WO2023280762A1

WO2023280762A1 - Device and method for moving workpieces

Info

Publication number: WO2023280762A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/068412
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hans-Peter Ufer
Original assignee: Homag Gmbh
Priority date: 2021-07-06
Filing date: 2022-07-04
Publication date: 2023-01-12
Also published as: DE102021117430A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and a method for moving essentially flat workpieces, in particular made of wood or wood-based materials, comprising a support device having air outlets which are designed to produce an air cushion between the support device and a workpiece and to cause a movement and/or rotation of a workpiece resting on the air cushion above the support device.

Description

HOMAG GmbH Homagstrasse 3 - 5 72296 Schopfloch

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HANDLING WORKPIECES

technical field

The invention relates to a device and a method for moving essentially flat workpieces, in particular workpieces made of wood or wood-based materials.

State of the art

A wide variety of devices for moving, i.e. for transporting and/or aligning, workpieces are known from the prior art. Conventional feed systems with belts, chains, rollers or cams can usually only move a workpiece linearly, i.e. in one conveying direction. Since it is not possible to align the workpieces, which can include positioning transverse to the conveying direction as well as rotation in the conveying plane and is often indispensable, especially in automated processes, it may be necessary to align the workpieces either manually or with additional devices or Align transfer stations.

Shifting stations with servomotors on traverses and/or robot arms not only cause additional costs, but also have to be integrated into the process flow, which can have a negative effect on the throughput time and the susceptibility to errors in the feed. The same applies to manual alignment of the workpieces, which can also be associated with a high level of physical exertion. More modern feed systems, especially for flat workpieces, are based on air-cushion tables, which use compressed air to create an air cushion between a support surface and a workpiece. This puts the workpiece in a floating state, as a result of which the friction of a horizontal movement of the workpiece relative to the supporting surface can be minimized. The low friction allows the workpiece to be moved smoothly without a great deal of physical exertion, enabling simultaneous alignment and feeding of the workpieces with essentially no additional devices or additional work steps.

So far, however, no simple, reliable and cost-effective way of implementing an alignment and feeding process in an integrative manner is known. Therefore, an apparatus and a method to solve this problem are being sought.

Presentation of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, reliable and cost-effective device and a method for moving workpieces, in particular flat workpieces made of wood or wood-based materials.

A device according to the invention is defined in claim 1. A method according to the invention is defined in claim 13. Particular embodiments are defined in the respective dependent claims, wherein the device can be set up to carry out respective embodiments of the method and the method can employ respective embodiments of the device.

A movement device according to the invention for moving essentially flat workpieces, in particular made of wood or wood-based materials, comprises a Support device that is set up to form an air cushion between the support device and a workpiece. Furthermore, the movement device comprises one or more air outlets, which are set up to bring about a movement and/or a rotation of a workpiece resting on the air cushion above the support device in a horizontal plane.

The support device can also be referred to as an air cushion table. In particular, the support device is set up to generate an air cushion between the support device and a workpiece by escaping air. Depending on the requirements, either only an air cushion can be generated between the workpiece and the support device during operation and/or the workpiece can also be moved relative to the support device. The movement of the workpiece can include both a translational movement in the conveying direction, transversely or at any angle thereto, and a rotary movement in the horizontal plane.

The support device, in particular a support surface of the support device, can have the air outlets. According to a further embodiment, the air outlets can be provided at least partially adjacent to the support device, in particular (in the vertical direction) above or to the side of the support device, in particular a support surface of the support device.

The air cushion between the workpiece and the supporting device puts the workpiece in a state of levitation, whereby the friction of a (preferably horizontal) movement of the workpiece relative to the supporting device can be minimized, so that the workpiece can be moved anywhere in the horizontal plane relative to the supporting device with little effort can be moved, namely by targeted escape of air from appropriate air outlets in the support device. In this way, an alignment and feeding of workpieces by means of escaping air or compressed air can be implemented in a simple, reliable and cost-effective manner. Other possible uses include ejecting, turning, relocating, changing the sequence, separating, merging and parking individual workpieces as well as implementing a switch in the conveying process.

In a first embodiment, the air outlets contain one or more first air outlets, which have an angle of inclination of about 90° relative to the support device and are set up, in particular to generate an air cushion between the support device and a workpiece by escaping air, and one or more second air outlets, which are set up to move and/or rotate a workpiece lying on the air cushion above the support device in the (preferably horizontal or inclined) plane, in particular by means of escaping air.

