Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
  • B23Q3/00—Devices holding, supporting, or positioning work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine
  • B23Q3/005—Guides for workpieces
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
  • B23Q35/00—Control systems or devices for copying directly from a pattern or a master model; Devices for use in copying manually
  • B23Q35/04—Control systems or devices for copying directly from a pattern or a master model; Devices for use in copying manually using a feeler or the like travelling along the outline of the pattern, model or drawing; Feelers, patterns, or models therefor
  • B23Q35/08—Means for transforming movement of the feeler or the like into feed movement of tool or work
  • B23Q35/20—Means for transforming movement of the feeler or the like into feed movement of tool or work with special means for varying the ratio of reproduction

Definitions

• THIS INVENTION relates toworkpiece treatment apparatus and in particular to apparatus which is suited to the forming of words, letters, numerals or other indicia in any suitable workpiece by transferring or copying from a template.
• a number of different types of machines are presently known for cutting a workpiece in accordance with a pattern or a template for the purposes of producing symbols thereon for advertising signs, displays or the like.
• Such machines employ as their cutting tool a router for cutting or engraving messages into timber workpieces.
• an engraving made in a workpiece is usually transferred identically from a template to the workpiece.
• the presently known machines are not capable of any other function than the above and thus are limited in their applications. Disclosure of Invention
• the present invention aims to provide apparatus of the above general type suited to cutting or engraving workpieces for the production of signs, displays or for other purposes which enables the copying characters from a template onto a workpiece and which provides for enlargement and reduction of characters as well as for the production of characters of different forms such as characters of italic form whilst reproducing the message of those characters.
• the present invention provides workpiece treatment apparatus for transferring characters from a template to a workpiece, said apparatus including template support means, guide track means arranged adjacent to said template support means, a transfer arm assembly having means adapted in use to engage characters on a said template, means for supporting said transfer arm assembly on said track means for movement longitudinally therealong and pivotal movement relative thereto, an operating tool for operating on said workpiece, and means for supporting said operating tool to said transfer arm assembly, said transfer arm assembly including a plurality of mounting points for said supporting means and said operating tool whereby the position of said supporting means and/or operating tool may be adjusted relative to said transfer arm assembly to vary the size and/or appearance of characters transferred from said template and formed in said workpiece.
• said supporting means for said transfer arm assembly includes carriage means movable along said guide track means. In one form, this may comprise a linear bearing.
• said transfer arm assembly includes an elongated transfer arm portion and said pivot support means and tool are adapted to be mounted adjacent opposite ends of said arm.
• said arm includes a plurality of spaced mounting points adjacent said opposite ends of said arm at which said pivot support means and tool may be selective mounted.
• said transfer arm assembly includes a further arm portion for carrying said means for engaging said characters on said template.
• said further arm portion includes spaced mounting points for said template engaging means.
• the apparatus includes a workpiece table for supporting said workpiece adjacent to said template support means and said workpiece table includes a supporting surface adjustably mounted for vertical movement relative to said template support means whereby to permit said apparatus to work on workpieces of different thicknesses.
• said template support means includes means for clamping a said template in a desired position.
• said clamping means includes an elongated clamping member, and means for supporting said clamping member on said template support means for sliding movement relative thereto.
• said template support means includes a guide track, slide means movable along said track and carrying said clamping member and means for selectively locking said clamping member in a desired clamping position.
• the supporting means for the operating tool is pivotally mounted to the transfer arm assembly and means are provided for oscillating the tool supporting means and the tool upon movement of the transfer arm assembly along the guide means.
• the oscilliating means preferably includes a rotatable member which rotates upon movement of the transfer arm assembly longitudinally of the guide means and link means which interconnect the rotatable member and tool supporting means.
• Fig. 1 is a plan view of the workpiece treatment apparatus according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the workpiece and template table
• Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the preferred clamp mechanism for the template
• Fig. 4 is an end view of the template clamp mechanism of Fig. 3;
• Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the preferred workpiece table
