WO2002094501A1

WO2002094501A1 - A feed device in a machine for machining ends of pieces

Info

Publication number: WO2002094501A1
Application number: PCT/IT2001/000247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vinicio De Moliner
Original assignee: Pade S.A.S. Di De Moliner Vinicio & C.
Priority date: 2001-05-18
Filing date: 2001-05-18
Publication date: 2002-11-28

Abstract

A machine (10) for machining ends of pieces comprises a feed device (36) for the pieces, operating between a station for the loading of the piece and a station for the release of the piece. The feed device comprises support means (54) movable along a straight path (40) disposed between the first, piece-loading station and the second, piece-release station. Means (58) are also provided for gripping the pieces the ends of which are to be machined, the gripping means (58) being associated with the support means (54) in a manner such that, during the movement of the support means along the straight path (40), the gripping means (58) travel along a first portion (44a) of a second path (44) which is oriented from the first loading station towards the second release station, as well as a following second path portion (44c) which approaches the second release station and is inclined at a predefined angle to the straight path (40) followed by the support means (54).

Description

"A feed device in a machine for machining ends of pieces"

DESCRIPTION

In general, the subject of the present invention is a feed device in a machine for machining ends of pieces, particularly pieces for furniture such as, for example, strips and armrests as well as parts of chairs, armchairs, built-in units and the like.

According to one particular aspect, the present invention relates to a machine for machining the ends of pieces .

According to a further aspect, a subject of the present invention is a work centre for machining ends of pieces .

As is known, a feed device in a machine for machining ends of pieces picks up the pieces to be machined, which are held in a magazine, and transports them along a predetermined path. This path terminates when the pieces reach a work station in which they are stopped in order to be machined by the tool or tools with which the machine is provided.

Known feed devices comprise, in particular, a guide shaped so as to define the path followed from the magazine to the work station by the pieces to be machined.

As a result, any change in the direction of the path involves a suitable shaping of the guide with consequent increases in production times, costs and difficulties .

A specific example of a feed device provides for the pieces to follow a path which, initially, is straight and inclined to a horizontal plane and such as to lift the pieces from a lower level to an upper level. When the pieces have reached the vicinity of the upper level at which the means for stopping them during the machining stage are disposed, the inclination of the path changes so that the pieces approach the work station in a horizontal direction.

It is clear from the foregoing that there is a need to have a feed device which transports the pieces along a path having at least one change in inclination, without appreciably complicating the production of the device and without increasing production times and costs .

The object of the present invention is to devise and provide a feed device, a machine, and a work centre which satisfy the above-mentioned need and, at the same time, prevent the problems mentioned with reference to the prior art.

This object is achieved by means of a feed device in a machine for machining ends of pieces according to Claim 1. This object is also achieved by a machine for machining ends of pieces according to Claim 21 and by a work centre for machining ends of pieces according to Claim 22.

Further characteristics and the advantages of the device according to the invention will become clear from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a work centre comprising a feed device according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a detail of the feed device of Figure 1, in . a first operative condition, Figure 3 is a perspective view of the detail of Figure 2, in a second operative condition, and Figure 4 is a perspective view of the detail of Figure 2, in a third operative condition.

With reference to ^'the above-mentioned drawings, a machine for machining ends of pieces for furniture is generally indicated 10. The machine 10 comprises a base or framework 12 provided with longitudinal side members 14 supporting first parallel sliding guides 16 defining a first axis of movement (X-X) .

A carriage 18 is coupled with the first sliding guides 16 by means of runners. A pillar 20 extends vertically from the carriage 18 and, on one side, has second parallel sliding guides defining a second axis of movement (Z-Z) .

Crossed slides 24 operatively connected to the second sliding guides support a machining head, generally indicated 26. The crossed slides 24 enable the head 26 to translate relative to a third axis of movement (Y-Y) .

The head 26 comprises a yoke 28 mounted for rotating about a first positioning axis, for example, coinciding with the axis of symmetry of the yoke 28.