The subdivision of the air outlets into first air outlets (air cushion nozzles) and second air outlets (movement nozzles) enables relatively simple control, since the air cushion is generated and movement is brought about separately. The air cushion can thus be maintained at all times by a continuous discharge of air from the first air outlets, while the movement of the workpiece can be controlled as required, e.g. by a variable discharge (air flow/angle) of air from the second air outlets. In addition, a conventional air-cushion table, which only has first air outlets (air-cushion nozzles), can be retrofitted by attaching corresponding second air outlets (moving nozzles).

In a second embodiment, the air outlets are combined air outlets that are set up, in particular to generate an air cushion between the support surface and a workpiece by escaping air and at the same time to be able to bring about a movement and/or rotation of a workpiece lying on the air cushion above the support device in the (preferably horizontal or inclined) plane.

The use of combined air outlets, which can both create an air cushion and bring about movement, has the advantage that only one type of air outlet is required, which means that costs can be reduced. In addition, in contrast to the first embodiment, the ratio of movement nozzles to air cushion nozzles is not limited, so that faster movements can be implemented if necessary.

The second air outlets or the combined air outlets can have an angle of inclination of less than 90°, preferably between 30° and 80° and particularly preferably between 45° and 75° relative to the support device, in particular a support surface of the support device.

An acute angle of the air outlets relative to the support device, in particular a (horizontal) support surface of the support device, can generate oblique air flows between the workpiece and the support device, which not only contain a vertical but also a horizontal component and thus a horizontal relative movement of the workpiece can bring about compared to the support device. The claimed angular range has proven to be particularly effective.

The second air outlets or the combined air outlets can be arranged in such a way that a first group has a first direction of inclination and a second group has one has a second direction of inclination that differs from the first direction of inclination.

Air outlets with unchangeable directions of inclination can be implemented in a particularly simple and cost-effective manner, since they do not require a mechanically complex mechanism for setting the direction of inclination. In order to nevertheless enable a targeted movement of a workpiece, such as acceleration and deceleration and/or movement in at least two directions (e.g. in the conveying direction and transversely thereto), it is therefore advantageous if the air outlets are divided into at least two groups with different directions of inclination are.

The second air outlets or the combined air outlets may further be arranged such that a third group has a third direction of inclination, and preferably a fourth group has a fourth direction of inclination, all the directions of inclination being different from one another.

By dividing the air outlets into at least three groups, each with different directions of inclination, the freedom of movement of the workpieces in the horizontal plane is further increased. In addition, if all intermediate angles between the respective directions of inclination in the (horizontal) plane are less than 180°, combinations of the respective air flows can accelerate and decelerate a workpiece in any direction of movement in the (horizontal) plane and thus position and/or align it precisely.

The groups of the second air outlets or the groups of the combined air outlets can also be arranged in such a way that they have the same intermediate angles with one another in the (horizontal) plane.

Groups of air outlets with directions of inclination which have the same intermediate angles between one another are particularly suitable for moving workpieces in at least two directions to accelerate and decelerate and/or to position or align as desired in the horizontal plane. In addition, bringing about any direction of movement is considerably simplified by correspondingly controlling the individual groups of air outlets.

In particular, four groups of air outlets can be provided, the directions of inclination of which each have intermediate angles of 90° relative to the directions of inclination of two adjacent groups of air outlets. Since each two groups of air outlets have an intermediate angle of 180°, the workpieces can be accelerated and decelerated in the respective direction in a simple manner. In addition, the air streams from two groups of air outlets, whose directions of inclination have an intermediate angle of 90°, can be easily combined in order to realize any direction of movement.

The air flow emerging from the first and/or the second air outlets or from the combined air outlets can also be adjustable in each case jointly, in groups or individually.

By adjusting the air streams emerging from the air outlets, not only the acceleration and the speed of the movement but also the resulting direction of movement of a workpiece in the plane (horizontal or inclined to it) can be adjusted both one-dimensionally and two-dimensionally, in particular by the air streams, emerging from the air outlets of a first group from the air streams emerging from the air outlets of a second group. The air flows can be varied in a binary or continuous manner, for example by means of appropriate check or throttle valves. By individually adjusting the air streams exiting from the individual air outlets, escaping air or compressed air can also be saved by only using them coming out of an air vent when there is also a work piece above it.

The angle of inclination of the second air outlets or the combined air outlets relative to the (horizontal or inclined) plane can also be adjusted together, in groups or individually, in particular by tilting the second air outlets or the combined air outlets relative to the horizontal plane.

