ITMI20130727A1 - MACHINE FOR PROCESSING ELEMENTS THAT MAKE UP FURNITURE, FURNISHINGS AND THE LIKE. - Google Patents

Description

"MACHINE FOR THE PROCESSING OF ELEMENTS THAT COMBINE FURNITURE, FURNITURE AND SIMILAR"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a machine for processing elements that make up furniture, furnishing accessories, and the like.

More particularly, the machine according to the present invention is capable of performing a series of workings on panels intended to be used as constituent parts of furniture or furnishing accessories.

The present machine allows to carry out a series of drilling, milling and insertion operations of inserts normally applied to furniture constituent panels.

Normally the processes are carried out starting from large panels that have a parallelepiped configuration and must be subjected to cutting, drilling, etc., by means of machines generally equipped with a horizontal loading plane consisting of a roller conveyor or the like.

Traditionally, the handling of the panels is carried out by means of transport units equipped with suction cups which describe alternating rectilinear movements.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a machine for processing wooden panels, used in particular for the compositions of furniture for interior furnishings, which is capable of milling and drilling the panels, as well as inserting and gluing in said panels inserts of various types and hardware.

Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a machine which is also capable of machining all six faces of a panel.

Another important object is to provide a machine capable of working continuously without dead times for loading and unloading the panel.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine which allows several panels to be processed at the same time.

The machine in question allows the containment of spaces and the adherence of the moving panel with respect to the zero plane.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a machine which has a continuous cycle transport system, eliminating the loading / unloading times of the pieces and capable of simultaneously managing different pieces, without any setup time.

Another object of the invention is to construct a machine which allows the mechanical clamping of the workpiece without the use of electric or pneumatic actuators and therefore without cables and / or pipes.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular machine which can be easily configured according to the different processing specifications and according to the different production requirements.

This machine, due to its peculiar manufacturing characteristics, is able to ensure the widest guarantees of reliability and safety in use.

This and other purposes, which will appear more clearly later on, are achieved by a machine for the processing of elements that make up furniture, furnishing accessories, and the like, characterized by the fact that it includes an inclined roller conveyor on which the panels to be worked rest, the which are mobile, independently of each other, along the roller conveyor itself.

The aforesaid machine also comprises one or more mobile structures, each suitable for supporting one or more machining heads.

The machine works each panel in a pass-through way, that is, the panel always enters and exits the machine in the same direction, working continuously without dead times for loading and | the discharge of each panel.

During processing, the aforementioned structures have the same motion as the panel, so as not to have to stop the panel to work it.

Further characteristics and advantages of the object of the present invention will become more evident through an examination of the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the machine according to the present invention, illustrated in use conditions, during the processing of several panels;

figure 2 is a front elevation view of the machine; Figure 3 is a plan view, sectioned according to the section plane 11-11 of Figure 2;

figure 4 is a perspective view which illustrates a module of the machine equipped with a shuttle arranged on the main plane of the machine;

figure 5 is a view similar to the previous one but showing the shuttle positioned on a rear plane;

figure 6 is a perspective view of the rear side of the shuttle of the previous figure;

figure 7 is a side view of the shuttle complete with gripper;

figure 8 is a side view, enlarged with respect to the previous one, and illustrating the gripper in detail;

figure 9 is a side view, partially in section, of the shuttle and the gripper, in the gripping position of a panel;

figure 10 is a perspective view of the shuttle and the gripper, in the panel gripping position;

Figure 1 1 is a perspective view of the roller conveyor on which the panels rest;

figure 12 is an enlarged view with respect to the previous one, in which a retractable roller is visible;

figure 13 is a front view of a shuttle;

figure 14 is a side view, sectioned according to the section plane XIV-XIV of figure 13;

figure 15 is a broken front view which illustrates the means for moving the shuttle, in the return phase;

figure 16 is a perspective view of a mobile column for supporting a machining head;

figure 17 is a perspective view of a machining head.

