EP3713727B1 - Method for processing flat workpieces - Google Patents

Description

technical field

The invention relates to a method for processing plate-shaped workpieces according to the preamble of claim 1, such as. e.g WO 2018/104532 A1 or AT 402 193 B known.

State of the art

AT 500 768 A1 discloses a processing machine with various units for sawing, milling or drilling. The workpieces are aligned using stops and the processing machines are positioned accordingly.

Since various processing units that are not currently in use are unused on such systems, the move has been made to spatially separate the isolation and post-processing. In known methods of this type, panel-shaped workpieces are usually provided as a large-format panel at the start of production. The large-format panel mentioned is to be separated in a separation station according to a cutting plan. The separated panels are then ejected from the separation station and handed over to downstream processing units.

DE 10 2008 032 160 A1 discloses a method for dividing panels, in which markings are introduced, a separating cut is made and the separated workpieces are output for further separation, where they are rotated by 90° by hand and returned to the machine for further cutting. There they are aligned, finally cut and output again, where they are stored manually.

DE 10 2014 204 695 A1 discloses an image detection method for a separating/processing machine, the image detection detecting the size and the processing status and issuing stacking instructions for manual stacking for further processing. DE 10 2016 203 674 A1 discloses a workpiece detection system that provides the operator with further processing instructions.

In the course of increasing automation and the increasing demands regarding production in batch size 1, the requirements for process speed are also constantly increasing. The problem with known separating stations is how it DE 10 2017 002 271 A1 discloses that the component in question has to be realigned when it is transferred to a downstream processing station and, if necessary, clamped in a defined alignment. The downstream processing station must therefore first align it when it takes over the separated workpiece in order to be able to process it according to the plan.

Of course, this step takes time, which reduces the process speed, since the time it takes a workpiece to travel from being cut out of the large-format panel to being picked in a corresponding wood processing plant is decisive for the process speed.

The invention

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a method for processing plate-shaped workpieces with the aid of which the disadvantages described above can be minimized, in particular the process speed is increased and the production of batch size 1 is promoted by improving the material flow.

This object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are found in the dependent claims.

1. a. Bereitstellen einer großformatigen Platte, insbesondere aus Holz oder Holzersatzstoffen, und Zuführen der großformatigen Platte zu einer Vereinzelungsstation,
2. b. Vereinzeln von plattenförmigen Werkstücken durch Aufteilen der bereitgestellten großformatigen Platte in der Vereinzelungsstation, indem dort durch wenigstens ein Vereinzelungsaggregat Schnitte in der großformatigen Platte ausgeführt werden,
3. c. Zuführen der so vereinzelten Werkstücke an wenigstens eine nachgelagerte Bearbeitungsstation, um das plattenförmige Werkstück fertigzustellen.

In the method according to the invention for processing panel-shaped workpieces, in particular made of wood or wood substitutes, the following steps are carried out:

1. a. Providing a large-format panel, in particular made of wood or wood substitutes, and feeding the large-format panel to a separating station,
2. b. Separation of plate-shaped workpieces by dividing the provided large-format plate in the separating station, in that cuts are made in the large-format plate there by at least one separating unit,
3. c. Feeding the workpieces separated in this way to at least one downstream processing station in order to finish the plate-shaped workpiece.

According to the invention, in step b. of the separating unit, at least part of each separated workpiece has an alignment section for engaging gripping elements and/or introducing reference bores, with the workpiece provided with the alignment section being taken over after it has been separated by means of a gripping element, engagement element or gripping element acting on the alignment section.

If only a gripping element is discussed in the following, the explanations also apply analogously to an engagement element or gripping element.

Panel-shaped workpieces within the meaning of this invention can be workpieces made of wood or wood substitutes, but also lightweight panels, plasterboard, fiber cement panels or generally panels made of other materials, as well as panels that can be used in particular for automobile construction or generally for use as building elements for other constructions.

The basic idea of the invention is to ensure during the separating process that the workpiece later separated from the large-format panel already receives a reference for aligning the workpiece in the subsequent process.

To ensure that the separated workpieces are not transported further in an uncontrolled manner after separation, in particular in a position that is not defined in their alignment, the workpieces provided with the alignment section are taken over by a gripping element acting on the alignment section after they have been separated. The gripping element undertakes the alignment of the workpiece, gripping the alignment section in a form-fitting manner and checking the workpiece, and transporting it further in an aligned manner to the at least one downstream processing station.

