EP2207653B1 - Cutting machine for cutting blocks of material - Google Patents

Abstract

The cutting machine comprises a horizontal knife (17) for cutting a block (40) into plates (41). To allow for removal of a stack of plates (42) before the whole block (40) has been cut, a removal means comprising a removal conveyor (32) is provided. After completion of the last cut, the knife (17), after reversal of its cutting edge, will be entered into the cutting gap (43) again and be lifted, thus allowing a separating member (34) of the removal conveyor (32) to enter the resultant gap (44). By driving the conveyer belt (12), the stack of plates (42) is transferred onto the removal conveyor (32).

Description

The invention relates to a cutting machine for cutting blocks of material into plates to form plate stacks, having a knife horizontally cutting through a block, which extends across the working width of the machine and is horizontally movable relative to the block. In particular, the invention relates to a cutting machine for cutting flexible material, in particular foam blocks.

It is known to divide block-shaped foam blocks by horizontal cuts in plates, which initially form a stack of plates, which is then fed to a contour cutting machine, the plate stack with a cutting vertical knife to cut out contours. This creates a contoured plate in each plate of the plate stack.

DE 200 22 390 U1 describes a foam cutting device in which a horizontal cutting machine and a vertical cutting contour cutting machine are arranged one behind the other in a production line. First, a block is divided into plates by a vertical knife, forming a plate stack. The plate stack is then fed to the contour cutting machine.

The known cutting machines for foams and other elastic or flexible materials often have the disadvantage that a material block must first be completely divided into plates before further processing of the plate stack formed can take place. It happens that a limited number of plates is required which is smaller than the number of plates corresponding to the entire block. When cutting a block horizontally, the separated plates remain on the remainder block and form a stack of plates there.

The invention has for its object to provide a cutting machine for cutting blocks of material into plates to form plate stacks, can be made with a block of any desired number of plates and separated, wherein in a simple manner, the formed plate stack of the remaining block can be removed.

The cutting machine according to the invention is defined by the patent claim 1. It is characterized in that behind the horizontal cutting device, a removal device is provided which has a height-adjustable removal conveyor, that the knife is controlled so that it after completion of a section through the block first out of the Block moves out, then reversed and retracts into the block and finally starts up and lifts the plate stack from the block, and that the removal device has a separating member that engages under the raised plate stack and passes to the removal conveyor.

The term "plates" includes both rectangular and contoured entities. This applies equally to the term "plate stack".

It is a further object of the invention to provide a method of cutting blocks of material into sheets to form stacks of sheets which can be used to create and remove from a block any desired number of sheets leaving a remainder of the billet.

A first variant of the method according to the invention is defined by the patent claim 8.

According to the invention, the knife of the horizontal cutting machine serves to form an opener for initially lifting the edge of the plate stack from the remainder block, so that the separating element can penetrate into the opened gap between the plate stack and the remainder block in order to transfer the plate stack onto the removal conveyor. It has an advantageous effect that in an automatically controlled horizontal cutting machine, the vertical position of the knife is stored in the control device. The knife can remain in the vertical position in which it left the block, in order to penetrate into the joint in a subsequent return. The security is given that the joint is not missed by an incorrect knife height. The knife that has performed the horizontal cutting process is moved out of cutting height in the block and then moved back into the previously formed joint. It then serves as an opener to enlarge the joint, so that a Separierorgan can be introduced into the joint.

A second variant of the method according to the invention is defined by the patent claim 11. In this case, a block is first separated from the block, which is transported as a whole to the lower conveyor belt, so that can be cut with a horizontal knife plates. The horizontal contour or the stack of plates is cut only after removal by the removal device, while the sub-block is on the conveyor belt.

Both methods can be carried out with the same cutting machine according to the invention. They differ in the control of this machine.

The invention is suitable for CNC-controlled automatic cutting machines which automatically perform the operations according to a program, whereby the user can input in advance the required parameters into the control means, such as the size of the block to be divided and the thickness of the plates to be produced and the number of plates of a plate stack. The invention offers a high degree of flexibility for the user. In particular, it is possible to divide a block of material into a plurality of plate stacks, each of which undergoes a different processing.

The invention is particularly suitable for combination machines, which consists of a horizontal cutting machine and a contour cutting machine, which are arranged one behind the other. The two machines can be arranged directly adjacent to each other, so that their cutting tables or work belts directly adjoin one another, but they can also be spaced from one another and connected to one another by intermediate conveyors. It is also possible to supply the plate stack removed from the removal device to a temporary storage and then to process it further. This further processing can also be done with the same cutting machine, which has made the cutting of the blocks in plates.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the removal conveyor is vertically movable in the removal device and that a conveyor belt is provided, on which the removal conveyor deposits a removed stack of plates. This conveyor belt is located in a conveyor line, which also includes the conveyor belt of the further processing cutting device, so that the plate stack is supplied after its removal by the removal device of further processing. In the case of a double-cutting machine, this can be done by applying the stack of plates to the delivery side of the conveyor belt of the vertical cutting machine, the conveyor belt subsequently transporting the stack of plates into the knife area in reverse.

