WORKPIECE FEEDING DEVICE AND WORKPIECE REMOVING DEVICE

Abstract

The invention relates to a workpiece feeding device having at least two workpiece receiving positions for a workpiece to be laid in the respective workpiece receiving position, and having at least one workpiece removal position for the removal of a workpiece, having workpiece conveying means for conveying workpieces that have been laid on in a conveying direction from the at least one workpiece receiving position to one of the workpiece removal positions, wherein at least one signaling means is provided for signaling a selected workpiece receiving position in which a workpiece can be laid. The invention further relates to a workpiece removal device and to related methods.

Claims

1. A workpiece feed device having at least two workpiece receiving positions for loading a workpiece in the respective workpiece receiving position, and having at least one workpiece removal position for removing a workpiece, having workpiece conveying means for conveying loaded workpieces in a conveying direction from the at least one workpiece receiving position to one of the workpiece removal positions, wherein at least one signal means is provided for signaling a selected workpiece receiving position in which a workpiece can be loaded.

2. The workpiece feed device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least two workpiece receiving positions are arranged adjacently to each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

3. The workpiece feed device as claimed in claim 1, wherein there is assigned to at least one workpiece receiving position, or to each apart from one workpiece receiving position, or to each workpiece receiving position, a signal means that can be activated to indicate that a workpiece can be loaded into the assigned workpiece receiving position.

4. The workpiece feed device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the signal means has a stop means that can be extended to indicate that a workpiece can be loaded into the workpiece receiving position assigned to the stop means.

5. The workpiece feed device as claimed in claim 3, wherein the signal means has an optical and/or acoustic signal means, by means of which a selected workpiece receiving position can be indicated to indicate that a workpiece can be loaded into the workpiece receiving position indicated by the signal means.

6. A workpiece discharge device having at least one workpiece receiving position for loading a workpiece in the respective workpiece receiving position, and having at least two workpiece removal positions for removing a workpiece having workpiece conveying means for conveying loaded workpieces in a conveying direction from the at least one workpiece receiving position to one of the workpiece removal positions, wherein at least one signal means is provided for signaling a selected workpiece removal position from which a workpiece can be removed.

7. The workpiece discharge device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the at least two workpiece removal positions are arranged adjacently to each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction.

8. The workpiece discharge device as claimed in claim 6, wherein there is assigned to at least one workpiece removal position, or to each apart from one workpiece removal position, or to each workpiece removal position, a signal means that can be activated to indicate that a workpiece can be removed from the assigned workpiece removal position.

9. The workpiece discharge device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the signal means has a stop means that can be retracted or extended to indicate that a workpiece can be removed from the workpiece removal position assigned to the stop means.

10. The workpiece discharge device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the signal means has an optical and/or acoustic signal means, by means of which a selected workpiece removal position can be indicated to indicate that a workpiece can be removed from the workpiece removal position indicated by the signal means.

11. A workpiece transport device, having a workpiece feed device, in particular as claimed in claim 1, and/or having a workpiece discharge device, in particular having at least one workpiece receiving position for loading a workpiece in the respective workpiece receiving position, and having at least two workpiece removal positions for removing a workpiece, having workpiece conveying means for conveying loaded workpieces in a conveying direction from the at least one workpiece receiving position to one of the workpiece removal positions, wherein at least one signal means is provided for signaling a selected workpiece removal position from which a workpiece can be removed.

12. A method for operating a workpiece feed device having at least two workpiece receiving positions for loading a workpiece in the respective workpiece receiving position, and having at least one workpiece removal position for removing a workpiece, having workpiece conveying means for conveying loaded workpieces in a conveying direction from the at least one workpiece receiving position to one of the workpiece removal positions, wherein at least one signal means is provided and controlled to indicate a selected workpiece receiving position in which a workpiece is to be loaded.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the signal means has a stop means that is extended to indicate that a workpiece is to be loaded into the workpiece receiving position assigned to the stop means.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the signal means has an optical and/or acoustic signal means that is activated to indicate that a workpiece is to be loaded into the workpiece receiving position indicated by the signal means.

15. A method for operating a workpiece discharge device having at least one workpiece receiving position for loading a workpiece in the respective workpiece receiving position, and having at least two workpiece removal positions for removing a workpiece, having workpiece conveying means for conveying loaded workpieces in a conveying direction from the at least one workpiece receiving position to one of the workpiece removal positions, wherein at least one signal means is provided and controlled for signaling a selected workpiece removal position from which a workpiece is to be removed.

16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the signal means has a stop means that is retracted or extended to indicate that a workpiece is to be removed from the workpiece removal position assigned to the stop means.

