ASSEMBLING MACHINE AND METHOD

Abstract

An improved method for producing via a machine an assembled furniture item such as a drawer or box-shaped enclosure from individual panels is described. The method has the steps of holding a first and second panel so that these panels are spaced and parallel to each other; holding a third and fourth panel, in close proximity to the first and second panels, so that the third and fourth panels are spaced apart, parallel to each other, and on planes orthogonal to the lying planes of the first and second panels, and moving the first and/or second panel and/or third and fourth panels so that the edges of the first, second, third and fourth panels contact each other forming the drawer or box-shaped enclosure.

Claims

1. Method for producing by means of a machine an assembled furniture item, or an assembled portion of a furniture item such as a drawer or a box-shaped casing, from individual panels, comprising the steps of holding a first and second panel so that these panels are spaced apart and parallel to each other; holding a third and fourth panel, in close proximity to the first and second panels, so that the third and fourth panels are spaced apart, parallel to each other, and on planes orthogonal to the lying planes of the first and second panels, and then moving at least one panel toward the others so that the edges of the first, second, third, and fourth panels end up in mutual contact thereby forming the drawer or box-shaped casing.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein a fifth panel is held such that the latter is in close proximity to, and on a plane orthogonal to the lying planes of, the first, second, third and fourth panels, and the fifth panel is moved toward the other panels so that the edges of the fifth panel end up or are in contact with the edges of the first, second, third, and fourth panels thereby forming the drawer or box-shaped casing.

3. Method according to claim 1, wherein. the panels are held so that they form in exploded view a drawer structure or a box-shaped casing, and then the panels are brought toward a same imaginary point located inside the space surrounded by the panels to form the drawer or box-shaped casing.

4. Machine for producing an assembled furniture item, or an assembled portion of furniture item such as a drawer or a box-shaped casing, starting from individual panels, comprising: a first and second panel support which are mounted linearly movable along a first displacement direction, and comprise meansor are configuredfor holding a first and second panel so that such panels stay spaced apart and parallel to each other; a third and fourth panel support, which are mounted linearly movable along a second displacement direction that is parallel to a plane orthogonal to the first direction, and comprise means or being configured for holding a third and fourth panel so that such panels stay spaced apart, parallel to each other, and in close proximity to, and on planes orthogonal to the lying planes of, the first and second panels; a control unit configured for controlling a displacement of the supports so as to move the first and/or second support along the first direction, and/or move along the second direction the third and/or fourth support so that the edges of the first, second, third and fourth panel end up being in mutual contact thereby forming the drawer or box-shaped casing.

5. Machine according to claim 4, wherein the first and second panel supports are linearly movable along a same axis.

6. Machine according to claim 4, comprising means or a support for holding a fifth panel so that the latter stays on a plane orthogonal to the lying planes of the first, second, third and fourth panels, and the control unit is configured for controlling the means or support for holding the fifth panel so that the edges of the fifth panel end up in contact or stay in contact with the edges of the first, second, third, and fourth panels thereby forming the drawer or box-shaped casing.

7. Machine according to claim 4, wherein the first and/or second and/or third and/or fourth panel supports comprise two arms that are parallel to each other, lying on a plane orthogonal to the respective displacement direction, and equipped with said means for holding or configured for holding the respective panels.

8. Machine according to claim 4, wherein said two arms are translatable within their lying plane while remaining always parallel to each other.

9. Machine according to claim 4, comprising two platforms that are movable along a same direction while remaining parallel to each other, and each equipped with two center arms and two outer arms, the arms being parallel to each other and preferably substantially coplanar, set side by side to form a four-pronged fork, and movable independently, being able to approach or move away from each other while always remaining parallel to each other.

10. Machine according to claim 4, comprising a table rotatable about a fourth axis, on the periphery of the table being installed with polar symmetry two or more panel-receiving units, each unit comprising said first, second, third and fourth panel support and preferably also the means for holding the fifth panel.

