EP1026109B1 - Process and device for the distribution of work-pieces at predetermined distances - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for separating and allocating Workpieces, in particular elongated workpieces and in particular wooden workpieces like boards, at predetermined distances from each other or close together, in particular the insertion of the cover boards in the nail templates provided for this purpose Wooden pallet manufacturing.

DE OS 15 56 119 A describes a method and a device for laying layers boards that are parallel to each other and of different widths with a predefined choice Total layer width is known, the boards on a cross conveyor perpendicular to it Longitudinal extension lying on top can be delivered at indefinite intervals. The isolation the boards are made by means of two conveyors (4) and (5), of which (5) runs faster than (4). The different speeds result in the separation Dimensional differences. Grids are created accordingly when the slat curtain (11) is lowered the slat thickness, which is the accuracy of twice the slat thickness and its lateral Can influence game. Further inaccuracies arise in the case of an uneven support the two conveyors (4; 5) and in the case of twisted and curved boards.

From DE 3 804 703, based on the preamble of claim 4, a board loading and board feeding device for pallet production is known which by board magazines for each board width, a conveyor arranged underneath and by stopping points for collecting the boards to form a pallet layer with spaces according to the arrangement the stop points are marked. The workpieces are thus handed over to the flat transporters (4) at specified intervals - corresponding to the drivers of the conveyor (2). The board distance is achieved by means of pneumatically operated stops (stop points 5) to be set beforehand. After the workpiece has reached the first stop with its front edge, the stop is activated for the subsequent workpiece and so on until the cover layer has been completely put together. Then the specified pallet position or arrangement is lowered onto the cross boards of the pallet.

Furthermore, devices are known which cover the top surface of a clipboard Assemble the pallet at the correct intervals by pushing it out of magazines and this insert with or without intermediate boards into the template using a lifting device (DE 32 08 781 A1 and DE 3642 301 C1).

Devices for stacking boards are also known, which layer the boards in layers accumulate the desired stack width and each on a lower platform with or Store or discard without intermediate strips. The platform lowers by one Layer height, so that the original level of the upper edge is set again and again (OS 2 101 285). With these known devices, it is not possible to use the one required for pallets Top surface, which requires a certain lateral spacing of the deck boards, put together and hang up.

AT 339 210 should also be mentioned, but its teaching does not include any devices Method for allocating workpieces such as boards at specified intervals from one another and separating the workpieces. Boards concerned to make layers like them especially needed for pallet manufacturing. Rather, it relates to the one described there Invention of stacking and packaging boards.

Disadvantages associated with the prior art methods and devices go hand in hand, among other things, the relatively complex set-up times when changing Pallet formats and / or the individual board formats; throwing off the top surface, that is the Total number of cover boards per pallet, because in free fall the given position of the individual deck boards can easily change; the relatively large space requirement and the Circumstances that boards deformed or tree-edged in the longitudinal axis lead to faults in the Processing can lead.

The present invention was based on the object, the disadvantages of the known Eliminate procedures and devices.

The invention thus relates to a method for allocating workpieces, in particular of wooden workpieces such as boards, at predetermined intervals from each other by conveying and Separating workpieces, especially elongated workpieces, by aligning the Workpieces in their longitudinal axis transverse to the direction of conveyance, by further conveying the aligned Workpieces up to a specified base and by placing the workpieces on the pad, with a predetermined number of successive workpieces each after alignment, based on the longitudinal axis of the workpieces, transverse to their longitudinal axis two synchronously coupled with respect to the transport direction, in the transport direction back and forth moveable transporters [10], which are designed as carriages [14} or as sledges, and with slidable or pivotable or linearly lowerable transversely to the direction of transport Carrier rails [11] are provided to advance a predetermined distance until a predetermined cover layer is put together, the cover layer up above the base transported and stored.

The present invention furthermore relates to a device for allocating Workpieces, especially wooden workpieces such as boards, at predetermined intervals from each other, containing at least one workpiece magazine [5] or another Workpiece feeder, a conveyor device [4] which removes the workpieces from the magazine (-en) [5] or the other workpiece feeder up to stops [6], one Separating and aligning device [7], a transport device which the separated and aligned workpieces as a top layer, and a depositing device, wherein as a transport device, two synchronously coupled with respect to the transport direction, in the Transport direction reciprocable transporters [10] with transverse to the transport direction slidable or pivotable or linearly lowerable support rails [11] are provided are characterized in that the transporters [10] as a carriage or as a sled are trained.

