TRANSVERSAL TABLE FOR A WOODWORKING MACHINE AND WOODWORKING MACHINE HAVING SUCH A TRANSVERSAL TABLE, AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING A WOODWORKING MACHINE

Abstract

A cross table for a woodworking machine, such as a sliding table saw, and to a woodworking machine having such a cross table. The cross table includes a horizontally lying first workpiece support surface, a stop rail arranged above the first workpiece support surface and having a first workpiece stop surface on a first side of the stop rail, which is arranged such that a workpiece resting on the first workpiece support surface horizontally in front of the stop rail can be placed with a side edge against the workpiece stop surface. The stop rail has a second workpiece stop surface on a second side of the stop rail opposite the first side, the second workpiece stop surface arranged such that a workpiece resting on the first workpiece support surface horizontally behind the stop rail can be placed with a side edge against the workpiece stop surface.

Claims

1.-23. (canceled)

24. A cross table for a woodworking machine, in particular for a sliding table saw, comprising: a cross table frame; a horizontally lying first workpiece support surface; and a stop rail fastened to the cross table frame above the first workpiece support surface, the stop rail further comprising: a vertically standing first workpiece stop surface on a first side of the stop rail, whereby a plate-shaped workpiece resting on the first workpiece support surface in a first support region arranged horizontally in front of the stop rail can be placed with a side edge against the first workpiece stop surface; a vertically standing second workpiece stop surface on a second side of the stop rail opposite the first side, whereby a plate-shaped workpiece resting on the first workpiece support surface in a second support region arranged horizontally behind the stop rail can be placed with the side edge against the second workpiece stop surface; wherein the first workpiece support surface is formed by a support surface of a support beam; and wherein the support beam is arranged to be movable back and forth relative to the cross table frame.

25. The cross table according to claim 24, wherein the support beam can be moved back and forth between: a first position in which the support surface of the support beam is arranged substantially horizontally in front of the stop rail and forms the first support region; and a second position in which the support surface of the support beam is arranged substantially horizontally behind the stop rail and forms the second support region.

26. The cross table according to claim 24, wherein the cross table comprises a first coupling element for coupling the cross table to a sliding carriage of the woodworking machine, wherein the first coupling element is horizontally guidable on the sliding carriage and further comprises at least one clamping element for fixing the first coupling element to the sliding carriage.

27. The cross table according to claim 24, wherein the cross table is designed as a parallelogram cross table.

28. The cross table according to claim 24, wherein the cross table comprises a first transverse frame element and a second transverse frame element, which are: arranged parallel to each other; horizontally spaced from each other; and coupled to one another so as to be displaceable parallel to one another, in that the first and second transverse frame elements are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a first coupling element; and wherein the stop rail extends substantially parallel to the first transverse frame element and to the second transverse frame element, and has a substantially equal distance from the first transverse frame element and the second transverse frame element.

29. The cross table according to claim 28, wherein the first transverse frame element and the first coupling element are interconnected by an angular displacement unit, and the angular displacement unit is arranged to cause pivoting of the first transverse frame element relative to the first coupling element and parallel displacement of the first transverse frame element relative to the second transverse frame element; and the support beam is vertically supported by the first and second transverse frame elements.

30. The cross table according to claim 28, further comprising a guide element designed to guide the support beam in the horizontal direction, wherein the guide element is arranged on the first transverse frame element and/or on the second transverse frame element.

31. The cross table according to claim 24, further comprising: two or more support beams, said two or more support beams being horizontally spaced apart from each other.

32. The cross table according to claim 24, further comprising: a crank member having a first crank end disposed at a region adjacent a cross table end and a second crank end spaced apart from the cross table end.

33. The cross table according to claim 24, further comprising: a stop flap which is mounted so as to be movable along the stop rail and which comprises a stop flap surface which is vertically standing and aligned perpendicularly to the first and/or second workpiece stop surface.

