EP1220738B1 - Automatic machine for assembling frames - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine comprises two independent fastening stations. The first station (2), designed to assembly the corners of the frame separately and successively, is provided with two cutting heads (3, 7) for cutting the mouldings (5, 9) forming the corner of the frame, as well as with a fastening head (11) and devices with stops (6, 10) and jaws (14) for holding mouldings in position. The second station (15), designed for final assembly of the frame, is provided with two fastening heads (19, 20) installed facing each other along the diagonal of the frame to be produced.

Description

The invention lies in the field of framing and is more precisely on a machine allowing assembly, so frames, as described in document FR-A-2 674 789.

We know that to make a frame from moldings a certain number of operations must be carried out successive. So first of all it is necessary to cut the moldings bevelled to the desired dimensions for the frame. Then these cut moldings are joined two by two to form an angle, and held firmly so that they can be stapled together. When two angles are stapled, it is then necessary to position them one against the other for a new stapling. Then the frame obtained is moved from the work table to free up space for another assembly.

Operations that are performed manually, using tools such as cutting members, support stops and stapling heads, require from the operator a series of manipulations and positioning which are tedious, delicate and taking tenps, at the expense of profitability.

The procedures thus far used do not not allow mounting of frames in series and so fast, which is more and more sought after, particularly in the field of information and advertising, and more specifically the industrial setting, photography etc ...

The invention intends to remedy these drawbacks by proposing an automatic frame assembly machine, adaptable to different types of moldings, capable of make frames of all sizes using staples of appropriate size and shape.

The main object of the invention is therefore a automatic frame assembly machine using cutting members, support stops and heads stapling machine, which has two stapling stations freelancers, the first station to assemble separately and successively the angles of the frame being with two cutting heads that can be moved in two orthogonal directions for cutting the moldings forming the angle of the frame as well as a stapling head and holding devices for said moldings, the second station intended for the final assembly of the frame, being provided with two stapling heads and devices for holding in position of the angles made by the first station, and transfer mechanisms being provided for moving the angles of the first post to the second, and of the finished frame outwards.

According to particular characteristics of the invention, baguette feed mechanisms are associated with the cutting heads.

The stapling heads are also mounted on a mobile stage with which is associated a staple dispenser. Finally, advantageously, the first post molding retainers are consisting of stops perpendicular to each other and located close to each other, as well as clamping claws in the angle formed by the stops.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the stapling heads of the second station are installed opposite according to the diagonal of the frame to be produced and also mounted on mobile plates which are each associated to a staple dispenser.

Figure 1, une vue schématique en plan de la table de travail de la machine,

Figure 2, une vue schématique en plan, selon la figure 1, montrant la préparation d'un angle au premier poste d'agrafage, et le transfert d'un angle au second poste d'agrafage,

Figure 3, une vue schématique partielle, selon la figure 1, montrant l'agrafage d'un angle au second poste d'agrafage,

Figure 4, une vue schématique partielle, selon la figure 1, montrant l'agrafage final du cadre au second poste d'agrafage.

Other particular characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the description which follows of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment in which reference is made to the appended drawings which represent:

FIG. 1, a schematic plan view of the working table of the machine,

FIG. 2, a schematic plan view, according to FIG. 1, showing the preparation of an angle at the first stapling station, and the transfer of an angle to the second stapling station,

FIG. 3, a partial schematic view, according to FIG. 1, showing the stapling of an angle to the second stapling station,

Figure 4, a partial schematic view, according to Figure 1, showing the final stapling of the frame at the second stapling station.

We see in Figure 1 that the work table 1 of the machine has a first stapling station 2 and cutting equipped with a first cutting head 3 with a baguette feed mechanism 4, which can therefore be detach from the cutting head. The cutter head assembly moves in the direction indicated by the arrow to using a slave guide rail not shown. This rail also serves for positioning a molding 5 intended for constitute a width of the frame. For this, the molding is brought near a lateral stop 6 integral with the worktable.

Equivalently but in one direction perpendicular to the previous one, the first post 2 is equipped with a second cutting head 7 and a mechanism rods 8, intended for a molding 9 forming a length of the frame. As before, the molding 9 is brought near a stop 10 perpendicular to the stop 6 and placed with it. The two cutting heads (3, 7) are therefore movable in two orthogonal directions.

A stapling head 11 is mounted on a plate mobile 12 near the stops (6, 10), plate to which is associated with a staple dispenser 13. The head 11 is thus able to staple together the two ends of the moldings (5, 9). For this the table has claws of clamping 14, in the angle formed by the stops. Station 2 thus described is intended to assemble separately and successively the angles of the frame. Finally, above the plane of the work table, and in the vicinity of the stops, are provided with gripping members which are part of a mechanism for transferring the angles produced.

On the work table is also provided a second stapling station 15, intended to receive a first frame angle (generally designated by the reference 16) from the first station 2. Two stops (17 a and 17 b) adjuster clamps 18 allow immobilizing the angle 16. A stapling head 19 is positioned on table 1 in the vicinity of these stops (17 a, B). Another stapling head 20 is positioned on the table at the other end of the ends of this angle 16, it is say vis-à-vis the head 19 along the diagonal of the frame to achieve. These stapling heads are also mounted on mobile stages which are each associated with a staple dispenser. At head 20, the second station 15 is also equipped with a set of orthogonal stops 23 and clamping claws 24, according to a configuration equivalent to the stops (17 a, 17 b) and the claws 18. This second station 15 is intended for the final assembly of the frame.

The machine works as follows.