The carrier rails [11] are preferably laterally displaceable or. disengaged.

The separation and alignment device [7] is according to a preferred one Embodiment of the invention as a raised and lowered ramp [9] with a stop [8] formed its lower end, the workpiece contact sides of the stops [8] a form imaginary reference line [13] so that the workpieces are aligned with their front edge be placed flush to this reference line [13] on support rails [11]. The reference line [13] is the connecting line between the two stops [8] and runs perpendicular to Transport direction.

The ramp [9], which is preferably equipped with rollers [31] on its upper side, can be by means of a lifting device [30], for example a hydraulically operated piston and takes the workpiece against the stop [6].

In contrast to the device and method disclosed in DE 3 804 703, in the present invention the workpieces are transported in the correct order without a gap on a conveyor up to the stop [8]. Using a separating and positioning device, the workpieces are separated by lifting the first workpiece, slide over the ramp [9] to the stop [8] and are thus aligned in their longitudinal axis with the front edge on the reference line [13]. However, other separating and positioning devices can also be used.

The workpiece is placed on the side by lowering the ramp [9] swing-out transporters [10], which then move the workpiece by the workpiece width plus the desired distance to the next workpiece.

The displacement measurement can be mechanical-electrical or electronic via displacement transducers respectively.

The relatively time-consuming setting of the pneumatically operated stops (stop points 5) Achieving the desired board clearances (cf. DE 3 804 703) is not necessary for the inventive method, which is a significant advantage.

When ramping up, especially when processing particularly wide ones Workpieces whose center of gravity lies outside the bearing surface of the ramp, one additionally attached pressure roller [29], which may be driven, to ensure that the Workpiece does not tip over. The lower position of the pressure roller is determined by the stop [28] Are defined.

The lifted workpiece slips or then rolls up to the stops [8] at the bottom End of the ramp. With the downward movement of the ramp, those with the ramp give connected stops the aligned workpiece freely, which thereby on the support rails [11] comes to rest.

Instead of a ramp, horizontal conveyors can also be used.

The transporters connected to the carrier rails are a predetermined amount - Workpiece width + desired distance to the following workpiece - in the conveying direction drove. This cycle is repeated until the entire top surface, e.g. B. Pallet top surface, d. H. the total number of deck boards, is compiled completely.

The Trarisporter [10] are preferably designed as carriages [14] with their top arranged drives [15] on tracks [2] respectively Guide rails [3] run. On the other hand, the transporters [10] can be designed as sledges with their runners on the tracks [2] or Slide the guide rails [3].

The carrier rails [11] can be laterally disengaged for the purpose of depositing the workpieces and / or pivotable and / or linearly lowerable, d. H. these three functions can work alone or in any combination. These functions of the support rails are in the drawings are explained.

The transporters [10] can also be mechanical for the purpose of the synchronous clutch be connected to each other, for example by means of a spline shaft or by a linkage.

The conveyor device [4] can, for example, be a chain, a belt or a belt conveyor his.

The desired predetermined distance between the workpieces can be electronically controlled controlled positioning device or also by means of adjustable switching cams become.

Advantages of the invention lie in the short changeover times and short Machine changeover times, for example if workpieces of different Dimensions to be processed .; the possibility of workpieces, e.g. B. boards, inferior quality, such as curved, twisted or tree-edged boards can; in the cheaper feed costs; and the lower energy consumption.

The invention is illustrated below using the example of the production of wooden pallets explained. In this case, the workpieces are boards. Basically, the invention is also with workpieces made of other materials and for other technical purposes than that Wooden pallet production, for example for stacking tasks. applicable.

The magazines [5] are generally on the carriers [1] of the invention Allocation device mounted. The use of more than one magazine enables Boards of different dimensions, i. H. different width and thickness and / or to combine different types of wood in the production of pallets. The number of Magazine depends on the number of board types to be used. In many cases two magazines are sufficient, one on the right and the other on the left Carrier can be mounted.