34. The cross table according to claim 33, wherein the stop flap is adjustable between two flap positions and is arranged in a first flap position above the first support region and is arranged in a second flap position above the second support region, wherein the stop flap is arranged to be foldable about a substantially horizontal axis between a first flap position and a second flap position.

35. The cross table according to claim 34, further comprising a stop flap pivot actuator, the stop flap pivot actuator being arranged and configured to move the stop flap between the first flap position and the second flap position.

36. The cross table according to claim 35, wherein the stop flap pivot actuator is arranged and configured to move the stop flap to a travel position, the travel position being located between the first flap position and the second flap position, wherein the stop flap is vertically oriented in the travel position.

37. A woodworking machine, in particular a sliding table saw, comprising a cross table according to claim 24 movably mounted along a working direction relative to a tool on a machine frame.

38. The woodworking machine according to claim 37, further comprising: a sliding carriage which can be moved linearly relative to the machine frame, the cross table being arranged on the sliding carriage.

39. The woodworking machine according to claim 38, wherein the cross table is arranged on the sliding carriage so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical table pivot axis.

40. The woodworking machine according to claim 39, wherein the cross table is configured as a parallelogram cross table and is arranged on the sliding carriage so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical table pivot axis, the cross table being fastened to the sliding carriage by means of two pivot joints.

41. The woodworking machine according to claim 37, wherein the cross table is arranged at the sliding carriage by means of a first coupling element, and the first coupling element is arranged on the sliding carriage such that it can be moved parallel to the working direction, the first coupling element being guided on the sliding carriage, and at least one clamping element is arranged on the first coupling element, which clamping element is designed to fix the first coupling element to the sliding carriage.

42. The woodworking machine according to claim 37, wherein the sliding carriage has a second workpiece support surface arranged in alignment with the first workpiece supporting surface for supporting the workpiece, and the stop rail is arranged so as to be pivotable about a vertical stop rail pivot axis.

43. The woodworking machine according to claim 37, further comprising a detection device comprising: a flap sensor to detect a first flap position of a stop flap, a second flap position of the stop flap, and a travel position of the stop flap; or a workpiece sensor to detect a workpiece at the first workpiece stop surface or the second workpiece stop surface.

44. The woodworking machine according to claim 43, comprising a first control unit for controlling a stop flap swivel actuator; wherein the first control unit is arranged to receive a workpiece position signal from the detection device, the workpiece position signal characterizing a position of a workpiece at the first workpiece stop surface or the second workpiece stop surface; wherein the first control unit is further adapted to generate a first flap control signal when the workpiece position signal characterizes a workpiece position at the first workpiece stop surface, and to generate a second flap control signal when the workpiece position signal characterizes a workpiece position at the second workpiece stop surface; and wherein the stop flap pivot actuator is arranged to position the stop flap in the first flap position when the first flap control signal is received and in the second flap position when the second flap control signal is received.

45. The woodworking machine according to claim 44, wherein the woodworking machine comprises a circular saw blade, a rail actuator for moving the stop rail in a longitudinal direction of the stop rail, and a second control unit; and wherein the second control unit is arranged to determine a distance between the end of the stop rail facing the sliding carriage and the circular saw blade, and to control the rail actuator in such a way that contact between the stop rail and the circular saw blade is prevented.

46. A method for controlling a woodworking machine, in particular a sliding table saw, with a cross table having a stop rail with a stop flap, the method comprising the steps of: generating a workpiece position signal, the workpiece position signal characterizing a position of a workpiece at a first workpiece stop surface or at a second workpiece stop surface of the stop rail arranged opposite the first workpiece stop surface; generating a first flap control signal when the workpiece position signal characterizes a workpiece position at the first workpiece stop surface or generating a second flap control signal when the workpiece position signal characterizes a workpiece position at the second workpiece stop surface; and positioning the stop flap in a first flap position on a first side of the stop rail when the first flap control signal is generated and in a second flap position on a second side of the stop rail opposite the first side when the second flap control signal is generated, the stop flap being in a traverse position during traverse along the stop rail, the traverse position being between the first flap position and the second flap position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0063] Preferred embodiments are explained with reference to the accompanying figures. They show:

