation, of the centering machine and of an upstream part of the slicing and calibrating machine of an installation according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a schematic view, partly in front elevation and partly in section, of the centering machine of the installation of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a schematic view, partly in side elevation and partly in section, of the machine for slicing and calibrating the installation,
• FIG. 4 is a schematic view in cross section of the machine of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic elevation view of the rear of the machine in FIG. 3,
• FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the machine of FIG. 3, and
• - Figure 7 is a partial sectional view along VII-VII of Figure 6.

With reference to the appended figures, the installation essentially comprises a centering machine 1, or centering machine, and a slicing and calibrating machine 2, or bending machine slicer, which are both controlled by a programmable controller (not shown), for example microprocessor.

The centering device 1 consists of a chassis 3 produced by the assembly, in a known manner, of vertical uprights 4, of horizontal beams 5 and of horizontal crosspieces 6, which are sections of U-shaped profiles. This chassis 3 supports, substantially at mid-height, a horizontal table 7 which is a roller table 8. These rollers 8, mounted in rotation on the frame 3 around parallel horizontal and transverse axes, that is to say perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the centralizer 1, are rotated by a geared motor group 9, fixed under a motor plate 10 supported by the chassis 3, and whose electric motor is controlled by the programmable controller. The rotational movement developed by the geared motor group 9 is transmitted to the rollers 8 by a transmission comprising a drive pulley 11, keyed to the output shaft of the group 9, return pulleys 12, interposed between the ends on the same side (on the left in FIG. 2) of the rollers 8 and on either side of the assembly of the rollers 8 (as shown in FIG. 1) and rotatably mounted on the chassis 3 around axes parallel to those of the rollers 8 , but at a level slightly lower than that of the axes of the rollers 8, and finally of one or more belts 13 passing under the driving pulley 9 and alternately over the deflection pulleys 12 and below the rollers 8. Part top of the chassis 3, the uprights 4 support a transverse plate 14, under the middle part of which are fixed, symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the centering device 1, two bearings 15 equipped with bearings in which is journalled, by the two lateral sections of its non-threaded central part 17, a horizontal screw 16 and transverse, the central non-threaded portion 17 of which extends laterally on each side by a threaded rod 18 (although only one rod 18 is shown in the left half of FIG. 2). The two threaded rods 18 of the screw 16, symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the centering device 1, have a square thread and steps in opposite directions.

The screw 16 is rotated by a geared motor group 19 fixed on the upper plate 14, and whose reversible electric motor is controlled by the programmable controller. The group 19 is connected to the screw 16 by a transmission composed of a pinion 20, keyed onto the output shaft of the group 19, of a pinion 21, keyed onto the non-threaded central part 17 of the screw 16, and a drive chain 22 connecting the two pinions 20 and 21. Each of the threaded rods 18 of the screw is screwed into a nut 23 fixed in a U-shaped channel 25 welded in a notch which has the upper and central part of a flange holder 24 of generally rectangular shape. The two flange holders 24 are essentially presented as vertical and longitudinal flat plates, which are symmetrical on either side of the longitudinal axis of the centering device 1. On each side of the notch of each flange holder 24 and in the vicinity of each of the longitudinal ends of the upper edge of this flange 24, the latter is welded to the lower face of a horizontal plate 26, which extends transversely on either side of the flange holder 24. upper, each of the four plates 26 losing two ball bearings 27, offset transversely and ccaxially, mounted sliding on one of two guide shafts 25 carallel, horizontal and transverse, fixed by their ends on the uprights 4 of the chassis 3 to l using flange bearings 29. The two shafts 28 thus guide the simultaneous transverse movements at the same speed of the flange holders 24, which are translated parallel to themselves, one towards the other and towards the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the