US3044510A

US3044510A - Vibratory slicing apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3044510A
Application number: US805239A
Authority: US
Inventors: Gilbert D Schneider; Lynn A Schneider
Original assignee: SCHNEIDER MACHINE Co
Current assignee: SCHNEIDER MACHINE Co
Priority date: 1959-04-09
Filing date: 1959-04-09
Publication date: 1962-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 1979-07-17

Description

July 17, 1962 G. D. SCHNEIDER ETAL 3,044,510 l VIBRATORY SLICING APPARATUS Filed April 9 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 July 17, 1962 G. D. scHNExDER ETAL VIBRATORY SLICING APPARATUS Filed April 9, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS.

73, T9621 G D.. SCHNEIDER Erma 320445150? vmmmm sucING APPAmmusg Fil-@CE AE1-Fil 9i, 1959 4. sheets-sheet 4 i o 1,. N N

GILBERT D. SCHNEIDER LYNN A. CHNEiDER BYL {fila-6 i. g /C/P wam VAK/@M412 ATTORNEYS.

States This invention relates to a slicing machine, particularly a slicing machine adapted to handle lumber.

Machines for slicing lumber and similar materials are known, but such machines frequently do not operate to good advantage on diiiicult stock, particularly if the stock is highly variable in nature. Thus a machine set up for slicing hard wood may tend to operate erratically on soft wood, especially if the Wood is characterized by numerous knots. Also, some types of lumber, of which certain more or less resinous woods are examples, tend to seize the knife or knives in a slicing machine, giving rise thereby to conspicuous irregularities in the product.

Assuming that sufcient power is supplied to force the Work through the machine, seizure of the knife or knives does no particular harm in the sense of damaging the machine itself. It does, however, reveal itself in the surface condition of the lumber after slicing. Where, for example, there is seizure of the knife or knives, the sliced surface usually shows periodic rough areas where there has been a slowing of the slicing operation as a result of knife seizure. In circumstances in which a smooth nish is desired, the presence of such irregularities ,tends to impair the value of the product to such an extent as to make it necessary to nish the product by planing, which results in needless Waste.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome these troubles and, in doing so, to provide a product which so far -as possible, having in mind the nature f the product itself, is `free of such surface blemishes as are occasioned `by knife seizure. To this end, the invention provides ways and means for producing vibrations in the work, the knives, the shafting, the supporting structure or all of them as the work is sliced. This, it has been found, is likely to result in elimination of the tendency to seizure, so long as the vibrations so introduced are of small amplitude and high frequency.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus capable of being used to advantage not only for the slicing of lumber into lesser pieces such as laths butalso for the slicing of quite different materials, both natural and synthetic. Examples are synthetic resins; various rubber, rubbery 4and rubber-like stocks; substances of a waxy nature; and, in gener-al, materials that do not lend themselves readily to slicing with equipment of kinds heretofore known. An excellent example of such a material is foamed plastic, particularly as found in the relatively new plastic foams of the rigid type, which heretofore have generally had to be sliced by hot wire techniques. Rigid foams, in many cases non-rigid foams as well, can often be sliced to good advantage by means of the vibratory slicing apparatus provided by the present invention.

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention Will lbe apparent from the description which follows and from the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective of a slicing machine incorporting features of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is an elevation with parts in section, seen i as if from line 2-2 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 3 is an end elevation from line 3:*3 of FIG- URE 2 of the roll stand appearing in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is a section through one of the vibrators, the piston being shown in elevation.

FIGURES 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGURES 2 and 3 showing a modied form of slicing machine.

3,044,5li Patented July 17, 1962 FIGURE 7 is an end elevation from line 747 of FIG- URE 8 of a slicing machine of the type in which a stationar'y knife operates on a log, flitch or the like.

FIGURE 8 is a side elevation of the slicing machine of FIGURE 7 as seen from line 8--8 of FIGURE 7.

