Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
1135161
The present invention relates to a woodworking
machine for tenoning and longitudinally profiling wooden
frame elements, and more particularly window frame elements,
the machine having at least one vertical spindle associated
with a work table with tools for longitudinal profiling
and another vertical spindle with tools for tenoning and
mortising and adapted to travel at right angles to the
length of the work table, the frame elements being provided,
in their longitudinal profiling setting, with tenons and
mortises at their ends, by transverse displacement of the
tenoning spindle.
In the known woodworking machine of this type,
the frame elements moving along the work table are halted
for tenoning and mortising, at which time the tenoning spindle
moves transversely, producing tenons and mortises simulta-
neously on the ends of two consecutive frame elements, and
the longitudinal profiling spindles move along the element.
The disadvantage of this known arrangement is
that, i~n order to produce the tenons and mortises, the
advancing ~rame element must be slowed down and brought
to a stop, which means that the feed must be stopped and
the tool must at the same time be locked in position.
Thereafter, the workpiece must be accelerated again for the
remainder of the longitudinal profiling process and to move
it onwards. Thus, in spite of the advantages inherent in
the ~nown arrangement, namely that the workpiece moves in
a straight line through the machine, with no ~eviations, the
actual machining is relatively time-consuming. Furthermore,
the ~urface of the workpiece may be dama~ed by this halting,
3~ clamping and re-accelerating, and this halting and re-accele-
ration also has an adver~e effect upon the output from the
machine.
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6~
It is therefore a leature of the present inven-
tion to design a woodworking machine of the type mentioned
hereinabove, in such a manner that the advantages of the
said arrangement are retained, while the throughput
velocity is increased.
According to the present invention, this feature
is achieved in that the tenoning spindle, when displaced
transversely, moves at the feed velocity of the workpiece,
in the longitudinal direction of the work table and is then
returned to its starting position, and in that the work-
pieces are moved, for longitudinal profiling, along the
work table, by means of a feed device, past the longitudinal
profiling spindle which is not longitudinally displaceable.
This arrangement allows the workpiece to move
through the machine at a substantially uniform velocity
throughout the operation since, during tenoning, the tenon-
ing spindle moves along at the feed velocity so that
transverse tenoning is carried out while the workpiece is
advancing and therefore also while the longitudinal profiling
is taking place. Thus, longitudinal profiling and tenoning
may be carried out simultaneously and while the workpiece
is passing through the machine at a relatively high feed
velocity. The arrangement according to the present invention
therefore completely eli-minates the disadvantages of slowing
down, stopping and re-accelerating associated with the known
arrangement.
It is particularly advantageous to arrange the
tenoning spindle,with its bearing and drive upon a transverse
carriage, the lower carriage of which moves along the work
table at the feed velocity, while the upper carriage is
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~i~S~61,
guided displaceably at rig~t angles to the path of travel
thereof and carries the tenoning spindle. Since the move-
ment of the lower carriage is coupled to the workpiece feed,
the said lower carriage is synchronized with the feed, so
that in spite of the fact that the workpiece is moving
longitudinally, ~he tenoning spindle moves at right angles
to the length of the workpiece. It is thus a simple matter
for the tenoning and mortising units to move along while the
workpiece is being processed, and this eliminates any
deviations in tenons and mortises produced by stationary
units.
Under certain conditions a reversed arrangement
may be desirable, i.e. one in which the lower carriage moves
at right angles to the length of the work table while the
upper carriage is arranged upon guides running in the
longitudinal direction thereof and carrying the tenoning
spindle and its accessories. The said spindle moves at the
feed velocity in relation to the lower carriage.
The tenoning spindle may be fitted with a set o~
tools corresponding to the mortiSes and tenons required,
the different tools being brought into operation by making
the spindle vertically adjustable in a manner known per se.
It is desirable, however, in order to have at hand the four
SetA of tools required for the usual tenons and mortises,
that the transverse carriage shall comprise two spindles
which, in addition to moving transversely, moves jointly in
the longitudinal direction of the work table. This makes
it po~sible to arrange some of the sets of tools on the
tenoning spindle on the same transverse carriage, thus
eliminating the need for spindles with excessive overhang in
the upward direction.
1~35~6~,
The two spindles are preerably arranged at the
ends of the upper carriage in such a manner that they can
be advanced, with their tools, into the end of the workpiece
alternatelv from each side or con.secutively from one side.
Even if they advance in opposite directions, they travel
in the direction of feed and finally return to their star-ting
positions.
In returning to their starting positions, the
spindles may travel along ~he same path, the said return
taking place in the interval between two consecutive work-
pieces.
