BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for processing wood panels used for making
furniture pieces.
[0002] As is known, in one of the most common assembling patterns, the panels forming the
horizontal elements of the furniture piece are usually provided with pins and/or engaged
by insertion on two sides thereof.
[0003] These horizontal panels are then assembled with other panels provided for receiving
the pin elements thereof, and forming the vertical elements of the furniture piece.
[0004] Usually, the above mentioned processing or machining operations are performed starting
from large size panels having a parallelepiped configuration and which must be subjected
to cutting, drilling and other like operations by processing machines which are generally
provided with a horizontal loading surface comprising a roller assembly or the like.
[0005] The panels are moreover conventionally handled by conveying assemblies including
a plurality of suction cups which are caused to perform rectilinear reciprocating
movements.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The aim of the present invention is to provide such a furniture piece making machine
allowing to engage and glue in said panels a plurality of wood pins or pegs, or insert
elements in general, for coupling to corresponding horizontal elements.
[0007] Within the scope of the above-mentioned aim, a main object of the invention is to
provide such a furniture piece making machine which allows the mentioned pins and/or
insert elements to be aligned with a very high precision, independently from the panel
thickness and the panel thickness variation along the panel itself.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a furniture piece making
machine which facilitates an automatized managing of the panel processing operations,
thereby allowing the operator to save time and cost.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a panel processing or
machining operation which has a very reduced machine size, corresponding approximately
to 50% of a size of a conventional like horizontal processing furniture piece making
machine.
[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a machine allowing
to easily and quickly processing furniture piece panels having a very large size and
a variable pattern.
[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a furniture piece
making machine which allows to easily process or machine furniture piece vertical
panel elements for assembling the latter to respective furniture piece horizontal
panel elements.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a furniture piece
making machine which is suitable for a continuous type of processing or machining
work.
[0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a furniture piece
making machine suitable for using a control software assembly cooperating with a CAD/CAM
system designed in a customized manner for specifically processing furniture pieces
and adapted to omit, in the most part of cases, a description or specification step
for providing a description of the individual furniture piece elements by an operator,
with a very high saving of the furniture piece making cost.
[0014] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a furniture piece
making machine construction which, owing to its specifically designed structural features
is very reliable and safe in operation.
[0015] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects,
as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved
by a machine for processing wood panels used for making furnishing pieces, characterized
in that said machine comprises three discrete working stations: a first station and
a second station for processing horizontal elements of a furniture pieces, and a third
station for processing vertical elements of said furniture piece; all said stations
including locating means for vertically locating said panel and for adjusting size
references to constructional characteristics used for assembling the furniture piece;
said machine having different operating modes including two main operating modes:
the first operating mode allowing to process horizontal elements forming said furniture
pieces, to provide perforating, glueing and pin and/or metal element applying operations,
said components being used as reference and stiffening components for a following
assembling operation; said second operating mode being related to a possibility of
performing perforating and milling operations on the vertical elements of the furniture
pieces, which perforating and milling operations are necessary for a following assembly
step; said modes of operation being adapted to be carried out on the same machine
by using the same operating assemblies and central control unit, of a numerical control
type, including a specifically designed CAD/CAM system for working or processing the
furniture piece.
[0016] The above provides an integrated solution, which advantageously reduces the furniture
piece making time and required operating spaces.
[0017] Accordingly, it is possible to greatly reduce the furniture piece making cost.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more
apparent hereinafter from the following detailed disclosure of a preferred, though
not exclusive, embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated, by way of an indicative,
but not limitative, example in the accompanying drawings, where:
Figure 1 is a perspective view, taken from an operator side, of the furniture piece
making machine according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a bracketing or clamping system included in a third
machining station for processing vertical elements in the furniture piece making machine
according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a further perspective view showing the machining or processing assembly
of the third processing station included in the furniture piece making machine according
to the present invention;
Figure 4 is yet another perspective view showing a laser detecting system for detecting
a reference zero point of the vertical elements;
Figure 5 is yet another perspective view showing a drilling operation performed through
a vertical element;
and
Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a spot-facing operation performed by the furniture
piece making machine according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] With reference to the number references of the above mentioned figures, the furniture
piece making machine according to the present invention, which has been generally
indicated by the reference number 1, comprises three discrete furniture piece panel
processing or machining stations: a first station, indicated by the reference number
2, a second station, indicated by the reference number 3, for processing or machining
horizontal panel elements of a furniture piece, and a third station, indicated by
the reference number 4, for processing the furniture piece vertical panel elements.
