Automatic engraving machine, particularly for engraving the faces of plate-like elements in general and of glass plates in particular

Abstract

 The automatic engraving machine, particularly for engraving the faces of plate-like elements in general and of glass plates in particular, has a base framework (1) which supports a platform (2) for retaining a plate to be machined which is movable along a first longitudinal direction. The framework (1) defines a bridge-like beam (12) which is arranged above the platform (2) and supports, by virtue of the interposition of means (16) for translatory motion along a second transverse direction, a machining head (13) provided with means (18) for vertical translatory motion and with means (20,21) for rotating about a vertical axis. The machining head (13) actuates a machining tool (23) which is controlled by a hydraulic motor (24) supported in the head (23).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an automatic engraving machine, particularly for engraving the faces of plate-like elements in general and of glass plates in particular.

[0002] As is known, the machining of the larger faces of glass plates and the like currently is performed by devices which have difficulty in composing movements along the three spatial directions, which do not allow good precision, and which have a low operating speed with a small engraving size.

[0003] In this of machining it is furthermore necessary to perform various passes at the same point with different tools; typical machining in fact entails a first roughing tool, a further polishing tool and possibly a final buffing tool.

[0004] In order to obtain a good degree of finishing, the various tools must be always passed rigorously along the same paths, and it is consequently necessary to have a machine structure which can repeat exactly the same paths and which creates no vibrations during the various machining steps.

[0005] Currently known machines generally have a machining head which is connected to a supporting element with the interposition of slider elements and the like which are allowed to move in all directions.

[0006] This type of execution unavoidably leads to severe constructive problems which do not allow to obtain the required degree of precision.

[0007] The aim of the invention is indeed to eliminate the disadvantages described above by providing an automatic engraving machine, particularly for engraving the faces of plate-like elements in general, which is structured so as to obtain any type of drawing or representation by virtue of a composition of movements obtained with translatory means which are mutually operatively separated and this offers the possibility of a more reliable machine structure.

[0008] Within the scope of the above described aim, a particular object of the invention is to provide an automatic machine which allows to perform the machinings with an excellent degree of repeatability, with a consequent perfect final finishing.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic machine which, by virtue of its peculiar constructive characteristics, is capable of giving the greatest assurances of reliability and safety in use.

[0010] Not least object of the present invention is to provide an automatic machine which can be easily obtained starting from commonly commercially available elements and materials.

[0011] This aim, the objects mentioned and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by an automatic engraving machine, particularly for engraving the faces of plate-like elements in general and of glass plates in particular, according to the invention, characterized in that it comprises a base framework which supports a retention platform for a plate to be machined, which is movable along a first longitudinal direction, said framework defining a bridge-like beam which is arranged above said platform and supports, by virtue of the interposition of means for translatory motion along a second transverse direction, a machining head provided with means for vertical translatory motion and with means for rotating about a vertical axis, said machining head actuating a machining tool which is controlled by a hydraulic motor supported in said head.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages will become apparent from the description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of an automatic engraving machine, particularly for engraving the faces of plate-like elements in general and of glass plates in particular, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a schematic, partially cutout side elevation view of the machine according to the invention;

figure 2 is a partially cutout end view of the machine taken from one end.

[0013] With reference to the above figures, the automatic engraving machine, particularly for the engraving of the faces of plate-like elements in general and of glass plates in particular, according to the invention, comprises a base framework generally indicated by the reference numeral 1 which supports a platform 2 having, in an upward position, a plurality of block-like elements 3 made of steel or similar elements with a vulcanized covering layer made of rubber or similar elements which act as a resting plane for a glass plate which is fixed in place by means of per se known retention means.

[0014] Said block-like elements 3 are advantageously ground so as to create a perfectly smooth resting plane which is such as to support the plate without creating scratches. The blocks can furthermore be individually replaced in case of damage.

[0015] Said platform 2 is connected to the base framework by means of guiding bars 10 with ball bearings which allow the translatory motion of the platform 2 and of the plate supported thereon along a first direction which is termed longitudinal for the sake of simplicity.

[0016] Lateral shoulders 11 extend rigidly from the base framework 1 and support a bridge-like beam generally indicated by the reference numeral 12 which is arranged above the platform 2 and supports a machining head generally indicated by the reference numeral 13.

[0017] Said machining head is supported by means for translatory motion along a second direction, or horizontal direction, which are constituted by a slider 15 which can perform translatory motions on a horizontal bar 16 by means of a ball bearing system.

[0018] Vertical translation means are furthermore provided on the slider 15, are constituted by vertical bars 18 with a ball bearing movement and allow to perform the translatory motion of the head 13 in a third direction or vertical direction.