The horizontal component of the air streams emerging from the air outlets and thus the movement of the workpiece relative to the support device, in particular the support surface, can be influenced by an adjustable angle of inclination. In extreme cases, the angle of inclination can also be 90°, so that the air flows only have a vertical and no horizontal component. This is the case, for example, when the combined air outlets only create an air cushion, essentially without moving the workpiece horizontally. The direction of inclination can be adjusted, for example, by a tilting mechanism with one or two degrees of freedom. With two degrees of freedom, the air outlets are cardanically mounted and can also be tilted in any direction.

The direction of inclination of the second air outlets or the combined air outlets in the (horizontal) plane can also be adjusted together, in groups or individually, in particular by turning the second air outlets or the combined air outlets in the horizontal plane.

By means of an adjustable inclination direction of the air outlets, which have an acute angle of inclination, the direction of the horizontal portion of the exiting air streams and thus the direction of the resulting horizontal relative movement of a workpiece in relation to the support device, in particular bearing surface, are adjusted. The direction of inclination can be adjusted, for example, by means of a corresponding rotating mechanism for the air outlets in the horizontal plane. Air diffusers with fixed angles of inclination can thereby perform movements with one degree of freedom, while air diffusers with variable angles of inclination can thereby perform movements with up to three degrees of freedom. A combination of tilting and rotating mechanisms allows the desired movement to be set precisely and flexibly, but is also associated with a high level of technical complexity. Depending on the design, it can therefore be cheaper to provide either only a tilting mechanism or only a rotating mechanism.

The device can also include at least one sensor for determining a position of a workpiece.

Since it is usually difficult to determine the exact position of a workpiece that is moved without contact without additional tools (e.g. due to environmental influences), sensors can be used that can be used to precisely determine the position of a workpiece before and after the movement.

The movement device can also include an auxiliary device which is provided laterally and/or (in the vertical direction) above the support device and is set up to move a workpiece resting on the air cushion above the support device by contact, by means of escaping air and/or by generating a vacuum , rotate and/or align.

An auxiliary device offers an additional possibility of moving a workpiece lying on the air cushion above the support device, either in combination with a movement brought about by the second air outlets or the combined air outlets, or independently of this. It has turned out to be advantageous if a workpiece that rests in an undefined position on the support device, is first moved through the second air outlets or the combined air outlets in the direction of the auxiliary device and is then aligned with the aid of the auxiliary device and transported further in the conveying direction.

The auxiliary device can be set up to move and/or rotate a workpiece resting on the air cushion above the support device from above, from below or from the side through direct contact.

Through direct contact with an auxiliary device, the workpieces can be precisely positioned and aligned (e.g. using stops) and moved precisely (e.g. using conveyor belts). In addition, conveyance through direct contact is generally more economical, so that contact-based conveyance can be particularly advantageous following a contactless alignment of workpieces.

Alternatively, the auxiliary device can have air nozzles which are set up to move and/or rotate a workpiece resting on the air cushion above the support device in the (in particular horizontal) plane by means of horizontally escaping air and/or generating a negative pressure.

Indirect contact can avoid damaging the workpieces. Due to the horizontal orientation of the air nozzles of the auxiliary device, in contrast to the air outlets of the support device, which are aligned at an angle, they have the advantage that the exiting air flow has a larger horizontal component and also acts on a lateral surface of the workpiece, which means that the workpiece can be moved much more effectively. The support device, in particular a support surface of the support device, can have an angle of inclination with respect to a horizontal plane, so that a workpiece lying on the air cushion above the support device is moved by gravity in a substantially horizontal direction, with the workpiece moving in a conveying direction or in the direction of the Auxiliary device is moved, wherein the angle of inclination is preferably between 0 ° and 5 ° and more preferably between 1 ° and 3 ° and is preferably adjustable.

An inclined support device has the advantage that, thanks to gravity, workpieces can be moved and/or pressed in a desired direction without additional force being applied. This is particularly advantageous if the desired direction of movement (e.g. the conveying direction) is fixed or if the workpieces are always to be pushed in the same direction, e.g. to align them with an auxiliary device such as a ruler or a lateral guide rail. A variable angle of inclination also makes it possible to adjust the movement of the workpiece more precisely.

The device can also be set up to feed workpieces to a processing machine, in particular a woodworking machine.