centering device 1, or separated one from the other and from the longitudinal axis of symmetry, depending on whether the geared motor group 19 drives the screw 16 in rotation in one direction or the other. Each flange holder 24, substantially rectangular, also supports a probe having two axes 30 which are each welded by one end to a flange 31, of generally rectangular shape, which is pivotally mounted by pins 32, carried at the longitudinal ends of its upper edge , on the corresponding flange holder 24, around a horizontal and longitudinal axis. The pins 32 cooperate with bearings provided in the flange holder 24, in the vicinity of the two vertical edges of the latter, under the plates 26, and the flange 31 extends longitudinally inside the corresponding flange holder 24. The two corresponding axes 30 are fixed on the lower part of the external face of the flange 31, and are spaced apart longitudinally. The two axes 30 extend parallel to each other in a substantially transverse direction, and each pass in one of two substantially rectangular slots 33, formed in the flange holder 24, as well as in one of two small cylindrical sleeves 34 mounted journalling about a horizontal and longitudinal axis in bearings screwed against the external face of the flange holder 24, on the sides of the corresponding lumen 33. When centering a grinding wheel, each of the flanges 31 is folded back against the corresponding flange holder 24 and the pins 30 actuate mechanical limit switch detectors (not shown) carried by the flange holders 24 to control the stopping of the gearmotor 19 when the two flanges 31 are in abutment against the flange holder 24. The diameter of a centered grinding wheel is measured using a pulse emitter (of known type), fixed on the pinion 20 and connected to the automaton, which counts the pulses proportional to the rotations of the motor of group 19 and therefore to the movements of the flange holders 24.

The plant's slicer-binder 2 is arranged in line with the centering device 1, and on the side of the latter which is opposite to that by which the centering device 1 is practically adjacent to a conveyor belt conveyor (not shown), the transport surface of which is in line with the transport surface of the rollers 8 (to the left in FIG. 1) and which is intended to bring the cheese wheels onto the centering machine 1. As for the latter, the trander-binder 2 comprises a frame 43, produced by the assembly, in a manner known per se, of vertical uprights 44, of horizontal beams 45 and of horizontal crosspieces 46, made up of sections of U-shaped profile. This chassis 43 supports, substantially at mid-height, a conveyor belt 47, of which the horizontal transport surface extends practically as an extension of that of the conveyor 7 of the centering device 1, and has a longitudinal axis of symmetry coincident with that of the centering device 1. The belt 48 of this conveyor moves longitudinally and passes successively around an upstream head roller 49, a downstream head roller 50 (by sliding on a sole 51 extending between these two rollers and supported by the chassis 43), a tensioning roller 52 ( disposed between the rollers 49 and 50 and under the latter, and finally a control roller 53, disposed between the rollers 50 and 51 and under the latter, and ensuring the drive of the tapeis 48. The rollers 49, 50 and 53 are directly mounted in relation to the chassis 43, by appropriate bearings, author of parallel transverse and horizontal axes, while the tensioning roller 52 is mounted in rotation, about an axis parallel to those of the other rollers, on a support sliding longitudinally on a treader frame 54 and locked on the latter in a position ensuring adequate tension of the belt 48. the tensioner frame 54 being supported by the frame 43. The control roller 53 is rotated from a gear motor with hydraulic motor reversible (not shown, fixed on a motor plate supported by the chassis 43. and via a transmission (partially shown in Figure 4) consisting of a pinion keyed to the output shaft of the motor unit, a pinion 55 integral in rotation with the shaft of the control roller 53, and a coupling chain of the two sprockets. By its upstream head roller 49, the conveyor 47 is close to the downstream end of the conveyor 7 of the centering machine 1 and sufficiently close to the latter so that the cheese wheels can be transferred from the conveyor 7 of the centering machine 1 to the conveyor 47 of the slicer-binder 2 without intermediate conveyor. On the other hand, by its downstream head roller 50, the conveyor 47 is directly adjacent to a transverse evacuation conveyor 57, also supported by