[0001] The present invention relates to a method of machining component parts of wood or
similar, in particular door and window frame component parts as per the preamble of
claim 1 as disclosed by
EP 1304188 A.
[0002] Door and window frame component parts are known to be machined on a machine of the
type comprising an elongated bed with two longitudinal guide members; a number of
cross members fitted in sliding manner to the longitudinal members; at least one clamp
fitted to each cross member to clamp the component parts for machining; a bridge movable
along the bed in a first direction; and a machining head movable along the bridge
in a second direction crosswise to the first.
[0003] The clamps are normally movable along the cross members in the second direction by
means of respective actuating devices to machine the two opposite sides of each component
part. In actual use, the component part is first clamped by at least one first clamp
to enable the machining head to machine a first side of the component part, and is
then gripped along the first side by at least one second clamp to remove the component
part from the first clamp and enable the machining head to machine a second side of
the component part.
[0004] Document
DE 101 08 134 A relates to a machine comprising an elongated bed with two longitudinal guide members;
a number of cross members fitted in sliding manner to the longitudinal members; at
least one clamp fitted in sliding manner to each cross member to clamp the component
parts for machining; a bridge movable along the bed in a first direction; and a machining
head movable along the bridge in a second direction crosswise to the first.
[0005] Document
EP 1 304 188 A relates to a machine comprising an elongated bed with two longitudinal guide members;
a number of cross members fitted in sliding manner to the longitudinal members; at
least one clamp fitted in sliding manner to each cross member to clamp the component
parts for machining; a fixed bridge extending over the bed; and a machining head fitted
in fixed manner to the bridge.
[0006] Known machines of the above type for working component parts of wood or similar have
several drawbacks, mainly due to comprising an actuating device for each clamp, which
makes them relatively complicated and expensive.
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of machining component
parts of wood or similar, designed to eliminate the above drawbacks, and which is
cheap and easy to implement.
[0008] According to the present invention, there is provided a method of machining component
parts of wood or similar, as claimed in the accompanying Claims.
[0009] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example
with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of the machine
according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the Figure 1 machine;
Figure 3 shows, schematically, one operating mode of the Figure 1 and 2 machine;
Figure 4 shows a schematic side view of a variation of a first detail of the Figure
1 and 2 machine;
Figure 5 shows a schematic side view of a variation of a second detail of the Figure
1 and 2 machine.
[0010] Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a machine for machining door and window
frame component parts 2 of wood or similar, and which comprises an elongated, substantially
U-shaped bed 3 extending in a horizontal direction 4 and having two lateral longitudinal
members 5 extending parallel to direction 4 and each supporting a respective rail
6 also parallel to direction 4.
[0011] Machine 1 also comprises a bridge 7, in turn comprising an upright 8 which is fitted
in known manner to bed 3, is moved linearly in direction 4 along bed 3 by a known
actuating device not shown, and is fitted on its free end with a cross member 9 extending
over bed 3 in a horizontal direction 10 crosswise to direction 4, and bounded laterally
by two opposite faces 11, 12 substantially perpendicular to direction 4.
[0012] Bridge 7 supports a known machining head 13 which is fitted to face 11, is fitted
in known manner to cross member 9 to move linearly along cross member 9 in direction
10, and comprises at least one tool spindle (not shown) fitted in known manner to
head 13 to move in a vertical direction 14 perpendicular to directions 4 and 10.
[0013] Machine 1 also comprises a number of cross members 15 - hereinafter referred to as
"work surfaces" - which extend between rails 6 in direction 10, and are fitted to
rails 6 to slide manually, or by means of respective known actuating devices not shown,
along rails 6 in direction 4.
[0014] Work surfaces 15 support a number of clamps 16, the arrangement of which on relative
work surfaces 15 substantially depends on the size of, and the type of work to be
carried out on, component parts 2.
[0015] In the example shown, each clamp 16 comprises a fixed bottom jaw 17 fixed to relative
work surface 15 and defining, with jaws 17 of the other clamps 16, a substantially
horizontal supporting surface P1 for at least one component part 2; and a movable
top jaw 18 which extends parallel to surface P1, is fitted to the free end of an output
rod (not shown) of an actuating cylinder (not shown), and is moved by the actuating
cylinder (not shown) between a clamped position (Figure 1) and a release position
respectively clamping and releasing component part 2.
