GB1082996A - An apparatus for cutting panel-shaped workpieces - Google Patents

Abstract

1,082,996. Sawing. K. REICH. Jan. 21, 1966 [Jan. 22, 1965], No. 2843/66. Heading B5L. Apparatus for cutting a panel-shaped workpiece comprises a supporting surface 5 for the workpiece inclined to the vertical and having stop members 13 projecting therefrom for engaging the lower edge of the workpiece, a cutting tool, such as a circular saw 12, adapted to be swivelled about an axis perpendicular to the supporting surface and mounted on a tool carrier 16 which is movable along a guide bridge 17, in turn, movable along the supporting surface in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bridge, and a retracting device 8 which is actuated when the tool carrier or guide bridge approaches a stop member for retracting the member from the path of movement of the cutting tool when a cut is made in the workpiece. The supporting surface is constituted by a frame 1 formed with vertical slots 4, Fig. 2, and mounted on feet 2 and supports 3. Each slot 4 contains a supporting bar 5 mounted on the rods of piston-and-cylinder devices 8 for movement between an extended position, in which the bars are spaced from the frame and support the workpiece, as illustrated in the left-hand side of Fig. 3, and a retracted position, as illustrated at the right hand side of the Figure, when the saw is in the vicinity of the bar. The movement of the bar to the retracted position also retracts the stop members 13 for the lower edge of the workpiece which are mounted on the lower ends of the bars. The devices 8 are actuated as the saw approaches the respective bars by operation of valves 14, associated with the bars, by means of a cam 22 mounted on an upper part 18 of the bridge 17 comprising a pair of guide rods extending between the upper part and a lower part having rollers 19, 20 engaging the upper and lower edges of the frame. The guide rods slidably support the tool carrier 16 which, in turn, supports the saw blade 12 for adjustment about an axis perpendicular to the supporting surface. In operation, air under pressure is normally supplied to both sides of the pistons 7 of the devices 8 so that the bars are in their extended position. As the bridge moves along the frame, the cam actuates the valve 14 in the vicinity of the bridge to connect the chambers 8<SP>1</SP> of the devices to exhaust to retract the associated bar and stop-member to prevent damage thereof by the saw. In another embodiment, Figs. 5 and 6, the supporting bars are replaced by suction heads 105 which are normally in an extended position and hold the workpiece 111 with its lower edge supported by stop members 113. The heads 105 and members 113 can be retracted to prevent damage thereof by the saw blade 112 by means of devices 108, 128 which are connected to a source of vacuum and are operated when the saw blade approaches the vicinity of an associated head or stop member by a cam 122 engaging a valve 114 attached to the device. The cam is mounted on a guide rail 130 which extends across the rear of the supporting surface and is attached to the bridge 117 for the tool carrier. The latter is connected by cables 124 to the cam 122 for movement vertically with the saw blade 112 so that as the saw is moved horizontally or vertically and approaches a head 105 or stop member 113, the associated device is operated to retract the head or member to prevent damage thereof by the saw blade. In a further embodiment, Fig. 8, the supporting surface consists of bars 209 mounted on links 206 for movement between extended and retracted positions, the movement being effected by a cam 223 on the bridge part 218 engaging a roller 225 on the bar. A locking device 231 for each bar retains the bar in its extended position until shortly before the bridge approaches the vicinity of the bar. The stop members are in the form of rollers 224 mounted on the bars. In yet another embodiment, the bars are movable by electromagnets operated by electric switches.