the chassis 43. This transverse conveyor 57 is a conveyor belt 58, the transport surface of which s 'extends horizontally, slightly below the transport surface of the belt 48, and moves in a direction perpendicular to that of the latter. The conveyor belt 58 passes successively around a control roller 59 and a downstream head roller 60 and finally on a deflection roller 61. These three rollers are mounted in rotation around parallel horizontal and longitudinal axes, including those of rollers 59 and 60 are in a fixed position on the chassis 43 by means of flanges and lateral supports for securing to the latter, while the deflection roller 61 is mounted on a support movable in vertical direction on the chassis 43 and adjustable in position vis-à-vis the latter, in order to ensure a good tension of the belt 58, which slides on a sole 62 fixed to the chassis 43 between the two rollers 59 and 60. The belt 58 is driven by a geared motor group 63 to electric motor and transmission consisting of a pinion 64, keyed to the output shaft of the group 63, a pinion 65 keyed to the drive shaft of the control roller 59, and a chain 66 coupling the sprockets 64 and 65. The slicer-detalonneus e also includes a main cutting blade 67, which is planar, vertical and transverse, and of shaped rectangular with two symmetrical rectangular trapezoidal cuts in its lower lateral corners. This blade 67, with a sharp lower edge, is bolted to each of the elements of a blade holder in three elements, namely a horizontal transverse and upper plate 68, and two lateral sleeves 69, of vertical axes, each of which is also bolted. on the upper plate 68. Each of the two sleeves 69 is slidably mounted around one of two vertical and lateral rods 70, each fixed, on one side of the conveyor 47, to the chassis 43 by bearings 71. On each sleeve 69 is articulated, by means of a ball joint 73, the upper end of a lateral connecting rod 72, of adjustable length, the lower end of which is articulated by a ball joint 74 on an axis 75 , projecting outwards from the side, at an eccentric point of a plate 76 secured to a lateral end of a transverse shaft 77, which extends horizontally under the conveyor 47 and is mounted journalled in bearings 78 supported by the chassis 43. By its central part, this arb re 77 is integral in rotation with a double pinion 79 coupled by a double chain (not shown) to a geared motor group 80 with an electric motor, supported by the chassis 43. The cutting blade 67 is thus mounted displaceable with its blade holder , in vertical translation in its plane, along the two columns 70, and is driven back and forth between two positions offset vertically by the rod-crank system constituted by the rods 72, the discs 76, the coupling joints 73 and 74, and axes 75, when group 80 is in operation. To facilitate the vertical sliding of the blade 67, the sleeves 70 are preferably fitted with ball bushings. The assembly is thus produced that the blade 67 is mounted at a short distance, for example 120 mm, upstream from the axis of the downstream roller 50 of the conveyor 47. The upper plate 68 supports, in its central part, a housing 81 fitted with bearings and in which the central part is journalled threaded 83 with a screw 82 of horizontal and transverse axis, provided with two threaded rods 84 with opposite pitch. A pinion 85, 'keyed to the non-threaded central part 83, is coupled by a chain 86 to a pinion 87 integral in rotation with the output shaft of a geared motor group 88 with electric motor and angle gear, which is also fixed on the upper plate 68, and therefore moves vertically with it and the main blade 67. Each threaded rod 84 is screwed into a nut 89 mounted on a support 90 bolted to a slide 91, itself mounted to slide transversely on the upper plate 68, and constituting one of the two elements of a blade holder carrying a descaling blade 93, and the other element 92 of which is a vertical member of horizontal U-shaped section, in which the corresponding blade 93 is fixed . The two descaling blades 93 are small blades, in comparison with the main blade 67, which are planar, vertical and longitudinal. They have a rectangular shape with lower corner and cut downstream and with a sharp lower edge and they extend downstream relative to the main blade 67. The two blades 93 are mounted symmetrically with respect to each other with their blade holder 91, 92 on the screw 82, so that the rotation of the electric and reversible brake motor of the group 88, in one direction or the other, ensures by the screw-nut system thus produced, a symmetrical displacement of the two blades 93, and at the same speed, in a direction which brings them towards