[0016] Machine 1 also comprises a feed device 19 for component parts 2, which comprises
a bed 20 located alongside bed 3 in direction 4 and supporting a number of belt conveyors
21, which are aligned in direction 4, extend in respective vertical planes parallel
to one another and to direction 10, and have respective coplanar top conveying branches
defining a horizontal conveying surface P2 parallel to surface P1.
[0017] Conveyors 21 extend in direction 10 between a loading station 22 where component
parts 2 for machining are loaded onto device 19, and an unloading station 23 where
component parts 2 for machining are unloaded off feed device 19.
[0018] Component parts 2 are transferred between clamps 16 and feed device 19 by a grip-and-carry
assembly 24 comprising an arm 25, which projects in direction 4 from face 12 of cross
member 9, is fitted in known manner to cross member 9 to move linearly along cross
member 9 in direction 10 under the control of a known actuating device not shown,
and is fitted, in the example shown, with two grip-and-carry devices 26, 27 movable
with respect to each other in direction 4.
[0019] In the example shown, device 26 is fixed to arm 25 in direction 4, while device 27
is fitted in known manner to arm 25 to move linearly along arm 25 in direction 4 under
the control of a known actuating device not shown.
[0020] With reference to Figure 2, each device 26, 27 comprises a gripper, in turn comprising
a substantially L-shaped bottom jaw 28 movable in direction 14 under the control of
a known actuating device not shown; and a top jaw 29 which is fitted to the free end
of an output rod 30 of an actuating cylinder 31 fixed to jaw 28, and is moved by actuating
cylinder 31 between a grip position and a release position respectively gripping and
releasing component part 2.
[0021] In actual use, component parts 2 are loaded successively onto device 19 at loading
station 22, either manually or by means of a known loader not shown, are positioned
contacting at least two known stops (not shown) located at loading station 22 to ensure
each component part 2 is positioned correctly in direction 10, and are then fed successively
in steps to unloading station 23.
[0022] Once component parts 2 are loaded onto feed device 19, the component part 2 located
at unloding station 23 is transferred by grip-and-carry assembly 24 to clamps 16 for
machining by machining head 13, feed device 19 is operated to move another component
part 2 into unloading station 23, and the machined component part 2 is transferred
by assembly 24 from clamps 16 to station 22.
[0023] The component part 2 unloaded at loading station 22 is then moved forward, behind
machined component parts 2 already unloaded at load station 22 (Figure 2), by a push
device (not shown) operated independently of feed device 19 when device 19 is stopped.
[0024] The above operating sequence is repeated for all the component parts 2 loaded onto
device 19, so as to gradually replace the component parts 2 to be machined with the
machined component parts 2.
[0025] In the Figure 3 operating mode, the component part 2 for machining is picked up from
station 23 by assembly 24; is inserted by assembly 24 inside at least one first clamp
16 (hereinafter indicated 16a) in an insertion direction 10a parallel to direction
10 (Figure 3a) to enable machining head 13 to machine a first side 2a of component
part 2 (Figure 3b); is withdrawn from clamp 16a by assembly 24 (Figure 3c); and is
inserted by assembly 24 inside at least one second clamp 16 (hereinafter indicated
16b) in an insertion direction 10b parallel to and opposite direction 10a, to enable
machining head 13 to machine a second side 2b, opposite side 2a, of component part
2 (Figure 3d).
[0026] Obviously, once side 2a is machined, component part 2 may be withdrawn from clamp
16a, moved in directions 10 and 14 onto the opposite side of clamp 16a, and inserted
once more into the same clamp 16a in direction 10b to also machine side 2b.
[0027] As will be clear from the above description:
[0028] component parts 2 being transferred between clamps 16a and 16b by grip-and-carry
assembly 24, clamps 16 may be fixed to relative work surfaces 15 in direction 10,
with no need for relative actuating devices in direction 10; and
[0029] since feed device 19 provides for both feeding the components parts 2 for machining
to grip-and-carry assembly 24, and receiving the machined component parts 2 from assembly
24, machine 1 is relatively compact and cheap.