11. Method according to claim 2, wherein. the panels are held so that they form in exploded view a drawer structure or a box-shaped casing, and then the panels are brought toward a same imaginary point located inside the space surrounded by the panels to form the drawer or box-shaped casing.

12. Method according to claim 1, with the step of translating only linearly the first and/or second panel and/or third and/or fourth panel so that the edges of the first, second, third and fourth panels end up contacting each other thereby forming the drawer or box-shaped casing.

13. Method according to claim 1, with the step of moving at least the first, second, third and fourth panel so that they converge to a common point to form the drawer or box-shaped casing.

14. Method according to claim 13, with the step of moving at least the first, second, third and fourth panel and the fifth panel, so that they converge to a common point to form the drawer or box-shaped casing.

15. Method according to claim 1, wherein a sixth panel is held so that the latter, during the assembly steps, stays between the first and second panel and/or between the third and fourth panel, on a plane parallel to the lying planes of the first and second panel or the lying planes of the third and fourth panel, and aligned with the first and second panel or aligned with the third and fourth panel.

16. Machine according to claim 4, wherein the third and fourth panel supports are linearly movable along a same axis.

17. Machine according to claim 16, wherein the third and fourth panel supports are linearly movable along a same axis.

18. Machine according to claim 17, comprising means or a support for holding a fifth panel so that the latter stays on a plane orthogonal to the lying planes of the first, second, third and fourth panels, and the control unit is configured for controlling the means or support for holding the fifth panel so that the edges of the fifth panel end up in contact or stay in contact with the edges of the first, second, third, and fourth panels thereby forming the drawer or box-shaped casing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] Further advantages will become clear from the following description, which relates to an example of a preferred machine embodiment in which:

[0080] FIG. 1 shows a detail of the machine,

[0081] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a second machine,

[0082] FIGS. 3-9 show a sequence of cabinet assembly achievable with the machine.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0083] Equal numbers in figures indicate equal or substantially equal parts. To avoid crowding the drawings, sometimes equal elements are not numbered.

[0084] A manipulating machine MC1 (FIG. 1) comprises at least two platforms 10 that are movable along a same (e.g. vertical) axis Y1 while remaining parallel to each other.

[0085] Each platform 10 is provided with two center arms 12, 14 and two outer arms 16, 18, which are all parallel to each other and placed side-by-side to form a four-pronged fork. The arms 12. 14, 16. 18 are mounted on the platform 10 in a movable manner independently of each other, so that they can move within their lying plane (which is orthogonal to the axis Y1) by approaching or moving away from each other while always remaining parallel to each other. In FIG. 1 the arms 12, 14, 16. 18 are translatable along a horizontal axis X1.

[0086] The two central arms 12, 14 comprise suction cups 20 for holding a first and second panel 90, 92, respectively, so that these panels stay parallel to each other and spaced apart along the axis Y1. The first and second panels 90, 92 correspond to the top and bottom of the cabinet to be produced.

[0087] The two outer arms 16, 18 comprise suction cups 22 for holding a third and fourth panel 94, 96, respectively, so that these panels stay spaced apart along the axis X1, parallel to each other and on planes orthogonal to the lying planes of the first and second panels 90, 92. The third and fourth panels 94, 96 correspond to the sides of the cabinet to be manufactured.

[0088] Other suction cups 24 are mounted at the free ends of the arms 12, 14 so as to hold therein a fifth panel 98, corresponding to the back of the cabinet to be produced. The fifth panel 98 remains on a plane orthogonal to the planes of the other four panels.

[0089] Preferably, an organ or carriage 30 is mounted on at least one of the arms 12, 14 and is movable along an axis Z1 orthogonal to a plane that contains the axis X1 and is parallel to the axis Y1. The organ 30 comprises suction cups 32 facing the platform 10 for holding an accessory to be mounted on the fifth panel 98, e.g. rails, reinforcing strips, or hardware. Preferably, for added stability, a said organ or carriage 30 is mounted on the arms 12 and 14 of the same platform 10, cooperating in parallel.