or away from one another, according to the direction of rotation of the motor. By construction, the cooperation of the slides 91 with the housing 81 makes it possible to block the blades 93 with a determined transverse spacing, in their position of maximum approximation. It will also be noted that the element 92 of the blade holder is fixed on the downstream vertical edge of the corresponding blade 93, so that the two blades 93 are joined by their upstream vertical edge against the main blade 57. The motor unit 88, like the other motors of the binder 2, is controlled by the PLC programmable, and the transverse movement of the blades 93 is preferably controlled by a pulse emission system, of any suitable type known for this purpose. The transverse and upper plate 68 also supports on its upper face, and slightly upstream of the main blade 67, the cylinders of five pneumatic cylinders 94, regularly distributed transversely along the blade 67, and whose free end of each of the rods carries a stud 95 which is moved vertically over the width of the blade 67, opposite the upstream face thereof, when the jacks 94 are actuated. The machine 2 finally comprises a retractable shim 96, provided with a shoe 97 having a front face shaped as a corner 98, of shape complementary to that of the rounded base of a grinding wheel and with a central recess, as shown in FIG. 7 This shoe 97 carries a vertical support 99 on which are fixed, on the one hand, a pair of points 100, parallel, spaced from one another and directed towards the corner part 98, and, on the other hand , the cylinder of a pneumatic cylinder 101, the free end of the rod of which carries a stud 102, also directed towards the corner part 98. At its rear part, the shoe 97 carries a threaded stud 103 by which it is secured at one end 105 of a bent arm 104 articulated by its elbow around a vertical axis 106 supported by a fastener 107 on the frame 43, on one side of the mat 48, the other end 108 of the bent arm 104 being articulated on the end external to the cylinder of the rod of a pneumatic cylinder 109, extending longitudinally and carried by the chassis 43. The retractable wedge 96 is mounted so that when the cylinder rod 109 is retracted, the shoe 97 is on the side of the belt 48, upstream of the pivot axis 106, itself slightly in upstream of the moving assembly carrying in particular the blades 67 and 93, and when the rod of the jack 109 is extended, the arm 104 pivots in a horizontal plane around the axis 106, clockwise in FIG. 6, so that shoe 97 sweeps a circular path on the belt 48, over an angular sector of approximately 90 °, its final position being shown in dotted lines in FIG. 6.

The operation of the installation, the structure of which has just been described, is as follows: a cheese wheel is transferred from the feed conveyor, adjacent to the upstream end of the centralizer 1 on the conveyor 7 thereof, the l drive is controlled by the automaton, until the grinding wheel is located between the flange holders 24 previously spaced at most from each other. The automaton then controls the bringing together of the flange holders 24 by the motor unit 19 and the screw 16-nut system 23. If the grinding wheel is not centered on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the centering device 1, a flange 31 comes before the other in abutment against its flange holder 24 and in contact with the grinding wheel, and slides it laterally on the rollers 8 when stopped. When the two flanges 31 are in abutment against the grinding wheel, between their flange carriers 24, the centering is carried out and detected, and the diameter of the grinding wheel relative to the axis of the centering machine 1 is measured, and this measurement is communicated to the automaton, which controls the spacing of the flange holders 24 by the motorized screw-nut system and calculates the thickness to be given to the two heels of the same dimension to be cut in the axial ends of the grinding wheel 110 as well as the whole number of lanyards of the same thickness to be cut between the two heels, and the thickness or transverse dimension to be given to the end falls of the lanyards so that an entire number of plates of the same dimension can be subsequently cut from each lanyard. centering operation of the grinding wheel 110 and measurement of its diameter, which is carried out on the centering machine l, the automaton again controls the drive of the conveyor 7 with rollers 8, as well as the drive of the conveyor belt 47, and grinding wheel 110 is transferred from the centering machine 1 to the slicer-baler 2.The centered grinding wheel 110 advances on the belt 48 until obscuring a