[0030] In Figure 4, grip-and-carry devices 26, 27 are replaced by respective dual grip-and-carry
devices 32, 33, each comprising a respective slide 34, which is movable in direction
14 and supports two superimposed grippers 35, 36, with gripper 35 located over gripper
36.
[0031] Gripper 35 comprises a bottom jaw 37 projecting in direction 10 from slide 34 and
cooperating with a top jaw 38, which is movable in direction 14, with respect to slide
34 and under the control of an actuating cylinder 39 fixed to slide 34, between a
grip position and a release position respectively gripping and releasing a first component
part 2; and gripper 36 comprises a top jaw defined by bottom jaw 37 of gripper 35,
and a bottom jaw 40, which is movable in direction 14, with respect to slide 34 and
under the control of an actuating cylinder 41 fixed to slide 34, between a grip position
and a release position respectively gripping and releasing a second component part
2.
[0032] Obviously, at least slide 34 of device 33 is in turn fitted to a slide (not shown)
movable in direction 4 along arm 25.
[0033] In actual use, at each operating cycle, grip-and-carry assembly 24 in Figure 4 :
removes a machined component part 2 from clamps 16, and releases a component part
2 for machining to clamps 16; and
as each component part 2 is being machined, unloads the machined component part 2
at station 22, and picks up another component part 2 for machining from station 23.
[0034] In Figure 5, feed device 19 is replaced by two feed devices 42, which are identical
to device 19, define two parallel, superimposed supporting surfaces P2, and are located
one (hereinafter indicated 42a) over the other (hereinafter indicated 42b).
[0035] Device 42a extends between loading station 22 and unloading station 23, and successively
feeds component parts 2 for machining from loading station 22 to unloading station
23; and device 42b feeds the machined component part 2 from an input station 43, projecting
beyond station 23 in direction 10, to an output station 44 opposite station 43 and
located at station 22.
[0036] In the example shown, device 42b is associated with a lifting device 45 comprising
a substantially vertical supporting beam 46 facing bed 20 of devices 42a, 42b in direction
10; and a number of arms 47, which project from beam 46 in direction 10, are offset
with respect to belt conveyors 21 of device 42b in direction 4, and define a supporting
surface P3 for at least one machined component part 2.
[0037] Beam 46 is movable in direction 14 between a raised position, in which device 45
receives the machined component part 2 from assembly 24, and a lowered position, in
which arms 47 are positioned between conveyors 21, and surface P3 is positioned below
surface P2 of device 42b.
[0038] In actual use, component parts 2 for machining are fed successively by device 42a
from loading station 22 to unloading station 23, are picked up successively at station
23 by assembly 24, are transferred to clamps 16, and are machined by head 13.
[0039] The machined component parts 2 are removed from clamps 16 by assembly 24, are released
by assembly 24 onto surface P3 when device 45 is in the raised position, are lowered
by device 45 at input station 43, are released by device 45 onto device 42b, and are
fed by device 42b to output station 44.
[0040] Obviously, in a variation not shown, lifting device 45 may be eliminated, and the
machined component parts 2 released directly by assembly 24 at input station 43 of
device 42b.
[0041] In connection with the above, it should be pointed out component parts 2 for machining
may be loaded onto device 42a at station 22, and the machined component parts 2 unloaded
off device 42b at station 44 either manually or automatically by means of respective
feed devices, possibly associated with further machines identical to machine 1.
[0042] In a variation not shown, bridge 7 supports machining head 13 only, and grip-and-carry
assembly 24 is fitted to a further bridge identical to bridge 7.
1. A method of machining component parts (2) of wood or similar, in particular component
parts (2) of door and window frames, on a machine comprising a bed (3) extending in
a first direction (4); at least two cross members (15) movable along the bed (3) in
the first direction (4); at least one clamp (16) fitted to each cross member (15)
to clamp at least one component part (2) for machining; a bridge (7) and having at
least one machining head (13) movable along the bridge (7) in a second direction (10)
crosswise to the first direction (4); and a grip-and-carry assembly (24) for gripping
and carrying the component parts (2), and which is movable in said first and second
direction (4, 10); the method comprising the steps of:
inserting at least one component part (2) for machining into at least one clamp (16)
in a first insertion direction (10a);
machining a first side (2a) of the component part (2); and
removing the component part (2) from the clamp (16) by means of the grip-and-carry
assembly (24);
an being
characterized the bridge (7) being movable along the bed (3) in the first direction (4) and by
also comprising the steps of:
inserting the component part (2), by means of the grip-and-carry assembly (24), into
at least one clamp (16) in a second insertion direction (10b) opposite the first insertion
direction (10a); and
machining a second side (2b), opposite the first side (2a), of the component part
(2).