The device is particularly suitable for use in combination with a processing machine, since it is able to automatically align individual workpieces and then feed them to a machine. The combination with a woodworking machine is particularly suitable, since the wooden workpieces to be processed are generally flat and rectangular and therefore well suited for the movement device according to the invention. A method according to the invention for moving essentially flat workpieces, in particular workpieces made of wood or wood-based materials, comprises the steps of creating an air cushion between the support device and the workpiece, in particular by the targeted escape of air from the first air outlets or the combined air outlets and bringing about a Movement and/or rotation of the workpiece in the horizontal plane, in particular through the targeted escape of air from the second air outlets or the combined air outlets. A device according to one of the previous aspects can be used as part of the method.

The air cushion between the workpiece and the supporting device puts the workpiece in a floating state, which means that the friction of a (especially horizontal) movement of the workpiece relative to the supporting device can be minimized, so that the workpiece can be placed anywhere in the (especially horizontal) plane with little effort can be moved relative to the support device, specifically by the targeted escape of air from corresponding air outlets in the support device. In this way, automated alignment and feeding of workpieces by means of escaping air or compressed air can be implemented in a simple, reliable and cost-effective manner.

In one embodiment, the direction of movement of the workpiece is essentially determined by adjusting the air streams emerging from the second air outlets or the combined air outlets or groups thereof.

By adjusting the air streams emerging from the air outlets, the resulting direction of movement of a workpiece in the horizontal plane can be adjusted both one-dimensionally and two-dimensionally, in particular by the air streams emerging from the air outlets exiting the first group, from the air streams exiting the air outlets of a second group. The air flows can be varied in a binary or continuous manner, for example by means of appropriate check or throttle valves.

Adjusting the direction of movement by adjusting the airflows exiting air diffusers with fixed angles of inclination as well as fixed directions of inclination has the advantage that no mechanical tilting or rotating devices are required, which can reduce costs and complexity.

In a further embodiment, the direction of movement of the workpiece is essentially determined by adjusting the angle of inclination of the second air outlets or the combined air outlets or groups thereof.

An acute angle of the air outlets in relation to the (in particular horizontal) support device, in particular the support surface, can generate oblique air flows between the workpiece and the support device, which not only contain a vertical but also a horizontal component and thus a horizontal relative movement of the workpiece in relation to the Can bring about support device. In the case of a one-dimensional movement, it is sufficient if the air outlets can be tilted about one axis (back and forth) in order to accelerate and decelerate the workpiece in one direction or in the opposite direction. In order to also be able to realize two-dimensional movements, it is also advantageous if the air outlets can also be tilted about a second axis, for example by means of a cardanic bearing with two degrees of freedom, so that the resulting tilting direction is also implicit through a corresponding setting of the tilting angle around both axes can be adjusted. Adjusting the direction of movement by adjusting the angles of inclination of non-rotating air diffusers has the advantage that no rotating mechanism is required, which can reduce costs and complexity.

In a further embodiment, the direction of movement of the workpiece is essentially determined by adjusting the directions of inclination of the second air outlets or the combined air outlets or groups thereof.

The direction of the horizontal portion of the exiting air streams and thus the direction of the resulting horizontal movement of a workpiece relative to the support device can be adjusted by means of an adjustable direction of inclination of the air outlets, which have an acute angle of inclination. The direction of inclination can be adjusted, for example, by means of a corresponding rotary mechanism for the air outlets in the horizontal plane.

Adjusting the direction of movement by adjusting the direction of inclination of air diffusers with fixed angles of inclination has the advantage that no tilting mechanism is required, which can reduce costs and complexity.

In a further embodiment, the direction of movement of the workpiece is essentially determined by adjusting the angle of inclination of the support device.

By adjusting the angle of inclination of the support device, a workpiece can be moved without the need for additional air outlets. This is particularly advantageous when workpieces are always to be moved in the same direction, for example in the conveying direction or in the direction of a lateral alignment aid, so that the angle of inclination does not have to be changed. Thus, costs can be saved and the control can be simplified. The method may also include aligning and/or conveying the workpiece in the horizontal plane by an auxiliary device.

An auxiliary device offers an additional possibility of moving a workpiece lying on the air cushion above the support device, either in combination with a movement brought about by the second air outlets or the combined air outlets, or independently of this. It has proven to be advantageous if a workpiece that is lying in an undefined position on the support device is first moved through the second air outlets or the combined air outlets in the direction of the auxiliary device and then aligned with the aid of the auxiliary device and transported further in the conveying direction .