[0064] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a woodworking machine equipped with a cross table according to the invention;

[0065] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sliding carriage equipped with a cross table according to the invention;

[0066] FIGS. 3a-3d are perspective views of a sliding carriage equipped with a further cross table according to the invention;

[0067] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a coupling element;

[0068] FIG. 5 is a two-dimensional view of an angle adjustment unit;

[0069] FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the sliding carriage with a cross table according to the invention;

[0070] FIGS. 7a-d are perspective views of a sliding carriage equipped with a further cross table according to the invention;

[0071] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a stop rail; and

[0072] FIG. 9 is a schematic method of controlling a woodworking machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0073] In the Figures, identical or substantially functionally identical or similar elements are designated with the same reference signs.

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a woodworking machine 1 equipped with a cross-cut table 100 according to the invention. The woodworking machine 1, which is in the form of a sliding table saw, has a base frame 10 and a sliding carriage 200 which is guided linearly on the base frame 10 and can be displaced horizontally in the direction L. A cross table 100 projecting in the direction A is arranged on the sliding carriage 200, the workpiece support surface of which cross table 100 is substantially formed by support beams 130, 132 movable back and forth in the direction L. The cross table 100 is pivotable relative to the sliding carriage 200 about a substantially vertical axis in the direction V. The sawing line S is formed by a circular saw blade hidden under the protective hood 12, which preferably protrudes from the second workpiece support surface through a sawing slot. The sawing line S is oriented substantially parallel to the direction of travel of the carriage 200.

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the sliding carriage 200 shown in FIG. 1 with the cross table 100 according to the invention. The cross table 100 is arranged on the sliding carriage 200. The cross table 100 extends in the cantilever direction A from a first cross table end facing the sliding carriage 200 to a second cross table end facing away from the sliding carriage 200.

[0076] The cross table 100 is configured as a parallelogram cross table, which is pivotally arranged on the sliding carriage 200 about a substantially vertical axis. The cross table 100 comprises a cross table frame formed by, among other things, a first cross frame element 102 and a second cross frame element 104 arranged parallel thereto, a first coupling member 170 and a second coupling member 171. The first transverse frame element 102 and the second transverse frame element 104 each have a support beam longitudinal extension oriented parallel to the cantilever direction A, which is oriented orthogonally to a beam cross section. The first transverse frame element 102 has its supporting beam longitudinal extent substantially parallel to the second transverse frame element 104. The first transverse frame element 102 is spaced apart from the second transverse frame element 104 in the longitudinal direction L.

[0077] The cross frame elements 102, 104 are rotatably connected to the first coupling element 170 about a vertical axis at their ends facing the sliding carriage 200. The vertical axis is marked V in FIG. 2. This connection is realized by a swivel joint 154, 158. The transverse frame elements 102, 104 are also connected to the second coupling member 171 at a region adjacent to the second cross table end by means of pivot joints 156, 157. By means of the pivot joints 154, 156, 157, 158, a parallelogram cross table is formed. The cantilever direction A of the cross table 100 is thus variable relative to the saw line S, so that, for example, the cantilever directions A′ and A″ can also be adjusted.

[0078] The cross table 100 further comprises a stop rail 120. The stop rail 120 extends in the cantilever direction A from a first rail end 122 to a second rail end 124. The first rail end 122 faces the sliding carriage 200. The second rail end 124 faces away from the sliding carriage 200. Between the first rail end 122 and the second rail end 124, the stop rail 120 extends in a longitudinal rail direction. The longitudinal rail direction is oriented substantially parallel to the main extension directions of the cross frame elements 102, 104.