With particular reference to the numerical symbols of the aforementioned figures, the machine, according to the invention, globally indicated by the reference number 1, comprises a roller conveyor 2 on which some panels 3 to be machined rest, which are movable, independently of each other. other along the roller conveyor.

The machine also comprises one or more mobile structures 4, each suitable for supporting at least one machining head 5.

The machine 1 foresees to work the panel in a "pass-through" way, that is the panel always enters and exits the machine in the same direction of the X axis, thus allowing to work continuously without dead times for the loading and unloading of the panel. .

The machine can work several panels at the same time, by means of two or more structures 4, movable along the X axis.

Two or more operating heads 5 are mounted on each structure 4 which have the possibility of moving along the Y and Z axes.

The machine works in "tracking" mode, that is, during processing the columns have the same motion as the panel, so as not to have to stop the panel to work it.

The machine according to the present invention is modular and consists of two blocks 6, one at the entrance and the other at the exit of the machine itself, made up of an identical unit called translator.

The central part of the machine consists of one or more units 7, which can be joined together to have a different length of the system, according to the required configuration requirements.

The machine comprises a plurality of shuttles 8 mounted on a translating device 9 which allows the shuttles to be moved from an advanced position, corresponding to the front work plane, and a rear position in which the shuttles can be moved along the roller conveyor to position them in a new location.

According to the present invention, the roller conveyor 2 on which the panel 3 rests is inclined to allow the workpiece to always be in contact with the surface constituted by the roller conveyor itself.

The panel 3 then rests on the inclined roller conveyor and on lower rollers 19 which constitute the zero plane.

The motion to the piece is given by means of a gripper 10 which is made up of two parts: a fixed part 11, integral with the shuttle 8, and a mobile part 12.

The shuttle 8 receives the motion from a linear motor 13 by means of a pneumatic cylinder which activates an index 14 which makes the linear motor 13 and the shuttle 8 integral.

The movable part 12 of the gripper 10 is totally released from the fixed part 11 and is pushed against the panel 3 by springs 15.

This innovative system makes it possible to move a body integral with the panel without the use of electric or pneumatic actuators, therefore without the hindrance of cables and / or pipes and allows the body itself to be released from the machine.

The movable part 13 of the linear motor and the index cylinder 14 are joined together, so the motion of the motor 13 is transmitted through the index 14 to the shuttle 8.

The shuttle 8 is in turn tied to the fixed part 1 1 of the gripper 10.

The movable part 12 of the gripper has the possibility of moving transversely and is held pressed against the panel by the springs 15.

The movable part 12 of the gripper and the relative translating support 16 are dragged thanks to the friction generated between the two parts of the gripper and the panel 3.

The fact that the mobile part 12 of the gripper is not joined to the fixed part 11 allows to have a continuous structure, as long as the whole machine, which supports the lower rollers that support the piece 3, as can be seen in figures 1, 1 and 12 .

Shuttle 8 has several holes where index 14 is inserted.

Therefore, it is possible to move each shuttle 8 with different linear motors, according to the needs.

In this configuration the linear motors are arranged on four guides, but they can be even more, and on each guide there can be several independent motors so as to be able to move several shuttles 8, and therefore more grippers 10, at the same time.

Each panel 3 can be stapled with one or more pliers 10, according to the need.

Typically the longer panels will be stapled in at least two positions, while for the smaller ones only one clamp is sufficient.

As can be seen better in figures 1, 1 and 12, the roller conveyor 2 comprises a press 17 which is moved by a motor and which, by means of rollers, presses the panel 3 against the lower rollers 19.

The press is necessary to prevent the panel 3 from moving during particular processes such as milling or pantographing with consistent removals.

Furthermore, to allow the so-called "spinning" processing, one or more rollers, indicated with the reference number 18, are retractable, ie they move back under the roller conveyor plane to make room for the operating heads that will have to work the panel in the thickness.

As mentioned above, the machine is modular and consists of a central part made up of one or more units 7.