For the assembly of a first frame, in a first, we cut the moldings 5 and 9 to get the first bevels, this when the introduction of moldings in front of their cutting heads respectively 3 and 7 which have been positioned at a distance of the stapling head, depending on the length and width retained for the frame. Then the feeding mechanisms rods (4, 8) move the moldings until they are close to the stops (6, 10). So there is loosening of these mechanisms and simultaneously the claws 14 ensure the clamping of the moldings against the stops and the bringing their bevels into contact.

At the same time we positioned the stapling head 11 above the joined moldings. Finally, and simultaneously, the head 11 ensures the stapling of the moldings and the heads of cut (5,7) ensure their bevel cut to the dimensions sought.

The angle thus assembled is then transferred, after loosening the claws 14, at the second stapling station 15 while other moldings are introduced into the station 2 for the assembly of a second angle. To can perform this transfer and this new introduction it is obviously also necessary, to unlock the immobilization systems 4 and 8, and move the stage back 12. The first angle 16 is therefore, after elevation using gripping organs, transferred by translation, as indicated by arrow 21, towards the second stapling station 15 where it is placed against the stop 17 a. Meanwhile, new moldings (5, 9) have been positioned at station 2 to be assembled and cut according to the same process as described above.

The second angle being thus assembled, it agreed to transfer it to the second station 15, to the final stapling of the frame, while new moldings are presented in item 2 for the preparation of a second frame.

Figure 2 illustrates this particular step.

As before, there is loosening of the claws 14, raising of the rod feeding mechanisms (4,8), and back of the plate 12 and its stapling head 11 so that the second angle be released. It is then transferred to the post final stapling 15 in a combined movement of translations and rotation as shown in arrow 22. The second angle therefore comes to be positioned on carried 15 like the shows figure 2. It will be noted that the stapling heads (19, 20) are separated from the moldings and that the claws (18, 24) are loose. Simultaneously the new moldings have been advanced in station 2 to be assembled and cut according to the same process.

Then the stapling of a third angle of the frame is provided by the stapling head 19 as can be see figure 3. For that we put the two angles placed at post 15, at head 19 by moving according to the arrows. We then tighten corresponding claws 18 so that the angles are applied one against the other and pressing against the stops (17 a and 17 b). The head is then positioned correctly so that stapling of the third angle can take place.

A neighboring operation is then carried out to the final stapling of the frame as illustrated in Figure 4.

First, we ensure the recoil of the head stapling 19, and loosening the neighboring claws 18. Then we move, according to the arrows, the two angles in direction of the stops 23 on the side of the stapling head 20. Then follows the tightening of the corresponding claws 24 and the positioning of the head 20 before the final stapling of the frame. During tightening the transfer mechanism reposition above station 2.

The last operation is to eject the frame finished, out of station 15, after having put back the head stapling 20 and loosened the claws (18, 24).

The frame is then transferred to the table work or in its vicinity, away from stapling stations. Simultaneously transfer the first angle by translation from the second frame to post 15, this first angle having been assembled at the same time as the final stapling of the frame.

Then the cycle continues as described above. The machine described is therefore an assembly machine with three stapling heads (11, 19, 20) and two cutting heads (3, 7) integrated in the first stapling station 2. Each head is powered by its own box of staples and also has a food store. Head distributor 13 11 has a capacity double that of other heads 19 and 20 of station 15. Indeed these last two heads do not realize that stapling for the same frame while the head 11 makes two. So we make sure that all positions have identical autonomy. The machine is therefore in able to simultaneously perform staples to both item 2 and 15, as well as angle or frame transfers and / or simultaneous molding introductions. of the transfer mechanisms are therefore provided for displacement angles from the first post to the second, as well as frame finished outwards. So the cadence obtained does it allow stapling of frames in series.

Claims (8)

1. Automatic machine for assembling frames, using cutting elements, supporting abutments and stapling heads, characterised in that it comprises two independent stapling stations (2, 15); the first station (2), which is intended for assembling frame comers separately and successively, is provided with two cutting heads (3, 7), movable in two orthogonal directions, for cutting the mouldings (5, 9) forming the frame comer, and also with a stapling head (11) and devices (6, 10, 14) for holding the said mouldings; the second station (15), which is intended for final assembly of the frame, is provided with two stapling heads (19, 20) and with devices (17, 18, 23, 24) for holding in position the frame comers produced by the first station; and transfer mechanisms are provided for moving the frame comers from the first to the second station and the finished frame to the outside.
2. Automatic assembly machine according to claim 1, characterised in that mechanisms (4, 8) for the supply of strip material are associated with the cutting heads (3, 7).
3. Automatic assembly machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the stapling heads (11,19, 20) are mounted on a movable plate (12), with which there is associated a staple dispenser (13).
4. Automatic assembly machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the devices for holding the mouldings in the first station (2) are composed of lateral abutments (6, 10), perpendicular to one another and located in proximity to one another, and also two clamping jaws (14) in the angle formed by the abutments.
5. Automatic assembly machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the stapling heads (19, 20) of the second station (15) are installed opposite one another on the diagonal of the frame to be produced and are likewise mounted on movable plates, each of which is associated with a staple dispenser.
6. Automatic assembly machine according to claims 1 and 5, characterised in that the devices, at the second station (15), for holding in position the frame comers produced by the first station (2) are likewise composed of sets of abutments (17, 23) in the vicinity of clamping jaws (18, 24).
7. Automatic assembly machine according to claim 1, characterised in that the transfer mechanisms move a frame comer from station (2) to station (15) by combined movements of translation and rotation.
8. Automatic assembly machine according to claim 1, characterised in that each stapling head (11, 19, 20) is equipped with a staple dispenser (13), the staple dispenser of the head (11) of the first station (2) having a capacity double that of the other heads (19, 20) of the second station (15).

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