Referring first to FIGURES 1 to 3, the slicing machine generally designated 11's of the type shown, described and claimed in U.S. Patent 2,717,012 to Gilbert D. Schneider and in a prior application of Gilbert D. Schneider et al. led September 14, 1956 as Serial No. 609,837, now U.S. Patent 2,919,731. As in the case of the slicing machines shown in said prior patent and application, the machine shown in FIGURES 1 to 3 may operate on Work W of the nature of a wood block (FIGURE 2). Work W is propelled through the machine in the direction indicated by the arrows in FIGURE l, as by positively driving the lower roll in each of the two roll stands. If desired, it

. may be pushed through the machine by a ram. In some circumstances, `a combination of the two methods may be used.

It will be noted from FIGURES 1 and 2 that the slicing machine as a whole is supported on a base 2. At one end ofthe machine, seen as in FIGURE 1, is a feed table 3; at its opposite end, a run-off table 4. While it is being fed into the throat of the first of the two roll stands, the work is supported by the feed table. As they emerge from the throat of the second of the two roll stands, the severed pieces are supported for a short distance by the run-off table. Within base 2 is a drive motor (not shown) for positively driving the two lower rolls. Associated with first roll stand 5 and second roll stand 6 and located within the portion 5a of the former and portion 6a ofthe Ylatter are the gear trains used for transmitting to the lower of the two rolls the power required to operate it. Power is supplied through chains such as that at 5b and sprockets such as that at 5c.

As further appears from FIGURES 1 and 2, roll stand 5 incorporates two

side pieces

7 and 8. Each carries a iixedly positioned bearing block 9 receiving the proximate end of a positively driven shaft assembly (shafting) extending between the two side pieces. Rigidly mounted on shafting 10 are two rotary guide collars 11 arranged as shown in 4FIGURE 2. These form the side walls of the previously'mentioned throat in which the work is received. Projecting from the shafting into the throat are one or more circular knives 12 constructed and arranged in the manner disclosed in the previouslyV mentioned patent and application. Opposing the knife or knives 12, but out of contact with them, are one or more circular knives 13 similarly arranged on similar shafting v14. Outwardly of side piece 8 are nuts 10a `and 14a for the outer ends of shafting 10 and 14, respectively.

Slidably supported in suitable openings 16 in

side pieces

7 and 8 are two movable bearing blocks 15. The oppositely facing side walls of openings 16 are formed after the fashion of ways for the purpose of guiding the bearing blocks. Below them, likewise in openings 16, are two coil springs 17 which serveto bias bearing blocks 15 and shafting 14 toward positions near the upper ends `of openings 16. Adjusting means (not shown) may lbe provided, if desired, in openings 16 in the spaces between bearing blocks 15 and the tops of

side pieces

7 and 8. In consequence of this arrangement, bearing blocks .15, knives 13 and shafting 14 alike are freetovibrate in a vertical direction.

Disposed directly above shafting 14 is a wide yoke 18 the depending branches of which are provided with an- Y posed series of cleanly formed kerfs.

vstand 5, is similar shafting 21. It Vis provided with rotary guide collars 22 similar to collars 11. It is further `provided with one or more circular knives 23 of somewhat greater diameter than knives 12 in roll stand 5. Opposing knives 23 and substantially in contact with them are one or more circular knives 24. The latter are of somewhat gre-ater diameter than knives 13. Knives 24 are carried by shafting 2S. The manner in 'which these parts are supported in roll stand 6 is similar to that described in the case of roll stand 5.

Surrounding the ends of shafting 25 are annular ears similar to annular ears 19. As in the case of the latter, they depend from the downwardly extending branches of an overlying yoke. v-Rigidly mounted on yoke 26 are two pneumatic vibrators 27 that are similar in ail respects -to pneumatic vibrators 20. They are supplied with compressed air from the same source. Although the simplicity of vibrators of the pneumatic type is advantageous, vibrators 20 and 27 need not necessarily be pnemnatically operated if vibrators of other types are preferred.

FIGURE 4 shows a vertical central cross section through one of the vibrators 20 forming part of roll stand 5. It will be noted that the vibrator consists of a body Ior main portion 20a and a top portion 20b. Within body 20a is a chamber 30. In it is a freely floating piston 31 provided between its two ends with two circular grooves 32. Piston 31 is illustrated in FIGURE 4 in its -lowermost position, in which upper groove 32 is in cornmunication with air inlet means 33 and in which lower groove 32 is out of communication therewith. In such circumstances, air from inlet means 33 obtains access to a rst longitudinally extending bore 34 through the upper of two transverse bores 35 and 36. It escapes through .the lower of the two transverse bores and, after forcingV opposite end of chamber 30, air admitted through inlet Y means 33 can enter bore 3S through the lower of the two circular grooves 32 and `transverse bore 40. Issuing from transverse bore 39, it forces piston 31 downward and makes its escape through upper port 41.