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of a device, a use and/or a method result from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. From these drawings shows:

Fig. la is a schematic side view of an air cushion table;

lb is a schematic side view of an inclined air cushion table;

1c shows a schematic side view of a movement device according to the invention with air outlets for movement control below the workpiece; Fig. Id is a schematic side view of a movement device according to the Invention with air outlets for

motion control above the workpiece;

Fig. le is a schematic side view of a movement device according to the Invention with an auxiliary device;

1f shows a schematic side view of a movement device according to the invention with an auxiliary device;

2a shows a schematic plan view of a movement device according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2b shows an enlarged section of FIG. 2a; Fig. 2c is a side sectional view of Fig. 2b; 3a shows a schematic plan view of a movement device according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 3b shows an enlarged section of FIG. 3a; Fig. 3c is a side sectional view of Fig. 3b; 4a shows a schematic plan view of a movement device according to a third embodiment;

FIG. 4b shows an enlarged section of FIG. 4a; Fig. 4c is a side sectional view of Fig. 4b; 5a shows a schematic plan view of a movement device according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 5b shows an enlarged section of FIG. 5a; Fig. 5c is a side sectional view of Fig. 5b. Description of Embodiments

The same reference symbols that are listed in different figures designate identical, corresponding, or functionally similar elements.

Fig. la shows a schematic side view of an air-cushion table, with a workpiece 12 resting on a support surface (support device) 14 and an air cushion between the workpiece 12 and the support surface 14 being generated by escaping air, which exits vertically upwards from air outlets in the support surface 14 is, whereby the workpiece 12 is placed in a kind of levitation. Because of the resulting vertical spacing between the workpiece 12 and the support surface 14, the workpiece 12 can be moved substantially smoothly horizontally relative to the support surface 14 with minimal effort, which is typically done manually in conventional air cushion tables.

Fig. lb shows a schematic side view of an inclined air cushion table, wherein the angle of inclination g and / or the direction of inclination of the support surface 14 can be fixed or adjustable. Due to the inclination of the support surface 14, the workpiece 12 can be moved in a desired direction, e.g. in a conveying direction or in the direction of an auxiliary device (see Fig. 1e).

1c shows a schematic side view of a movement device 10 according to the invention, the air outlets for moving or rotating the workpiece 12 being arranged in the support surface 14. FIG. Analogous to FIG. In contrast to FIG emerge, whereby the workpiece 12 can be moved horizontally.

Air flows from air outlets with different angles of inclination and/or directions of inclination can be combined, i.e. superimposed, in order to achieve the desired movement of the workpiece 12. For this purpose, the air outlets can be combined in groups with the same angles of inclination, with e.g. Alternatively or additionally, the air outlets can also be combined in groups with the same directions of inclination, e.g. In addition, further groups can be provided whose directions of inclination differ from the directions of inclination of the other groups.

The resulting movement can be one-dimensional (eg only in the X-direction) and/or two-dimensional (in any X/Y direction) as well as translatory (linear movement) and/or rotatory (rotary movement). A one-dimensional translatory movement in a direction that corresponds to the direction of inclination of the air outlets can be realized by air outlets with a uniform direction of inclination. For a two-dimensional translational movement in any direction that does not coincide with the direction of inclination of the air outlets, the air flows from two or more groups of air outlets with different directions of inclination can be combined so that their Superimpose airflows into a resulting airflow. In contrast to translational movements, where the direction of inclination of the (resultant) airflow can be uniform over the entire support surface 14, rotary movements require airflows that have location-dependent directions of inclination, depending on the position of the workpiece 12 on the support surface 14. Therefore the realization of rotary movements is associated with a significantly higher complexity.

The direction of movement of the workpiece 12 can be adjusted in different ways, which are described in more detail in the embodiments.

1d shows a schematic side view of a movement device 10 according to the invention, the air outlets for moving or rotating the workpiece 12 being arranged above the workpiece 12. FIG. The above description of the arrangement shown in FIG. 1c also applies mutatis mutandis to this arrangement. In contrast, this arrangement has the advantage that a conventional air cushion table 14 can be used and the air outlets for moving or rotating the workpiece 12 can be installed or manipulated as required and in a simple manner.

Fig. le shows a schematic side view of a movement device 10 according to the invention with an auxiliary device 22, which in this example consists of an alignment device 22a (such as a guide rail or a ruler) arranged to the side of the workpiece 12 and a feed device 22b arranged below a section of the workpiece 12 (such as a conveyor belt or rollers).

