DEVICE FOR PROVIDING EDGE STRIPS, AND EDGING SYSTEM HAVING A DEVICE OF THIS TYPE

Abstract

A device for providing edge strips, which device comprises a storing unit having individual storage places, which are designed to be at least indirectly loaded with edge strips, in particular edge strips that each form an edge roll at least in some parts. The storing unit is linearly movably arranged in or on a base frame.

Claims

1. A device (1) for providing edge strips (4), comprising a storing unit (3) with individual storage places (7) which are designed for at least indirect loading with edge strips (4), in particular edge strips that each form an edge roll at least in some parts, wherein the storing unit (3) is linearly movably arranged in or on a base frame (2).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the storage places (7) is designed to accommodate at least one edge strip (4) and/or at least one cassette (4a) that contains the edge strip at least partially.

3. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the storing unit (3) has two opposite sides (3a, 3b), wherein at least one of the storage places (7) has at least one floor element extending at least partially between these sides (3a, 3b) and/or at least one support element (6a, 6b) arranged in the region of each side (3a, 3b).

4. The device (1) according to claim 3, wherein the floor element and/or the support elements (6a, 6b) of at least one storage place (7) is/are linearly movably mounted on the storing unit (3).

5. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein that the storing unit (3) or each storage place (7) of the storing unit (3) is equipped with at least one reading module, which is set up to communicate with a transmission module, in particular an RFID chip, of an edge strip (4) or of a cassette (4a) containing an edge strip (4).

6. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the storing unit (3) can be moved relative to the base frame (2) by an, in particular automated, drive and/or manually.

7. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising at least one interface which can be coupled to at least one further component or machine, in particular mechanically and/or in a data-transferring manner.

8. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a drive unit via which an edge strip (4), which in particular is at least partially arranged within a cassette (4a) can be actively driven at least in some parts.

9. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a brake unit via which an edge strip (4), in particular at least partially arranged within a cassette (4a), can be braked and/or fixed in relation to its mobility.

10. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a cutting arrangement by which a portion of an edge strip (4), in particular unwound from an edge roll, can be cut off.

11. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the storing unit (3) is linearly movable parallel to a vertical (Z) or parallel to a horizontal (X) relative to the base frame (2).

12. The device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a manipulator (10), by means of which each storage place (7) can be loaded with an edge strip, (4) or a cassette (4a) at least partially containing the edge strip (4), and can be emptied.

13. The device (1) according to claim 12, further comprising a storage arrangement (11) from which edge strips (4) which can be stored therein can be removed individually or at least in pairs by the manipulator (10) and can be transferred to the storage places (7) for loading the storing unit (3), wherein edge strips (4) which can be arranged in the storing unit (3) can be removed therefrom individually or at least in pairs by the manipulator (10) and can be transferred to the storage arrangement (11).

14. The device (1) according to claim 13, further comprising a transfer device (12) by which edge strips (4) that can be stored in a machine store (13) can be transferred individually or at least in pairs to the manipulator (10), wherein edge strips (4) that can be arranged in the storing unit (3) and/or the storage arrangement (11) can be transferred individually or at least in pairs by the manipulator (10) to the transfer device (12).

15. An edging system (8), comprising an edging machine (9) and at least one device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one device (1) is arranged in the region of the edging machine (8) in such a way that at least one edge strip (4) that can be arranged in the device (1) can be fed directly from the storing unit (3) of the device (1) at least in some parts to the edging machine (9).

16. The edging system (8) according to claim 15, wherein the storage places (7) of the device (1), which can each be at least indirectly loaded with an edge strip (4), can be arranged relative to the base frame (2) in the plane of an edge feed (9a) of the edging machine (9) by linear movement of the storing unit (3).

17. The edging system (8) according to claim 12, wherein that the manipulator (10) has at least one vertical axis of rotation and/or at least one vertical lifting axis.

18. The edging system (8) according to claim 17, wherein at least two storage arrangements (11) are arranged in the region of the manipulator (10).