The return movement may, how~ver, be effected in
that initially only the upper carriage carrying the tenoning
spindles moves back, whereas the lower carriage continues
to advance, returning to its starting position only after
the upper carriage has reached its starting position. This
makes it possible for the workpiece to continue to advance
during the return of the upper carriage and for the tenon-
ing spindles, possibly after their tools have been adjusted
in height, to be brought into action again, in order to
produce the remaining, or any additional tenons and mortises.
If one tenoning spindle is located at each end of
the upper carriage, it is desirable for the upper-carriage
guides to be designed in such a manner as to allow the two
tenoning spindles, with their tools, to be moved past the
end of the workpiece to be processed, the two spindles
being first located in their starting position on each
side of the workpiece and the first spindle at the rear,
as seen in the direction of travel, then moving past the
end o~ the workpiece and thus producin~ the first tenon
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~351~
and mortise, the upper carriage then reverses its
direction of travel, so that the two spindles now move
past the end of the workpiece, the tools o~ the second
spindle producing the remaining tenon and mortise~ The
spindles then return to their starting positions, t'ne
second spindle passing between the ends of consecutive
workpieces.
According to another example of the embodiment,
one or more tenoning spindles are arranged upon a transverse
carriage, the path o~ travel o~ which is at an angle to the
longitudinal direction of the work table, the carriage
moving at a velocity such that its component of movement
in the longitudinal direction of the work table corresponds
to the feed velocity. This arrangement assumes accurate
matching of the velocity of the transverse slide with the
~eed velocity. It is there~ore desirable for the slope of
the path upon which the transverse slide travels to be
adjustable to the feed velocity. If several tenoning
spindles are provided they are brought into action consecu-
tively in this arrangement and are arranged one be~ind the
other on the carriage with the sloping path of movement.
In both of these examples of the embodiment,
accurate matching of the speed of the carriage or carriages
and the feed velocity may be achieved by electronic control.
In the design comprising a transverse slide, this control
may replace the mechanical coupling.
The carriages may with advanta~e be arranged upon
a carrier located above the work table with the carrier
engaged over the work table and allowing the workpieces to
pa~ through. However, in order to obtain a woodworking
5~6~
machine of stable and compact design, it may be desirable
for the carriages to b~ located within or below the work
table, the latter being provided with a recess for the
passage of the spindles.
If the shapes of the tenons and mortises permit
the tools to be located above the work table throughout
the processing of the workpiece, then in the case of designs
in which the return to the starting position takes place
in the opposite direction along the same path, the recess
in the work table may be only slightly wider than the
diameter of the tenoning spindle, the said recess running
in the direction of the path of travel of the spindle.
If, however, tools arranged on the tenoning
spindle below the surface of the work table are to be used,
then the width of the recess must be greater than the
diameter of these tools. In other designs, the size of
the recess must correspond to the area ~nclosed by the
path of travel of the spindles. In order to provide
friction-free delivery of short workpieces, it is desirable
for the recess to be provided with a cover which can be
fitted during the feeding process and w~ich is in alignment
with the surface of the work table. This cover may, with
advantage, be displaceable so that it may be introduced
into the recess from the side. It is also desirable for
the cover to be connected to the tenoning spindle housing
and/or to the carriages thereof, since this brings the
cover into position automatically as the spindle moves out.
It is also possible to arrange for the cover to
be pivoted into the recess from below, out of the machine
housing, after the tenoning spindles have moved out. In
this case, the pivoting means may be connected operatively
with the carriage movement.
1135i6~
The cross or transverse carriages may, with
advantage be arranged, with the tenoning spindle, or
spindles at the front end of the work table, as seen in
the direction o the feed, in which case the spindles may
be used for processing the front end of the workpiece or
also for processing the two ends, facing each other, of
two consecutive workpieces. If only the front end of the
workpiece is to be processed, with the spindle arranged at
that location, it is desirable to provide, at the rear
end of the work table, as seen in the direction of feed,
a further transverse or cr~oss carriage having at least one
additional tenoning spindle for processing the rear end
of the workpiece.
The tenoning spindles arranged at the beginning
and end of the work table are moved in, in mirror image,
in the manner described. It is desirable in this arrange-
ment that while the second spindle is being used for
longitudinal profiling and/or processing, the first spindle
can return to its starting position, and vice-versa, thus
ensuring continuous operation.