17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the signal means has an optical and/or acoustic signal means that is controlled to indicate that a workpiece is to be removed from the workpiece removal position indicated by the signal means.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] The invention is explained in greater detail in the following, with reference to the drawing, on the basis of at least one exemplary embodiment. There are shown:

[0030] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a combined workpiece feed device and workpiece discharge device, in particular of a processing device for workpieces,

[0031] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a workpiece feed device and a workpiece discharge device in a case of operation, and

[0032] FIG. 3 a schematic representation of a workpiece feed device and a workpiece discharge device in another case of operation.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0033] FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 shows a workpiece feed device and a workpiece discharge device for a processing device, in particular for processing workpieces of wood, wood-based materials, plastic or the like. The workpieces in this case may be, for example, somewhat elongate, beam-type workpieces, or somewhat flat, somewhat two-dimensional, board-type workpieces. Advantageously in this case, the workpieces can be fed along the longitudinal direction of a workpiece table of the processing device. Alternatively, it would also be possible for the workpieces to be fed in another orientation.

[0034] The processing device in this case advantageously has a workpiece table, having a workpiece holder that has clamping elements, for clamping at least one workpiece or a plurality of workpieces, by means of which the workpiece or the workpieces can be held securely for processing. The workpiece table is preferably realized such that it is connected to an advancing unit, by means of which the workpiece table can be displaced, at least in one direction.

[0035] Additionally provided is a workpiece manipulator, which serves to feed a workpiece or a plurality of workpieces from the workpiece feed device to the workpiece holder of the workpiece table, and to place the workpiece or the workpieces on the workpiece table. The manipulator also serves, for example, to feed the workpiece or the workpieces from the workpiece table to the workpiece discharge device, so that the workpiece or workpieces can be discharged.

[0036] FIGS. 1 to 3 each show a workpiece feed device 1 and workpiece discharge device 51, which are arranged over one another. The workpiece discharge device 51 is arranged above the workpiece feed device 1. Also possible, in principle, is a different relative arrangement of the workpiece feed device 1 in relation to the workpiece discharge device 51. FIGS. 1 to 3 shows that the workpiece feed device 1 and a workpiece discharge device 51 are realized as a structural unit, such that a combined workpiece transport device 99 is formed.

[0037] The workpiece feed device 1 in this case advantageously has at least two workpiece receiving positions 2, 3, for loading a workpiece 4 in the respective workpiece receiving positions 2, 3. It is shown in FIG. 1 that there are two workpieces 4, disposed next to each other in their longitudinal direction, in a rearmost row. In a second row arranged in front of the latter, there is only one workpiece 4 arranged in the first workpiece receiving position 2. The workpiece 4 of the second row is longer than the workpieces 4 of the first row.

[0038] Provided for the purpose of loading the workpieces 4 in the respective workpiece receiving position 2, 3 there are stop means 5, 6, against which the workpieces 4 can be laid, respectively, such that they are positioned correctly. The stop means 5 in this case is advantageously mounted in a fixed manner, such that it is always present, and projects in order that a workpiece can be loaded. The stop means 6 is realized, advantageously, such that it can be raised and lowered, such that it can be raised if necessary and, alternatively, can also be lowered when not in use. In FIG. 1, the stop means 6 is raised, such that the workpiece 4 can be laid against this stop means.

[0039] Furthermore, the workpiece feed device 1 has at least one workpiece removal position 7, into which a workpiece can be conveyed, or transported, so as to be removable from this workpiece removal position 7 in order that the workpiece 4 can be processed further. The at least one workpiece removal position 7, advantageously there may also be at least two such workpiece removal positions 7, is for removal of a workpiece 4, for example by means of a manipulator 8, in particular to enable the workpiece 4 to be fed to a workpiece table.

[0040] The workpiece feed device 1 has workpiece conveying means 9, for conveying loaded workpieces 4 in a conveying direction 10 from the at least one workpiece receiving position 2, 3 to one of the workpiece removal positions 7.

[0041] The workpiece feed device 1 has at least one signal means 11, for signaling a selected workpiece receiving position 2, 3 in which a workpiece 4 can be loaded. The workpiece receiving position 2, 3 that is selected for the next workpiece, and into which the next workpiece is to be loaded, is indicated by means of the signal means.

[0042] It is advantageous in this case if there is assigned to at least one workpiece receiving position 2, 3, or to each apart from one workpiece receiving position 2, 3, or to each workpiece receiving position 2, 3, a signal means 11 that can be activated to indicate that a workpiece 4 can be loaded into the assigned workpiece receiving position 2, 3.

[0043] The signal means 11 in this case may also be realized as a stop means 6 that can be extended to indicate that a workpiece 4 can be loaded into the workpiece receiving position 3 assigned to the stop means 6.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, the signal means 11 may have an optical and/or acoustic signal means, by means of which a selected workpiece receiving position 2, 3 can be indicated, to indicate that a workpiece 4 can be loaded into the workpiece receiving position 2, 3 indicated by the signal means 11. The signal means in this case may be a lamp, a light fixture, a screen, a display, etc. Also, as an alternative or in addition to an optical indication, acoustic signaling may be effected.