photoelectric cell (not shown) located in a fixed position on the chassis 43, downstream of the main blade 67 , for example 120 mm from the axis of the latter, which controls the stop of the belt 48. The grinding wheel 110 is then suitably arranged to undergo a cutting and undercutting cycle, the machine 2 being such that the blades 67 and 93 are in the high position. (see the left half in Figure 4), the relief blades 93 are in the tightened position (see the left half in Figure 5), the retractable wedge 96 is in the rest position, on the side of the belt 48 ( see solid line in Figure 6). At the start of the slicing cycle, the grinding wheel 110 is moved back onto the belt 48 by a value which is determined by the automatic machine, as a function of the diameter of the grinding wheel 110 and the thickness of the lanyards to be cut, the amplitude of the displacement being indicated to the automaton by a pulse emission system of known type. The belt 48 being stopped, the blades 67 and 93 are lowered by the rod-crank system, and the downstream heel is cut. The blades 67 and 93 are reassembled with their respective blade holder and the jacks 94, then the belt 48 is advanced, and transfers the cut heel to the evacuation conveyor 57, which evacuates it laterally. The feed of the belt 48 is interrupted by the automaton after a predetermined stroke and measured using a pulse transmitter associated with the drive motor of the belt 48, which thus always advances by a constant value in this example equal to 120 mm. The belt 48 is then moved back by a value corresponding to the desired thickness of the lanyards, then stopped, and the blades 67 and 93 are lowered. The blade 67 cuts the first lanyard, while the blades 93, which, in the meantime, have been separated from each other, in the high position, by a value determined by the automaton, and using the screw 82 - nut 89 system, cut the two end falls of this lanyard. When the two blades are in the low position (see the right half in FIG. 4), the rods of the jacks 94 are lowered and the studs 95 are pressed on the grinding wheel 110 to immobilize it against the belt 48, during the lifting of the blades 67 and 93, in order to ensure separation between the grinding wheel 110 and the blade 67. As soon as the blades are again in high position, the stripping cylinders 94 are retracted and the blades 93 are again separated from one another by a desired value, depending on the scraps to be cut on the lanyard to be cut immediately after. The mat 48 is advanced to transfer the cut lanyard to the mat 58, which discharges it laterally, then the mat 48 is moved back to cut the second lanyard, and so on until the second penultimate lanyard. It is noted that after the cutting of the longest lanyard, the blades 93 are brought together step by step, in the high position, and after successive cuts, after having passed through a position of maximum spacing (see right half of Figure 5). When three lanyards remain to be cut, the jacks 94 remain in the high position on the plate 68, and after the descent of the blades 67 and 93, it is the retractable shim 96 which is pivoted by the actuation of the jack 109 (controlled by the automaton), and which is planted by its points 100 in the upstream heel of the grinding wheel 110, and is blocked by its wedge part 98 under this rounded heel, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to '' avoid tipping over what remains of the grinding wheel. Then the blades go up, and the belt 48 is advanced, to transfer the cut lanyard to the evacuation conveyor 57, while the remaining part of the grinding wheel is retained by the points 100 of the wedge 96. These operations are repeated until the cutting of the last lcnge, after which the blades remain in the low position. This allows, by actuating the jack 101 of the wedge 96, to bear by the stud 102 against the remaining heel and to press it against the blade 67, by withdrawing, by reaction, the points 100 out of the heel, which can switch on the belt 48, because the automaton then controls the lateral retraction of the wedge 96 by retraction of the jack 109 as well as the retraction of the jack 101, and the advance of the belt 48 to put the heel in abutment against the blade 67 which is then raised with the other blades 93. The belt 48 advances again to evacuate the remaining heel, while the blades 93 come back in initial position of maximum approximation. Then the belt 48 is stopped and the installation is ready to take on a new wheel.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiment which has just been described, but that many modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention. .