Since, according to the invention, a step or partial step for aligning the workpiece is already carried out during the separation process, it no longer needs to be carried out in the downstream processing unit, which significantly reduces the process time and can contribute to a significant acceleration of the process, especially with batch size 1.

According to the invention, the gripping element, engagement element or grasping element has a centering or aligning element. This is preferably a mandrel or pin. In step b. or introduced before or after a reference hole in the alignment, in which then said centering or aligning element engages. In a preferred method, the gripping element comprises a gripper that engages the alignment section.

If the mentioned reference bores have been introduced, preferably in step b, they can be used for centering and alignment. For this purpose, the gripping element is equipped with centering or alignment elements that engage in the corresponding reference bores. Knowing the position and orientation of the gripping elements, the position and orientation of the workpieces can be calculated. This type of alignment can be used in addition to gripping the workpieces or even as the sole alignment device. Alignment is easy and precise with clearly defined reference points.

In the case of the method according to the invention, the process time can be shortened even further if further method steps in the production of a finished part are already carried out in the separating process. For this purpose, it can preferably be provided that in step b the separating unit carries out at least one finish cut, the alignment section being provided on a part of the respective separated workpiece that is free of finish cuts. Of course, several finishing cuts can also be provided, depending on the geometry of the separated part that is to have later. By carrying out finish cuts, they do not have to be carried out during later processing and save further process time because finish cuts are already carried out by the separation station.

For further process optimization, it can also be provided that separating units are designed to perform additional processing steps on the workpiece, in particular rebates, grooves, bores and/or, in addition to separating it To introduce recesses in the workpiece. In this way, processing steps that normally have to be carried out by downstream processing stations can be moved forward to the separating station.

The at least one separating unit of the separating station preferably comprises at least one milling unit and/or one sawing unit. As indicated above, other units can also be provided in the separating station.

The separating station preferably comprises a processing table, the separating unit being mounted on it so that it can be displaced in a first direction, in particular on a portal. A portal does not necessarily have to be used; the corresponding displacement devices can also be movably mounted, for example, below the processing table surface.

Provision can be made here for the at least one separating unit to be displaceable in a second direction, in particular one running perpendicular to the first direction. In this way, the large-format panel can be divided by a combination of the movement of the separating unit and the panel itself.

In general, it can be provided that a plate-shaped workpiece is cut out of the large-format plate by bringing the separating unit into engagement with the large-format plate and moving the large-format plate in the first direction and/or the separating unit in the second direction.

1. i) Aufnehmen und Ausrichten eines vereinzelten Werkstücks am Ausrichtabschnitt
2. ii) Beschichten einer Schmalseite des plattenförmigen Werkstücks mit einem Kantenstreifen,
3. iii) Durchführen eines Fertigschnitts, an einer noch nicht fertig formatierten Schmalseite des plattenförmigen Werkstücks,
4. iv) Einbringen von wenigstens einer Bohrung in das plattenförmige Werkstück,
5. v) Fertigbearbeiten des mit einem Kantenstreifen versehenen Werkstücks.

Once the separation has been carried out at the separation station, according to the method according to the invention, a downstream processing station with the separated Workpiece to be loaded. For this purpose, according to a preferred embodiment, the method according to the invention provides that at least one of the following processing steps is carried out at the at least one downstream processing station:

1. i) Picking up and aligning an isolated workpiece on the alignment section
2. ii) coating a narrow side of the panel-shaped workpiece with an edge strip,
3. iii) performing a finish cut on a not yet fully formatted narrow side of the panel-shaped workpiece,
4. iv) making at least one hole in the plate-shaped workpiece,
5. v) Finishing the edge striped workpiece.

The enumeration mentioned above is not exhaustive, of course other processing steps can also be carried out at one or a plurality of processing stations downstream of the separating station.

In principle, the downstream processing stations can therefore carry out very different activities. In particular, but not exclusively with regard to the local application of wood processing, it has been found to be preferable if a machining center and/or a through-feed machine and/or a drill is used as at least one downstream processing station.

If the separating station should carry out finish cuts, it can preferably also be provided that in step b. waste produced in the area of the finished cuts before or during step c. is discarded. This already allows, in particular, disruptive offcuts to be disposed of prior to the transfer to a processing station downstream of the separation station, thereby minimizing the amount of material flow.