• Fig. 6 is an end view of the workpiece table of Fig.4;
• Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of workpiece treatment apparatus according to the present invention. Modes for carrying out the Invention Referring to the drawings and firstly to Figs. 1 and
• workpiece treatment apparatus 10 including a template table 11 upon which a template 12 may be supported and a workpiece table 13 on which a workpiece may be supported.
• the template table 11 is provided with fixed legs and preferably the height of the workpiece table 13 is vertically adjustable relative to the template table 11 so as to accommodate workpieces of different thickness.
• Supported on the template table 11 adjacent one edge thereof is an elongated guide track 14 provided with an extension piece 15 which extends outwardly beyond one end of the table 11 so as to accommodate movement of the transfer mechanism as described below.
• the extension piece 15 is detachable from the track 14 and may be mounted to the opposite end thereof.
• a transfer arm assembly 16 is provided to transfer characters on the template 12 to a workpiece supported on the table 13.
• the transfer arm assembly 16 includes a first arm portion 16' for mounting a tracing pin 17 adapted to engage characters on the template 12 and move thereabout and a second elongated arm porti.on 16" for carrying pivot support means 18 which are spaced from the tracing pin 17 and pivotally mounted at 19' on a guide carriage or slide 19 slidably movable along the guide tracks 14 and 15.
• the pivot support means 18 includes an arm 20 which may be secured to the arm portion 16" at a number of different positions indicated generally at 20' for a purpose which will hereafter become apparent.
• the arm 20 and arm portion 16" include apertures which may be aligned for receiving fasteners therethrough. It will be apparent that as the tracing pin 17 is moved longitudinally about characters on the template 12, the guide carriage 19 reciprocates or moves along the guide tracks 14 or 15.
• a workpiece engaging tool 21 which preferably comprises a routing tool.
• the tool 21 is supported on the arm portion 16" via a link arm 22 which is adapted to be secured to the transfer arm portion 16" at a number of fixed positions indicated generally at 23' again for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.
• the arm 22 is Supported on the transfer arm portion 16" at a position spaced from the tracing pin 17 and arm 20.
• the tool 21 is supported on the arm portion 16" via a link arm 22 which is adapted to be secured to the transfer arm portion 16" at a number of fixed positions indicated generally at 23' again for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.
• the arm 22 which is adapted to be secured to the transfer arm portion 16" at a number of fixed positions indicated generally at 23' again for a purpose which will hereinafter become apparent.
• the wheel 24 is arranged to be rotated in opposite directions when the carriage 19 is moved in opposite directions along the guide track 14 or 15.
• a flexible line 26 is secured at opposite ends to the outer ends of the tracks 14 and 15 and is wound about the wheel 24 intermediate its ends. It will thus be apparent that sliding movement of the carriage 19 along the track 14 or 15 will cause via the flexible line 26 rotation of the wheel 24.
• movement of the template engaging pin 17 about the template 12 will cause pivotal movement of the transfer arm assembly 16 about the point 19' and longitudinal movement of the carriage 19 along the tracks 14 and 15 and thereby corresponding movement of the router tool 21 and cutting out of the characters transferred from the template 12 in the surface of a workpiece supported on the table 13.
• the supporting arrangement, however, for the router 21 causes curved patterns to be formed in the characters as the router 21 is oscillated back and forth as the slide 19 is moved along the track 14 and 15.
• the link 25 is adjustable in length, preferably telescopical ly.
• the extent of curve achieved in the lettering may also be varied by varying the pivotal connection point of the link arm 25 to the wheel 24.
• the link arm 25 is connected to the wheel 24 adjacent the outer periphery thereof substantial curvature will be achieved in the indicia.
• the link arm 25 is attached to the wheel 24 adjacent to its axis of rotation less curvature will result. If the arm 25 is mounted to the centre 19' of rotation of the wheel 24, no movement of the arm 25 will occur as the carriage or slide 19 is moved along the tracks 14 or 15, the arm 25 serving in this configuration to brace the router 21 against movement.
• the arms 22 and 20 which support the router 21 and transfer arm assembly 16 on the carriage 19 may be adjusted to alternative positions 23' and 20' along tne transfer arm portion 16" and fixed to the arm portion 16" at selected positions.
• the position of the tracing pin 17 on the arm portion 16' may be varied.
• indicia on the template are enlarged during transfer to the workpiece.
• repositioning of the router 21 and pivot pin 18 along the arm portion 16" permits italic, reduction and exact copying of the indica of the template.
• the template table 11 incorporates a track 31 which is disposed within a recess 32 in the surface of the table 11 which extends substantially normal to the guide track 14.
• a slider 33 is supported for movement along the track 31 and a template clamping bar 34 is pivotally supported intermediate its ends at 34' on the slider 33, this accommodating templates of varying widths.