• Figur 1: Eine Ansicht einer erfingungsgemäßen Vorrichtung in Seitenansicht und Draufsicht.
• Figur 2: Einen Querschnitt durch erfindungsgemäße Transporter [10] im Ablegebereich, welcher eine Möglichkeit des Ablegens der Werkstücke, nämlich durch Abwerfen, zeigt.
• Figuren 3 bis 5: Eine bevorzugte Vereinzelungs- und Ausrichtvorrichtung [7] innerhalb einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, dargestellt in drei verschiedenen Positionen während eines Förderzyklus.
• Figur 6: einen Querschnitt durch eine Holzpaletten-Decklage, auf die im Ablegebereich ein Niederhalter [27] derart gedrückt wird, daß die Deckbretter [24] fest an die Querbretter [23] gepreßt werden.
• Figuren 7 bis 10: Querschnitte durch erfindungsgemäße Transporter [10] im Ablagebereich der Werkstücke, dargestellt in vier verschiedenen Positionen während eines Ablegezyklus.
• Figur 11: Einen Querschnitt durch erfindungsgemäße Transporter [10] im Ablegebereich, welcher eine andere Möglichkeit des Ablegens der Werkstücke, nämlich durch Absenken der Trägerschiene [11], zeigt.
• Figuren 12 bis 14: Eine Abwandlung der in den Figuren 7 bis 10 gezeigten Teile einer erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung, bei der die Trägerschienen [11] nur abschwenkbar und die Rückhalteschienen [20] als Abschieber [32] ausgebildet sind.

The device according to the invention is described by way of example with reference to the drawings. The figures shown in the drawings have the following meaning:

• Figure 1: A view of an inventive device in side view and top view.
• Figure 2: A cross section through transporters according to the invention [10] in the depositing area, which shows a possibility of depositing the workpieces, namely by dropping them off.
• Figures 3 to 5: A preferred separating and aligning device [7] within a device according to the invention, shown in three different positions during a conveying cycle.
• FIG. 6: a cross section through a wooden pallet cover layer, onto which a hold-down device [27] is pressed in the depositing area in such a way that the cover boards [24] are pressed firmly against the cross boards [23].
• FIGS. 7 to 10: cross sections through transporters according to the invention [10] in the storage area of the workpieces, shown in four different positions during a storage cycle.
• Figure 11: A cross section through transporters according to the invention [10] in the depositing area, which shows another possibility of depositing the workpieces, namely by lowering the carrier rail [11].
• FIGS. 12 to 14: A modification of the parts of a device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, in which the carrier rails [11] can only be swiveled out and the retaining rails [20] are designed as pushers [32].

FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention which is suitable for loading pallet templates with cover layers which are to be nailed on later in the production of pallets. This device consists of two parallel supports [1] with attached guide rails [2] and guide rails [3] (the guide and guide rails are not shown in FIG. 1, but are shown in later figures), one of which is fixed and the other is laterally displaceable so that the parallelism is maintained, with cover board (= board) magazines [5] secured thereon and a conveyor device [4] arranged underneath, which can be, for example, a chain conveyor. The fact that at least and preferably one of the two supports is laterally displaceable makes it possible to process boards of different lengths. The boards to be processed are dropped in the correct order from the corresponding magazines onto the conveyor [4] and conveyed to a stop [6], where they accumulate.

FIG. 2 shows the section X - Y through the side view of the device according to the invention shown in FIG. 1. Within the carrier [1] the running rail [2] and the guide rail [3] are shown, on which the carriage drive runs. The reference number [11] indicates the support rail.

The desired board spacing can be set using a fixed measuring scale adjustable switch cams (not shown) that attach one or more to the carriage Actuate sensors (not shown). The reverse order too - The switching cams are attached to the car and the sensors, however, on fixed parts the machine - is possible.

An electronically controlled positioning device in which the desired stops, namely board width plus distance, can be entered in the counter. at This embodiment can also be the magazine that the next board should be determined.