Depending on the activities performed by the separating station, i.e. whatever shape the alignment section should have, the alignment section can have one of the following in step b. isolated plate-shaped workpiece are used in the further processing for aligning the workpiece in question.

If the aligning section is no longer required, for example if the workpiece is correspondingly aligned during finish machining in a processing station downstream of the separating station, it can preferably be provided that the aligning section in or after step c. is removed by a finishing cut or at least by a separating cut. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is provided that the alignment section is removed in the at least one downstream processing station, in particular in the last processing step.

way of carrying out the invention

• Figur 1 zeigt eine Draufsicht auf eine beispielhafte Vorrichtung zur Durchführung des erfindungsgemäßen Verfahrens.
• Figur 2A zeigt eine Draufsicht auf ein in der Vereinzelungsstation vereinzeltes Werkstück mit Ausrichtabschnitt nicht gemäß einem Verfahren nach der Erfindung.
• Figur 2B zeigt eine Draufsicht auf ein beispielhaftes, in der Vereinzelungsstation vereinzeltes Werkstück mit Ausrichtabschnitt, gemäß einem Verfahren nach der Erfindung.
• Figur 2C zeigt eine Draufsicht auf ein beispielhaftes, in der Vereinzelungsstation vereinzeltes Werkstück mit Ausrichtabschnitt, gemäß einem Verfahren nach der Erfindung.
• Figur 2D zeigt eine Draufsicht auf ein beispielhaftes, in der Vereinzelungsstation vereinzeltes Werkstück mit Ausrichtabschnitt, gemäß einem Verfahren nach der Erfindung.
• Figur 3A zeigt eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des Ausschnitts A aus Figur 1.
• Figur 3B zeigt eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des Ausschnitts B aus Figur 1.
• Figur 3C zeigt eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des Ausschnitts C aus Figur 1.
• Figur 3D zeigt eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des Ausschnitts D aus Figur 1.
• Figur 3E zeigt eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des Ausschnitts E aus Figur 1.
• Figur 3F zeigt eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des Ausschnitts F aus Figur 1.
• Figur 3G zeigt eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des Ausschnitts G aus Figur 1.
• Figur 3H zeigt eine Ausschnittvergrößerung des Ausschnitts H aus Figur 1.

The invention is now based on the below Figures 1 through 3H explained in more detail.

• figure 1 shows a top view of an exemplary device for carrying out the method according to the invention.
• Figure 2A shows a plan view of a workpiece with an alignment section that has been separated in the separation station, not according to a method according to the invention.
• Figure 2B shows a top view of an exemplary workpiece separated in the separation station with an alignment section according to a method according to the invention.
• Figure 2C shows a top view of an exemplary workpiece separated in the separation station with an alignment section according to a method according to the invention.
• Figure 2D shows a top view of an exemplary workpiece separated in the separation station with an alignment section according to a method according to the invention.
• Figure 3A shows an enlargement of section A figure 1 .
• Figure 3B shows an enlarged detail of detail B figure 1 .
• Figure 3C shows an enlargement of section C figure 1 .
• Figure 3D shows an enlargement of section D figure 1 .
• Figure 3E shows an enlarged detail of detail E figure 1 .
• Figure 3F shows an enlargement of section F figure 1 .
• Figure 3G shows an enlargement of section G figure 1 .
• Figure 3H shows an enlargement of section H figure 1 .

In figure 1 an overview of a possible device is shown, with the help of which the method according to the invention can be carried out. Many other devices are also conceivable.

The following description of individual components of the in figure 1 The device shown is therefore purely exemplary and the components described are optional with regard to the method according to the invention.

The method according to the invention only imperatively requires that, on the one hand, a separating station 1 is provided, which causes the separation of large-format panels 4 into individual, separated workpieces 5, and, on the other hand, that there is at least one processing station 16, 2, 3 downstream of the separating station 1, at which the separated Workpiece 5 is traded in any form or otherwise processed. The panel-shaped workpieces within the meaning of the invention are preferably those made of wood or wood substitutes.

In the example shown, the separating station 1 has a portal 10 on which a processing unit 11 is arranged such that it can be displaced back and forth in direction X (direction of arrow P3). The portal 10 itself can be displaced perpendicularly to its direction of extension in direction Y (arrow P2). However, the processing unit 11 does not necessarily have to be attached to a portal 10; it can also be arranged in a different way on the separating station 1 so that it can be moved relative to the storage table 12 of the separating station 1.