[0019] The head is in turn rotatable about the vertical axis by means of a coupling of the type with a worm screw 20 and a helical gear wheel 21 which allows the complete rotation of the head about an axis which is perfectly incident with respect to the supporting axis of the machining tool, which is indicated by 23 and is generally constituted by a grinder. Additionally, as can be seen in figure 1, the axis of rotation of the head 13 passes through the vertical plane defined by the grinder tool.

[0020] The tool is rotated by a hydraulic motor 24 which, by means of a toothed belt 25, rotates the chuck 26 which couples the grinder 23 which performs the required machining.

[0021] The hydraulic motor 24 is powered by means of a distributor which passes inside the rotating axis of the head, which is appropriately structured so as to feed the fluid for the actuation of the motor, the fluid for the actuation of the chuck ejection piston for tool changing, and for the automatic opening of the protection door provided around the tool.

[0022] The automatic machine according to the invention is also advantageously provided with an automatic magazine for tool changing which is constituted by a carousel magazine, indicated by 30, which supports the various tools arranged along a disk-like body 31. The various tools are taken by a pick-and-place device with oscillating lever 32 mounted on a twin-slider carriage 33 arranged to the side of the base framework 1 and moved by appropriate drive means so as to perform, in automatic succession, the removal of the tool from the machining head, its replacement with a tool taken from the magazine, and the subsequent placement of the tool taken from the machining head in the magazine.

[0023] The automatic machine according to the invention is of the numeric-control type capable of performing, by virtue of the composition of the movements along the various directions, any type of drawing or graphic representation on the plate, and furthermore allows perfect repeatability so as to perform the subsequent machinings on the same groove with great precision and an excellent finishing effect.

[0024] It should be noted that the machining precision is also determined by the fact that the various movements are in practice mutually separated, since one of the movements, i.e. the movement along the first direction, is performed by the plate and more precisely by the platform which supports it, whereas the other movements, i.e. translatory motion in a transverse direction and translatory motion in a vertical direction, as well as rotation, are performed by the head.

[0025] The use of a hydraulic motor is also particularly important: said motor allows, for an equal installed power, to significantly reduce the weights and bulks involved, consequently obtaining a mechanical structure which is more reliable and precise and is totally free from vibrations and undue plays and allows to obtain higher operating speeds.

[0026] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

[0027] All the details may furthermore be replaced with other technically equivalent elements.

[0028] In practice, the materials employed, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements.

[0029] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. Automatic engraving machine, particularly for engraving the faces of plate-like elements in general and of glass plates in particular, characterized in that it comprises a base framework (1) which supports a platform (2) for the retention of a plate to be machined which is movable along a first longitudinal direction, said framework (1) defining a bridge-like beam (12) which is arranged above said platform (2) and supports, by virtue of the interposition of means (16) for translatory motion along a second transverse direction, a machining head (13) which is provided with vertical translatory motion means (18) and with means for rotating about a vertical axis (20,21), said machining head (13) actuating a machining tool (23) controlled by a hydraulic motor (24) supported in said head (13).

2. Automatic machine, according to claim 1, characterized in that the means for translatory motion along said first direction, the means (16) for translatory motion along said second direction, the means (18) for said vertical translatory motion and said rotation means (20,21) can be actuated simultaneously to perform a machining which extends in space.

3. Automatic machine, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, on the upper face of said platform (2), a plurality of steel block-like elements covered with ground non-scratching material, said block-like elements being individually replaceable.

4. Automatic machine, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said retention platform (2) is connected to said base framework (1) by means of the interposition of sliding means constituted by a ball bearing system which is movable along longitudinal guides.

5. Automatic machine, according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for translatory motion along said second transverse direction are constituted by a slider (15) which is movable along horizontal guides (16) defined by said cross-members by means of a ball bearing system.

6. Automatic machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means for vertical translatory motion are constituted by vertical bars (18) with a ball bearing system.

7. Automatic machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rotation means have a coupling with a worm screw (20) and a helical gear wheel (21) keyed on the rotation shaft of said machining head (13).

8. Automatic machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said vertical axis is incident with respect to the machining axis of the tool (23) supported by the chuck (26) of said machining head (13).

9. Automatic machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydraulic controls of said motor (24) are connected by means of a rotary distributor through said vertical axis.

10. Automatic machine, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an automatic magazine for tool changing which comprises a carousel magazine (30) on which there interacts an oscillating pick-and-place device (32) mounted on a trolley (33) provided with a double slider.

Drawing