19. A method for providing edge strips (4), wherein a relevant edge strip (4) is removed from a cassette (4a) which contains it at least partially and is accommodated in a storage place (7).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The invention will be explained in more detail in the following with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0037] In the drawings:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows a device according to the invention in a perspective representation;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows the device from FIG. 1 in its arrangement in front of an edging machine in a top view;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows the device from FIG. 1, in an extended expansion stage, in an otherwise unchanged representation;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows the expansion stage from FIG. 3, in an expansion stage extended by comparison thereto, in an otherwise unchanged representation;

[0042] FIG. 5 shows the expansion stage from FIG. 4 in an expansion stage, again extended by comparison, in an otherwise unchanged representation;

[0043] FIG. 6 shows two side-by-side arrangements from FIG. 4 as a further expansion stage in an otherwise unchanged representation;

[0044] FIG. 7 shows two side-by-side arrangements from FIG. 5 as a further expansion stage in an otherwise unchanged representation;

[0045] FIG. 8 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a first alternative embodiment in an otherwise identical representation rotated by 90°; and

[0046] FIG. 9 shows the device according to the invention from FIG. 1 in a second alternative embodiment in an otherwise identical representation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention in a perspective representation. The device 1 comprises a base frame 2, which in the present case has frame structures with rectangular tubes connected to one another essentially at right angles. The design shown here is exemplary and only represents one possible embodiment for the base frame 2. A storing unit 3 which serves to accommodate edge strips 4 is arranged between two sides 2a, 2b of the base frame 2, which have frame structures spaced apart from one another. In the present case, the construction of the storing unit 3 is the same as that of the base frame 2, since it also has a frame structure with rectangular tubes connected to one another essentially at right angles.

[0048] Due to the correspondingly smaller design of the storing unit 3 compared to the base frame 2, the storing unit 3 in the embodiment shown here by way of example is located within the internal dimensions of the base frame 2, wherein the storing unit 3 is linearly movably guided with its opposite sides 3a, 3b on the sides 2a, 2b of the base frame 2. In contrast, the length of the storing unit 3 extending parallel to its sides 3a, 3b is shorter than the base frame 2, so that it is movable within the base frame 2 with a corresponding stroke length a relative to the base frame. For this purpose, rails 5 are arranged in a suitable manner on the base frame 2. As can be seen by way of example in FIG. 1, one of these rails 5 can be arranged on one of the opposing inner surfaces of the frame structures extending between the two sides 2a, 2b of the base frame 2, so that each of the sides 2a, 2b has two such rails 5. Regions of the storing unit 3 that correspond to these rails 5 (and are not shown in greater detail here) ultimately facilitate its linear mobility with respect to the base frame 2. The linear movement of the storing unit 3 is preferably carried out by a drive which cannot be seen here; however, it can of course take place manually as an alternative or in addition to this.

[0049] Looking at the storing unit 3, it becomes clear that it has a large number of support elements 6a, 6b arranged on its two sides 3a, 3b. In the present case, the support elements 6a, 6b are designed like rails, which each extend perpendicular to the length of the storing unit 3 on the two sides 2a, 2b of the base frame 2. The support elements 6a, 6b can be seen here on the inner surfaces of the rectangular tubes of the frame structures located on each side 3a, 3b of the storing unit 3. The support elements 6a, 6b can be mounted on the sides 3a, 3b of the storing unit 3 so as to be linearly movable in relation to their lateral spacing from one another, in a manner that is not shown in detail.

[0050] The support elements 6a, 6b subdivide the interior of the storing unit 3 into individual storage places 7, wherein two support elements 6a, 6b lying opposite one another in relation to the two sides 3a, 3b of the storing unit 3 define a storage place 7. The storage places 7 defined in this way serve to accommodate the edge strips 4, which in the present case are each arranged at least partially rolled up to form an edge roll within a cassette 4a. The cassettes 4a have side surfaces which correspond to the support elements 6a, 6b and enable them to be pushed into and pulled out of the storing unit 3 accordingly. Alternatively, and not shown in more detail, the individual storage places 7 can also be defined by floor elements which then extend at least partially between the sides 3a, 3b of the storing unit 3.

