EP2100704B1 - Simultaneous processing of multiple workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

The machine (1) has a machine bed (10) comprising a workpiece supporting surface (11) for supporting and holding plate-like workpieces (2) to be processed. A conveying device (40) is used for horizontal and/or vertical supplying of the workpieces. A guiding device (20) is extended in a direction (Y), and is moved in another direction (X). A connecting device (50) i.e. binder, is provided in such a manner that the two plate-like workpieces are detachably or non detachably connected in accordance with a subsequent processing. A connection element of the machine is made of plastic material. An independent claim is also included for a method for conveying plate-like workpieces.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The invention relates to a processing machine for processing preferably plate-shaped workpieces, which preferably at least partially made of wood, wood materials, plastic or the like, according to the preamble of claim 1, and a method using the processing machine according to the invention, according to the preamble of claim 10. A such a machine and such a method are from the document DE 2010 5219 U1 known.

STATE OF THE ART

For example, in the furniture industry, plate-shaped workpieces are machined and refined in various ways, e.g. Furniture fronts, carcass parts and the like produce. For this processing, a variety of processing machines is known, which can be roughly distinguished in continuous and stationary machines. For stationary machines, where the respective workpieces are substantially stationary during processing, the workpieces must be placed on a chuck table of the machine either manually or by suitable loading means.

In continuous machines, the number of units can be increased significantly compared to stationary machines because the feeder automated to be machined workpieces via a conveyor. However, such pass machines reach capacity limits encountered by combined conveying / machining processes.

The DE 201 05 219 U1 discloses a system for the production of cable drums, in which two diametrically opposed riveting machines are provided to first loosely staple juxtaposed wooden boards before they are finally nailed in the circumferential direction.

As a further prior art is the WO 00/48804 known.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to increase the number of identical or similar workpieces to be produced in a processing machine with feed device. In this way, lead time and the cost per finished component can be reduced.

The object is achieved by a processing machine having the features of claim 1, and a method according to claim 10.

The present invention is based on the finding that in known methods for simultaneous machining of multiple workpieces high non-productive times arise in that the feeding and connecting the preferably plate-shaped workpieces manually, without coordination with other conveyors or a subsequent processing machine. Against this background, it is provided that a processing machine according to the preamble of claim 1 is further characterized a connecting device is provided for the detachable or non-detachable connection of at least two of the preferably plate-shaped workpieces in accordance with the subsequent processing. In this way, an integrative conveying / processing machine is provided which significantly increases the number of workpieces to be machined by simultaneously processing superimposed, purposefully interconnected workpieces.

It is preferably provided that the connecting device is attached to a guide device and can be moved with the guide device. Next, the connecting device is either rigidly attached to the guide device, or in at least one direction independently of the guide device movable. In other embodiments, however, it may also be provided to attach the connecting device to another element of the processing machine / conveyor. In a further embodiment it can be provided to provide the connecting device independently of the processing machine / conveying device in its vicinity, without the functionality of the claimed method being restricted thereby. It is only important that the connecting device are relatively and the workpieces to be joined relative to each other.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the connecting device operates in a direction perpendicular to the workpiece surface and / or in the plane of the workpiece surface. In this way, the connecting device can engage from all sides to the workpieces to be joined, ie laterally and / or from above or below. A combined engagement of the connecting device to the workpieces to be joined is also conceivable.

Furthermore, it may be preferable to provide a pre-processing device in the vicinity of the connecting device in order to pre-process the at least two workpieces to be joined prior to joining. In this case, the pre-processing device is preferably a drilling device with the aid of which the workpieces to be joined are drilled. A drilling device is useful if, for example, pins or screws are used to connect the workpieces. However, if other connection methods are used, however according to other pre-processing facilities conceivable. If the connection is brought about, for example, with a film, a pre-processing device could clean the workpiece surfaces to be joined and / or pretreat, pattern, and / or apply an adhesive to the workpiece surface.