[0020] To all the above mentioned processing stations is common a vertical arrangement of
the panels and the reference of the size dimensions of the panels to the constructional
characteristics used for assembling the furniture piece.
[0021] The above machine allows to perform different operating functions, which can be considered
as included in two processing operations: the first allows to process horizontal panel
elements forming the furniture piece, by performing, in particular, drilling, glueing
and pin and/or iron element engaging operations in general.
[0022] The above components are used as a reference and stiffening pattern for the following
assembling operations.
[0023] The second operating function is specifically related to a possibility of performing
drilling and milling operations on the furniture piece vertical elements, as necessary
for the following assembling operations.
[0024] In the horizontal element processing stations 2 and 3, the panel to be processed
or machined is arranged in a vertical plane and the machining operations are carried
out on the panel edges parallel to the axis-y of the machine.
[0025] Both said stations 2 and 3 provide to perform a clamping or bracketing operation
using a vertical axis eccentric cylinder, pneumatically driven, designed for clamping
or lock a thickness and height range as required, without performing manual operations.
[0026] For both said stations 2 and 3, a single processing assembly is provided, said processing
assembly comprising a drilling bit, a glue metering/injecting device, a pin or peg
inserter device and/or an optional iron part inserting device.
[0027] The processing or machining assembly comprises moreover a laser detecting system
for detecting in real time the height of the panel (the so-called dimension y).
[0028] The system has three freedom degrees, all of which are associated to the processing
assembly: a motorized axis-x (horizontal), a motorized axis-y (vertical) and a pneumatically
driven (binormal) axis-z.
[0029] In the third processing station 4, for processing the furniture piece vertical panel
elements, the panel is arranged in a vertical plane.
[0030] The processing operations are herein carried out with reference to this plane: the
drilling operations being performed in an orthogonal direction (axis z' in figure
3), whereas the milling operations are performed on the same plane (axes x' and y'
in figure 3).
[0031] As is shown in figure 2, the panel 5 is bracketed or clamped by a small size gripper
6 operating near the bottom edge of the panel 5, which is cause to slide to idle rollers
7.
[0032] The gripper is pneumatically closed and opened, and is adapted to operate through
the overall range of the provided panel thicknesses.
[0033] Figure 3 shows the four processing assemblies of the third processing or machining
station 4, that is: a drilling assembly 8, a facing or blade assembly 9, a right electrical
spindle 10 and a left electrical spindle 11.
[0034] More specifically, said drilling assembly 8 is used for performing drilling operations
on the vertical panel elements and comprises a drilling bit set 21 arranged according
to a reversed "L" shape, in two horizontal rows including each five drilling bits
and in a column of eleven drilling bits.
[0035] In this connection it should be apparent that the arrangement and number of drilling
bits can be selected according to the contingent machining needs.
[0036] The selection of the drilling bits to be respectively used each time is performed
by a pneumatic set-up or arrangement, having a matching software and numerical control
arrangement.
[0037] Said electro-spindles or mandrels 10 and 11 are used for performing panel milling
operations.
[0038] Each said electro-spindle is associated with an independent motor, and being vertically
arranged in the recess of the reversed "L" of the drilling assembly 8.
[0039] The blade assembly 9 is designed for performing a spot facing operation along the
panel plane parallel to the axis x'.
[0040] The blade assembly 9 comprises an independent motor and is housed at a head portion
of said electro-spindles or mandrels.
[0041] The processing or working-machining assemblies of the third station 4 are integral
or rigid with the assembly operating on the stations 2 and 3 (for performing drilling-injecting-inserting
operations).
[0042] As a reference, the axis z is associated with the working depth of a single tool,
and, for this reason, is herein considered a second reference system, indicated by
the reference mark ''''', which is offset by 90° with respect to the preceding system
about the axis y.
[0043] Thus, there are obtained the following relationship between the original axes and
derivate axes:
Original |
Derivate |
x |
z' |
y |
y' |
z |
-X' |
[0044] Accordingly, the axes y' and z' are motor-driven axes and associated with the working
or processing assemblies operating in the third processing station 4.
[0045] On the contrary, the axis x' is associated with the panel being processed or machined.
[0046] The driving along the axis x' (figure 2) is performed by the gripper 6 which clamps
the panel, and is driven by a driving pinion/rack system.
[0047] With said gripper 6 cooperates a plurality of idle rollers 7, rigidly supported by
the machine framework, and operating for bearing thereon the panel at points of the
latter whereat it is not engaged by said clamping gripper.