An electric chuck 30 is connected to the yoke 28, for example, by means of cradle-like guides, so as to be pivotable relative to the yoke about a second axis perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the yoke 28.

Interlinked with and facing the head 26 is conventional piece-gripping apparatus which receives the pieces from a magazine 34. The pieces to be machined are stacked in the magazine 34 along an axis which is inclined to a vertical axis. The last piece disposed at the bottom of the stack is picked up by a feed device 36 which advantageously comprises support means movable along a straight path 40 disposed between a first station for the loading of the piece and a second station for the release of the piece, and gripping means movable along a second path 44 . The piece-loading station corresponds to the position in which the piece is picked up from the magazine 34.

According to the embodiment shown, the feed device 36 comprises a shoulder 46 constituted by a wall arranged transversely relative to the side members 14 of the machine 10 and facing the machining head 26.

A straight guide 48 mounted on the shoulder 46 is inclined to a horizontal plane. In particular, the guide 48 is oriented upwardly from below, in the direction of travel from the first loading station to the second release station.

Mounted below the guide 48 are two gears 50 the lower of which is driven by means of a splined shaft 51. Wound around the gears is a toothed belt 52 the upper portion of which is substantially parallel to the guide

48.

A traveller 54, forming part of the support means, is engaged for sliding on the guide 48 defining the straight path 40 and has a portion which is fixed to the toothed belt 52.

A channel 56 defining the second path 44 is formed in the shoulder 46 in a position above the straight guide 48. The channel 56 has a first straight portion 56a parallel to the guide 48, an arcuate connecting portion 56b, and a second, substantially horizontal, straight portion 56c.

The gripping means comprise a gripper 58 provided with two sliders 60, shown in broken outline in Figure

2, which are engaged in the channel 56. The gripper has a movable jaw 62 operated by an actuator 64, and a fixed jaw 66.

The gripper 58 is connected to the traveller 54 so as to be pivotable relative thereto and, in particular, has a connecting arm 68 having ends which are articulated to the traveller 54 and to the gripper 58, respectively.

The shoulder 46 is also shaped at the top so as to define a surface 70 for supporting the piece to be machined whilst it is transported by the feed device.

The support surface extends in a direction parallel to the channel 56.

In a further embodiment of the invention, for example, shown in Figure 1, the feed device comprises two shoulders 46 which are arranged facing one another and of which at least one is movable along an axis such that the separation of the two shoulders is reduced or increased. In particular, each shoulder has support means and gripping means as described above. The support means of the feed device consequently comprise, altogether, two travellers 54 engaged for sliding on facing and parallel guides 48. Similarly, the gripping means comprise, altogether, two grippers 58 associated with respective facing channels 56.

The two travellers and the two grippers move in synchronism, and are driven by the same splined shaft 51 which enables the belt 52 to be driven, leaving the two shoulders 46 free for possible relative sliding. In particular, the two grippers grip the same piece in order to transport it to the work station in which two opposed machining heads will machine its ends.

In fact, in a further embodiment of the invention, two machines 10 are provided for machining the ends of pieces, and are arranged opposite one another so as to act on the two ends of the piece simultaneously, constituting a work centre 72 (Figure 1) . The two machines 10 are advantageously arranged for sliding on the same framework or base 12. Two shoulders 46 are interposed between the two machines 10, defining a feed device as described above.

The operation of the machine 10, of the work centre 72, and of the feed device 36 is described below with reference to the drawings and to the detailed description provided above.

The piece to be machined is released from the magazine 34 and is picked up by the gripper 58 (or by the opposed grippers, in the case of a work centre) . The movable jaw 62 is operated by the actuator 64 so as to be clamped onto the piece.

The rotation of the splined shaft 51 drives the toothed belt 52 and consequently the traveller 54 (the two travellers in the case of a work centre) . The traveller slides along the straight guide 48 which defines the straight path 40.