Through the second air outlets 18 or the combined air outlets 20 (possibly additionally or alternatively through a corresponding inclination of the bearing surface 14). a workpiece 12 resting on the air cushion above the support surface 14 is moved in the direction of the aligning device 22a (X direction) until it rests against a second air cushion 24, which is formed between the aligning device 22a and the workpiece 12, as a result of which the (in the drawing on the right ) Side edge of the workpiece 12 is aligned along the alignment device 22a, but without touching it.

The feed device 22b then moves up to the aligned workpiece 12 from below and displaces it in a conveying direction (Y-direction), while the workpiece 12 continues to be pressed against the lateral air cushion 24 . Thus, the workpiece 12 is in a stable, low-friction state and can be moved with little effort using an eccentrically acting feed device 22b without losing its alignment.

1f shows a schematic side view of a movement device 10 according to the invention with an auxiliary device 22, which in this example consists of two feed devices 22b, 22c arranged in sections below the workpiece 12. As soon as the workpiece 12 is above the two feed devices 22b, 22c, they move up to the workpiece 12 from below, so that it rests on the two feed devices 22b, 22c. The respective feed speeds of the two feed devices 22b, 22c are then adjusted in such a way that the workpiece 12 rotates into the desired orientation. The aligned workpiece 12 can then be moved in a conveying direction (Y-direction) by the respective feed speeds of the two feed devices 22b, 22c being synchronized again.

Compared to contactless feed devices, this has the advantage that the relative position of a workpiece 12 generally not changed compared to a contact-based feed device 22b, 22c due to the high friction.

FIG. 2a shows a schematic plan view of a movement device 10 according to a first embodiment. The workpiece 12 resting on it is shown transparent. First air outlets 16 (air cushion nozzles) and second air outlets 18 (motion nozzles) are evenly distributed in the support surface 14 . While the first air outlets 16 are aligned perpendicularly to the support surface 14 in order to create an air cushion between the workpiece 12, the second air outlets 18 have a certain inclination relative to the support surface 14 in order to move the workpiece 12 horizontally, the angle of inclination and the Direction of inclination are invariable. To set the direction of movement of the workpiece 12, the air flow emerging from the second air outlets 18 is varied accordingly.

FIG. 2b shows an enlarged section of FIG. 2a, with the support surface 14 being shown partially transparent. The second air outlets 18 are each divided into four groups 18a-18d with different directions of inclination β relative to the X-axis, which represents the conveying direction, for example. In this case, individual air outlets from each group 18a-18d are arranged in local proximity symmetrically around a common center point, so that the respective air flows can be superimposed to form a resulting air flow. It can thereby be ensured that the resulting air stream always acts on the workpiece 12, in particular also on its edges.

In addition, two groups 18a, 18b are aligned in the positive or negative X-direction and two groups 18c, 18d in the positive or negative Y-direction, which simplifies control and allows any direction of movement to be realized in the horizontal plane. All second air outlets in a group 18a-18d are doing this together with Compressed air supplied, the air flow can be varied together in each case in order to generate the desired resultant air flow and thus the desired movement of the workpiece 12. The joint adjustment of the air flow within a group 18a-18d is particularly simple and cost-effective, for example, can be implemented by appropriate valves in the (compressed) air supply.

Fig. 2c shows a side sectional view of Fig. 2b. It can be clearly seen here that the first air outlets 16 are arranged perpendicularly to the support surface 14 and the second air outlets of the first and second group 18a, 18b are arranged at an angle thereto, namely at an angle of inclination . The second air outlets of the third and fourth group 18c, 18d are not visible here. It can also be seen that the air streams exiting obliquely upwards from the two second air outlets 18a and 18b have a common point of intersection which is at the smallest possible distance from the contact surface 14 . The distance between the point of intersection and the support surface 14 is preferably less than the distance between the underside of the workpiece 12 and the support surface 14, so that the air flows from the individual second air outlets 18a, 18b can overlap before they reach the underside of the workpiece 12 .

Fig. 3a shows a schematic plan view of a movement device 10 according to a second embodiment. In contrast to the first embodiment, the second air outlets 18 are not combined into groups here, but are mounted such that they can be tilted or rotated in order to set the desired direction of movement of the workpiece 12 . Since division into groups is no longer necessary according to the first embodiment, the number of the second air outlets 18 can be reduced. An additional storage and movement mechanism is required for this in order to set the desired angle of inclination or the desired direction of inclination β of the second air outlets 18 . With the help of coupling elements (eg rods), the angles of inclination or the directions of inclination β of the individual second air outlets 18 can also be set simultaneously by a common movement mechanism, which simplifies control and saves costs.