'Ihis action results in-rapid vibration of vibrator 20, yoke 18 and shafting 14, all as previously described. The eiectvof vibrating these parts is Vto move knives 13 a few thousandths of an inch in the vertical direction, thus preventing those portions of work W which are engaged by knives 13 from seizing upper knives 13. At the same time,l since work W is able to move vertically to a limited extent, it is free to move out of seizing engagement with lower knives 12. The net elect is to provide two op- These are sutbsequent-ly deepened in roll stand 6to the point where work W is sliced completely through.

Referring now to FIGURES 5 and 6, it will be noted that roll stand 56, the first ofY two or more roll stands in one machine, incorporates Vtwo free-standing side pieces 51and 52. Extending between them is sh-afting, upper and lower, similar to that already described. Upper shafting 53, which is capped at its outer end by an end nut 53a, includes a flexible coupling 54 of conventional construction. |Ihe latter intervenes between portion a of the roll stand, wherein is Vhoused the gear train, and the nearer of two similar bearing blocks 55. The two bearing blocks are slidably mounted in upper openings 56 in side pieces 51 and 52. Below each of them is a 4 pair of coil springs 57. Overlying each of them is a narrow yoke 58 (best seen in FIGURE 5) which carries a pneumatic vibrator 59 provided with an air inlet 60.

Lower shafting 61, the outer end of which is capped by a nut 61a, is provided with a flexible coupling 62 similar to coupling 54. -Iit is similarly located in the roll stand` Associated with lower sha-fting 61 are two like bearing blocks 63. The latter are slidab'ly mounted in lower openings 64 in the side pieces with which they are associated. In openings 64, below bearing blocks 63, are coil springs 65 similar to coil springs 57. Coupled to bearing blocks 63 and surrounding lower shaiting 61 in the manner shown in FIGURE 5 are two depending yokes 66, one for each bearing block. These yokes ex- -tend transversely of the roll stand in the manner shown in FIGURE 6. Each carries two pneumatic vibrators 67 provided with air inlets 63.

By this arrangement, each roll in each roll stand may -be positively driven by suitable gearing within the enclosed portions of the housings forming part of the roll stand: see, for example, portion 50a of roll stand 50. Power is supplied to the gear trains bymeans of chains Sb and sprockets 56C. inasmuch as each roll has a plurality of vibrators associated with it; viz., vibrators 59 in the case of the upper roll and vvibrators 67 in the case of the lower roll, each roll vibrates independently of the other. The result is bilateral vibratory action.

FIGURES 7 and 8 have to do with a roll stand for slicing veneers, plies, etc. from logs, flitches and the like. Generally designated Si), this roll stand includes ttwo massive side pieces 81 each of which houses a power train (not shown) driven from a chain S2 and a sprocket 83. The shafting consists largely of two stub shafts 84 lbetween which is mounted the work W, which takes thev form of a log, Hitch or similar object. An elongated stationary knife 85 is held rigidly Iin place in juxtaposition to work W. It is mounted by a sturdy metal strip 86 and hold down bolts 87 on an elongated mounting bracket 88 supported from a cross piece 89 that extends between the two side pieces 81: see FIGURE 8. Webs 90 of triangular shape keep crossV piece 89, bracket 88 and knife '85 in position.

Cross piece 89 and webs 90 are welded to a oating table 91 the lower face of which is provided as shown in FIGURE 7 with two T-shaped slots 91a that extend lengthwise of the roll stand. Immediately beneath lloating table 91 is a transversely movable bed plate 92 operated from beneath, as by a screw. Bed plate 92 is equipped onfits upper face with T-shaped guides 92a that tit into slots 91a in floating table 91.