Claims (25)

1. Method for slicing and calibrating grinding wheels (110) of cheese, characterized in that it consists of: - advancing each wheel (110) flat to a centering station (1), - moving the flat wheel (110) transversely relative to a longitudinal axis of symmetry of the centering station (1), until it centers on said longitudinal axis of symmetry, - to measure the diameter of the grinding wheel (110), - To determine a common thickness, along said longitudinal axis of symmetry, to determine the two heels of the same dimension to be cut, perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of symmetry, at the two ends of the grinding wheel (110) as well as an integer and a thickness joint of lanyards to cut between the two heels, - to determine a common thickness, in the direction perpendicular to said longitudinal axis of symmetry, to give to the two scraps to be cut, parallel to said longitudinal axis of symmetry, at the two ends of each lanyard, so that the latter can be cut into a whole number plates of the same size, - transferring the grinding wheel (110) to a slicing and calibration station (2) on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of which the grinding wheel (110) is centered, - positioning the grinding wheel (110) relative to a transverse cutting blade (67) of the cutting and calibrating station, and cutting and then removing a first bead having the predetermined thickness, - Then reposition the grinding wheel (110) relative to the slicing blade (67), and simultaneously position transversely two longitudinal adjustment blades (93) of the slicing and offset station, relative to the cutting blade (67), - to cut simultaneously a lanyard, with the transverse blade (67), and the two end falls of this lanyard, with the two longitudinal blades (93), - to evacuate the loin and cut scraps, - repeat the previous three steps until you have cut and removed the predetermined whole number of lanyards, and finally - to evacuate the second heel. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it consists: - centering the grinding wheel (110) on said longitudinal axis of symmetry of the centering station (1) by sliding it transversely by the movement, simultaneously and at the same speed, towards said axis, of two stops (24) extending longitudinally, on either side of said axis, after an initial positioning of the grinding wheel (110) between the two stops (24), - measuring the diameter of the grinding wheel (110) using feelers (30) mounted on the stops (24) and coupled to transmitters of measurement signals, - moving aside the stops (24) until they return to an initial position. 3. Preceded according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that it consists: - Positioning and repositioning the grinding wheel (110) by matching the transverse blade (67) by advancing the grinding wheel up to a predetermined point beyond the cutting position of the transverse blade (67), then moving the grinding wheel back on a stroke which is a function of the predetermined thickness respectively of the heels or lanyards, depending on whether it is a question of positioning or repositioning the grinding wheel respectively, and finally stopping it in the cutting position. 4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that it consists in evacuating the heel, or the loin, which has just been cut (e) in advance of the grinding wheel (110) up to the predetermined point beyond the cutting position of the transverse blade (57), during repositioning following operation of the grinding wheel relative to said transverse blade (67). 5. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it consists in transversely positioning the two longitudinal blades (96) relative to the transverse blade (67) by spreading symmetrically and step by step the two longitudinal blades (93) from one another, after the successive cuts of the transverse blade (67), and from an initial position in which the two longitudinal blades (93) are tightened towards one another. 6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that it consists in pressing the grinding wheel (110) to immobilize it after cutting the first heel and each of the lanyards, except, possibly, the last few loins of the grinding wheel, and while the transverse blade (67) is still in the cutting position, and to release this support after the transverse blade (67) has left its cutting position. 7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it consists, after cutting all the lanyards, except the last few, and while the transverse blade (67) is still in the cutting position, to plant a wedge (96) in the second heel of the grinding wheel (110), in order to avoid the tilting of the latter during the cutting of the last few lanyards, and, after the cutting of the last lanyard, and while the blade transverse (67) is still in the cutting position, push the second heel against this transverse blade (67) by spreading the wedge (96) from the latter to release the wedge (96) from the second heel, then evacuate the latter after that the transverse blade (67) has left its cutting position. 8. Installation for slicing and automatic calibration of cheese wheels (11C), characterized in that it comprises: a centering machine (1) for grinding wheels, comprising - a chassis (3), - a motorized conveyor (7) supported by the chassis (3) and having a longitudinal axis of symmetry, - two lateral centering stops (24), disposed on either side of said longitudinal axis of symmetry, and each of which extends longitudinally and substantially perpendicular to the conveyor (7), - a guiding mechanism (27, 28) of each .buté _e (24) in transverse translation, perpendicular to said longitudinal symmetry axis and supported by the frame (3), - a drive mechanism (16, 23, 19, 20, 22, 21) of each stop (24) in transverse translation, and supported by the chassis (3), - centering and measuring probes (30, 31) of the diameter of the grinding wheels (110), which are carried by the stops (24), and - at least one transmitter of a measurement signal for the diameter of the grinding wheels, and