FIG. 3b shows an enlarged section of FIG. 3a, with the support surface 14 being shown partially transparent. The direction of inclination β of the second air outlet 18 relative to the X-axis, which represents the conveying direction, for example, is variable. The mechanism for setting the direction of inclination β, which can be based on turning in the horizontal plane, on tilting relative to the horizontal plane or on a combination of these, is not shown here. Any direction of inclination ß can be realized, for example, by horizontally rotatable second air outlets 18 with a fixed (acute) angle of inclination relative to the support surface 14 or by horizontally non-rotatable air outlets 18 that can be tilted about two horizontal axes.

Fig. 3c shows a side sectional view of Fig. 3b. In contrast to the first embodiment, only a single second air outlet 18 is shown, the angle of inclination of which relative to the bearing surface 14 can be either fixed or variable, as described above.

Fig. 4a shows a schematic plan view of a movement device 10 according to a third embodiment. In contrast to the first two embodiments, no distinction is made here between the first and second air outlets, since the combined air outlets 20 take over their respective functions at the same time. The arrangement of the combined air outlets 20 is analogous to the arrangement of the second air outlets 18 according to the first embodiment. Since this has already been described in detail, reference is made to the corresponding description at this point. Since, in contrast to the first embodiment, no separate Air outlets are required to generate an air cushion, the total number of air outlets can be reduced, with the diameter of the combined air outlets 20 possibly being somewhat larger.

FIG. 4b shows an enlarged section of FIG. 4a, with the support surface 14 being shown partially transparent. The combined air outlets 20 are arranged in four groups 20a-20d with different directions of inclination β, analogously to the second air outlets 18 shown in FIG. 2b, to the description of which reference is made at this point. Since the individual air outlets from each group 20a-20d are arranged symmetrically around a common center point in the local vicinity, a vertical air flow results with the same air flows, since the horizontal components of the individual air flows cancel each other out. The vertical air flow can be used to create the air cushion under the workpiece 12. In order to bring about a horizontal movement of the workpiece 12, the air flow from one of the four combined air outlets 20a-20d can be reduced compared to the other three combined air outlets 20a-20d. The air flows can then be set the same again for all combined air outlets 20a-20d.

Fig. 4c shows a side sectional view of Fig. 4b. Similar to the second air outlets 18a and 18b shown in FIG. 2c, the combined air outlets 20a and 20b shown are arranged at an angle with a constant angle of inclination relative to the support surface 14, while the combined air outlets of the third and fourth groups 20c, 20d are not visible. With regard to further features of the combined air outlets 20, reference is made to the analogous description of the second air outlets 18 in FIG. 2c.

FIG. 5a shows a schematic plan view of a movement device 10 according to a fourth embodiment. In contrast to the first two embodiments, here also not differentiated between first and second air outlets, since the combined air outlets 20 take over their respective functions at the same time. The arrangement of the combined air outlets 20 is analogous to the arrangement of the second air outlets 18 according to the second embodiment. Since this has already been described in detail, reference is made to the corresponding description at this point. Since, in contrast to the second embodiment, no separate air outlets are required to generate an air cushion, the number of air outlets can be reduced overall, with the diameter of the combined air outlets 20 possibly being somewhat larger.

FIG. 5b shows an enlarged section of FIG. 5a, the support surface 14 being shown partially transparent. Analogously to the second air outlet 18 shown in Fig. 3b, the direction of inclination β of the combined air outlet 20 relative to the X-axis, which represents the conveying direction, for example, is variable. The mechanism for setting the direction of inclination ß, which is based on tilting about two horizontal axes and can be implemented by cardanic mounting, is not shown here. It should be noted that the direction of inclination ß cannot be represented if the angle of inclination has a value of 90°.

Fig. 5c shows a side sectional view of Fig. 5b. As described above, the angle of inclination of the combined air outlet 20 relative to the support surface 14 is variable by two-dimensional tilting. It must also be possible to set an angle of inclination of 90° in order to be able to generate an air cushion under the workpiece 12 without moving the workpiece 12 horizontally.

Even if the above-described embodiments 2a-c and 3a-c relate to the arrangement shown in FIG. Lc, it should be noted that these can also be applied to the arrangement shown in FIG. Id by the first Air outlets 16 are arranged below and the second air outlets 18 are arranged above the workpiece 12 . It should also be pointed out that the term "compressed air" used does not necessarily describe highly compressed compressed air, but merely states that the air has a higher pressure than the ambient air, with the pressure difference also being able to be relatively small.