[0051] The floor elements can be connected to the storing unit 3 in a fixed or movable manner, so that they enable it to be pulled out of the storing unit 3 in the manner of a drawer. In contrast to the loading of the storing unit 3 with cassettes 4a containing edge strips 4, the floor elements enable edge strips 4 to be accommodated directly, for example by placing them on the floor elements. Of course, the floor elements can also be combined with the support elements 6a, 6b which accommodate the cassettes 4a. It is also conceivable that the support elements 6a, 6b serve to support floor elements, so that in this way edge strips 4 can also be arranged directly in the storing unit 3. Furthermore, what has been said above with regard to the support elements 6a, 6b can also apply to these floor elements, with regard to the possible change in spacing from one another by a movable connection to the storing unit 3.

[0052] The device 1 or the storing unit 3 can have a drive unit, not shown in detail, via which at least parts of an edge strip 4 can be actively driven if required. The drive unit can interact either directly with the relevant edge strip 4 or with a cassette 4a containing the edge strip 4. Furthermore, the device 1 or the storing unit 3 can have a brake unit, likewise not shown in detail, by means of which an edge strip 4 can be braked and/or fixed with respect to its mobility. The brake unit can interact either directly with the relevant edge strip 4 or with a cassette 4a containing the edge strip 4. The device 1 or the storing unit 3 can also have a cutting arrangement, also not shown in detail, by means of which a portion of an edge strip 4 can be cut off. The cutting arrangement can interact either directly with the relevant edge strip 4 or with a cassette 4a containing the edge strip 4. Depending on the design, the drive unit or brake unit or cutting arrangement can also be at least part of a cassette 4, which can be controlled via a corresponding control of the device 1 or of the storing unit 3. A division into two would also be conceivable in that the cassettes 4a comprise the corresponding mechanical parts of the drive unit or brake unit or cutting arrangement, while the device 1 or the storing unit 3 have the corresponding drive for this, which can then be coupled to them.

[0053] In principle, the device 1 can be aligned in such a way that its storing unit 3—as can be seen in FIG. 1—is linearly movable parallel to a vertical Z relative to the base frame 2. In contrast, the device 1 can of course also be used in an orientation rotated by 90°, so that its storing unit 3 is linearly movable parallel to a horizontal X relative to the base frame 2.

[0054] FIG. 2 shows the top view of an edging system 8, which comprises an edging machine 9 and the device 1 explained in more detail above. It can be seen that the device 1 is located directly in front of the edging machine 9 in relation to a spacing direction Y running at right angles to the horizontal X and to the vertical Z. As a result, the device 1 is arranged in the region of the edging machine 8 in such a way that one of the edge strips 4 arranged in the device 1 is guided directly from the storing unit 3 of the device 1 into the edging machine 9. The position of the device 1 is chosen so that the edge strip 4 runs directly into an edge feed 9a of the edging machine 9, through which it is used in a manner not shown for edging panels, in particular wood-based panels. Previously, the storage place 7 of the device 1 loaded with the desired edge strip 4 was arranged in the plane of the edge feed 9a, in that its storing unit 3 was moved linearly by a movement running parallel to the vertical Z in the present case.

[0055] Due to the almost direct entry of an edge strip 4 into the edge feed 9a of the edging machine 9, the otherwise exposed portion of an edge strip 4 between the device 1 and the edging machine 9 is reduced to a minimum, which leads to significantly reduced stresses within the course of the edge strip 4. In addition, the direct feeding of the edge strip 4 into the edging machine 9 eliminates any threading effort and the adjustment work required here.

[0056] Depending on the requirements, the edging system 8 can be designed in such a way that the device 1 can be moved relative to the edging machine 9, which, with regard to the representation of FIG. 2, means the displacement in and counter to directions parallel to the horizontal X and/or to the spacing direction Y. For example, the device can be movable relative to the device 1 in a direction running parallel counter to the spacing direction Y, in order to be able to carry out any maintenance work. Here, for example, free access to the edge feed 9a is made possible. Of course, this displaceability can also be used to move the device 1, for example, if necessary, between two edging machines 9 spaced parallel with respect to one another, in order to be able to provide the edge strip 4 required in each case on one or the other edging machine 9.