The arrangement according to the present invention
may also be used with advantage for mitred mortise and
tenon joints. All that is needed for the purpose is to
adapt the inward movement of the spindles to the desired
mitre angle. In the examples of the embodiment described
above, this may be achieved by making the upper carriage
guides on the lower carriage adjustable in relation thereto
by the amount of the mitre angle, or by taking the mitre
angle into account in t~e angle of the path of movement
of the transverse carriage.
S~6~
Finally, the arrangement according to the
present invention may also be used in a quite simple
manner for cutting the workpieces to length. Ta this
end a circular saw may be arranged, before and after the
longitudinal profiling spindle, on the carriage carrying
the tenoning spindles, the saws being adapted to be
pivoted into the path of the workpiece from above or below.
Since the saws travel with the spindles, they are brought
into engagement with the workpiece at the location where
the mortising and tenoning is carried out, without affect-
ing the continuity of the operation. In order to avoid
ragged edges, it is usual to cut to length first and then
to produce the mortises and tenons.
The advantage of this is that before the spindles
are moved,in, the saws may be raised in order to cut the
workpiece to length and may then be lowered again to allow
the mortis~g and tenoning to be carried out.
It is possible to arrange, in a r~anner known per
se, between the tenoning spindles located at the ends of
,20 the work table, not only one but a plurality of longitudi-
nal profiling spindles which may be brought into action at
will. Longitudinal profiling spindles may also be arranged
on the opposite side of the work table.
According to a broad aspect of the present
invention there is provided a woodworking machine for
tenoning and longitudinally profiling wooden frame elements,
and more particularly window frame elements. The machine
ha~ at least one longitudinal profiling vertical spindle
associated,with a work table and having tools for longi-
tu~inal profiling. A tenoning vertical spindle is also
~35161
provided and having tools for tenoning and mortising and
adapted to travel at right angles to the length of the
work table. The frame elements are provided, in their
longitudinal profiling setting, with tenons and mortises
at their ends by transverse displacement of the tenoning
spindle. The machine is characterized in that the tenoning
spindle when displaced transversely, moves at the feed
velocity of the workpiece in the longitudinal direction
of the work table and is then returned to its starting
position. The workpiece is moved for longitudinal profiling
along the work table by means of a feed device and passes
the longitudinal profiling spindle which is not longitudi-
nally displaceable.
The invention is explained hereinafter in greater
detail, in conjunction with the examples of embodiment
illustrated in the drawing attached hereto, wherein:
~G, 1 is a diagrammatical plan view of an
example of the embodiment of the woodworking machine
according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a view along section line II-II of
Fig. 1,
FIG. 3 is a view similar to that in Fig. 1 of
another example of the embodiment;
FIG. 4 ig a view similar to that in Fig. 1 of
another example of the embodiment,
FIG. 5 is a view similar to that in Fig. 1 of
another example of the embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a detail from Fig. 5 of an extended
example of the embodiment,
FIG. 7 is a detail from Fig. 5 in a modified
example of the embodiment;
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"61
FIG. 8 is a detail from Fig. 4 of an extended
example of the embodiment,
FIG. 9 is a detail from Fig. 5 in a modified
example of the embodiment,
FIG. 10 is a view similar to that in Fig. 1, of
another example of the embodiment;
FIG. 11 illustrates diagrammatically at positions
(a) to (g) the movements of the tenoning spindles in the
example of the embodiment according to Fig. 9.
Referring to ~ig. 1, window frame elements 2 to
be processed are moved along a work table 1 in the direction
of arrow 3 by a feed mechanism, not shown, arranged above
said work table 1. The elements 2 are in front of longitu-
dinal profiling spindles 4 which are adapted to move in the
direction of arrow 5 at right angles to the direction of
feed of the workpieces, so that the tools arranged upon the
spindles may be brought into action selectively.
Arranged upon the upper carriage 7 of a cross
carriage 9 in the vicinity of the beginning and the end of
a work table 1 are tenoning spindles 6 which move in the
direction of arrow 9 at right angles to a lower carriage 10
on the said cross carriage. The lower carriage moves, in
turn, upon guides 12 along work table 1. The movement of
lower carriage 10 in the direction of arrow 11 is at a
speed corresponding to the feed velocity.
In this way spindle 6 moves at right angles to
the length of the workpiece as the latter moves past, so
that the tools on the spindle engage in the normal manner
in the ends of the workpiece at right angles to the length
thereof. In relation to work table 1 tenoning spindle 6
.:
-- 10 --
~3S~6~
moves in the direction of arrow 13 along a resultant running
at an angle to the length of the work table. The resultant
is made up of the two movements according to arrows 9 and 11
running at right angles to each other~
In order to allow spindle 6 to pass through the
work table 1, a recess 14 is provided which must be long
enough to allow the ends of the workpiece to be processed.