According to a further variant, the boards can be controlled by a path-time-dependent control be positioned without the car [14] having to be stopped by the Pushing the boards onto the carrier rails [11] previous process steps so be dimensioned so that the boards exactly in the predetermined position on the support rails reach the right moment.

After the total number of boards that form the top surface on the support rails [11] has been stored, the carriages [14] are driven up to the template [25]. The If necessary, the template is also previously required for the pallet production Parts, namely the runners [22] and the cross boards [23] have been loaded. The breakpoint the trolley can be operated by means of a sensor (not shown) mounted above the trolley, that responds to a certain point on the template [25]. Thereby it is ensured that both the carriage and the template are in place during storage the boards are in the correct position.

This stop can also be used as a future stop after the cars have first been driven up be stored in a controller. The cars then always drive up to the specified position above the with skids [22] or Loaded blocks and cross boards Pallet template [25].

After the carriages [14] are in their end position while the template [25] the cover boards are still in their starting position on the support rails [11] exactly over the places provided for them on the template [25]. The orders are congruent.

Now, as can be seen in FIG. 2 , the front edges of the two support rails [11] are withdrawn behind the front edges of the guide rail [3] simultaneously or in succession. The cover boards fall with one end onto the place provided in the template. In order to prevent cover boards [24] from being carried along by the retracting carrier rails as a result of adhesion, the retaining rails [20] are provided

In order to prevent a change in the position of the deck boards even better when lowering, lowers when the carriages [14] have reached the end position, an elastic pressure device, a hold-down device [27], e.g. b. Brushes or foam body on the top surface and sets them under light pressure. The use of such printing devices in the form of Brushing is known and the aim of nailing wooden pallets, moving the boards to prevent by the first nailing process. The elastic surface of the hold-down presses a little into the top of the boards, so that the Boards form ridges that prevent sideways evasion. That way is one Movement or other changes in the position of the deck boards [24] excluded. Before that Template is fed for further processing, for example, a nail machine the hold-down device [27] is raised again. The use of such printing devices in The form of brushes or brooms is known and intended for nailing wooden pallets Prevent moving of the boards by the first nailing process

Instead of the embodiment of the invention described above, in which the boards are thrown off first with one end and then with the other, the boards can also be put down without shaking by using the variant of the device according to the invention shown in FIGS. 7 to 11 . According to this, the support rails [11] are designed to be lowerable. By turning the lever [17] attached to the shaft [16] from C to D, the support rail [11] connected to the compensating lever [18] lowers and finally comes to rest on cross boards [23] that are already in the template [25] before the lever [17] has reached the end position. The difference in height between the path of the lever [17] from C to D and the distance of the upper level of the support rails [11] from the upper edge of the cross board [23] is compensated for by the leveling lever [18]. This makes it possible to place boards on different levels. Instead of the compensating lever [18], an elastic connection, for example in the form of a chain or a belt, or a single-acting cylinder can also be used. The carrier rail can be swiveled down or lowered in a straight line.

The guide lever [12] sitting on the shaft [26] becomes after the cover layer has been removed moved from E to F on the cross boards. After leaving the cross board, the falls Carrier rail in the lower position and is caught by the compensating lever [18]. After the guide lever [12] has reached the end position F, the lever [17] becomes again in the starting position C and the carrier rail [11] is brought into its upper position. The guide lever [12] then returns to the starting point E, and the carriages [14] return to the starting position at the reference line [13]. The loaded template [25] drives to the nailing machine.

In this embodiment, the retention rail is [20] so that it can be opened and closed Downward movement of the support rail [11] follows, arranged pivotably about the axis [19]. Instead of the lever mechanism described, other devices can also be used for the purpose placing the top layer on the template, e.g. B. a sliding guide can be applied.

