Apparatus and method for machining panels

Abstract

 Apparatus (1) for machining panels (2, 3, 4) arranged substantially vertically comprises operating units (8, 15, 20) for machining the panels (2, 3, 4) and a movement system for moving the panels (2, 3, 4) through the apparatus (1) along an advancing direction (A). In order to increase the productivity of the apparatus compared with known apparatuses, the apparatus (1) is provided with a first machining station (5), including a first movement device of the movement system and an operating unit (8) for machining head portions (9) of the panels (2, 3, 4), a second machining station (6), including a second movement device of the movement system and operating units (15) for machining intermediate portions (10) of the panels (2, 3, 4), and a third machining station (7), including a third movement device of the movement system and an operating unit (20) for machining tail portions (11) of the panels (2, 3, 4), the first machining station (5), the second machining station (6) and the third machining station (7) being arranged in sequence along the advancing direction (A) such that each is able to machine independently of one another the aforesaid portions (9, 10, 11) of a respective panel (2, 3, 4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for machining panels, for examples panels made of wood, plastics, light alloys or similar materials. In particular, the invention refers to an apparatus and a method for machining panels arranged vertically.

[0002] Apparatuses are known for performing machinings, such as, for example, drilling, milling, inserting hardware or pins on panels arranged vertically. Such apparatuses comprise a machining station arranged for receiving, one at a time, a panel to be machined. The machining station is provided with one or more operating units for machining the panels and with a track for moving, along a horizontal advancing direction, the panels to be machined through the apparatus. In use, via a supplying system that is outside the apparatus, one panel at a time is positioned in the machining station where the required machinings are performed. At the end of such machinings, the panel that has just been machined is conveyed by the track to an unloading system, that is outside the apparatus, which removes the panel from the latter.

[0003] A drawback of known apparatuses and methods is the reduced productivity thereof. In fact, they enable only one panel at a time to be machined.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to improve the apparatuses and methods for machining panels, made of wood, plastics, light alloys or similar materials that are arranged vertically.

[0005] A further object is to provide apparatuses and methods that have greater productivity than known apparatuses and methods.

[0006] The invention provides an apparatus for machining panels as defined in independent claim 1.

[0007] The invention further provides a method for machining panels as defined in independent claim 9.

[0008] Owing to the invention it is possible to increase the productivity of the apparatuses and methods for machining panels arranged vertically. In fact, as said first machining station, said second machining station and said third machining station are arranged in sequence along said advancing direction, they can each machine a portion of a respective panel independently of one another.

[0009] In this manner, the apparatus and the method according to the invention enable up to three panels at a time to be machined, this increasing productivity.

[0010] The invention can be better understood and implemented with reference to the attached drawings, which illustrate an embodiment thereof by way of non-limiting example, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus for machining panels according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a schematic side view of the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of a first machining station included in the apparatus in Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a plan view of the first machining station of Figures 4 and 5.

[0011] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, an apparatus 1 is shown for machining, each time, independently of one another, as will be disclosed below, a first panel 2, a second panel 3 and a third panel 4, for examples panels made of wood, plastics, light alloys or similar materials.

[0012] In particular, the apparatus 1 is arranged for performing drilling, milling, inserting of hardware or of pins or similar tasks, on panels 2, 3, 4 arranged vertically.

[0013] The apparatus 1 comprises a first machining station 5, a second machining station 6 and a third machining station 7 arranged in sequence along an advancing direction A of the panels 2, 3, 4.

[0014] In other words, the first machining station 5 and the third machining station 7 are substantially positioned at mutually opposite ends 25, 26 of the apparatus 1, whilst the second machining station 6 is interposed between the first machining station 5 and the third machining station 7.

[0015] The first machining station 5, the second machining station 6 and the third machining station 7 are configured in such a manner as to machine respectively head portions 9, intermediate portions 10 and tail portions 11 of the panels 2, 3, 4.

[0016] The first machining station 5 comprises a first operating unit 8 for machining a head portion 9 of a respective panel 2, 3, 4.

[0017] The first operating unit 8 is movable parallel to a first axis X, which is horizontal and parallel to the advancing direction A, to a second axis Y that is vertical and perpendicular to the first axis X, and to a third axis Z, which is horizontal and perpendicular to the first axis X and to the second axis Y, the first axis X, the second axis Y and the third axis Z forming a tern of orthogonal axes.