[0090] A control unit (not shown) is configured or programmed to control and coordinate the movement of the platforms 10, their arms 12, 14, 16, 18, the organ 30, and the state of the suction cups 20, 22, 24.

[0091] The example of FIG. 1 shows three platforms 10. For the central platform 10 the arms 12, 14 may be absent, or present and serve to mount an interior shelf of the cabinet. In this case, the suction cups 20 are above and/or under the arms 12, 14.

[0092] Although the machine MC1 could well work on its own, it is preferable to increase the efficiency of the system by making a more sophisticated machine MC2 (see FIG. 2) obtained by replicating the machine MC1 in two or more specimens and mounting them, e.g. with polar symmetry, as an autonomous receiving unit on the periphery of a table 40 revolving about an axis Y2 (preferably parallel to the axis Y1).

[0093] Thus, it is possible to implement an efficient progressive loading of the panels 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 onto the overall machine MC2 by means, for example, of robots 100 arranged around the machine MC2 that sequentially feed a or each of the receiving units MC1.

[0094] The following description will refer to the case of a machine MC2 with six units or stations MC1 on board (the machine MC2 can however have a different number of units or stations MC1). Below is the function of the six stations: [0095] 1st station: receiving of panels 90 and 92, [0096] 2nd station: receiving of stiffening strips, [0097] 3rd station: receiving of panels 94, 96; [0098] 4th station: receiving of panel 98, [0099] 5th station: positioning of panels 90 and 92, stiffening strips (if present), panels 98, 94, 96 and closing of the cabinet; mutual fixing of panels 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 (e.g. by means of adhesives or seaming of panel 98) and drilling of holes (optional) for feet on panel 92, [0100] 6th station: nailing (optional) protective battens on the bottom of the closed cabinet and unloading the cabinet.

[0101] The operation of the machine MC2 is as follows (see FIGS. 3-9).

[0102] A station MC1 (FIG. 3) is loaded with the panels 90 and 92 by a robot. The panel 90 is attached to the suction cups 20 under the arms 12, 14 of the upper platform 10, while the panel 92 is attachedmirror-liketo the suction cups 20 above the arms 12, 14 of the lower platform 10.

[0103] It is understood that the arms 12, 14 of the upper and lower platforms 10 maintain the panels 90, 92 parallel and spaced apart, and with the edges aligned in a direction parallel to the axis Y1.

[0104] Then, the table 40 rotates by a certain angle and angularly moves the aforementioned station MC1 to a point where it is loaded (FIG. 4) with stiffening strips 110. An anthropomorphic robot deposits them on the suction cups 32 of the organ 30.

[0105] It is understood that the strips 110 are kept suspended at some distance from the upper platform 10 and oriented parallel to the axis X1.

[0106] Then the table 40 rotates by a certain angle and angularly moves said station MC1 to a point where it is loaded with panels 94 and 96 by a robot (FIG. 5).

[0107] The panel 94 is attached to the suction cups 22 on the inner side of the arms 16 of the lower and upper platform 10, while the panel 96 is attachedmirror-liketo the suction cups 22 on the inner side of the arms 18 of the lower and upper platform 10.

[0108] It is understood that the arms 16, 18 of the upper and lower platforms 10 maintain the panels 94, 96 parallel to each other, spaced apart from each other, orthogonal to the panels 90, 92 and with their edges aligned along a direction parallel to the axis X1.

[0109] The arms 16, 18 of the upper and lower platform 10 are previously adjusted along the axis X1 to the correct relative distance, adapted to the size of the panels 90, 92. The position of the upper and lower platform 10 is also pre-adjusted along the axis Y1 to the correct relative distance, adapted to the size of the panels 94, 96.

