GB2125728A

GB2125728A - Woodworking machines

Info

Publication number: GB2125728A
Application number: GB08219223A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Boardman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-07-02
Filing date: 1982-07-02
Publication date: 1984-03-14

Abstract

A woodworking machine 1 has a pair of spaced elongate tables 2 and 3, upon each of which a respective workpiece 4 and 5 is secured. A rotary cutter 8 is positioned between the tables 2 and 3, and can work both workpieces 4 and 5 simultaneously. Means is provided for moving each workpiece longitudinally on its table, past the head 9 of the rotary cutter 8. A pneumatic cylinder 10 operates to move either one of the workpieces 4 and 5 from one of the tables 2 and 3 to the other. The height of the cutter head 9 above the tables 2 and 3 is adjustable, such that different profiles on a suitably shaped cutter head may be brought selectively into working positions, with respect to the workpieces 4 and 5. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Woodworking machines This invention relates to woodworking machines and is particularly although not exclusively concerned with machines for effecting tenonning work or the like on lengths of timber.

The conventional way of tenonning a length of timber is to cause the timber to move past a rotating cutting head, along one side of the piece of timber, and then to turn the timber around and repeat the operation on the other side. This is evidently rather time consuming and labour intensive.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention aim to provide tenonning machines which may be improved in this respect.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a woodworking machine comprising a pair of spaced elongate tables each for holding a respective workpiece, a rotary cutter mounted between the tables for working workpieces thereon, first means for causing relative movement between the cutter and tables longitudinally of the tables and second means for displacing a workpiece from one of the tables to the other.

Preferably, the machine includes clamping means for clamping workpieces on the tables.

The machine preferably includes adjustable abutment means for positioning workpieces on the tables.

In a particularly advantageous arrangement, said first means and/or clamping means and/ or second means comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a woodworking machine comprising a table for holding a workpiece, a rotary cutter for working a workpiece on the table and having a cutting head with two cutting portions at different heights for cutting different profiles, means for causing first relative movement between the table and the cutter, parallel to the plane of the table, and means for varying the height of the cutter head with respect to the table, to bring said cutting portions selectively into engagement with a workpiece on the table.

Such a machine is preferably also in accordance with the first aspect of the invention.

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows, in section, a woodworking machine embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating one sequence of operations of the woodworking machine.

As shown in Fig. 1, the woodworking machine 1 has a pair of spaced elongate tables 2 and 3, upon each of which a respective workpiece 4 and 5 is secured. The workpieces 4 and 5 are positioned on the tables 2 and 3 by means of adjustable guides (abutment means) 6, which extend longitudinally of the tables. They are secured in position by clamps 7, which are operated by pneumatic cylinders (not shown). Disposed between the tables 2 and 3 is a rotary cutter 8, having a cutting head 9. In the illustrated example, the cutting head 9 has such a profile as to produce a bevel on the workpieces 4 and 5.

Suitable drive means (not shown) is provided for causing the tables 2 and 3 to move longitudinally past the cutter 8. For this purpose, there may be provided an electric motor, with means for vrying the speed of travel of the tables. Alternatively, a pneumatic cylinder may be employed. A long stroke pneumatic cylinder 10 is provided, together with means for engaging the workpieces on the tables 2 and 3. The cylinder 10 is arranged to move the workpieces 4 and 5 from one of the tables 2 and 3 to the other. Height adjustment means 11 is provided for varying the height of the cutter head 9 above the tables 2 and 3.

Operation of the woodworking machine 1 will now be described, with reference to Fig.

2.

Firstly, an operator places the workpiece 4 on the table 2, and adjusts it in position relative to the cutter head 9, by means of the guide 6. The operator then pushes a first button, in response to which the clamp 7 clamps the workpiece 4 firmly on the table 2.

Then, the rotary cutter 8 is caused to operate, and the cutting head 9 is brought down into an operative position, at the required level with respect to the workpiece 2. The tables 2 and 3 are then caused to move past the cutter 8, such that a bevel is produced along the longitudinal edge of the workpiece 4. At the end of the travel of the tables 2 and 3, the cutting head 9 is raised, and the clamp 7 is released. The initial travel of the workpiece 4 on the table 2 as indicated in Fig. 2 bathe arrow A.

The pneumatic cylinder 10 is then operated to transfer the workpiece 4 from the table 2 to the table 3, as indicated by the arrow B in Fig. 2. The position of the workpiece 2 is now guided on the table 3 by the respective guide 6. The respective clamp 7 is now operated, and the cutting head 9 again brought down into its working position. The tables 2 and 3 are then caused to move back along their original path, such that the workpiece 2 moves along the path indicated by the arrow C. During this movement, the cutting head 9 forms a bevel on the opposite side of the workpiece 2. At the end of this movement of the tables 2 and 3, the cutting head 9 is raised from its working position and the clamp 7 is released.

At this point, the workpiece 2 may be removed from the table 3, having been formed with its bevels along opposite side edges. The operation may then be repeated as often as desired with successive workpieces, and much of the control of the machine may be carried out by an automatic program. It will be appreciated that a particular advantage of the illustrated machine is that the two workpieces 4 and 5 may be worked simultaneously by the central cutting head 9. Thus, the tables 2 and 3 are being utilized to the full, during every pass of the tables 2 and 3.

The correct direction of rotation of the cutting head 9 is indicated by a respective arrow in Fig; 2. This direction of rotation ensures a satisfactory cutting action, with respect to the direction of movement of the workpieces.

In a variant of the above described mode of operation, the cutting head 9 may be provided with two different cutting portions, one above the other, for cutting different profiles.

In such an arrangement, the cutting head 9 may remain in work during transverse movement of the workpiece 2 (in the direction of the arrow B), but the height of the cutter head 9 above the tables 2 and 3 may be so adjusted as to bring a different cutting head into operation during that pass. Then, at the end of the movement C, the pneumatic cylinder 10 may be actuated again to move the workpiece back to the table 2, as shown in chain lines by the arrow D, whereupon the second cutting portion of the cutting head 9 may carry out a final cutting operation.

In such a manner, therefore, the machine 1 may be used to cut (for example) a tenon along opposite sides of the workpiece 2, during movement in the directions A and C, and to cut (for example) a moulding during movement of the workpiece in the direction of the arrows B and D.

Although the illustrated machine 1 has been described as providing a bevel, it is particularly useful in producing tenons on workpieces.

Instead of providing the cutting head 9 with only two cutting portions, three or more cutting portions may be provided one above the other, to cut different profiles dependent upon the height at which the cutting head 9 is set.

Claims

1. A woodworking machine comprising a pair of spaced elongate tables each for holding a respective workpiece, a rotary cutter mounted between the tables for working workpieces thereon, first means for causing relative movement between the cutter and tables longitudinally of the tables and second means for displacing a workpiece from one of the tables to the other.

2. A woodworking machine according to Claim 1 including clamping means for clamp ing workpieces on the tables.

3. A woodworking machine according to Claim 1 or 2, including adjustable abutment means for positioning workpieces on the tables.

4. A woodworking machine according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first means and/or clamping means and/or second means comprises a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder.

5. A woodworking machine comprising a table for holding a workpiece, a rotary cutter for working a workpiece on the table and having a cutting head with two cutting portions at different heights for cutting different profiles, means for causing first relative movement between the table and the cutter, parallel to the plane of the table, and means for varying the height of the cutter head with respect to the table, to bring said cutting portions selectively into engagement with a workpiece on the table.

6. A woodworking machine according to Claim 5 and to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

7. A woodworking machine substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.