The large-format panel 4 is preferably pushed in the direction of the arrow P1 (parallel to the Y direction) onto the storage surface of the storage table 12 and from there, with respect to the Y direction, acts on the transverse side of the large-format panel 4 Grippers 13 and/or grippers 14 gripping the long side of the large-format panel 4 with respect to the Y direction and fix it. The grippers 13, 14 are preferably displaceable in the Y direction. For separating, the processing unit 11, which can be a milling cutter or saw or another processing unit, performs cuts, among other things, with which a workpiece 5 is separated from the large-format panel. In the example shown, this happens at A ( Figure 3A ).

It is now essential for the implementation of the idea of the invention that the separated workpiece 5 in the separation station 1 is given an alignment section. What can be an alignment section will be discussed with reference to FIG Figures 2B to 2D explained with the examples there.

On the one hand, as in Figure 2A shown, not according to a method according to the invention, an alignment section can be, for example, a material overhang 5a which, unlike, for example, finish cuts 5b, in which the separated workpiece 5 already has the final format, still has to be separated from the separated workpiece 5 in a later method step. According to a method according to the invention, such as in Figure 2B shown, in which the workpiece 5 as well as in Figure 2A has, for example, a parallelogram shape, aligning sections 5c are introduced into the workpiece 5 in the region of the separating station during the separating process. The aligning sections 5c are indentations made by drilling, in which, for example, corresponding centering or aligning elements of the gripping devices that accept the separated workpiece 5 engage. Preferably, such depressions are not rotationally symmetrical, so that a more or less form-fitting engagement of the named gripping devices in the workpiece 5 taken over and the gripping device of this with a defined reference position. The machine control then knows how precisely the workpiece 5 is aligned in the machine.

As in the Figures 2C and 2D shown, any shape (rectangle in Figure 2C or oval in Figure 2D ) after separation in the separation station for further processing steps to subsequent processing units.

A corresponding first handover is, for example, in Section B of figure 1 and the associated Figure 3B shown. Here, the workpiece that has already been separated is picked up, for example, by a rotating device 16 and rotated by 90° and then transferred to the grippers 15, which can preferably be displaced in the Y direction and take over the workpiece at the corresponding alignment section and, if necessary, transport it through the further device. From this point on, the machine control knows exactly in which orientation the workpiece 5 lies in the machine and can run the further machining program based on this. Instead of the devices 15, 16, a robot can also be used in the corresponding device at this point (B), which on the one hand rotates the workpiece into a certain position and on the other hand can grip the workpiece 5 accordingly at the alignment section 5a or 5b.

A rotation is of course optional. The subsequent processing steps can be combined with one another as desired, or individual processing steps can be omitted. For example, at C (corresponding to Figure 3C ) milling or drilling with a corresponding unit 17 (possibly from the underside of the workpiece 5) can be carried out, the above-mentioned grippers 15 being able to be used to grip the workpiece 5 during this machining step to hold on. This can also be accomplished by a robot traveling along in the Y direction.

At station D ( Figure 3D ) the workpiece 5 can be placed, for example, on a vacuum table 19 or in a buffer and optionally taken over by another group of grippers or clamps that can be moved in the Y direction. Simultaneously or additionally, the workpiece 5 can be transferred to the transport system or a protection system of the subsequent processing station at this point.

There, for example, you can optionally enter F ( Figure 3F ) another processing unit such as a tool changer or a row drill head 26 or a gluing unit can be provided, which performs processing steps on the workpiece 5.

Likewise, the workpiece 5 at station E ( figure 3 ) are held by corresponding grippers or clamps 23, 24 and/or are moved in direction Y, in which case post-processing can be carried out here, for example from the upper side of the workpiece 5.

Another optional station is station G ( Figure 3G ). At this point, for example, a gluing unit 21 fed by an edge magazine 22 or an attachment unit can be arranged, which is designed for attaching edge bands to the narrow side of the workpiece 5 . In theory, it can be attached to three narrow sides of the workpiece, namely anywhere where the workpiece 5 is not held.

In particular, further finishing cuts can be made on the workpiece 5 in stations B to F, if necessary.