[0018] The first machining station 5 further comprises a first track 12, or first conveyor belt, arranged for moving a panel 2, 3, 4 from the first machining station 5 towards the second machining station 6 along the advancing direction A.

[0019] The first track 12 is movable parallel to the third axis Z between an operating position, which is not shown, in which it moves a panel 2, 3, 4 from the first machining station 5 to the second machining station 6, and a non-operating position NW1 (Figures 5 and 6), in which it enables the first operating unit 8 to machine a head portion 9 of a panel 2, 3, 4.

[0020] Also, the first machining station 5 comprises a retaining device 13, positioned upstream of the first track 12 with respect to the advancing direction A, to retain a panel 2, 3, 4 in a machining position W1 in which the first operating unit 8 machines the respective head portion 9.

[0021] It should be noted that in the machining position W1 the head portion 9 protrudes from the retaining device 13 towards the interior of the apparatus 1, whilst the intermediate portion 10 and the tail portion 11 of the machining panel 2, 3, 4 protrude outside the apparatus 1. This enables an overall dimension of the apparatus 1 to be reduced.

[0022] Further, the first machining station 5 comprises an abutment 14 that is movable parallel to the second axis Y between a raised position U1 (Figures 1 and 2), in which it abuts on the head portion 9 of a panel 2, 3, 4, and a lowered position D1 (Figure 3), in which it is at a certain distance from the head portion 9 of a panel 2, 3, 4 and enables the first operating unit 8 to machine the head portion 9 of a panel 2, 3, 4.

[0023] In particular, the abutment 14 abuts on the head portion 9 of a panel 2, 3, 4 in a set reference position for the apparatus 1.

[0024] The aforesaid second machining station 6 is positioned downstream of the first machining station 5 with respect to the advancing direction A.

[0025] The second machining station 6 comprises second operating units 15, for example four in number, for machining an intermediate portion 10 of a respective panel 2, 3, 4.

[0026] In particular, the second operating units 15 are movable parallel to the first axis X, to the second axis Y, and to the third axis Z.

[0027] The second machining station 6 comprises a second track 16, or second conveyor belt, arranged for moving a panel 2, 3, 4 from the second machining station 6 towards the third machining station 7 along the advancing direction A.

[0028] Further, the second track 16 is arranged for moving a panel 2, 3, 4 also during a machining, for example to enable one or more of the second operating units 15 to make a slot, which is not shown, on a wider side of a panel 2, 3, 4.

[0029] Also, the second machining station 6 is provided with pressing rollers 17 positioned above the second track 16 and arranged for maintaining a panel 2, 3, 4 pressed against the second track 16.

[0030] The second machining station 6 also includes further rollers 18 (Figure 2), for example arranged along two or more superimposed rows, mounted on a frame 19 of the apparatus 1 and facing, in use, a wider side of a panel 2, 3, 4, and arranged for contrasting a thrust exerted by the second operating units 15 on a panel 2, 3, 4 being machined.

[0031] Also, the second machining station 6 comprises guiding rollers 28 (Figure 4), arranged for contacting opposite sides of a lower portion and of an upper portion of a panel 2, 3, 4, for guiding the latter during movement in the second machining station 6.

[0032] It should be noted how in the second machining station 6 a panel 2, 3, 4 being machined is entirely contained in the apparatus 1.

[0033] The aforesaid third machining station 7 comprises a first operating unit 20 for machining a tail portion 11 of a respective panel 2, 3, 4.

[0034] The third operating unit 20 is movable parallel to the first axis X, to the second axis Y, and to the third axis Z.

[0035] The third machining station 7 further comprises a third track 21, or third conveyor belt, arranged for moving a panel 2, 3, 4 along the advancing direction A from the third machining station 7 towards an unloading belt 22 adjacent to and not included in the apparatus 1 (Figure 3).

[0036] The third track 21 is movable parallel to the third axis Z between a further operating position, which is not shown, in which it moves a panel 2, 3, 4 from the third machining station 7 towards the unloading belt 22, and a further non-operating position, which is not shown, in which it enables the third operating unit 20 to machine a tail portion 11 of a panel 2, 3, 4.

[0037] In particular, the first track 12 and the second track 21 in the operating position and in the further operating position are substantially aligned with the second track 16 to move a respective panel 2, 3, 4 along the advancing direction A, whilst in the respective non-operating position and in the further non-operating position they are staggered with respect to the second track 16 and enable respectively the first operating unit 8 and the third operating unit 20 to machine respectively a head portion 9 or a tail portion 11 of a respective panel 2, 3, 4.