[0048] Figure 4 shows a detecting or sensing system for detecting or sensing the dimension
x'.
[0049] The reference "zero" position of the vertical element is obtained by a laser detecting
system allowing to map the several operating positions.
[0050] More specifically, as the panel is arranged near the detecting system or sensor 12,
said sensor will sense the panel passing by and will assign a machining operation
reference.
[0051] This method is the so-called "on the fly zero assigning method".
[0052] The machine according to the present invention comprises moreover and is managed
by a numerical type of control device cooperating with a CAD/CAM type of software
made and developed in a customized manner for controlling the furniture piece making
operations.
[0053] Said system is designed for processing the furniture piece working cycle, based on
an indication of a furniture piece actually desired by the operator, without causing
said operator to process details of the single elements of the chosen furniture piece.
[0054] The operation of the machine according to the present invention comprises the following
working or processing steps, with reference to a so-called three-area pendulum type
of processing operation assembly.
[0055] At first, the panel is manually arranged either in the first or second station, for
a horizontal panel element, or in the third station, for a vertical panel element.
[0056] Then, said panel or panels is/are automatically clamped, by an eccentric clamping
cylinder for the horizontal panel elements or by the gripper 6 for the vertical panel
elements.
[0057] Then, the panel height is automatically detected or sensed, for the horizontal panel
elements, or a starting point x' is herein detected for the vertical panel elements.
[0058] In the meanwhile, the free station, either the first or the second, is preloaded,
if the third station operates, or the preloading being performed in the third free
station, if the first and second stations operate.
[0059] The working or machining operations on the horizontal panel elements comprise a drilling,
cleaning of the drilled hole by blowing air, a glue injection by a glue metering nozzle
(only for a pinned arrangement) and a pin or peg or iron part inserting.
[0060] The machining operations on the vertical panel elements comprise a drilling of the
panel in multiple drilling stages, as shown in figure 5, and a milling and facing
operations, as shown in figure 6.
[0061] For both types of panels, the operating sequence ends by automatically unlocking
or disengaging said panel or panels.
[0062] All the panel machining or processing steps, from the automatic detection of the
panel height to the automatic unlocking or disengaging of the processed panel, are
repeated whilst the machined panel is manually unloaded.
[0063] It has been found that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
[0064] In fact, the invention has provided a furniture piece making machine in which a reference
to the structural origins of the horizontal elements, which is common to all the machine
processing stations, allows to perform a very precise or accurate alignment of the
coupling pins or pegs and/or insert elements independently from the panel thickness
and the panel thickness variation along the panel itself.
[0065] The laser detecting system for detecting the panel dimension y allows to easily automatize
all the machining operations, thereby greatly reducing the labor time.
[0066] The vertical arrangement of the panel for all the processing or machining operations
allows to greatly reducing the occupied space, which approaches to 50% with respect
to a horizontal processing conventional machine.
[0067] The driving system, including a clamping gripper and idle roller sliding arrangement,
as above disclosed, allows to process panels with a comparatively large and variable
size, for example from 250 mm to 3000 mm.
[0068] Moreover, the provision of several processing stations allows the machine to operate
in a continuous manner, since the loading of following panels is carried out in a
masked time.
[0069] Furthermore, the control software system, cooperating with a customized CAD/CAM system,
allows, in the most cases, to omit a description operation for a single furniture
piece component element, with a consequent very great saving on the furniture piece
making cost.
[0070] Furthermore, depending on the selected processing logic, it is possible to perform
a working operating cycle either for producing a full furniture piece or a series
of like furniture piece components.
[0071] Furthermore, depending on the selected production or making type, the system, including
three working areas, allows to nullify the loading and unloading time for each single
furniture piece element.
[0072] Furthermore, the detecting system for detecting the axis-x' origin, allows to further
reduce the operating time and to machine with a very high precision the vertical element
V.
[0073] Thus, the machine according to the present invention provides two different or discrete
operating possibilities for processing both vertical and horizontal elements for making
the desired furniture piece on three discrete areas, with a consequent suppression
of the loading and unloading time necessary for loading and unloading the panels being
processed, since these operations are performed in a masked time.
[0074] The above two modes of operation, in particular, are performed on the same machine
by using the same operating assemblies and control central unit of a customized CAD/CAM
system specifically designed for processing furniture pieces.
[0075] Thus, the furniture piece making time and required operating spaces are further reduced
thereby further reducing in turn the making and capital costs.