FIGS. 12 to 14 show a modification of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 . The support rail [11] can only be swung out, and the restraint rail is designed as a pusher [32]. The cross board [23] lies outside the radius of action of the support rail [11]. The carrier rail is not on the cross board. The cover board [24] is put down directly without any further intermediate movement. After reaching the lower position, the cover boards are pushed flush with the cross boards or beyond by the pusher [32], so that the carrier rail can return to the upper position without hindrance.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which enables the set-up times to shorten further, there is a device for automatic board length adjustment. For this purpose, a board intended for the magazine is flush with the magazine Longitudinal stop page of the magazine or attached elsewhere, for. B. on the fixed Carrier 1, on which the magazines are mounted, applied or clamped. To the opposite, adjustable carrier 1, a sensor (light sensor) is installed, the can register inserted board. If the board of the new series is shorter, the sensor speaks not, and the system is given the command that the carrier 1 towards the Carrier 1 moves until the sensor responds. If the board of the new series is longer, the sensor responds and the system receives the command to move carrier 1 outwards until the distance from the fixed support 1 corresponds to the new board length.

Claims (16)

1. A method of allocating workpieces, particularly wood workpieces such as boards, at preset distances from one another by conveying and isolating workpieces, particularly oblong workpieces, by aligning the longitudinal axes of the workpieces transversely to the conveyance direction, by conveying the aligned workpieces until they are above a preset base, and by laying down the workpieces on the base, a preset number of sequential workpieces, after the aligning in relation to the longitudinal axis of the workpieces, being conveyed further, on two transporters (10), which are synchronously coupled in relation to the transport direction, which may be moved back and forth in the transport direction, which are implemented as carriages (14) or as slides, and which are provided with carrier rails (11), which may be displaced transversely to the transport direction or pivoted aside or lowered linearly, by a predetermined distance transversely to their longitudinal axis, until a predetermined cover layer is assembled, the cover layer is transported until it is above the base and deposited.
2. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that boards are processed for producing wood pallets, the predetermined distance being greater than the width of the board.
3. The method according to Claim 1, characterized in that boards are processed for producing stacks, the predetermined distance being equal to the width of the boards.
4. A device for allocating workpieces, particularly wood workpieces such as boards, at predetermined distances to one another, containing at least one workpiece magazine (5) or another workpiece supply, a conveyor device (4), which conveys the workpieces from the magazine(s) (5) or the other workpiece supply up to stops (6), an isolation and alignment device (7), a transport device which conveys the isolated and aligned workpieces further as a cover layer, and a depositing device, two transporters (10), which are synchronously coupled in relation to the transport direction and may be moved back and forth in the transport direction, being provided as the transport device, having two carrier rails (11) which may be displaced transversely to the transport direction or pivoted aside or lowered linearly, characterized in that the transporters (10) are implemented as carriages or slides.
5. The device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the isolation and alignment device (7) is implemented as ramps (9) which may be raised and lowered, each having a stop (8) at its lower end, the workpiece deposit sides of the stops (8) forming an imaginary reference line (13), so that the workpieces are deposited with their front edge flush to this reference line (13).
6. The device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the ramps (9) possibly have driven rollers (31) on their upper side.
7. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the isolation and alignment device (7) is implemented as conveyors each having a stop (8) at its lower end, the workpiece deposit sides of the stops (8) forming an imaginary reference line (13), so that the workpieces are deposited with their front edge flush to this reference line (13).
8. The device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the conveyors are positioned horizontally.
9. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the transporters (10) are carriages (14) whose running gears (15), which are positioned on top, run on running rails (2) and/or guide rails (3).
10. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 8, characterized in that the transporters (10) are slides whose runners slide on the running rails (2) and/or guide rails (3).
11. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 10, characterized in that the conveyor device (4) is a chain conveyor, a belt conveyor, or a band conveyor.
12. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 11, characterized in that it has an electronically controlled positioning device for adjusting the desired preset distances of the workpieces to one another or adjustable control cams for this purpose.
13. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the support rails (11) may be pulled back transversely to the running direction of the transporter (10) behind the running rails (2) and/or guide rails (3) for depositing the cover layer.
14. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 12, characterized in that the support rails (11) are implemented so they may be lowered in the depositing region with the aid of a lever mechanism or another suitable system.
15. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 14, characterized in that the support rails (11) may be returned to the starting position below the depositing level of the conveyor device (4) after the workpieces are deposited.
16. The device according to one of Claims 4 to 15, characterized in that a sensor is provided on one of the supports (1) at the height of the magazine (5), which automatically controls the adjustment of the distance of the two supports to one another as a function of the workpiece length.

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