Movable bed plate 92 is provided on its lower face with T-shaped slots 94 that accommodate T-shaped guides 95a on a platform 95 within which is housed the screws by which bed plate 92 isA moved. Mounted on the two ends of bed plate 92 immediately above platform 95 are brackets 96, formed as shown in FIGURE 8. Coil springs 97 that bear against the ends of oating table 91 seat against brackets 9,6. f

Heavy duty pneumatic vibrators 98 are rigidly mounted on the two end webs. Associated with them are air inlet means 99 connected to a common source of cornpressed air. Vibrators 98 cause webs 9%, cross piece 89 and iloating tafble 91 to vibrate horizontally. The movement is of the orderof a few thousandths of an inch; the frequency, of the order of several thousand cycles per minute. By forming the machine as shown in

FIGURES y

7 and 8, seizure of stationary knife 85 )by work W is avoided, giving a cleaner, smoother and generally better product. Y

In all of the various forms of the, invention, one characteristic that stems from use of vibrators is the rela tively smooth surface of the work after slicing, at least where it comes into contact with the knife or knives. In operation the machines are trouble-free in the sense that 4|the work does not seize the knives, as tends -to happen with slicing machines of the Itypes familiar to the prior art. Not only are power input requirements lessened, but the work travels through the machine smoothly and at a uniform rate. In most cases, no further surface iinishing of the product is required.

Mention has already been made of the fact that in a typical case the amplitude of the vibrations may advantageously be of the order of a few thousandths of an inch; however, if the frictional load on the knives is small, it may in some circumstances be as much as several hundred thousandths (e.g., 0.250 inch). Similarly, the frequency, although in a typical case of the order of 60 cycles a second, may go as high as 20,000 to 30,000 cycles a second, which is of course in the ultrasonic range, In any given installation, a limited amount of experimentation and adaptation may be required in order to establish optimum values, as regards amplitude and frequency, on any given type of work. Y

From what has ralready been stated, it is apparent that changes within the skill of the art may be made without departing from the inventive concept. A minimum of one knife may be present in cases such as that of the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 7 and 8. The maximum number may exceed the number indicated in the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES l to 3. If there is more than one station, the stations may number two, three, four or even more, depending on the nature of the work and the requirements for the product. The shape of the knife or knives may be varied las desired, taking into account the nature of the work itself. Sundry other changes can be expected to suggest themselves, including changes in the manner of driving the rolls and/or the work.

It is intended that the patent shall cover, by summarization in the appended claims, all features of the patentable novelty residing in the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A slicing machine comprising supporting structure; opposed side pieces on the supporting structure; rotatable shafting extending between the side pieces transversely of the longitudinal axis of the machine as -a whole; circular knives carried by the shafting in the space between the side pieces; means for rotating the shafting and the knives carried by the shafting; and means Afor vibrating the shafting while the shafting is rotating.

2. A slicing machine according to claim 1 in which the v yoke on which the vibrating means are mounted extendsV between the side pieces.

5, A slicing machine according to claim 3 in which the yoke on which the vibrating means are mounted overlies one of the side pieces.

6. A slicing machine according to claim 5 in which there are two side pieces, two overlying yokes, and vibrating means mounted on each of the two yokes,

7. A slicing machine according to claim 6 in which there are two series of circular knives on the shaf-ting, one above the other.

8. A slicing machine comprising supporting structure; a irst group of circular knives; a second group of circular knives; rotatable shafting mounting the two groups of knives in juxtaposition to each other, said shafting being carried by the supporting structure; means for rotating the shafting and `the knives; and vibrating means carried by `and acting on the shafting while the shafting is rotating.

9. A slicing machine according to claim 8 in which the vibrating means overlie one of the two groups of knives.

10. A slicing machine according to claim 8 in which the kvibrating means overlie both groups of knives.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 198,404 McEachren Dec. 18, 1877 1,292,494 Lorenz Ian. 28, 1919 1,746,662 Legge Feb. 11, 1930 1,975,044 Kelly, Sept. 25, 1934 2,217,812 Petskeyes Oct. 15, 1940 2,603,289 Horton July 15, 1952 2,717,012 Schneider Sept. 6, 1955 2,800,938 McLauchlan July 30, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 714,860 Great Britain 1.1. sept. 1, 1954