a slicing and descaling machine (2), comprising: - a chassis (43), - a mechanized conveyor (47) for positioning the grinding wheels (110), with two directions of movement, supported by the corresponding chassis (43) so that the two conveyors (7, 47) are substantially in the extension of one of the 'other and have a common longitudinal axis of symmetry, a main cutting blade (67), intended to cut a heel and the loins of the grinding wheels (110), and extending transversely and in a plane substantially perpendicular to the positioning conveyor (47) of the grinding wheels, - a guiding mechanism (69, 70) of the blade ^p Rin- Cipale (67) moving in its plane, and which is supported by the frame (43) corresponding, - a drive mechanism (80, 79, 77, 76, 72) of the main blade (67) moving in its plane, between two positions, one of which is a slicing position of the grinding wheel (110) and the other a position released from the grinding wheel (110), and which is supported by the corresponding chassis (43), - two descaling blades (93), intended to cut the two end falls of the lanyards of the grinding wheels, and extending longitudinally while being substantially contiguous to the main blade (67), a guiding mechanism (91) for the adjustment blades (93) in transverse displacement relative to one another and relative to the main blade (67), - a drive mechanism (88, 85, 82, 89) for the adjustment blades (93) in transverse movement, and - a motorized evacuation conveyor (57) of the cut lanyards, supported by the corresponding chassis (43) and adjacent to the end of the positioning conveyor (47), on the side opposite to the centering machine (1). 9. Installation according to claim 8 characterized in that the slicing and descaling machine (2) further comprises at least one support cylinder (94) intended to apply the grinding wheel (110) against the positioning conveyor ( 47) at standstill, after the main blade (67) has come into the cutting position, to hold the grinding wheel (110) against the conveyor (47) during the movement of the main blade (67) in the disengaged position grinding wheel, and to disengage itself from the grinding wheel so as not to hinder a subsequent movement of the latter on the positioning conveyor (47). 10. Installation according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the slicing and descaling machine (2) also comprise a retractable wedge (96), equipped with at least one point (lOC) intended to be plated in the grinding wheel (110) and at least one pusher (101, 102) intended to release the point or points (100) of the grinding wheel (11C) and a movement mechanism (109). from the retractable shim (96) from an engagement position against the grinding wheel a clear position of the wheel and allowing the free movement of the latter on the positioning conveyor (47). 11. Installation according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the motorized conveyor (7) of the centering machine (1) is a roller table (8) of transverse axes, supported by the chassis (3 ) corresponding, and driven from a geared motor electric motor assembly (9) also supported by the corresponding chassis (3), via a pulley transmission (11, 12) and belt (13). 12. Installation according to one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the mechanism for guiding the stops (24) in transverse translation comprises two transverse shafts (28) parallel, spaced longitudinally and supported by the corresponding chassis (3), above the conveyor (7) of the centering machine (1), and, for each stop (24), at least two bushings (27), each of which is, on the one hand, slidably mounted along the one of the two shafts (28), and, on the other hand, integral with the corresponding stop (24). 13. Installation according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the drive mechanism of each stop (24) in transverse translation is a screw-nut system, comprising a screw (16) common to the two stops (24 ), suspended transversely to the corresponding chassis (3), above the conveyor (7) of the centering machine (1), and having a central part (17) by which the screw (16) is pivotally mounted in a fixed position on the chassis (3) and driven in rotation from a gearmotor assembly (19) with an electric motor, supported by the chassis (3), via a pinion transmission (20, 21 and chain (22) , as well as two lateral threaded rods (18) with opposite pitches, each of which is screwed into a nut (23) integral with one of the two stops (24). 