As shown, recess 14 need not extend right through, but may
terminate on the far side of the workpiece.
In the example of the embodiment according to Fig.
1, tenoning spindles 6 return to their starting posi~ions,
after processing the ends of workpiece 2, along the same
path. For this reason, width B of recess 14 in work table
1 need be only slightly larger than the diameter of the
relevant tenoning spindle. However, this applies only if
all tools on the spindle can be arranged above the work
table. If the tools are arranged within or below the work
table, and are brought into action by adjusting the height
of the spindle, width B of recess 14 must be greater than
the diameter of these tools.
In the example of the embodiment according to Fig.
1, front end 2a of workpiece 2, as seen in the direction
feed, is first tenoned and mortised with the tools of
spindle 6 located to the right in Fig. 1. This is followed
by longitudinal profiling with spindles 4, after which the
rear end of the workpiece is processed with the tools on
spindle 6 located to the left in Fig. 1. To this end, the
spindles move, in the manner described, at right angles to
the workpiece advancing at the feed velocity but in the
direction of arrow 13 in relation to stationary work table 1.
~35~1
Arranged upon upper carriages 7 are saws 15 for
cutting the workpieces to length. These saws, which may
be circular saws are arranged in slots 16 in the surface
of upper carriage 7, so that they may be pivoted upwardly
onto the path of workpiece 2. They precede spindles 6 so
that the workpiece is first cut to length and is then
mortised and tenoned. Since the saws are arranged upon
upper carriage 7, they move at right angles to the work-
piece, i.e. in the direction of arrow 9, and therefore do
not need a separate feed mechanism.
If cut-off saws are used on carriages 7, care
must be taken either to provide additional recesses 17 in
the work table for the passage of the saws, or to increase
width B of recesses 14 so that the saws can move upwardly
into the path of workpiece 2.
F$g. 2 is a view in the direction of section
lines II-II of Fig. 1, showing work table 1 with feed
medhanism 18 for workpieces 2 extending over the entire
length of the work table. Feed mechanism 18 is in the
form of a plurality of consecutive feed units 19 which,
in the example of the embodiment illustrated, each comprise
two driven feed rolls 20, the units being arranged upon
a pivot arm 21 by means of which they can be pivoted over
the work table.
Fig. 3 shows an example of the embodiment similar
. to that of Fig. 1 but with covers 22 attached to housing 23
of spindles 6, and/or to the upper carriages 7, and covering
recesses 14 whenever the spindles, the tools thereof and/or
the housings, have not entered recesses 14. The covers are
in alignment with the surface of work table 1 and are
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~13~
adapted to be introduced into recesses 1~ in the direction
of path 13, i.e. from the side. This allows even short
workpieces to be fed without friction.
Fig. 4 illustrates an example of the embodiment
in which tenoning spindles 6 are each arranged upon a
transverse carriage 24~, the path of travel 25 of which
runs at an ~ngle ~ to the length of work table 1. In
this arrangement, carriage 24 moves along path 25 at a
speed such that its component of movement 26, in the
longitudinal direction of the work table, corresponds to
the feed veloc~ty. Component of movement 27 at right
angles to the length of the work table then again corres-
ponds to the movement of spindles 6 at right angles to
workpieces 2 advancing at the feed velocity.
In order to be able to ensure accurate adaptation
of the movement of transverse carriage 7 to the feed
velocity, the angle of path 25 of transverse carriage 24
is adjustable, to which end circular guides 28 are provided
on the outer periphery thereof, within the wor~ table for
tran8verse carriage 24, the guides being adapted to rotate
in relation to the work table.
In the example of the embodiment according to
Fig. 5, in contrast to the designs according to Figs. 1
and 3, tenoning spindles 6 do not return along their path
of travel, i.e. after upper carriage 7 reaches its terminal
position, lower carriage 10 has not yet returned to its
starting position. Instead, it continues to move, at the
feed velocity along the work table, while upper carriage 10
only moves back. Thus, spindle 6 moves during the first
operation, firstly in the direction of arrow 33 in
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~35~
relation to work table 1, a~d subsequently in the direction
o~ arrow 36, at an angle thereto. Only when upper carriage
7 reaches its starting position are spindles 6 returned in
the direction of arrow 37 to the starting position according
to Fig. 5. This makes it possible to continue cutting
tenons and mortises, even while upper carriage 7 is moving
in the direction of arrow 36 since, during the reversal,
spindle 6 is adjusted in height and the remaining tenons
and mortises are now provided in the ends of workpiece 2
with other tools. The movement of spindle 6 in the design
according to Fig. 5 requires recesses 38 in work table 1,
the size of which is determined by the path of travel of
the said spindles, and which are therefore triangular in
shape, as shown.