The linear motors can translate only in the central area of the machine, and start from the right where, through the index 14, they transmit the motion to the shuttles 8 and stop at the end of the central part where the linear motor is released from the shuttle.

Then the linear motor returns to the left up to the beginning of the central area ready to be linked to a new shuttle.

The shuttles 8 and the relative pincers 10, on the other hand, once they have reached the end of the central area are released from the linear motors and, by means of another axis, reach the area of the translator 6.

In this part of the machine several shuttles can be accommodated with the relative grippers and the whole group moves and positions itself on a plane behind the main plane of the machine, as can be seen in figures 5 and 6.

By means of a chain system, indicated with the reference number 20, in figure 15, the shuttles and the grippers are unloaded from the translator 9 and, by means of the guides 21 positioned in the rear part of the machine, are made to translate and positioned on the translator 9, placed in unit 6 at the start of the machine.

This translator, symmetrical with respect to the previous one, transports the shuttles and the grippers to the main plane of the machine where they are ready to be indexed again with the linear motors.

This machine allows you to perform a series of drilling, milling and insertion operations of inserts normally applied to furniture constituent panels, allowing each panel to be worked through, in the sense that the panel always enters and exits the machine in the same direction. X, thus allowing to work continuously and without dead times for the loading and unloading of the panels themselves.

One of the fundamental characteristics of the machine in question consists in the fact that it works to "follow" the panels and that is, during processing, the operating structures describe the same motion of the panel, so as not to have to stop the panels to work them.

This working mode allows to obtain a much higher productivity than that of traditional machines and is innovative in the sector.

Furthermore, all the panels are free from each other and, consequently, their motion is independent.

This feature allows you to work several panels, one different from the other, without requiring any time to change the format.

The panels are moved using the linear motor system that allows the control of the position, speed and acceleration of each piece, independently of each other.

This transport system is innovative in the panel processing sector.

A further feature of the machine in question is that of being able to vary its constitution by adding any additional modules, with respect to a central module on which the structures supporting each one or more operating heads operate.

By adding one or more operating modules to a central module, it is possible to change the configuration of the machine, consequently increasing its productivity and speed.

As we have seen, the aforementioned central module can be provided with two further structural elements, placed at the entrance and exit of the machine.

These modules act as translators and that is they allow the shuttles that support the panel to describe a continuous movement in the same direction by arranging themselves in the movement of; return to a lower plane parallel to the main feed plane.

The roller conveyor 2 is advantageously inclined, preferably at an angle of 60 °, with respect to a horizontal plane, so as to allow perfect alignment of the panels, which are guided below by rollers which have the function of keeping perfectly aligned with respect to a longitudinal direction of translation, the panels themselves.

Consequently, due to its own weight, each panel is held in position by the rear and lower rollers.

Due to its functional and structural characteristics, the machine in question allows operations to be carried out on all six main sides of each panel.

It should be emphasized that the translators 9, when they reach the final translation position along the upper plane, describe a translation along the Z axis, by means of the actuation of a brushless motor which rotates a screw which engages in a nut screw applied in the body of the translator.

Once the latter is aligned with the lower recirculating ball guide, the conveyors are pulled by | a chain equipped with pegs that hook the conveyors and the pliers, which being closed are transported towards the initial part of the machine.

The operating heads 5 can be of different types and in particular they can be constituted by independent spindles with pneumatic selection, configurable at will, or by electrospindles or by aggregates which cause the insertion of hardware and furniture inserts.

In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects.

In fact, a machine has been created, capable of performing a series of processes on panels intended to be used as constituent parts of furniture or furnishing accessories, which presents several and important innovations in the specific processing sector.

The inclination of the roller conveyor allows the containment of spaces and the adherence of the moving panel with respect to the zero plane.

The continuous cycle transport system allows to cancel the loading / unloading times of the pieces, one different from the other, without any setup time.

The transport system based on linear motors allows the control at high and variable speed of each single piece being machined.