Further, it is preferred that the connecting device in and / or on a certain number of workpieces at least one connecting element and / or attaches to connect the workpieces to be machined with each other. Such a connection device is used when the workpieces to be joined are connected by means of connecting elements. The fasteners may be, for example, nails, pins, screws, dowels or brackets. In this case, the connecting device would introduce the connecting elements in the workpieces. Should a film or glue or similar adhesive be used as the connector, the connector would serve to apply the film / glue / adhesive to the workpieces. Accordingly, a supply device for the connecting elements should be provided correspondingly to the connecting device, which is designed in accordance with the design of the connecting elements.

In another known method by heat deformable dowels (eg made of a plastic) are introduced into already prepared holes in the workpieces and then melted. In this way, a connection between at least two workpieces is produced. Heat can also be used in other connection methods, eg by means of glue or foil. In this case, heating of the connecting elements and / or the workpieces can be both optional and mandatory for the connection method. To introduce the heat is a provide appropriate heating unit in the connection unit.

In particular, the connecting device of an embodiment can be set up to connect the workpieces to be joined by means of the so-called "Wood Welding method". In this case, a plastic dowel is brought into contact with a workpiece and pressed against the workpiece during an oscillating ultrasonic movement. The plastic connecting element melts and then penetrates in the feed direction into the pores of the workpieces to be joined. The penetrated material of the plastic dowel cools relatively quickly, and thus eliminates a longer curing time as usual adhesives, whereby the cycle time per workpiece can be significantly reduced. As with conventionally known and previously mentioned connection methods, the connection positions can be located both in the good part and in the reject part or even in the intersection volume.

Furthermore, when executing the connection device, it must be noted how the workpieces to be joined are conveyed and supplied. In this case, as described in more detail below, a horizontal and vertical feed of the workpieces is possible. In the case of a horizontal feed, which would correspond, for example, to roller conveyance or gripper tongs, the connecting elements could be applied or introduced during conveying: For example, an adhesive could be transferred via a roller system to at least one of the workpieces to be joined.

Thus, in certain embodiments, it would be conceivable to provide the connection means as an adhesive transfer device which, in accordance with the subsequent processing on at least one of connecting workpieces a connecting element (ie, for example, a glue) applies.

Different methods are conceivable for the transfer of an adhesive to at least one of the workpieces to be joined. Without limiting the scope of the invention, spraying or transfer via a roller system should be mentioned at this point. Accelerating processes, such as by means of heat, can also be used during the bonding process.

Further, it may also be provided to connect workpieces without additional connecting elements. In these cases, it would be provided to join the workpieces to be joined by means of a connecting force. Possible methods would be the friction welding or the electrostatic connection of the workpieces. In friction welding, methods are known in which bonding substances are produced from the wood material itself. In other processes, adjuvants are to be used. The connecting device and any pre-processing devices shall be designed according to the connection method.

Even if it is common in the usual traffic with plate-shaped workpieces that they are already packed aligned introduced into a processing machine, it is also possible that the present machine before the promotion and before the connection provides a device with which the workpieces aligned can be. Since the described processing machine allows a supply in both the horizontal and vertical directions, such an alignment device would be carried out depending on the conveying direction and conveying method. In the preferred case, workpieces are fed vertically from below via a scissor lift table. Thus, already at the introduction of the Workpiece plates take place in the conveyor by means of stops aligning. Adapted shaped stops would also be provided if the conveyance in the horizontal direction, eg via a roller system, would take place. In a pliers system for feeding the processing machine claimed here, the alignment of the workpieces can be carried out with the help of the pliers system itself. If appropriate, this could also only be a pre-alignment of the workpieces to be processed.

Using the device of a processing machine described above, a method for conveying preferably plate-shaped workpieces could be carried out, comprising the following steps: conveying the preferably plate-shaped workpieces horizontally or vertically, then joining at least two workpieces at positions in accordance with the subsequent processing, further Conveying the at least two connected workpieces into a processing area, as well as simultaneously subsequently processing the at least two connected workpieces.