In the following an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

Den generellen Aufbau einer kombinierten Schneidemaschine aus Horizontalschneidemaschine und Vertikal-Konturschneidemaschine,

Fig. 2

die gleiche Vorrichtung wie Figur 1, jedoch ausgestattet mit der erfindungsgemäßen Abnahmevorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine Darstellung der Abnahmevorrichtung, die als separate Zustellvorrichtung ausgebildet ist und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Folge der Arbeitsablaufe zum Abheben eines Plattenstapels von einem Restblock.

Show it:

Fig. 1

The general structure of a combined cutting machine of horizontal cutting machine and vertical contour cutting machine,

Fig. 2

the same device as FIG. 1 but equipped with the removal device according to the invention,

Fig. 3

an illustration of the removal device, which is designed as a separate delivery device and

Fig. 4

a schematic sequence of operations for lifting a disk stack from a residual block.

In the FIGS. 1 and 2 For example, a CNC controlled slicer 10 for foam blocks and other soft elastic material is shown. The Cutting machine 10 has a base 11, the conveyor belts 12, 13 carries, which each form a work table for the material blocks to be processed. The conveyor belts 12, 13 extend over the entire working width of the machine. You do not have to form a closed work surface, but can also consist of several juxtaposed individual bands. The conveyor belts 12, 13 are driven in a controlled manner, so that the material block can be moved back and forth.

On a stand 14 of two fixed on both sides of the conveyor belt 12 posts a cutting frame 15 is fixed, which is controlled in height movable. The cutting frame is part of a horizontal cutting machine 16. It has a horizontal knife 17, which here consists of a band knife, but also a cutting wire would be possible. The knife 17 is rotatably controlled about its longitudinal axis, which forms the transverse axis of the horizontal cutting machine 16, so that the cutting edge can be selectively directed forward or backward.

In the transport path behind the horizontal cutting machine 16, a vertical cutting contour cutting machine 20 is arranged. This has a fixed annular frame 21 which guides a knife 22 arranged vertically. The knife 22 is a band knife or wire knife, which is moved in the longitudinal direction of its extension. The knife 22 may for example form a closed loop and be driven in rotation. In the case of a band knife, the knife 22 is rotatable controlled about its longitudinal axis. The contour cutting machine 20 is a vertical cutting machine with which contour patterns can be cut into a block or a stack of plates.

FIG. 1 also shows a control panel 25, where the user can enter the desired parameters, and a control cabinet 26, the control computer contains, which controls all operations of the two cutting device and coordinated with each other.

FIG. 2 shows the same cutting machine as FIG. 1 but additionally equipped with a take-off device 30. The take-off device 30, which in FIG. 3 is shown separately, has a frame 31 which is on the ground and can be added to the cutting machine if necessary. The frame 31 carries a removal conveyor 32 from a circulating conveyor belt, which may also be divided into a plurality of parallel belt areas. The conveyor belt revolves around front and rear rollers, the rear roller being driven by a motor 33. As FIG. 3 shows, the pickup conveyor 32 is arranged rising from its front end to the rear. At the front end there is a separating member 34 in the form of a forwardly tapered sheet, the upper side of which leads to the support surface of the removal conveyor 32. The removal conveyor 32 has a frame 35, on which the separating element 34 is attached. The frame 35 is linearly movable relative to the frame 31 in a guide 36. The corresponding drive 37 consists of a piston-cylinder unit which can move the removal conveyor 32 controlled back and forth. The removal conveyor 32 is movable on the frame 31 and in height. Serve this purpose vertical guide rails 38 and provided on the frame 31 motor 39th

The FIG. 4 shows the sequence of a cutting operation in the horizontal cutting machine 16, wherein in steps A - H, the interaction with the removal device 30 is shown. A block 40 is alternately moved back and forth on the conveyor belt 12 and thereby passes the knife 17. In the drawing, only the relative movement between block 40 and knife 17 is shown. It would also be possible for the knife 17 to move horizontally while the block is stationary.

By the movement of the block 40 relative to the knife 17 plates 41 are cut out of the block 40. These form a plate stack 42, which rests on the remainder of the block 40. The knife 17 creates within the block 40 a joint 43. In step B, the knife 17 has left the block and the joint 43 is completed. The knife 17 is turned outside of the block 40, so that in step C its cutting edge 17A, which has previously pointed forward, now points in the opposite direction.