[0110] Then the table 40 rotates by a certain angle and angularly moves the aforementioned station MC1 to a point where it is loaded (FIG. 6) with the panel 98 thanks to a robot that deposits it on the suction cups 24.

[0111] It is understood the panel 98 remains hanging from the arms 12, 14, and is kept orthogonal to both the arms 12, 14 and both the panels 90, 92, 94, 96 by remaining in a position in front of the panels 90, 92, 94, 96 and in contact with the edges of the panels 90, 92, 94, 96.

[0112] Then, the table 40 rotates by a certain angle and angularly moves the aforementioned station MC1 to a point where no other material is loaded but the closing of the cabinet is performed, e.g. according to the sequence below:

[0113] 1. Closing of the Panel 90 (FIG. 7).

[0114] The upper platform 10 is moved along Y1 by bringing it closer to the lower platform 10, such that the distance between the upper platform 10 and the lower platform 10 is approximately equal to the length along Y1 of the panels 94, 96.

[0115] 2. Positioning the Reinforcement Strips (FIG. 8).

[0116] The organ 30 is moved along Z1 to bring the strip into contact with the surface of the panel 98,

[0117] 3. Closing of Panels 94, 96 (FIG. 9).

[0118] The arms 16, 18 of the upper and lower platforms 10 are moved along X1 by bringing them closer together so that the distance between the arms 16, 18 is approximately equal to the length along X1 of the panels 90, 92.

[0119] After these operations, the panels 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 are in the relative position that makes up the (compartment of the) cabinet, and corresponding to the final position of the assembled cabinet.

[0120] After the closing, the panels 90, 92, 94, 96, 98 are secured to each other by a stapling and/or gluing and/or screwing operation using, for example, an anthropomorphic robot.

[0121] Then comes the (optional) step of drilling the bottom surface of the panel 92 for mounting feet, e.g. made by means of a dedicated drilling unit.

[0122] Once these finishing operations have been completed, the table 40 rotates by a certain angle and moves angularly the above-mentioned station MC1. At the sixth and last angular position, automatic nailing of lower protective battens is performed.

[0123] Then a manipulator unloads the assembled cabinet from the unit MC1 and releases it for a new cycle.

[0124] The movements of the various elements of the machine or unit MC1 or MC2 are carried out by means of known drives.

[0125] The number of platforms 10 and/or the size of the platforms 10 in the machine MC1 or MC2 may vary according to the size of the panels: the larger the panels, the more platforms it is convenient to use, in order to stabilize the transported panels.

[0126] Machine variants having more than two platforms 10 allow the structural complexity of the manufactured cabinet to be increased. E.g. the machines MC1, MC2 are illustrated in a variant having three platforms 10: one upper platform 10a, a middle platform 10b, and one lower platform 10c, see FIG. 1.

[0127] Platforms 10a, 10c function as explained above for the machines MC1 and MC2. Platform 10b, on the other hand, serves to receive and hold a panel 99 (shown for simplicity only in FIG. 3) that will form a shelf or bracket inside the assembled box-shaped shell.

[0128] Clearly, see e.g. FIG. 3, the platform 10b can be loaded with a panel 99 that remains paralleland aligned with respectto the panels 90, 92. In the various successive steps shown in FIGS. 3-9, the platform 10b is configured to hold the panel 99 suspended between the panels 90, 92, 94, 96, 98, so that after the final assembly step (see FIGS. 7-9) the panel 99 ends up inside the assembled box-shaped shell and forms a horizontal shelf thereof.

[0129] The loading of the panel 99 onto the platform 10b may also occur at a different step than the one shown.

[0130] Note that, as an alternative or addition to the panel 99, a panel disposed orthogonally to the panels 90, 92 (i.e. parallel to the lying planes of the panels 94, 96) may also be loaded on the platform 10b to form in the assembled box-shaped shell an internal partition septum that is vertical in use.

[0131] More than one panel 99 can also be loaded, to have multiple horizontal internal partitions in the cabinet, ditto for vertical partitions.