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first side (2a) is machined inside at
least one clamp (16a), and the second side (2b) is machined inside the same clamp
(16a).
3. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the first side (2a) is machined inside at
least a first clamp (16a), and the second side (2b) is machined inside at least a
second clamp (16b) different from the first clamp (16a).
4. A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the component part
(2) is inserted into the clamp (16) in said first insertion direction (10a) by means
of the grip-and-carry assembly (24).
5. A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the machine also comprises
a feed device (19) for feeding the component parts (2) in steps between a loading
station (22) where the component parts (2) for machining are loaded onto the feed
device (19), and an unloading station (23) where the component parts (2) for machining
are unloaded off the feed device (19); the method also comprising the steps of:
transferring at least one component part (2) for machining from the unloading station
(23) to at least one clamp (16) by means of the grip-and-carry assembly (24) ;
feeding another component part (2) for machining into the unloading station (23);
and
transferring the machined component part (2) from the clamp (16) to the loading station
(22) by means of the grip-and-carry assembly (24).
6. A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the grip-and-carry
assembly (24) comprises at least two grip-and-carry devices (26, 27; 32, 33), each
for receiving a relative component part (2); the method also comprising the steps
of:
removing a machined component part (2) from at least one clamp (16) by means of a
first said grip-and-carry device (26; 32);
inserting a component part (2) for machining into at least one clamp (16) by means
of a second said grip-and-carry device (27; 33); and
transferring the machined component part (2) to the loading station (22) by means
of the first grip-and-carry device (26; 32).
7. A method as claimed in Claim 6, wherein the grip-and-carry devices (32, 33) are arranged
to define two substantially parallel, superimposed supporting surfaces.
8. A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the grip-and-carry
assembly (24) comprises a supporting arm (25) extending in the first direction (4);
and at least two grip-and-carry devices (26, 27; 32, 33) movable along the supporting
arm (25) in the first direction (4); the method also comprising the step of:
selectively controlling the position of the two grip-and-carry devices (26, 27; 32,
33) with respect to each other in said first direction (4).
9. A method as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, wherein the clamps (16) are
fixed in said second direction (10).
1. Verfahren zum Bearbeiten von Komponenten (2) aus Holz oder dergleichen, insbesondere
Komponenten (2) für Tür- und Fensterrahmen, mit einer Maschine, umfassend ein Bett
(3), das sich in einer ersten Richtung (4) erstreckt, wenigstens zwei Querelemente
(15), die sich entlang des Bettes (3) in der ersten Richtung (4) erstrecken, wenigstens
eine Spanneinrichtung (16), die an jedem Querelement (15) angeschlossen ist, um wenigstens
eine Komponente (2) zum Bearbeiten festzuspannen, eine Brücke (7) mit wenigstens einem
Bearbeitungskopf (13), der entlang der Brücke (7) in einer zweiten Richtung quer zur
ersten Richtung (4) bewegbar ist, und eine Greif- und Trageinrichtung (24) zum Greifen
und Tragen der Komponenten (2), beweglich in der ersten und zweiten Richtung (4, 10),
wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
Einführen der wenigstens einen Komponente (2) zum Bearbeiten in wenigstens eine Spanneinrichtung
(16) in einer ersten Einführrichtung (10a);
Bearbeiten einer ersten Seite (2a) der Komponente (2); und
Entfernen der Komponente (2) von der Spanneinrichtung (16) mittels der Greif- und
Trageinrichtung (24);
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Brücke (7) entlang dem Bett (3) in der ersten Richtung (4) bewegbar ist, und
ferner die folgenden Schritte umfasst:
Einführen der Komponente (2) mittels der Greif- und Trageinrichtung (24) in wenigstens
eine Spanneinrichtung (16) in einer zweiten Einführrichtung (10b) entgegen der ersten
Einführrichtung (10a); und
Bearbeiten einer zweiten Seite (2b) gegenüber der ersten Seite (2a) der Komponente
(2).