[0079] The stop rail 120 is movably coupled to the first coupling member 170 and the second coupling member 171 in the longitudinal direction of the rail. The stop rail 120 further includes, in a region adjacent the first rail end 122, a vertically downwardly projecting pin that engages a sliding carriage groove 212. The first coupling member 170 is coupled to the sliding carriage 200 by a first clamping device 172 and a third clamping device 174, the clamping devices 172, 174 providing a fixation in the longitudinal direction L.

[0080] The cross table 100 includes a first workpiece support surface. The first workpiece support surface is formed by a support surface 110a of a first support beam 130 and by a support surface 110b of a second support beam 132. The support beams 130, 132 are mounted for displacement in the longitudinal direction L. Preferably, the support beams 130, 132 can also be moved in the cantilever directions A, A′, A″. In particular, it is preferred that the second support beam 132 is arranged to be movable only in the longitudinal direction L and that the first support beam 130 is arranged to be movable in the longitudinal direction L and in the cantilever directions A, A′, A″.

[0081] By allowing the support beam 130 and the support beam 132 to move in the longitudinal direction L, the workpiece support surface of the cross table 100 may be formed substantially on the first side 111 or on the second side 112. Depending on whether a workpiece is arranged on the first workpiece support surface or on the second workpiece support surface 126 arranged opposite thereto, the first support beam 130 and the second support beam 132 can be moved to the side 111, 112 on which the workpiece is to be arranged.

[0082] The cross table 100, which is designed as a parallelogram cross table, has an angle adjustment unit 150. By means of the angle adjustment unit 150, a defined angle between the cantilever direction of the cross table 100 and the saw line S can be set. The angle adjustment unit 150 is also attached to the cross table frame by swivel joints 152a, 152b.

[0083] A second clamping device 127 is provided for allowing the length compensation to be fixed. Furthermore, the stop rail 120 comprises a first stop flap 140 and a second stop flap 142. The stop flaps 140, 142 are fixable to the stop rail by means of locking pins 144. The stop flaps 140, 142 are in a second flap position. Furthermore, the stop rail 120 comprises a control unit 180.

[0084] FIGS. 3a-3d show a perspective view of a sliding carriage equipped with a further cross table according to the invention. The cross table 100′ differs essentially from the cross table 100 described in the foregoing in that it has motor-adjustable stop flaps 140′, 142′. The stop flap 142′ comprises a flap pivoting actuator 143 and a pull-out 145. The stop flaps 140′, 142′ are preferably both movable along the stop rail 120 by a flap pivot actuator.

[0085] FIG. 3b shows the support beams 130, 132 in a first position in which the support surfaces of the support beams 130, 132 are arranged substantially horizontally in front of the stop rail 120 and form a first support area. A workpiece can thus be placed in front of the support rail 120. In this position, the workpiece is pushed against the stop rail 120 by an operator and thus moved relative to a circular saw blade.

[0086] In FIG. 3c, the support beams 130, 132 are in a second position in which the support surfaces of the support beams 130, 132 are arranged substantially horizontally behind the stop rail 120 and form a second support area. A workpiece can thus be placed behind the support rail in a particularly preferred manner and pushed by an operator using the stop rail 120.

[0087] In the prior art, in order to change from machining in front of the rail to machining behind the rail, it is necessary to dismantle the stop rail and reattach it at another position of the cross table, whereupon calibration is still required. In the case of the cross table 100′, this is done by moving the support beams 130, 132 in the longitudinal direction L. In particular, this does not require calibration of the stop rail 120.

[0088] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a coupling element. The first coupling element 170 comprises pivot joints 154, 158 as described above. The swivel joints 154, 158 form a pin connection with the cross table 100, 100′. For this purpose, bolts 155, 159 are provided at the pivot joints 154, 158. Furthermore, the first coupling element 170 comprises a receptacle 151 for the stop rail. The third clamping device 174 comprises a lever 175 for releasing and for locking the third clamping device 174. Furthermore, the clamping device comprises a locking pin 173 for locking the clamping device 174.