[0057] FIGS. 3 to 7 each show extended expansion stages of the device 1, by means of which the performance of the device can be increased with regard to the provision of edge strips 4.

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a first extended expansion stage in which the device 1 is combined with a manipulator 10. In the present case, an embodiment of the manipulator 10 as a storage and retrieval machine (SRM) is shown, which is linearly movable parallel to the lifting direction of the device 1. Specifically, for this purpose the manipulator 10 has a lifting unit 10b linearly movably mounted in a frame 10a, which can accommodate at least one edge strip 4 or a cassette 4a loaded with an edge strip 4. The manipulator 10 serves to load the device 1 with edge strips 4 or with cassettes 4a each containing an edge strip 4 and to empty the device 1. In this expansion stage, the manipulator 10 can be loaded manually. The manipulator 10 can be moved synchronously with the device 1 by means of a corresponding coupling. This coupling can take place mechanically and/or by means of control technology. A corresponding control of the manipulator 10 enables the device 1 to be loaded and unloaded even during operation.

[0059] FIG. 4 shows a further expansion stage of the device 1 which, compared to the expansion stage from FIG. 3, is now additionally combined with a storage arrangement 11. In the present case, the storage arrangement 11 is designed like a shelf system with—as already explained above with regard to the device 1—lateral support elements 11a in the form of rails that have a plurality of slots 11b arranged one above the other for edge strips 4 or for cassettes 4a each containing one edge strip 4. With the help of the manipulator 10, edge strips 4 that can be stored in the storage arrangement 11 can now be removed therefrom individually or at least in pairs and can be transferred to the device 1, wherein the storage places 7 of their storing unit 3 are loaded appropriately. For this purpose, the linearly movable lifting unit 10b of the manipulator 10 is moved into the required plane of the storage arrangement 11, where it removes an edge strip 4 or the cassette 4a containing the edge strip 4 from the related slot 11b. Then, if necessary, the lifting unit 10b of the manipulator 10 moves into another plane in order to transfer the edge strip 4 or the cassette 4a to a free storage place 7 of the storing unit 3 of the device 1. Of course, this can also be done the other way round, in order to feed edge strips 4 or cassettes 4a out of the device 1 to the storage arrangement 11.

[0060] FIG. 5 illustrates the structure of a further expansion stage which additionally includes a transfer device 12. It can be seen that in the present case the transfer device 12 is arranged on the device 1, where it corresponds to a machine store 13. The machine store 13 is located above or directly on the edging machine 9 in a manner not shown in greater detail. In this arrangement, the storage arrangement 11 serves as a buffer for edge strips 4 or cassettes 4a, while the transfer device 12 feeds and removes new edge strips 4 or cassettes 4a, preferably fully automatically. In other words, edge strips 4 or cassettes 4a, which can be stored in the machine store 13 provided here by way of example near the machine, can be transferred to the manipulator 10 individually or at least in pairs. In contrast, edge strips 4 or cassettes 4a arranged in the storing unit 3 and/or the storage arrangement 11 can be transferred individually or at least in pairs to the transfer device 12 by the manipulator 10.

[0061] FIG. 6 shows an expansion stage which comprises a duplication of the structure already shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, two devices 1 are provided here, each of which is combined with its own manipulator 10 and a storage arrangement 11 located on the relevant manipulator 10. As a result of this structure, the two devices 1 can work alternately, so that correspondingly high cycle rates can be achieved. For this embodiment, the edging machine 9 has two edge feeds 9a, not shown here, in order to be able to process the edge strips 4 of the relevant device 1.

[0062] FIG. 7 shows a last possible expansion stage which comprises a duplication of the structure already shown in FIG. 5. Specifically, two devices 1 are also provided, each of which is combined with its own manipulator 10 and a storage arrangement 11 located on the relevant manipulator 10, as well as a transfer device 12 and a machine store 13, in particular near the machine. Here, too, the two devices 1 can work alternately in order to achieve a high cycle rate for edging panels.