Fig. 6 is a detail view from Fig. 5 and shows a
cover 29 fitting recess 38. The cover 29 is adapted to be
fitted into, or removed from the recess 38 in the direction
of arrow 30, i.e. parallel with a defining surface 31
running at an angle to the length of work table 1. However,
like the other covers, cover 29 may also be inserted in the
recesses in another way, after spindles 6 have been moved
out, for example, it may be pivoted in from below.
Fig. 7 is also a detail from Fig. 5 but in a
modified form. In this case guides 32 shown in dotted
lines for upper carriage 7 are adjustable in relation to
lower carriage 10, for example within angle ~ shown. This
allows upper carriage 7 to be pivoted through this angle,
thus altering the path of travel thereof in relation to
lower carriage 7. This arrangement thus makes it possible
to produce mitred mortise and tenon joints, the adjustable
angle ~ corresponding to the mitre angle.
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~ i~3S~6S
Fig. 8 is a detail of an arrangement similar
to that of Fig. 4, wherein two tenoning spindles 6 are
arranged one behind the other on transverse carriage 24
and are thus located on inclined path of travel 25. In
this design, therefore, the two spindles are brought into
action one after the other, the tools required for the
tenons and mortises on one end of a workpiece being divided
between the two spindles. Complex tenon and mortise joints
can a~so be produced with this arrangement, more particu-
larly if the spindles are adjustable in height.
The same applies to the design in Fig. 9, wherein
two tenoning spindles 6 are arranged upon upper carriage 7
according to Fig. 5 and thus come into action consecutively
when the upper carriage is moved in accordance with Fig. 5.
Fig. 10 illustrates a design wherein upper
carriages 7 also follow paths according to Fig. 5. In the
arrangement according to Fig. 10, however, in contrast to
the design according to Fig. 9, tenoning spindles 6 are
arranged in the starting position on each side of work
table 1 so that it is possible to use only one of the
spindles. Fig. 11 shows the movements of tenoning spindles
6 appearing at the left of Fig. 10.
According to Fig. 11, spindles 6 move in relation
to work table 1. Upper carriage 7 on transverse carriage 8
moves in the direction of arrows 39 in relation to workpiece
2, bUt at right angles thereto, so that from a starting
position shown at (a), tenons and mortises are produced
when position (b) is reached, those produced by first rear
spi-mdle 6, at the rear end of the workpiece, being indicated
by 8ingle hatchi~g. In position (b) the direction of travel
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S~61
of upper carriage 11 is reversed, but not that of lower
carriage 10. At this time, therefore, spindles 6 and upper
carriage 7 move in the direction of arrows 40. The tools
on spindle 6a again enter the already produced mortises as
long as spindle 6a has not been adjusted in height.
Position (c) is now reached wherein the processing may,
if necessary be completed and upper carriage 7 may be
returned to its starting position as in position (a).
However, if additional tenons and mortises are required,
upper carriage 7 is moved from position (c) in the direction
of arrow 40, so that additional tenons and mortises are
produced by spindle 6b, as shown by the cross-hatching in
(d) at the rear end of the front workpiece, as seen in the
direction of feed. At position (d), upper carriage 7
begins to return to its starting position, moving initially
in the direction of arrow 41.
When upper carriage 7 assumes a central position
somewhat as in position (e), it is moved on in the direction
of arrow 42 and spindle 6b passes between consecutive
workpieces 2 until position (f) is reached. In this
position, workpiece 2 may be moved on between spindles 6a
and 6b, while at the same time upper carriage 7, Carrying
spindles 6a, 6b, is moved on in the direction of arrow 43
until it reaches its starting position, as in position (a).
During this return time, the entire length of workpiece 2
may be passed between spindles 6a, 6b, as shown in position
(g), until it also reaches the starting position where the
rear end thereof is processed as in position (a).
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S16~
Processing of the front end of the workpiece,
shown already processed in Fig. 11, is effected by means
of the arrangement shown to the right of Fig. 10, and
this also applies accordingly to the designs in the other
figures.
In all of the examples of the embodiment, one
or more longitudinal profiling spindles 4 may be provided.
It is also possible to arrange additional longitudinal
profiling spindles on the other side la of the work table
(See Fig. 10).
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