It is obvious to a person skilled in the art that individual features that are each described in different embodiments can also be implemented in a single embodiment, provided they are not structurally incompatible. Likewise, various features that are described in a single embodiment may also be provided in multiple embodiments, individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

EXPECTATIONS

1. Movement device (10) for moving essentially flat workpieces (12), in particular made of wood or wood-based materials, comprising a support device (14) which is set up to form an air cushion between the support device (14) and a workpiece (12). , wherein the movement device (10) has: one or more air outlets (18, 20) which are set up to bring about a movement and/or a rotation of a workpiece (12) resting on the air cushion above the support device (14).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the air outlets

(16, 18, 20) include: one or more first air outlets (16) having an angle of inclination (ex) of about 90° with respect to the supporting device (14) and arranged, the air cushion between the supporting device (14) and a workpiece (12), and one or more second air outlets (18), which are set up to move and/or rotate a workpiece (12) resting on the air cushion above the support device (14) in a plane (X/Y). .

3. Device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the air outlets (16, 18, 20) combined air outlets

(20) which are set up to generate the air cushion between the support device (14) and a workpiece (12) and a movement and/or rotation of a workpiece (12) resting on the air cushion above the support device (14) in one plane (X/Y) to bring about.

4. Device (10) according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein the second air outlets (18) or the combined air outlets (20) have an inclination angle (ex) of less than 90°, preferably between 30° and 80° and particularly preferably between 45° and 75° relative to the support device (14).

5. Device (10) according to claim 4, wherein the second air outlets (18) or the combined air outlets (20) are arranged such that a first group (18a, 20a) has a first direction of inclination (ßa), a second group (18b , 20b) has a second direction of inclination (ßb), preferably also a third group (18c, 20c) has a third direction of inclination (ßc), and particularly preferably also a fourth group (18d, 20d) has a fourth direction of inclination (ßd), wherein the directions of inclination (ßa, ßb, ßc, ßd) differ from one another and preferably have the same intermediate angle.

6. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow exiting from the air outlets (16, 18, 20) can be set jointly, in groups or individually.

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the angle of inclination (ex) of the air outlets (16, 18, 20) relative to a, in particular horizontal, plane (X/Y) can be set jointly, in groups or individually, in particular by tilting the air outlets (16, 18, 20) with respect to the plane (X/Y).

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the direction of inclination (ß) of the air outlets (16, 18, 20) in the horizontal plane (X / Y) is adjustable together, in groups or individually, in particular by turning the Air outlets (16, 18, 20) in the horizontal plane

(X/Y) 9. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) further comprises: at least one sensor for determining a position of a workpiece (12).

10. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) further comprises: an auxiliary device (22) which is provided on the side and / or above the support device (14) and is set up, on the air cushion above the To move, rotate and/or align the workpiece (12) resting on the support device (14) by contact, by means of escaping air or compressed air and/or generating a negative pressure.

11. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the support device (14) relative to the, in particular horizontal, plane (X / Y) has an angle of inclination (g), so that a resting on the air cushion above the support device (14). Workpiece (12) is moved by gravity in a substantially horizontal direction, the workpiece (12) being moved in a conveying direction or in the direction of the auxiliary device (22), the angle of inclination (g) preferably being between 0° and 5° and is particularly preferably between 1° and 3° and is preferably adjustable.

12. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (10) is set up, workpieces (12) of a processing machine, in particular one

Woodworking machine to supply.

13. A method for moving essentially flat workpieces (12), in particular workpieces made of wood or wood-based materials, comprising the steps: Creating an air cushion between the support device (14) and the workpiece (12), in particular by the targeted exit of air from first air outlets (16) or combined air outlets (20), and

Bringing about a movement and/or a rotation of the workpiece (12) in the horizontal plane (X/Y), in particular by the targeted emergence of air from the second air outlets (18) or the combined air outlets (20). 14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the direction of movement of the workpiece (12) is essentially determined by adjusting the exiting air currents or the angle of inclination () or the direction of inclination (ß) of the second air outlets (18) or the combined air outlets (20) or groups thereof, or by adjusting the angle of inclination (g) of the support means (14).

15. The method according to any one of claims 13 or 14, further comprising the step:

Aligning and/or conveying the workpiece (12) in the horizontal plane (X/Y) by an auxiliary device (22).