[0038] Also, the third machining station 7 comprises a further retaining device 23, positioned downstream of the third track 21 with respect to the advancing direction A, to retain a panel 2, 3, 4 in a further machining position W2 in which the third operating unit 20 machines the respective tail portion 11.

[0039] It should be noted that in the further machining position W2 the head portion 9 and the intermediate portion 10 of the machining panel 2, 3, 4 protrude outside the apparatus 1, whilst the tail portion 11 protrudes from the further retaining device 23 inside the apparatus 1. This enables an overall dimension of the apparatus 1 to be reduced.

[0040] Further, the third machining station 7 comprises a further abutment 24 that is movable parallel to the second axis Y between a further raised position, which is not shown, in which it abuts on the tail portion 11 of a panel 2, 3, 4, and a further lowered position D2 (Figure 3), in which it is at a certain distance from the tail portion 11 of a panel 2, 3, 4 and enables the third operating unit 20 to machine the tail portion 11 of a panel 2, 3, 4.

[0041] In particular, the further abutment 24 abuts on the tail portion 11 of a panel 2, 3, 4 in a set further reference position for the apparatus 1.

[0042] It should be noted that the first track 12, the second track 16 and the third track 21 are configured in such a manner as to move a respective panel 2, 3, 4 in a controlled manner and independently of one another.

[0043] In use, the first panel 2 is moved along the advancing direction A by a loading belt 27 (Figure 3), adjacent to the first track 12 and not included in the apparatus 1, until the respective head portion 9 reaches the first machining station 5.

[0044] It should be noted that the first panel 2 is moved in a vertical position with the longer side resting on the loading belt 27.

[0045] The first panel 2 advances until it abuts, in the aforesaid reference position for the apparatus 1, on the abutment 14 positioned in the raised position U1.

[0046] Once the first panel 2 is thus referenced, the locking device 13 is activated, which locks the first panel 2, the abutment 14 is positioned in the lowered position D1 and the first track 12 is positioned in the non-operating position NW1.

[0047] At this point the first operating unit 8 can perform the required machinings on one or more of the six faces of the head portion 9 of the first panel 2.

[0048] Subsequently, the first track 12 moves the first panel 2 towards the second track 16, which positions the first panel 2 in the second machining station 6 whilst the loading belt 27 moves the second panel 3 towards the apparatus 1.

[0049] In this manner, whilst the second operating units 15 machine, possibly in cooperation, as disclosed above, with the second track 16, the intermediate portion 10 of the first panel 2, the head portion 9 of the second panel 3 is positioned and machined as first disclosed with reference to the first panel 2.

[0050] Also subsequently, the second track 16 moves the first panel 2 towards the third track 21, which transfers the first panel 2 to the unloading belt 22, the further abutment 24 being positioned in the further lowered position D2 during this transfer, this whilst the loading belt 27 moves the third panel 4 towards the apparatus 1 to position the third panel 4 in the first machining station 5 and the first track 12 moves the second panel 3 towards the second track 16, which positions the second panel 3 in the second machining station 6.

[0051] The unloading belt 22 positions the first panel 2 in the third machining station 7. In order to do this, the further abutment 24 is positioned in the further raised position and the first panel 2 is moved back until it abuts, in the aforesaid further reference position for the apparatus 1, on the further abutment 24.

[0052] Once the first panel 2 is thus referenced, the further locking device 23 is activated, which locks the first panel 2, the further abutment 24 is repositioned in the further lowered position D2 and the third track 21 is positioned in the further non-operating position.

[0053] At this point, the third operating unit 20 can perform the required machinings on one or more of the six faces of the tail portion 11 of the first panel 2, this whilst the first operating unit 8 machines the head portion 9 of the third panel 4 and the second operating units 15 machine the intermediate portion 10 of the second panel 3.

[0054] Also subsequently, after the first panel 2 has been unloaded from the apparatus 1 via the unloading belt 22, the second panel 3 is positioned and machined in the third machining station 7, the third panel 4 is positioned and machined in the second machining station 6 and a fourth panel that is not shown is positioned and machined in the first machining station 5, and so on for the subsequent panels to be machined.