1. A. Schneiden von Platten bzw. Konturbereichen mit Hilfe des horizontal angeordneten Messers,
2. B. Austreten des Messers aus der Fuge nach Fertigstellung des letzten Schnittes,
3. C. Wenden des Messers außerhalb des Blockes, so dass Spitze in Richtung des Blocks zeigt,
4. D. Zurückfahren des Messers in den Spalt,
5. E. Anheben des Messers mit abgeschaltetem Bandmesserantrieb und quer zur Fahrtrichtung stehend, so dass sich ein Spalt 44 ergibt und Absenken des Abnahmeförderers auf Höhe des Spalts, wobei die Spitze des Separierorgans unterhalb des Bandmessers, jedoch oberhalb des Restblocks, positioniert wird,
6. F. Einschieben des Separierorgans 34 in den Spalt 44,
7. G. Gegeneinander Verfahren von abgeschaltetem Messer und Separierorgan, so dass der Stapel nicht mehr auf dem Bandmesser aufliegt sondern auf dem Separierorgan,
8. H. Abtransport des Plattenstapels bzw. Konturbereiches auf den Abnahmeförderer und gleichzeitig Überführen des Restblocks auf den Hilfsförderer 46. Der Restblock wird so weit auf den Hilfsförderer 46 transportiert, dass er außerhalb des Bereiches für die Vertikalbewegung des Abnahmeförderers steht,
9. I. Absenken des Abnahmeförderers, so dass Spitze des Separierorgans direkt oberhalb des Förderbandes 12 zum Stehen kommt,
10. J. Rücktransport des Plattenstapels bzw. Konturbereiches vom Abnahmeförderer auf das Förderband 12.

The sequence of in FIG. 4 shown steps A - H is as follows:

1. A. cutting plates or contour areas by means of the horizontally arranged knife,
2. B. exit of the knife from the joint after completion of the last cut,
3. C. turning the knife outside the block so that point points towards the block
4. D. retracting the knife into the gap,
5. E. Lifting the knife with the band-knife drive switched off and standing transversely to the direction of travel, so that a gap 44 results and lowering of the removal conveyor at the gap, whereby the tip of the separating device is positioned below the band blade, but above the remainder block.
6. F. inserting the separating element 34 into the gap 44,
7. G. Against each other procedure of switched off knife and Separierorgan, so that the stack no longer rests on the band knife but on the Separierorgan,
8. H. Transporting the plate stack or contour area onto the removal conveyor and at the same time transferring the remainder block to the auxiliary conveyor 46. The remainder block is transported onto the auxiliary conveyor 46 so far that it is outside the range for the vertical movement of the removal conveyor.
9. I. Lowering the take-off conveyor so that the tip of the separating device comes to a stop directly above the conveyor belt 12,
10. J. return transport of the plate stack or contour area from the pickup conveyor on the conveyor belt 12th

1. A. Schneiden eines Teilblockes vom Materialblock mit Hilfe des horizontal angeordneten Messers,
2. B. Austreten des Messers aus der Fuge nach Fertigstellung des Trennschnittes,
3. C. Wenden des Messers außerhalb des Blocks, so dass Spitze in Richtung des Blocks zeigt,
4. D. Zurückfahren des Messers in den Spalt,
5. E. Anheben des Messers mit abgeschaltetem Bandmesserantrieb und quer zur Fahrtrichtung stehend, so dass sich ein Spalt ergibt und Absenken des Abnahmeförderers auf Höhe des Spalts, wobei die Spitze des Separierorgans unterhalb des Bandmessers, jedoch oberhalb des Restblocks, positioniert wird,
6. F. Einschieben des Separierorgans 34 in den Spalt 44,
7. G. Gegeneinander Verfahren von abgeschaltetem Messer und Separierorgan_; so dass der Stapel nicht mehr auf dem Bandmesser aufliegt sondern auf dem Separierorgan,
8. H. Abtransport des Teilblocks auf den Abnahmeförderer und gleichzeitig Überführen des Restblocks auf den Hilfsförderer 46. Der Restblock wird so weit auf den Hilfsförderer 46 transportiert, dass er außerhalb des Bereiches für die Vertikalbewegung des Abnahmeförderers steht,
9. I. Absenken des Abnahmeförderers, so dass Spitze des Separierorgans direkt oberhalb des Förderbandes 12 zum Stehen kommt,
10. J. Rücktransport des Teilblocks vom Abnahmeförderer auf das Förderband 12,
11. K. Wegfahren des Abnahmeförderers nach oben,
12. L. Transport des Teilblocks vor das horizontale Messer,
13. M. Erstellen der horizontalen Schnitte im separierten Teilblock,
14. N. Transport des mit dem horizontalen Messer bearbeiteten Blocks vor das vertikale Messer,
15. O. Erstellen der vertikalen Schnitte im Teilblock.