[0076] In practicing the invention, the used materials, as well as the contingent size and
shapes, can be any, depending on requirements.
1. A machine for processing wood panels used for making furnishing pieces, characterized in that said machine comprises three discrete working stations: a first station and a second
station for processing horizontal elements of a furniture pieces, and a third station
for processing vertical elements of said furniture piece; all said stations including
locating means for vertically locating said panel and for adjusting size references
to constructional characteristics used for assembling the furniture piece; said machine
having different operating modes including two main operating modes: the first operating
mode allowing to process horizontal elements forming said furniture pieces, to provide
perforating, glueing and pin and/or metal element applying operations, said components
being used as reference and stiffening components for a following assembling operation;
said second operating mode being related to a possibility of performing perforating
and milling operations on the vertical elements of the furniture pieces, which perforating
and milling operations are necessary for a following assembly step; said modes of
operation being adapted to be carried out on the same machine by using the same operating
assemblies and central control unit, of a numerical control type, including a specifically
designed CAD/CAM system for working or processing the furniture piece.
2. A machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that in said first and second stations, for processing said furniture piece horizontal
elements, the panel to be processed is arranged on a vertical plane and is worked
on edge portions of said panel which are parallel to a machine axis y; both said stations
including an eccentric cylinder clamping means having a vertical axis and pneumatically
operated, to lock a range of required thicknesses and heights in a fully automatic
manner; said stations comprising a single working or processing assembly, for both
said stations, including a drilling tip, a glue material metering/injecting assembly,
a pin and/or metal part engaging assembly; said processing or working assembly comprising
moreover a laser detecting system for detecting a height of said panel (dimension
y) in real time; said system having freedom degrees which are all associated to the
working assembly; a motor driven (horizontal) axis x, a motor driven (vertical) axis
y and a pneumatic (bi-normal) axis z.
3. A machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that in said working or processing station, for processing said furniture piece vertical
elements, said panel is arranged on a vertical plane and is processed with reference
to said vertical plane: the drilling operations being performed in an orthogonal direction
(axis z'), whereas the milling operations being performed on said plane (x' and y'
axes).
4. A machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in said third station, said panel is clamped by a small size gripper operating near
a bottom edge of said panel sliding on idle rollers; said gripper being pneumatically
closed and being adapted to operate on the overall range of provided thicknesses.
5. A machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third station comprises four working or processing assemblies: a drilling assembly,
a blade cutting assembly, a right electromandrel and a left electromandrel.
6. A machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said drilling assembly performs drilling operations on the plane of the vertical
element and comprises a set of twenty-one drilling bits arranged according to a reversed
"L" pattern, in two horizontal rows of five bits and a column of eleven bits; said
electromandrels performing panel milling operations; each said electromandrel being
associated with an independent motor, said electromandrels being vertically arranged
in the recess of the reversed "L" of the drilling assembly; said blade cutting assembly
performing a blade cutting operation along the plane of the panel parallel to the
x' axis; said blade cutting assembly including an independent motor and being housed
at the head portion of said electromandrels.
7. A machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims,
characterized in that said working or processing assemblies of said third station are integral with the
assembly operating on the first and second stations, by assembling the z axis to the
operating depth of a single tool, being herein considered a second reference system
(') offset of the first reference system by 90° about said y axis, thereby providing
between the original axes and derivated axes the following relationships:
original |
derivate |
x |
z' |
y |
y' |
z |
-X' |
thereby said y' and z' axes are motor driven axes associated with the processing or
working assemblies operating in said third station; said x' axis being associated
with said panel.
8. A machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movement or drive along said x' axis is achieved by said gripper clamping said
panel, said gripper including a motor driving system of a pinion/rack type; for aiding
said gripper, said idle roller series, integral with the machine framework, supporting
said panel at points thereof where it is not clamped by said gripper.
9. A machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third station comprises a detecting system for detecting the dimension x'; the
reference "zero" of said vertical elements being achieved by a laser detecting system
allowing a mapping of the positions of said vertical elements thereby, as said panel
is arranged near said sensor, said sensor detects the passage of said panel by providing
a working reference therefor.
10. A machine, according to one or more of the preceding claim, characterized in that said machine comprises a numerical control system interacting with a CAD/CAM software
specifically designed and developed for forming said furniture piece, said software
being adapted to process the furniture piece operating cycle based on an indication
related to a furniture piece desired by an operator, without any intervention of said
operation for defining the constructional details of any single elements of said desired
or target furniture piece.