14.Installation according to one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that each stop (24) of the centering machine (1) is a flange holder equipped with a feeler consisting of a flange (31), mounted pivoting (32) on the flange holder (24) and situated on the side of the internal face of the latter, and of two transverse cylindrical axes (30), spaced apart longitudinally; and each passing through one of two passage lights (33) formed in the / flask (24) corresponding. 15.Installation according to one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the positioning conveyor (47) of the grinding wheels (110) on the slicing and calibrating machine (2) is a conveyor belt (48) driven to from a reversible hydraulic motor, supported by the corresponding chassis (43), and by means of a pinion transmission (55) and chain. 16.Installation according to one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the discharge conveyor (57) of the slicing and descaling machine (2) is a belt conveyor (58) driven from a geared motor group (63) with electric motor supported by the corresponding chassis (43), and by means of a pinion transmission (64,65) and chain (66), the belt (58) of the circulating evacuation conveyor in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of circulation of the positioning conveyor (47) and slightly below the latter, in its part which is adjacent to the latter. Installation according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the guide mechanism of the main blade (67) comprises two lateral columns (70) fixed to the frame (43), on either side of the conveyor positioning (47), and substantially perpendicular to the latter, as well as two sleeves (69) each sliding mounted along one of the columns (70) and each secured to one of the lateral ends of the main blade (67) . 18.Installation according to one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that the drive mechanism of the main blade (67) comprises a connecting rod-crank system comprising two lateral connecting rods (72) arranged on either side of the positioning conveyor (47) and each of which is connected, by one of its ends to a lateral end of the main blade (67) and, by its other end, to an eccentric point (75) of one of two plates (76) integral in rotation with a transverse shaft (77) mounted in bearings (78) of the corresponding chassis (43) and driven in rotation from a geared motor group (80) supported by said corresponding chassis and via a pinion transmission (79 ) and chains. 19. Installation according to one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that the mechanism for guiding the two descaling blades (93) in transverse movement comprises two blade holders (91, 92), on each of which is fixed a blade (93), and each of which is arranged in a sliding slide mounted along a transverse blade holder plate (68) to which the main blade. (67) is secured by its edge on the side opposite to the positioning conveyor ( 47). 20. Installation according to one of claims 8 to 19, characterized in that the drive mechanism in transverse displacement of the relief blades (93) is a screw-nut system comprising a screw (82) common to the two relief blades (93), integral with the main blade (67) and extending transversely above the positioning conveyor (47), said screw (82) having a central part (83) by which it is mounted swiveling in a fixed position by relative to the main blade (67) and driven in rotation from a geared motor (88) assembly with an electric brake motor, also integral with the main blade (67), by means of a pinion transmission (85 , 87) and chain (86), as well as two lateral threaded rods (84), with opposite pitches, each of which is screwed into a nut (89) integral with one of the two adjustment blades (93). 21. Installation according to one of claims 8 to 20, characterized in that the two relief blades (93) are perpendicular to the main blade (57) and adjoined on the face of the latter which is turned towards the conveyor evacuation (57). 22. Installation according to one of claims ₁ 0 to 21 as attached to claim 9, characterized in that each of the support cylinders (94) is integral with the edge of the main blade (67) opposite the positioning conveyor (47) and extends perpendicularly to the latter, opposite the face of the main blade (67) which is turned towards the centering machine (1), when the cylinder rod (94) is out. 23. Installation according to one of claims 11 to 22, as attached to claim 10, characterized in that the retractable wedge (96) equipped with at least one point (100) and a pusher (101, 102 ) is carried at the end of an arm (104) pivotally mounted about an axis (106) substantially perpendicular to the positioning conveyor (47), on one side of the latter, and the pivotings of which are controlled by an actuating cylinder (109), the block comprising a shoe (97) having a free wedge-shaped part (98) and sweeping the upper surface of the positioning conveyor (47) during the pivoting of the arm (104), the shoe (97) bearing two points (100) on either side of the pusher constituted by a jack (101) for extracting the points (100) from the heel of the grinding wheel. 24. Installation according to one of claims 8 to 23, characterized in that the centering machine (1) and the slicing and calibrating machine (2) are controlled by a programmable controller.

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