In an alternative method according to the second variant of the invention, the following sequence of steps results:

1. A. cutting a partial block of the material block by means of the horizontally arranged knife,
2. B. exit of the knife from the joint after completion of the separation cut,
3. C. turning the knife outside the block so that point points towards the block
4. D. retracting the knife into the gap,
5. E. Lifting the knife with the band-knife drive switched off and standing transversely to the direction of travel so that there is a gap and lowering of the removal conveyor at the level of the gap, whereby the tip of the separating element is positioned below the band blade but above the residual block.
6. F. inserting the separating element 34 into the gap 44,
7. G. Opposite procedure of switched off knife and Separierorgan _; so that the stack no longer rests on the band knife but on the Separierorgan,
8. H. removal of the sub-block on the pickup conveyor and simultaneously transferring the remainder block on the auxiliary conveyor 46. The remainder block is transported to the auxiliary conveyor 46 so far that it is outside the range for the vertical movement of the pickup conveyor,
9. I. Lowering the take-off conveyor so that the tip of the separating device comes to a stop directly above the conveyor belt 12,
10. J. return of the sub-block from the pickup conveyor on the conveyor belt 12,
11. K. Driving the pickup conveyor up,
12. L. transporting the sub-block in front of the horizontal knife,
13. M. Create the horizontal cuts in the separated subblock,
14. N. Transporting the block processed with the horizontal knife in front of the vertical knife,
15. O. Create the vertical cuts in the subblock.

Claims (11)

1. A cutting machine for cutting blocks of material into plates and forming stacks of said plates, said machine comprising a knife (17) for cutting horizontally through a block (40), said knife extending transversely across the working width of the machine and being arranged for horizontal movement relative to the block,
   characterized in
   that a removal means (30) is provided, comprising a height-adjustable removal conveyor (32), that the knife (17) is controlled in such a manner that, after completion of a cut through the block, the knife will be reversed and enter the block again, and finally will be moved upwards and lift the stack of plates (42) from the block (40), and that the removal means (30) comprises a separating member (34) arranged to grip under the lifted stack of plates (42) and transferring it onto the removal conveyor (32).
2. The cutting machine according to claim 1, characterized in that a horizontal cutting machine (16) and a contour cutting machine (20) for vertical cutting are arranged in series relative to each other, and that the removal means (30) cooperates with the horizontal cutting machine (16) and is operative to transfer stacks of plates (42) taken over therefrom to the contour cutting machine (20).
3. The cutting machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the horizontal cutting machine (16) and the contour cutting machine (20) comprise mutually adjacent conveyor belts (12,13), the drive units thereof being arranged for controlled operation.
4. The cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the removal conveyor (32) is displaceable in height within the removal means (30) in a controlled manner and that an auxiliary conveyor (46) is provided for placement of a removed stack of plates thereon with the aid of the removal conveyor (32).
5. The cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the removal conveyor (32) is arranged for horizontal displacement and is operative, while being driven opposite to its traveling direction, to be moved under the stack of plates (42) resting on a block (40).
6. The cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the knife (17) comprises a reversible band knife.
7. The cutting machine according to any one of claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the separating member (34) comprises an acute edge fastened to a frame (35) of the removal conveyor (32).
8. A method for cutting blocks of material (40) into plates (41) and for forming stacks of plates (42), said method comprising the steps of:

   - passing a knife through a block (40) multiple times and severing a plate (41) from the block, followed by a return movement of the knife (17),

   - after severing a number of plates (41) from the block (40): returning the knife (17) to a position under the most recently cut-off plate,

   - lifting the knife,

   - inserting a removal means under the plate lifted by the knife (17) while simultaneously driving a removal conveyor (32) for transfer of the stack of plates (42) onto the removal means,

   - placing the stack of plates (42) from the removal conveyor (32) onto an auxiliary conveyor (46).
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, prior to returning the knife (17), the knife is reversed so as to cause its cutting edge (17A) to face in the direction opposite to the previous cutting direction.
10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, subsequent to said lifting of the knife (17) and to said insertion of the removal means, the knife is lowered.
11. A method for cutting blocks of material into plates, said method comprising the steps of:

    - severing a partial block from the block by horizontal cutting using a knife (17)_.

    - returning the knife under said partial block,

    - lifting the knife,

    - inserting a removal means (32) under said partial block, and transport,

    - transport of said partial block onto a conveyor band (12),

    - performing horizontal cuts in said partial block for severing a number of plates, said plates forming a stack of plates, and

    - processing the stack of plates by performing vertical cuts.

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