[0089] The first clamping device 172 and the third clamping device 174 may be coupled to each other. In particular, it is preferred that the lever 175 can be used to release and lock the third clamping device 174 and the first clamping device 172. Similarly, it is preferred that the lever of the first clamping device 172 can be used to release and lock the third clamping device 174 and the first clamping device 172. As a result, a unilateral release of both clamping devices 172, 174 is possible.

[0090] FIG. 5 shows a two-dimensional view of an angle adjustment unit 150. As described above, the angle adjustment unit 150 is coupled to the transverse frame elements 102, 104 by means of pivot joints. Bolts 190, 192 are provided for this purpose. The angle adjustment unit 150 further comprises a clamping lever 198, by means of which a set angle can be fixed so that it does not substantially change during machining of a workpiece. The cross table 100, 100′ is configured to allow a 90° fixation of the stop rail 120. This means that the workpiece stop surfaces are aligned at a 90° angle to the saw line S.

[0091] To realize this, the angle adjustment unit 150 has an index bolt 196. The index bolt 196 is actuated by means of a lever 197. The angle adjustment unit 150 further comprises a sensor 194 for length correction. This can be designed, for example, as a capacitive sensor or as a reflex light barrier.

[0092] FIG. 6 shows a partial perspective view of the sliding carriage with a cross table according to the invention. The stop rail 120 is guided in the sliding carriage groove 212 by means of a pin, which is not shown. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the stop rail 120 has a sensor 148. The sensor 148 is configured to detect a workpiece. The stop rail 120 preferably has, on the opposite side of the sensor 148, a further sensor for workpiece detection which is designed analogously to the sensor 148.

[0093] FIGS. 7a-7d show perspective views of a sliding carriage equipped with a further cross table 100″ according to the invention. The cross table 100″ has metal sheets 300, 302, 304, 306 with horizontal surfaces. The sheet 300 is arranged on the longitudinal side of the second support beam 132 facing away from the sliding carriage 200. The sheet 302 is arranged on the opposite longitudinal side of the second support beam 132. Similarly, the sheet 304 is arranged on the longitudinal side of the first support beam 130 facing away from the sliding carriage 200 and the sheet 306 is arranged on the longitudinal side of the support beam 130 facing towards the sliding carriage 200. The metal sheets 302, 304 are arranged in an overlapping manner, as can be seen, in particular, from FIG. 7d. This overlapping arrangement means that there are no pinch points on parts of the frame next to the ruler which could cause injury when a stop flap is moved along the stop ruler by motor. Even when the ruler and the cross table are swivelled, the overlapping arrangement does not result in any gaps, crevices, or the like that open or close and thereby create crushing points that could cause injury.

[0094] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a stop rail 120. The stop rail 120 has a resilient stop bar 129 on the second workpiece stop surface 126. The stop bar 129 is preferably signal coupled to a position sensing device. When a workpiece is positioned at the second workpiece stop surface 126, the resilient stop bar 129 is pressed onto the main body of the stop rail 120. The movement of the stop bar 129 is detected by suitable sensors, so that, in turn, a contact of a workpiece with the second workpiece stop surface 126 can be detected.

[0095] FIG. 9 shows a schematic method for controlling a woodworking machine, in particular, a sliding table saw, having a cross-cut table which has a stop rail with a stop flap. In step 300, a workpiece position signal is generated, wherein the workpiece position signal characterizes a positioning of a workpiece at a first workpiece stop surface or at a second workpiece stop surface of the stop rail arranged opposite the first.

[0096] In step 302, a first flap control signal is generated when the workpiece position signal characterizes a workpiece position on the first workpiece stop surface or a second flap control signal is generated when the workpiece position signal characterizes a workpiece position on the second workpiece stop surface. In step 304, the stop flap is positioned in a first flap position on a first side of the stop rail when the first flap control signal is generated, and positioned in a second flap position on a second side of the stop rail opposite the first side when the second flap control signal is generated.