2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die erste Seite (2a) innerhalb wenigstens einer Spanneinrichtung
(16a) bearbeitet wird, und die zweite Seite (2b) innerhalb derselben Spanneinrichtung
(16a) bearbeitet wird.
3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, wobei die erste Seite (2a) innerhalb wenigstens einer ersten
Spanneinrichtung (16a) bearbeitet wird, und die zweite Seite (2b) innerhalb wenigstens
einer zweiten Spanneinrichtung (16b), verschieden von der ersten Spanneinrichtung
(16a) bearbeitet wird.
4. Verfahren nach einem der vorausgegangenen Ansprüche, wobei die Komponente (2) in die
Spanneinrichtung in der ersten Einführeinrichtung (10a) mittels der Greif- und Trageinrichtung
(24) eingeführt wird.
5. Verfahren nach einem der vorausgegangenen Ansprüche, wobei die Maschine ferner eine
Zufuhreinrichtung (19) aufweist zum schrittweisen Zuführen der Komponenten (2) zwischen
einer Aufgabestation (22), wo die zu bearbeitenden Komponenten auf die Zufuhreinrichtung
(19) aufgegeben werden, und einer Abgabestation (23) wo die zu bearbeitenden Komponenten
(2) von der Zufuhreinrichtung (19) abgegeben werden, wobei das Verfahren ferner die
folgenden Schritte umfasst:
Überführen wenigstens einer zu bearbeitenden Komponente (2) von der Abgabestation
zu wenigstens einer Spanneinrichtung (16) mittels der Greif- und Trageinrichtung (24);
Zuführen einer weiteren zu bearbeitenden Komponente (2) zur Abgabestation (23); und
Überführen der bearbeiteten Komponente (2) von der Spanneinrichtung (16) zur Aufgabestation
(22) mittels der Greif- und Trageinrichtung (24).
6. Verfahren nach einem der vorausgegangenen Ansprüche, wobei die Greif- und Trageinrichtung
(24) wenigstens zwei Greif- und Trageinrichtungen (26, 27; 32, 33) umfasst, jede zum
Aufnehmen einer betreffenden Komponente (2), wobei das Verfahren ferner die folgenden
Schritte umfasst:
Entfernen einer bearbeiteten Komponente (2) von der wenigstens einen Spanneinrichtung
(16) mittels einer ersten Greif- und Trageinrichtung (26; 32);
Einführen einer zu bearbeitenden Komponente (2) in die wenigstens eine Spanneinrichtung
(16) mittels einer zweiten Greif- und Trageinrichtung (27; 33); und
Überführen der bearbeiteten Komponente (2) zur Aufgabestation (22) mittels der ersten
Greif- und Trageinrichtung (26; 32).
7. Verfahren nach Anspruch 6, wobei die Greif- und Trageinrichtungen (32, 33) derart
angeordnet sind, dass sie zwei im Wesentlichen zueinander parallele, übereinander
angeordnete Trageinrichtungen bilden.
8. Verfahren nach einem der vorausgegangenen Ansprüche, wobei die Greif- und Trageinrichtung
(24) einen Tragarm (25) umfasst, der sich in der ersten Richtung (4) erstreckt, und
wenigstens zwei Greif- und Trageinrichtungen (26, 27; 32, 33), beweglich entlang dem
Tragarm (25) in der ersten Richtung (4), und wobei das Verfahren ferner den folgenden
Schritt umfasst:
Selektives Kontrollieren der Position der beiden Greif- und Trageinrichtungen (26,
27; 32, 33) in Bezug aufeinander in der ersten Richtung (4).
9. Verfahren nach einem der vorausgegangenen Ansprüche, wobei die Spanneinrichtungen
(16) in der zweiten Richtung (10) fixiert sind.