The processing in the processing machine can be done in various ways. Preferably, a machining, for example drilling, sawing or milling, but also an ultrasonic machining is conceivable. The machining in the machine tool also includes the attachment of other elements to the workpieces, such as hinges, fittings or additional surface elements.

In this case, it is preferred that the positions at which the workpieces to be joined are connected are determined by means of a control unit, in order to bring about a tuning of the connecting device and of the processing unit in this way. This control unit is at least in contact with the processing machine and the connection device. The specific positions can be provided depending on the final product and customer request in good and / or reject part. It is provided that when used at the selected positions fasteners, these are not later in the volume to be processed. For example, in wood pencils, but it would also be possible to edit the fasteners partially or completely with. In this case, for example, pockets can be milled into the connected workpieces. The connecting element can thus be machined in its longitudinal extent and / or laterally. If fasteners are used, they may be nails, screws, staples, pins, dowels, foils or glue as mentioned above. However, when assembling the workpieces to be joined, it is important not to damage any further workpieces located in the environment by the connection process or the connecting element.

In the already well-known connection methods, such as nailing, screwing, stapling, inserting pins or glues, the following connection methods should be described at this point in particular:

On the one hand, the joining method known in the art "Wood Welding" in a processing machine according to the present invention is suitable for joining one or more workpieces. In this case, a plastic dowel is applied to one of the workpieces to be joined, and moves during an oscillating ultrasonic movement in the direction of the workpieces to be joined (feed direction). The connection position may be preprocessed in this method. However, the method is also applicable to non-preprocessed workpieces. During the oscillation and the feed motion, the plastic dowel (the connecting element) heats up and penetrates into the pores of the workpieces to be joined and connects them.

As another method, the joining of workpieces by means of at least one film is known. This is inserted between the workpieces and ensures adhesion to the workpieces. It is conceivable to bring such a film over a large area, but also selectively between the workpieces to be joined.

Further, in certain connection methods, it may be preferable to implement in the course of the connection a method for speeding up the connection process. This would be the additional supply of heat or heat in fasteners such as glue, foil or plastic dowels.

In a further embodiment, provision may be made for using a pre-machining direction in addition to the connecting device in order to pre-work the workpieces to be joined, for example by drilling. In this case, it would be conceivable to use, for example, a dowel before connecting. In the case of a film or glue, the pre-processing refers to the cleaning or structuring of the surface of the workpieces to be joined.

In an alternative method, it may be provided to use no additional connecting elements when connecting the workpieces. In this case, the workpieces to be joined would be fixed relative to each other by, for example, friction welding or electrostatic adhesion.

Thus, it would also be ensured that the claimed processing machine, as well as the claimed method, workpieces before processing connects both detachable and non-detachable. Thus, it is conceivable in a variant of the method to connect workpieces in the region of the good part with connecting elements, but this connection to solve after processing again. In this case, the Joint with or without additional subsequent processing take over a specific function on the finished workpiece.

In non-detachable connection of workpieces, the connecting element could be provided in the good part. In this case, it would be preferable to leave the joined good parts after processing in the connection state. Should the non-detachable connection occur in the region of the reject part, the good parts can be separated again during machining.

In a special variant of the method, it can also be provided to arrange the connecting elements in the volume to be machined later. The prerequisite for this would be that the connecting element consists of a machinable material, which exposes the cutting tool as possible not much higher wear than the workpieces themselves. If the wear is higher, care must be taken to change the cutting tools accordingly earlier. For other methods, the considerations are based on the respective method. A partial machining of connecting elements would be conceivable if pockets are introduced into the connected workpieces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine Bearbeitungsmaschine gemäß einer bestimmten Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung zeigt, wobei als Verbindungseinrichtung ein Hefter und zusätzlich eine Vorbearbeitungseinrichtung (Bohrer) vorgesehen ist;