[0055] It should be noted how, owing to the invention, it is possible to increase the productivity of the apparatuses 1 and of the methods for machining panels 2, 3, 4 arranged vertically. In fact, the first machining station 5, the second machining station 6 and the third machining station 7, being arranged in sequence along the advancing direction A, can each machine, independently of one another, a portion 9, 10, 11 of a respective panel 2, 3, 4.

[0056] In this manner, the apparatus 1 and the method according to the invention enable up to three panels at a time to be machined, this increasing productivity.

[0057] Also, it should be noted how the apparatus 1 enables also panels 2, 3, 4 of different sizes to be machined, this increasing the flexibility of the apparatus 1.

Claims

1. Apparatus for machining panels (2, 3, 4) arranged substantially vertically, in particular for drilling and/or milling said panels (2, 3, 4) and/or for inserting hardware and/or pins in said panels (2, 3, 4), said apparatus (1) comprising machining means (8, 15, 20) for machining said panels (2, 3, 4) and moving means (12, 16, 21) for moving said panels (2, 3, 4) through said apparatus (1) along an advancing direction (A), characterised in that it comprises a first machining station (5) including first moving means (12) of said moving means (12, 16, 21) and first machining means (8) of said machining means (8, 15, 20) for machining head portions (9) of said panels (2, 3, 4), a second machining station (6) including second moving means (16) of said moving means (12, 16, 21) and second machining means (15) of said machining means (8, 15, 20) for machining intermediate portions (10) of said panels (2, 3, 4) and a third machining station (7) including third moving means (21) of said moving means (12, 16, 21) and third machining means (20) of said machining means (8, 15, 20) for machining tail portions (11) of said panels (2, 3, 4), said first machining station (5), said second machining station (6) and said third machining station (7) being arranged in sequence along said advancing direction (A) such that they can each machine, independently of one another, one of said portions (9, 10, 11) of a respective panel (2, 3, 4).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first machining station (5) and said third machining station (7) are substantially positioned at mutually opposite ends (25, 26) of said apparatus (1) and are configured in such a manner that when said first machining station (5) machines a head portion (9) of a panel (2, 3, 4), an intermediate portion (10) and a tail portion (11) of said panel (2, 3, 4) protrude form said apparatus (1) and when said third machining station (7) machines a tail portion (11) of a further panel (2, 3, 4) an intermediate portion (10) and a head portion (9) of said further panel (2, 3, 4) protrude from said apparatus (1).

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, or 2, wherein said machining means (8, 15, 20) is movable parallel to a first axis (X), which is horizontal and substantially parallel to said advancing direction (A), to a second axis (Y), which is vertical and substantially perpendicular to said first axis (X), and to a third axis (Z), which is horizontal and substantially perpendicular to said first axis (X) and to said second axis (Y), said first axis (X), said second axis (Y) and said third axis (Z) forming a tern of orthogonal axes.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said second moving means comprises track means (16) for supporting said panels (2, 3, 4) and pressing roller means (17), opposite said track means (16), to maintain said panels (2, 3, 4) pressed against said track means (16).

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first moving means (12), said second moving means (16) and said third moving means (21) are configured in such a way as to move respective panels (2, 3, 4) in a controlled manner and separately from one another.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first moving means (12) and said third moving means (21) are movable between an operating position wherein they are substantially aligned with said second moving means (16) and advance said panels (2, 3, 4) along said advancing direction (A) and a non-operating position (NW1) wherein they are staggered with respect to said second moving means (16) and respectively enable said first machining means (8) and said third machining means (20) to machine said head portions (9) and said tail portions (11).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said first machining station (5) and said third machining station (7) comprise retaining means (13, 23) for retaining said panels (2, 3, 4) respectively when said first machining means (8) and said third machining means (20) respectively machine said head portions (9) and said tail portions (11).

8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said first machining station (5) and said third machining station (7) comprise abutting means (14, 24) for abutting respectively on said head portions (9) and said tail portions (11) in respective reference positions for said apparatus (1).

9. Method for machining panels (2, 3, 4) arranged substantially vertically, in particular for drilling and/or milling said panels (2, 3, 4) and/or for inserting hardware and/or pins in said panels (2, 3, 4), said method comprising moving said panels (2, 3, 4) along an advancing direction (A), characterised in that said machining comprises machining in sequence and independently of one another head portions (9), intermediate portions (10) and tail portions (11) of respective panels (2, 3, 4).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein said moving comprises moving said panels (2, 3, 4) in a controlled manner and independently of one another.

Drawing