This path extends between the first, piece-loading station, corresponding to the magazine 34 and the second, piece-release station, corresponding to the station in which the piece is stopped and machined. The straight path 40 followed by the support means is inclined to a horizontal plane and, in particular, is oriented -upwardly from below, in the direction of travel from the first loading station to the second release station. The association between the gripping means and the support means is such that, during the movement of the support means along the straight path 40, the gripping means travel along a second path 44 defined by the channel 56. The second path 44 followed by the gripper 58 has a first straight portion 44a which is inclined along an axis parallel to the first path 40. This first portion corresponds to the initial portion of the path followed by the gripper 58 which extends from the loading station and is oriented away from the first loading station towards the second release station.ι

The second path 44 also has a subsequent, second portion 44c, which is connected to the first by means of an arcuate portion 44b and which corresponds to a portion which approaches the second release station. In the embodiment illustrated, this second portion is substantially straight and arranged parallel to a horizontal plane.

The second portion 44c followed by the gripper 58 is inclined at a predefined angle to the straight path 40 followed by the traveller 54.

Figures 2 to 4 are a sequence of drawings corresponding to the progress of the feed device between the loading station and the release station. In Figure 2, the traveller 54 is in the lower position corresponding to the loading station disposed beneath the magazine 34. Between the position of Figure 2 and the position of Figure 3, the traveller has travelled along an initial portion of its straight path 40 and the gripper has travelled along an initial portion of the second path 44 and, in particular, of the first straight portion 44a.

When the gripper 58 reaches the vicinity of the arcuate portion 56b of the channel 56, the presence of the two sliders 60 engaged in the channel forces the gripper to pivot relative to the traveller 54. This pivoting is permitted by the articulated connection between the gripper and the traveller and, in particular, by the presence of the connecting arm 68. Finally, when the traveller 54 reaches the end of the guide 48, that is, in the region of the release station (Figure 4) , the gripper 58 has pivoted fully relative to the traveller and is arranged horizontally, following the direction of the second portion 56c of the channel 56.

The piece is then stopped in order to be machined at its ends, whilst the traveller returns to the initial position corresponding to the loading position.

With the piece stopped in the working position, the machine 10 is moved along the axis (X-X) so as to bring the head 26 into the vicinity of the working area. The tool is positioned by adjusting the position of the electric chuck 30 by rotation (or slewing) of the yoke 28 about the first positioning axis and pivoting (or pitching) of the cradle-like guides about the second positioning axis.

When the tool has been arranged along the predetermined axis, the crossed slides 24 and the carriage 18 can be moved so as to move the tool along the desired path, by virtue of the controlled movement along the three perpendicular axes (X-X, Z-Z, Y-Y) .

Both ends of the piece can be machined simultaneously by virtue of the provision of two opposed machines operating simultaneously in the work centre 72. It can be appreciated from the foregoing that the provision of a feed device in which the support means follow a straight path whereas the gripper follows a path having a second portion which is inclined at a predefined angle to the straight path followed by the support means satisfies the above-mentioned need and solves the problems mentioned with reference to the prior art.

In particular, any change in the direction of the path followed by the gripper does not affect the shape of the guide followed by the support means. The splitting of the functions and the paths limits both production times and costs as well as production difficulties .

The guide 48 is advantageously straight so as to avoid complex bending operations, and the change of path which the piece has to undergo in order to be brought to the horizontal position is achieved by virtue of the presence of the coupling between the gripper and the channel. The latter is particularly easy to achieve even where an arcuate portion is required.

Naturally, variations and/or additions may be provided for the embodiments described and illustrated.

As an alternative to the embodiment shown in the drawings, the gripper may have only one slider slidable in the channel 56.

Instead of the coupling between the channel and the slider, it is possible to provide further couplings which can impart to the gripper a path having at least one portion which is inclined to the path followed by the support means.

The connection between the gripper and the traveller may also vary in structure or dimensions, enabling the gripper itself to follow a path different from that followed by the support means. The actuation of the traveller may also vary, for example, by the provision of an actuator associated with the traveller.