[0063] In principle, the device 1 of all expansion stages can be equipped with at least one reading module (not shown in detail). Specifically, the reading module can be arranged in the region of the storing unit 3. It is also conceivable that each storage place 7 of the storing unit 3 is equipped with such a reading module. The aim is the automated transmission of information about the respective edge strips 4 or cassettes 4a, which are currently in the storing unit 3 or which are removed from it or are just being fed in. Thus, the edge strips 4 or cassettes 4a can be equipped with a corresponding transmission module on which the required information is stored. Such a transmission module can preferably contain at least one RFID chip or can be designed as such a chip. The reading module or the reading modules are set up to communicate with the transmission modules. This can take place in one direction or in both directions, which means the mere reading out of data or a combination of reading out and writing of data by the reading module on a transmission module.

[0064] In an advantageous manner, the device 1 according to the invention can comprise at least one interface (not shown in greater detail here). This interface is then designed to be coupled to at least one further component or machine, in particular mechanically and/or in a data-transferring manner. In this way, all components or machines of an edging system 8 can be controlled via a corresponding controller.

[0065] The device 1 shown in FIG. 1, and also shown only by way of example in the other FIGS. 3 to 7, is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 in alternative embodiments, in each case in a perspective representation. To avoid repetitions and for better clarity, only some of the reference signs can be recognized here, since identical parts correspond to the parts already shown in FIGS. 1 to 7. The essential difference between the variants shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 lies in the different shape of the base frame 2 carrying the storing unit 3.

[0066] It can be seen from FIG. 8 that in this variant of an embodiment the frame structures each located on one of the two sides 2a, 2b of the base frame 2 are connected to one another via two rectangular tubes extending between them and parallel to the horizontal X. In contrast, the base frame 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 7 has a total of four of its two frame structures, each located on one side 2a, 2b and connecting rectangular tubes which extend there between the opposite corners of said frame structures and parallel to the horizontal X. In the variant shown in FIG. 8, the rectangular tubes connecting the frame structures lie one above the other in relation to the vertical Z, so that the base frame 2 is essentially U-shaped in a top view, which is not shown in detail here.

[0067] FIG. 9 shows a variant of an embodiment, in which the view of the base frame 2 may be designated as L-shaped. It can be seen that the base frame 2 has a frame structure located on only one side 2a, while the opposite side 2b is more or less frameless. As already shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, the lower region of the base frame 2, which is composed of rectangular tubes, is designed to be closed. Specifically, the two rectangular tubes running parallel to the horizontal X each extend away from a lower corner of the frame structure located on the side 2a, and they are connected to one another at the end via a rectangular tube running parallel to the spacing direction Y. With the inclusion of the frame structure located on the side 2a, a closed, essentially rectangular shape is produced.

[0068] Further variants, not shown in detail here, for the base frame 2 are also conceivable, for example in the form of a central lifting column below the storing unit 3.

[0069] Of course, the profiles referred to as rectangular tubes in the context of the description can also—unlike in FIGS. 1 to 9—have a different cross-sectional shape, such as a U, C or L shape. A design as a round tube is also conceivable here. Combinations of the above are also possible, as well as variants thereof within a base frame 2.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0070] 1 device [0071] 2 base frame of 1 [0072] 2a side of 2 [0073] 2b side of 2 [0074] 3 storing unit of 1 [0075] 3a side of 3 [0076] 3b side of 3 [0077] 4 edge strip [0078] 4a cassette, in particular containing 4 [0079] 4 rail on 2 [0080] 6a support element on 3 [0081] 6b support element on 3 [0082] 7 storage place of 3 [0083] 8 edging system [0084] 9 edging machine of 8 [0085] 9a edge feed of 9 [0086] 10 manipulator of 8 [0087] 10a frame of 10 [0088] 10b lifting unit of 10 [0089] 11 storage arrangement of 8 [0090] 11a support element of 11 [0091] 11b slot of 11 [0092] 12 transfer device of 8 [0093] 13 machine store of 8 [0094] a stroke length of 3 in 2 [0095] X horizontal [0096] Y spacing direction [0097] Z vertical