Fig. 2

eine Detailansicht einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform ohne zusätzliche Vorbearbeitungseinrichtung ist;

The present invention will be better understood by referring to the appended drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

shows a processing machine according to a specific embodiment of the present invention, wherein as a connecting means a stapler and additionally a pre-processing device (drill) is provided;

Fig. 2

a detail view of a preferred embodiment without additional pre-processing is;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Here, a processing machine 1 as a preferred embodiment of the present invention in Fig. 1 shown in a perspective view. In the present embodiment, the machine is for processing workpieces 2 which are at least partially made of wood, wood-based materials, plastic or the like, which are often used in the furniture industry, although the present invention is not limited thereto.

On the processing machine 1, a machine bed 10 is provided which has a workpiece support surface 11. This workpiece support surface 11 is adapted to support a workpiece 2 or more workpieces and optionally to hold. Next is in the vicinity of the machine bed 10, a conveyor 40, which is intended in the present embodiment for the vertical feeding of the workpieces 2 to be machined. This conveyor 40 may be connected to the machine bed 10 or may be provided independently therefrom. Further, a guide means 20 is provided, which is in communication with the machine bed and / or the conveyor, and extends in a first direction and is movable in a second direction. In the present embodiment, the guide device 20 is designed in cantilever form. On the guide device 20 gripping elements 22 (suction cups) are provided to grip a workpiece or several workpieces to be conveyed and then to promote. These gripping elements 22 can be movable in the Z direction and assume an alignment function.

At some distance from the conveyor 40 is a processing device 30, which is executed in the present embodiment in gantry design above the machine bed 10 and a rail system 12 in the X direction on the machine bed 10 is movable. The processing machine 30 may have further elements connected to it, for example a gripping element 31 for gripping and optionally holding the workpieces to be processed. The processing device itself can have a wide variety of processing units. Thus, the workpieces to be machined can be sawed, drilled, milled or provided with a kind of coating. It is also possible in the course of processing to apply additional elements such as fittings or hinges on the connected workpieces at this point.

Next, the processing machine for processing preferably plate-shaped workpieces 2 is provided with a connecting device 50 which is adapted to releasably or non-detachably connect at least two of the preferably plate-shaped workpieces 2 in accordance with the subsequent processing. The connecting device 50 is attached to the guide device 20, wherein in the guide device 20, a conveyor 21 is provided to move the connecting device 50 in the Y direction on the guide device 20. Said connecting device 50 is designed in the present embodiment as a so-called stapler or nailer. With the help of the stapler or nailer, a certain number of workpieces to be joined are connected at positions that are in accordance with the subsequent processing. In this case, the head 51 of the connecting device 50 moves in the Z direction to a Insert connecting element in the workpieces 2 to be joined.

Next, the embodiment of Fig. 1 a pre-processing device 60, which is attached to the connecting device 50 and with the aid of which connection holes can be pre-drilled. Further, for example, dowels can be used in these predrilled holes. To carry out the drilling operation, the preprocessing device 60 can be moved in the Z direction.

However, a pre-processing of the workpieces to be joined is not mandatory. For example, if a stapler / nailer as the connector 50, as in FIG Fig. 2 is shown, the connection method takes place without a pre-processing of the workpieces to be joined. It is important in the use of a stapler / nailer according to the embodiment of Fig. 2 in that all further workpieces not to be connected are not damaged by the connecting device.

As well in Fig. 1 as well as in Fig. 2 It can be seen that the stapler / nailer 50 is movable on the guide device 20 in the Y direction. The guide device 20 itself, which is configured in the present embodiment as a cantilever, is movable in the X direction. In order now to introduce staples, nails or pins in the workpieces 2 to be joined, the head 51 of the connecting device 50 is movable in the Z direction. In this way, any connection position can be approached in all three spatial directions.