The special clamp allows the mechanical clamping of the piece without the use of electric or pneumatic actuators and therefore without cables and / or pipes.

The modularity of the machine, with modular frames, allows to configure the machine itself according to the different processing specifications and therefore its length according to the different production needs.

This machine is equipped with moving heads that allow you to compose the necessary processing mask in real time.

The machine is equipped with a system that allows tracking machining with the piece and the structures in motion with variable speeds.

The modular machine also allows to have two or more mobile columns equipped with two or more operating heads.

This machine allows the processing of all six faces of the panel.

Naturally, the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be any according to requirements.

Claims (12)

R I V E N D I C A Z I O N I 1. Machine for the processing of elements that make up furniture, furnishing accessories, and the like, characterized by the fact of comprising an inclined roller conveyor on which some panels to be worked rest, which are mobile, independently of each other, along the roller conveyor itself ; the aforesaid machine also comprises one or more mobile structures, each capable of supporting one or more machining heads; the machine processes each panel in a through way, that is, the panel always enters and exits the machine in the same direction, working continuously without dead times for loading and unloading each panel; during processing the aforesaid structures have the same motion as the panel, so as not to have to stop the panel to work it. 2. Machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that it is modular and comprises two blocks, one at the entrance and the other at the exit of the machine itself, consisting of an identical unit; the machine also comprises a central part consisting of one or more units, which can be joined together to have a different length of the machine. 3. Machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of shuttles mounted on a moving device which allows the shuttles to be moved from an advanced position, corresponding to the front work plane, and a rear position in which the shuttles can be moved along the roller conveyor to position them in a new position. 4. Machine, according to claim 3, characterized in that each panel being processed rests on the inclined roller conveyor and on lower rollers which constitute the zero plane; the motion to the panel is given by means of a gripper which is made up of two parts: a fixed part, integral with the shuttle, and a mobile part; the mobile part of the caliper is totally free from the fixed part and is pushed against the panel by springs. 5. Machine according to claim 4, characterized in that the shuttle receives motion from a linear motor by means of a pneumatic cylinder which drives an index, which makes the linear motor and the shuttle integral. 6. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the movable part of the linear motor and the index cylinder are joined together, so the motor motion is transmitted through the index to the shuttle; the mobile part of the gripper and the relative translating support are dragged thanks to the friction generated between the two parts of the gripper and the panel. 7. Machine according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that the shuttle has several holes where the index is inserted; therefore, it is possible to move each shuttle with different linear motors; the machine includes a plurality of independent linear motors so as to be able to move more shuttles, and therefore more grippers, at the same time. 8. Machine according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that the roller conveyor comprises a press which is moved by a motor and which, by means of rollers, presses the panel against the lower rollers. 9. Machine according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that one or more rollers of the roller conveyor are retractable, that is, they move back under the roller conveyor plane to make room for the operating heads that will have to work the panel in the thickness. 10. Machine, according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that the linear motors can translate in the central area of the machine and start from one end, where they transmit the motion to the shuttles and stop at the other end of the central part, where the linear motor disengages from the shuttle; then the linear motor returns to the first end of the central area ready to be linked to a new shuttle. 11. Machine, according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that the shuttles and the relative pincers, once they have reached the second end of the central zone, are released from the linear motors and, by means of another axis, reach the translator zone; several shuttles can be accommodated in the shifter with the relative pincers and the whole group moves and positions itself on a plane behind the main plane of the machine; by means of a chain system, the shuttles and the grippers are unloaded by the translator and, by means of guides positioned in the rear part of the machine, they are made to translate and positioned on the translator located in the unit at the beginning of the machine; this translator, symmetrical with respect to the previous one, transports the shuttles and the grippers to the main plane of the machine where they are ready and be indexed again with the linear motors. 12. Machine, according to one or more preceding claims, characterized in that it is equipped with one or more mobile structures able to support one or more machining heads which have the possibility of moving along the Y and Z axes describing the same motion of the panel, so you don't have to stop the panel to work it.