1. Procédé d'usinage de composants (2) en bois ou en un matériau similaire, en particulier
des composants (2) de cadres de portes et de fenêtres, sur une machine comprenant
un banc (3) s'étendant dans une première direction (4) ; au moins deux traverses (15)
se déplaçant le long du banc (3) dans la première direction (4) ; au moins un élément
de serrage (16) équipant chaque traverse (15) pour serrer au moins un composant (2)
à usiner ; un pont (7), et ayant au moins une tête d'usinage (13) se déplaçant le
long du pont (7) dans une deuxième direction (10) transversalement à la première direction
(4) ; et un assemblage de préhension et de transport (24) pour saisir et transporter
les composants (2), et qui se déplace dans lesdites première et deuxième directions
(4, 10) ; le procédé comprenant les étapes qui consistent :
à insérer au moins un composant (2) à usiner dans au moins un élément de serrage (16)
dans une première direction d'insertion (10a) ;
à usiner un premier côté (2a) du composant (2) ; et
à enlever le composant (2) de l'élément de serrage (16) au moyen de l'assemblage de
préhension et de transport (24) ;
et étant caractérisé en ce que le pont (7) se déplace le long du banc (3) dans la première direction (4) et en ce qu'il comprend en outre les étapes consistant :
à insérer le composant (2), au moyen de l'assemblage de préhension et de transport
(24), dans au moins un élément de serrage (16) dans une deuxième direction d'insertion
(10b) opposée à la première direction d'insertion (10a) ; et
à usiner un deuxième côté (2b), opposé au premier côté (2a), du composant (2).
2. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel le premier côté (2a)
est usiné dans au moins un élément de serrage (16a), et le deuxième côté (2b) est
usiné dans le même élément de serrage (16a).
3. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 1, dans lequel le premier côté (2a)
est usiné dans au moins un premier élément de serrage (16a), et le deuxième côté (2b)
est usiné dans au moins un deuxième élément de serrage (16b) différent du premier
élément de serrage (16a).
4. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
lequel le composant (2) est inséré dans l'élément de serrage (16) dans ladite première
direction d'insertion (10a) au moyen de l'assemblage de préhension et de transport
(24).
5. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
lequel la machine comprend également un dispositif d'alimentation (19) fournissant
les composants (2) par étapes entre une station de chargement (22) où les composants
(2) à usiner sont chargés sur le dispositif d'alimentation (19), et une station de
déchargement (23) où les composants (2) à usiner sont déchargés du dispositif d'alimentation
(19) ;
le procédé comprenant également les étapes qui consistent :
à transférer au moins un composant (2) à usiner de la station de déchargement (23)
à au moins un élément de serrage (16) au moyen de l'assemblage de préhension et de
transport (24) ;
à fournir un autre composant (2) à usiner dans la station de déchargement (23) ; et
à transférer le composant usiné (2) de l'élément de serrage (16) à la station de chargement
(22) au moyen de l'assemblage de préhension et de transport (24).
6. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
lequel l'assemblage de préhension et de transport (24) comprend au moins deux dispositifs
de préhension et de transport (26, 27 ; 32, 33), chacun destiné à recevoir un composant
relatif (2) ; le procédé comprenant également les étapes qui consistant
à enlever un composant usiné (2) d'au moins un élément de serrage (16) au moyen d'un
premier dispositif parmi lesdits dispositifs de préhension et de transport (26 ; 32);
à insérer un composant (2) à usiner dans au moins un élément de serrage (16) au moyen
d'un deuxième dispositif parmi lesdits dispositifs de préhension et de transport (27
; 33) ; et
à transférer le composant usiné (2) à la station de chargement (22) au moyen du premier
dispositif de préhension et de transport (26 ; 32).
7. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans la revendication 6, dans lequel les dispositifs de
préhension et de transport (32, 33) sont agencés pour définir deux surfaces de support
superposées, essentiellement parallèles.
8. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque de revendications précédentes, dans
lequel l'assemblage de préhension et de transport (24) comprend un bras de support
(25) s'étendant dans la première direction (4) ; et au moins deux dispositifs de préhension
et de support (26, 27 ; 32, 33) déplaçables le long du bras de support (25) dans la
première direction (4) ; le procédé comprenant également l'étape qui consisté :
à commander sélectivement les positions relatives des deux dispositifs de préhension
et de support (26, 27 ; 32, 33) dans ladite première direction (4).
9. Procédé tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans
lequel les éléments de serrage (16) sont fixés dans ladite deuxième direction (10).