• the track 31 is arranged for sliding movement in the recess 32 relative to the template table 11 and a spring 35 normally biases the track 31 towards a clamping position.
• the track 31 includes a pair of spaced elongated slots 36 through which screws 37 pass to secure the track 31 to the table 11 whilst permitting limited sliding movement of the track 31.
• the slider 33 may be locked in any desired position along the track 31.
• a releasing mechanism 38 is provided to overcome tension of the spring 35 to enable a template 12 to be removed or placed in position.
• the release mechanism 38 includes a cable 39 secured to the track 31 and passing about guide pulleys 40 to a release lever 41.
• the release mechanism 38 is preferably located on the underside of the template table 11.
• the release lever 41 is actuated, the track 31 is moved outwardly against the tension of the spring 35.
• the template 12 is positioned on the table 11 and the clamping bar 34 is adjusted along the track 31 by means of the slider 33 until it is locked in position adjacent the template 12.
• the lever 41 is then released so that the spring tension of the spring 35 urges the clamping bar 28 into clamping engagement with the template 12 to hold it in position. Further clamping tension can be applied to the template 12 by means of a clamp screw 42 which is mounted to the track 31 and is adapted to engage the table 11.
• Figs. 5 and 6 there is illustrated the workpiece table 13 provided with a pair of tracks 43 which are secured within recesses 44 in the table 13 and respective pairs of sliders 45 and 46 are arranged for sliding movement along the tracks 43.
• the sliders 45 support a first clamping bar 47 and the sliders 46 support a second clamping bar 48, the bar 48 being mounted to the sliders 46 via adjustment screws 49.
• the tracks 43 are in the form of sail tracks and include a plurality of apertures which define locking positions for the sliders 45 and 46.
• the workpiece is placed in a desired location on the table 13 with the clamping bars 47 and 48 located on opposite sides thereof.
• the sliders 46 are released and moved to a position adjacent the workpiece.
• the screws 49 are then used to move the bar 48 into firm clamping engagement with the workpiece.
• the sliders 45 and 46 are released and slid out of the tracks 43 so as to provide a smooth even surface.
• the apparatus 50 includes a template table 51 upon which a template 52 of any suitable form may be supported, the template table 51 being provided with fixed support legs 53. Disposed adjacent the template table 51 is a workpiece table 54 for supporting a workpiece 55 on the top surface 56 of the table.
• the table 54 is provided with adjustable legs 57 which permit the surface 56 to be adjusted vertically so that the table can accommodate workpieces of different thicknesses.
• the template table 51 is provided with a pair of clamping bars 58 and 59 which may be slid inwardly and outwardly being guided by tracks 60 and grooves 61 and being clampable to the tracks 60 and grooves 61 by respective clamp screws 62.
• the workpiece table 54 is provided with a movable clamping bar 63 which is movable inwardly and outwardly relative to a fixed clamping bar 64 by means of lead screws 65 which are rotatable by handles 66 so that the workpiece 55 can be clamped between the bars 63 and 64.
• the clamp bar 63 is guided along tracks 67 and opposite ends may be moved individually by the respective handles 66 so that workpieces of other than rectangular form may be clamped in position.
• the table 51 is provided with an arm 68 which extends beyond one end of the table 51 and which supports an elongated rod 69 of a linear bearing assembly 70.
• a transfer arm 72 Pivotally mounted at 71 to the linear bearing assembly 70 is a transfer arm 72 of generally triangular form which includes a template tracing pin 73 which may be positioned as indicated or located in the alternative position 73' .
• the transfer arm 72 also supports a routing tool 74 for operation on the workpiece 55.
• the transfer arm 72 is moved to a position as guided by the linear bearing assembly 70 until the tracing pin 73 is aligned with a letter or indicia on the template 52.
• the tracing pin 73 is then moved about the selected letter or indicia on the template 52 so that the routing tool 74 traces out in the workpiece 55 the corresponding letter or indicia, pivotal movement of the transfer arm 72 being accommodated by the pivotal connection to the linear bearing assembly 70.
• the transfer arm 72 also includes a number of spaced apertures 75 at which it may be pivotally connected to the linear bearing assembly 70.
• the routing tool 74 may be mounted to the transfer arm assembly 72 at a number of spaced positions 76 defined by pairs of mounting apertures. These alterative positions permit as before reductions and enlargements as well as italics to be formed in a workpiece.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
• Machine Tool Copy Controls (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=3753397

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Cited By (1)

Families Citing this family (1)

Citations (2)

• 1991
  • 1991-01-30 AU AU70046/91A patent/AU612312B3/en not_active Ceased
• 1992
  • 1992-01-29 ZA ZA92599A patent/ZA92599B/xx unknown
  • 1992-01-30 WO PCT/AU1992/000026 patent/WO1992013675A1/en unknown

Patent Citations (2)

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