[0045] FIG. 1 shows that the at least two workpiece receiving positions 2, 3 are disposed adjacently to each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 10. The signaling of the signal means selects, respectively, the workpiece receiving position 2, 3 to which a worker is to assign a workpiece. The assignment in this case depends, for example, on the processing program, the dimensions of the workpiece, etc.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows the stop means 6 having been extended by actuator means, to enable a workpiece 4 to be loaded there. FIG. 3 shows the stop means 6 having been lowered, so that a workpiece cannot be loaded there.

[0047] The workpiece discharge device 51 in this case advantageously has at least one workpiece receiving positions 52, advantageously also more than one workpiece receiving position 52, 53, for loading a workpiece 54 in the respective workpiece receiving position 52, 53. It is shown in FIG. 3 that there are two workpieces 54 arranged next to each other in their longitudinal direction, which are discharged simultaneously.

[0048] Stop means may be provided for laying the workpieces 54 in the respective workpiece receiving position 52, 53. In the case of an automated discharge, however, for example from a workpiece table, this may also be effected in a correctly positioned manner without stops, by means of a manipulator 8.

[0049] Furthermore, the workpiece discharge device 51 has at least one, advantageously more than one, workpiece removal position 57, into which a workpiece 54 can be conveyed, or transported, so as to be removable from this workpiece removal position 57 in order that the workpiece 54 can be handled further. The at least one workpiece removal position 57, advantageously there may also be at least two such workpiece removal positions 57, is for removal of a workpiece 54.

[0050] The workpiece discharge device 51 also has workpiece conveying means 59, for conveying loaded workpieces 54 in a conveying direction 60 from the at least one workpiece receiving position 52, 53 to one of the workpiece removal positions 57.

[0051] The workpiece discharge device 51 has at least one signal means 61, for signaling a selected workpiece removal position 57 from which a workpiece 54 can be removed. The workpiece removal position 57 from which the next workpiece is to be removed is indicated by means of the signal means 61.

[0052] It is advantageous in this case if there is assigned to at least one workpiece removal position 57, or to each apart from one workpiece removal position 57, or to each workpiece removal position 57, a signal means 61 that can be activated to indicate that a workpiece 54 can be removed from the assigned workpiece removal position 57.

[0053] The signal means 61 in this case may also be realized as a stop means that can be retracted, at least partly, to indicate that a workpiece 54 can be removed from the workpiece removal position 57 assigned to the stop means.

[0054] Alternatively or additionally, the signal means 61 may also have an optical and/or acoustic signal means, by means of which a selected workpiece removal position 57 can be indicated to indicate that a workpiece 54 can be removed from the workpiece removal position 57 indicated by the signal means 61. The signal means in this case may be a lamp, a light fixture, a screen, a display, etc. Also, as an alternative or in addition to an optical indication, acoustic signaling may be effected.

[0055] FIG. 3 shows that the at least two workpiece removal positions 57 are disposed adjacently to each other in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction 60. The signaling of the signal means 61 selects, respectively, the workpiece removal position 57 from which a worker must remove a workpiece 54. The removal in this case depends on the workpiece 54 itself and on the further handling thereof.

[0056] The workpiece conveying means 9, 59 advantageously have belt and/or chain conveying mechanisms, having a plurality of revolving belts and/or chains, and/or a plurality of rollers, by means of which workpieces 4, 54 can be transported in a conveying direction 10, 60.

[0057] The method according to the invention provides that an above-mentioned workpiece feed device, having at least two workpiece receiving positions for loading a workpiece in the respective workpiece receiving position, and having at least one workpiece removal position for removing a workpiece, is operated, wherein workpiece conveying means, for conveying loaded workpieces in a conveying direction from the at least one workpiece receiving position to one of the workpiece removal positions, are provided, and wherein at least one signal means is provided and controlled to indicate a selected workpiece receiving position in which a workpiece is to be loaded.

[0058] The method according to the invention also provides, alternatively, that an above-mentioned workpiece discharge device, having at least one workpiece receiving position for loading a workpiece in the respective workpiece receiving position, and having at least two workpiece removal positions for removing a workpiece, is operated, wherein workpiece conveying means, for conveying loaded workpieces in a conveying direction from the at least one workpiece receiving position to one of the workpiece removal positions, are provided, wherein at least one signal means is provided and controlled for signaling a selected workpiece removal position from which a workpiece is to be removed.

List of References

[0059] 1 workpiece feed device

[0060] 2 workpiece receiving position

[0061] 3 workpiece receiving position

[0062] 4 workpiece

[0063] 5 stop means

[0064] 6 stop means

[0065] 7 workpiece removal position

[0066] 8 manipulator

[0067] 9 workpiece conveying means

[0068] 10 conveying direction

[0069] 11 signal means

[0070] 51 workpiece discharge device

[0071] 52 workpiece receiving position

[0072] 53 workpiece receiving position

[0073] 54 workpieces

[0074] 57 workpiece removal position

[0075] 59 workpiece conveying means

[0076] 60 conveying direction

[0077] 61 signal means

[0078] 99 workpiece transport device