The shapes of the two paths and their relationship to one another may differ from those described and illustrated in the drawings, provided that the piece approaching the release station follows a path which is inclined to the path followed by the traveller.

In order to satisfy contingent and specific requirements, a person skilled in the art may apply to the above-described preferred embodiment of the feed device many modifications, adaptations and replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent elements without, however, departing from the scope of the appended claims .

Claims

1. A feed device (36) in a machine (10) for machining ends of pieces, characterized in that it comprises: support means (54) movable along a straight path (40) disposed between a first station for the loading of the piece and a second station for the release of the piece, and gripping means (58) for gripping the pieces the ends of which are to be machined, the gripping means

(58) being associated with the support means (54) in a manner such that, during the movement of the support means along the straight path (40) , the gripping means (58) travel along a first portion (44a) of a second path (44) which is oriented away from the first loading station towards the second release station, as well as a following second path portion (44c) which approaches the second release station and is inclined at a predefined angle to the straight path (40) followed by the support means (54) .

2. A feed device according to Claim 1 in which the straight path (40) followed by the support means (54) is inclined to a horizontal plane. 3. A feed device according to Claim 2 in which the straight path (40) followed by the support means (54) is oriented upwardly from below, in the direction of travel from the first loading station to the second release station. . A feed device according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the second portion (44c) which is followed by the gripping means (58) and which approaches the second release station, is substantially parallel to the horizontal plane. 5. A feed device according to Claim 4 in which the first portion (44a) of the second path (44) which is followed by the gripping means (58) is straight.

6. A feed device according to Claim 5 in which the first portion (44a) of the second path (44) which is followed by the gripping means (58) is substantially parallel to the straight path (40) which is followed by the support means (54) .

7. A feed device according to at least one of the preceding claims in which the support means comprise at least one traveller (54) engaged for sliding on a straight guide (48) defining the straight path (40) .

8. A feed device according to Claim 7 in which the traveller (54) is mounted on a belt (52) .

9. A feed device according to Claim 7 or Claim 8 in which the support means comprise two travellers (54) engaged for sliding on facing and parallel guides (48).

10. A feed device according to Claim 9 in which at least one of the guides (48) is movable along an axis such that the separation of the two guides is reduced or increased.

11. A feed device according to at least one of the preceding claims in which the gripping means comprise at least one gripper (58) provided with at least one slider

(60) engaged in a channel (56) defining the second path (44) .

12. A feed device according to Claims 7 and 11 in which the gripper (58) is articulated to the traveller

(54) .

13. A feed device according to Claim 12 in which a connecting arm (68) is provided and has ends articulated to the traveller (54) and to the gripper (58) , respectively.

14. A feed device according to Claim 11, when it is dependent on Claim 5, in which the channel (56) comprises an arcuate connecting portion (56b) between a first straight portion and a second straight potion

(56a, 56c) defining the first portion and the second portion (44a, 44c) of the second path (44) , respectively. 15. A feed device according to Claim 11 in which the gripper (58) is provided with two sliders (60) engaged in the channel (56) .

16. A feed device according to Claims 7 and 11 in which the channel (56) associated with the gripper (58) is formed in a shoulder (46) to which the guide (48) associated with the traveller (54) is firmly fixed.

17. A feed device according to Claim 11 in which the gripping means comprise two grippers (58) associated with respective facing channels (56) . 18. A feed device according to Claims 16 and 17 in which there are two facing shoulders (46) of which at least one is movable along an axis such that the separation of the two shoulders is reduced or increased.

19. A feed device according to at least one of the preceding claims in which a surface (70) is also provided for supporting the piece.

20. A feed device according to Claims 11 and 19 in which the support surface (70) extends parallel to the channel (56) . 21. A machine (10) for machining ends of pieces, comprising a feed device (36) for the pieces as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20.

22. A work centre (72) for machining ends of pieces, comprising two opposed machines (10) each having a respective head (26) provided with a rotary tool, characterized in that it comprises a feed device (36) as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 20, disposed between the two machines (10) .