At the in Figure 3H At the station H shown in more detail (that is, preferably at the end of processing), the alignment section 5a can then be removed and the workpiece can be finished at the end for transport away. A saw or milling machine can be provided at this point for this purpose.

Of course, stations two and three can contain or be designed as both through-feed machines and machining centers.

Processing processes can be optimized with the arrangement according to the invention, because auxiliary measures for later alignment and referencing of the workpiece 5 isolated from the large-format plate 4 are carried out before the actual processing, so that corresponding set-up times during the actual workpiece processing can be avoided

Claims (14)

1. Method for processing plate-type workpieces (4, 5), in particular of wood or wood substitutes, in which the following steps are carried out:

   a. providing a large-format plate (4), in particular of wood or wood substitutes, and feeding (P1) the large-format plate (4) to a separating station (1);

   b. separating the plate-type workpieces (5) by dividing up the large-format plate (4), supplied in the separating station (1), wherein cuts are made in the large-format plate (4) by at least one separating assembly (11)

   c. feeding the thus separated workpieces (5) to at least one processing station (2, 3) downstream in order to finish off the plate-type workpiece (5),

   wherein in step b. at least one part of each separated workpiece receives from the separating assembly (11) an alignment portion (5a) for engagement by gripper elements (14, 15) and/or the introduction of reference bores, wherein the workpiece (5) provided with the alignment portion (5a) is taken over, after its separation, by means of a gripper element (14, 15), engagement element or pick-up element which engages, preferably with form-locking connection, on the alignment portion (5a), characterised in that
   the gripper element, engagement element or pick-up element has a centring or alignment element, preferably a spike or pin, wherein in step b., or before or after same, a reference bore is introduced into the alignment portion (5a) into which the centring or alignment element then engages.
2. Method according to Claim 1
   characterised in that
   the gripper element 14, 15), engagement element or pick-up element comprises a gripper which engages on the alignment portion (5a).
3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2
   characterised in that in step b. at least one finishing cut (5b) is made by the separating assembly (11) wherein the alignment portion (5a) is provided on a part of the relevant separated workpiece which is without a finished cut.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims
   characterised in that
   the separating assembly (11) is configured in addition to separating the workpiece also to introduce additional processing steps on this workpiece, in particular rebates, grooves, bores and/or recesses in the workpiece.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims
   characterised in that
   the at least one separating assembly (11) comprises at least one milling assembly and/or a sawing assembly.
6. Method according to one of the preceding claims
   characterised in that
   the separating station (1) comprises a processing table (12) wherein the separating assembly (11) is mounted thereon for displacement in a first direction (X, Y), in particular on a portal (10).
7. Method according to Claim 6
   characterised in that
   the at least one separating assembly (11) is displaceable in a second direction (X), in particular perpendicular to the first direction (Y).
8. Method according to Claims 6 and 7
   characterised in that
   removing a plate-shaped workpiece (5) from the large-format plate is carried out by bringing the separating assembly (11) into engagement with the large-format plate (4) and moving the large-format plate in the first direction (Y) and/or the separating assembly (11) in the second direction (X).
9. Method according to one of the preceding claims
   characterised in that
   at least one of the following processing steps is carried out at the at least one downstream processing station (2, 3):

   i) receiving and aligning a separated workpiece (5) at the aligning portion (5a)

   ii) coating a narrow side of the plate-type workpiece (5) with an edging strip

   iii) carrying out a finishing cut on a narrow side of the plate-type workpiece (5) that has not yet been finished formatted;

   iv) introducing at least one bore into the plate-type workpiece (5)

   v) finishing processing the workpiece which has been provided with an edging strip.
10. Method according to one of the preceding claims
    characterised in that
    a processing centre and/or a feedthrough machine and/or a drilling machine is used as the at least one downstream processing station (2, 3).
11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, insofar as dependent on claim 2,
    characterised in that in step b. waste cuttings arising in the region of the finished cuts (5b) are removed before or during step c.
12. Method according to one of the preceding claims
    characterised in that
    the alignment portion (5a) of a plate-type workpiece (5) separated in step b. is used for aligning the relevant workpiece (5) in the further processing step.
13. Method according to one of the preceding claims
    characterised in that
    the alignment portion (5a) is removed in or after step c. by a finishing cut or a separating cut.
14. Method according to one of the preceding claims
    characterised in that
    the alignment portion (5a) is removed in the at least one downstream processing station (2, 3), in particular in the final processing step.

Images