In this way, with the present embodiment, a certain number of workpieces 2 can be connected by means of the connecting device 50, wherein after connecting gripping elements 22, the connected workpieces 2 engage and convey along the X-direction to the processing space.

In the processing room, the connected workpieces 2 are conveyed further in the X direction by a gripper element 31, processed by means of the processing device 30 and subsequently conveyed further out of the processing space in the negative X direction.

As can easily be seen in connection with the figures, all the previously described processing and delivery units are coordinated by means of a control unit, not shown. In this way, it is possible to match the conveyor 40, the connecting device 50, the pre-processing device 60, the guide device 20 and the processing device 30 to one another. Consequently, the required number of workpieces 2 is supplied, this predetermined number of workpieces 2 optionally preprocessed by means of the pre-processing device 60 ( Fig.1 ), the workpieces 2 selectively connected to each other by means of the connecting device 50, the connected workpieces 2 by means of the gripping elements 22 by the guide means 20 in the direction of the processing space promoted (-X-direction). Subsequently, the joined workpieces 2 are transferred in a region between the guide device 20 and the processing device 30, received by the gripping element 31 and further conveyed. Subsequently, a processing by the processing device 30 takes place, after which the machined workpieces 2 are conveyed out of the processing space.

Claims (10)

1. Processing apparatus (1) for processing preferably board-like work pieces (2) which are preferably at least partially made of timber, derived timber products, plastic or the like, having:

   a machine bed (10) which has a workpiece supporting surface (11) for supporting and optionally holding the work pieces (2) to be processed,

   a conveying device (40) for horizontally and/or vertically delivering the work pieces (2) to be processed,

   a guide device (20) which extends in a first direction (Y) and is movable in a second direction (X),

   a processing apparatus (30),

   characterised in that

   there is further provided a connecting device (50) which is designed to releasably or non-releasably connect at least two of the preferably board-like work pieces (2) located one above the other, in accordance with the subsequent processing.
2. Processing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that the connecting device (50) is mounted on the guide device (20) and movable with the guide device (20), and the connecting device is either mounted rigidly on the guide device, or is movable in at least one direction (X, Y, Z) independently of the guide device.
3. Processing machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the connecting device works in a direction perpendicular to the work piece surface (Z direction) and/or in the plane of the work piece surface (X direction, Y direction).
4. Processing machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that in the vicinity of the connecting device (50) is further provided a preliminary processing apparatus (60) for processing the at least two work pieces (2) to be connected before connection, the preliminary processing apparatus (60) preferably being a drilling device.
5. Processing machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the connecting device (50) introduces and/or mounts connecting elements into and/or on a given number of work pieces (2) in order to connect to each other the work pieces (2) to be processed, the connecting device (50) preferably being a nailing device or stapler with which preferably nails, pins, screws or clips are introduced into the work pieces (2), and/or the work pieces (2) are connected to at least one sheet, glue or introduction of a dowel.
6. Processing machine (1) according to claims 1-4, characterised in that as the connecting device (50) there is provided an adhesive transfer device which applies an adhesive to at least one of the work pieces (2) to be connected in accordance with the subsequent processing.
7. Processing machine (1) according to claims 1-4, characterised in that as the connecting device (50) there is a device for connecting work pieces (2) without connecting elements, the connecting force being applied preferably by friction welding or electrostatic bonding of the work pieces (2).
8. Processing machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is further provided an alignment device (not shown) which is designed to align the work pieces (2) to be processed with each other and/or with the processing machine (1).
9. Processing machine (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that there is further provided a control unit (70) by means of which the connecting positions can be coordinated with the subsequent processing.
10. Method for conveying board-like work pieces (2) which has the following steps:

    horizontally or vertically conveying the preferably board-like work pieces (2), the method being characterised in that it further has the following steps:

    connecting at least two work pieces (2) located one above the other in at least one connecting position,

    conveying the at least two connected work pieces (2) into a processing region,

    processing the at least two connected work pieces (2).

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