GB994296A - Machine for cutting apart large sheets or panels - Google Patents

Abstract

994,296. Sawing. K. REICH. Feb. 18, 1964 [Feb. 27, 1963], No. 6686/64. Heading B5L. A machine for cutting apart large workpieces in the form of sheets or panels 1, Figs. 1 and 2, comprises a frame 3 for supporting the workpiece, a travelling bridge 5 crossing the supporting surface of the frame and movable along the frame in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the bridge, a tool 15 adapted to be swivelled to different positions about an axis perpendicular to the supporting surface and to be moved in the longitudinal direction of the bridge, the distance between the bridge and supporting surface being at least as great as that between the bridge and the extremity of the tool adjacent the supporting surface, and a device 18 for lifting the workpiece off the' supporting surface of the frame at least within the area adjacent to the tool. The frame is supported at an angle inclined to the vertical by members 16 and consists of a plurality of horizontal bars 4 defining spaces 19, the lowermost bar having rollers 25 and a stop 26 for positioning the workpiece 1. The bridge consists of upper and lower members 8, 12 which have rollers 6, 7 for slidably supporting the bridge on the frame and are interconnected at the back of the frame by a rear bridge member 9 and at the front by a pair of rods 11 serving as guides for a carriage 13 carrying the tool 15, which may be a saw or milling cutter, and its motor 14. The tool is adjustable on the carriage between a position in which its plane is parallel to the bars 4 of the frame, and a position, shown dotted, in which its plane is parallel to the rods 11. The rear bridge member 9 carries a plurality of pairs of rollers 18 which extend through the spaces 19 and above the surface of the frame. A pair of rods 21 co-operates with the rollers and each rod is rotatably mounted at its ends on arms supported by spring devices 24 from the bridge members 8, 12. If the workpiece is of flexible material and is to be cut in the direction of the bars 4, the saw 15 is adjusted to the position shown in solid lines and as the bridge is moved along the frame, the spring-pressed bars 21 co-operate with the rollers 18, as shown in Fig. 3, to lift the workpiece from the supporting surface in the area of the saw which is thus able to penetrate the workpiece. To cut the workpiece in a direction perpendicular to the bars, the saw is adjusted to the position shown dotted and the carriage 13 is moved along the rods 11, the rods 21 and pairs of rollers 18 lifting the workpiece from the supporting surface. If the workpiece is not flexible, the rods 21 and rollers 18 act to lift the whole area of the workpiece from the supporting surface. The rods 21 may be omitted and a single row of rollers 18 used. In another embodiment, the rollers are replaced by gliding members 28, Fig. 6, having parts 31 of lowmaterial which engage the workpiece and are separated by a recess 29 for accommodating the saw. In a further embodiment, both the rollers 18 and rods 21 are dispensed with and replaced by one or a pair of suction devices 32, Fig. 7, mounted on the carriage 13 to lift the workpiece from the supporting surface which, in this case, need not have the spaces 19. The suction devices may be mounted one on each side of the plane of the saw on the part of the carriage which carries the saw and swivels about the perpendicular axis. The surfaces of the suction heads are of low-friction material.