MACHINING OF WORKPIECES

Abstract: A machine for cutting a pre-determined array of slots in a workpiece (18) includes a cutter (32) driven by a motor (31) vertically movable on a cutter head (28). The cutter head (28) is movable along transverse rails (26, 27) of a carriage (22) that rides on longitudinal rails (20, 21). A control arm (38) pivotally on the cutter head (28) is raised and lowered to disengage and engage the follower (42) with a preformed slot in template (43). When the follower (42) is engaged in the template (43), the carriage (22) is moved along the longitudinal rails (20, 21) whereby the cutter (32) machines a corresponding slot in the workpiece (18).

Description: MACHINING OF ORKPIECES FIELD OF INVENTION This invention relates to machines for cutting or slotting workpieces. For the sake of brevity the invention will be described in relation to a router that is particularly suitable for providing slots in an extruded aluminium panel. However, the invention is not limited thereto as the general principles may be applied to other machining operations and/or to other workpieces. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION According to the invention there is provided a machine for cutting or otherwise machining a workpiece which comprises a work table having a work station for receiving the workpiece, a machining head adapted to be moved along and across the work station, means for moving the machining head into and out of engagement with the workpiece and follower means adapted to engage a template whereby the machining head is constrained to follow the path of the template. According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a machine for cutting slots or openings of pre¬ determined size and location in a workpiece, said machine comprising: i) a frame which supports a work station for receiving a workpiece, ii) a pair of spaced apart longitudinal rails supported by the frame, iii) a main carriage mσvably mounted on the longitudinal rails, said main carriage having a pair of spaced apart transverse rails. iv) a cutter head movably mounted on the transverse rails and having thereon a cutter adapted to engage a workpiece at the work station, v) means for moving the cutter into and out of engagement with the workpiece, and, vi) a control arm pivotally mounted on the cutter head and having at one end a follower adapted to engage a profile of the cut to be made in the workpiece whereby the cutter is constrained to follow a path similar to that of the profile. Preferably, the work station incorporates clamping means which hold the workpiece securely during operation of the router. The follower may conveniently be a pin adapted to engage a profile in a template mounted outside of the longitudinal rails, there being guide means to ensure that the template and the workpiece are located parallel to the line of action of the router. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more readily under- stood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is a front perspective view of a machine for slotting a workpiece according to one embodiment of the invention, Fig. 2 is a partly broken away rear perspective view of the machine shown in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a partly broken away cross-sectional end elevation view of the machine shown in Figs. 2 and 3, Fig. 4 is a partial plan view of the router shown in Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 5 is a plan view of the end block shown in Fig. 4, and. Fig. 6 is a partial side elevational view of the machine showing the end block shown in Fig. 5 BEST MODE OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The machine shown in the drawings is a router which includes a frame having legs 10, longitudinal members 11 and cross-bars 12 (see Fig. 3) which support a work table 13. The workpiece 18 to be cut or slotted is placed on the rollers 14 and is clamped firmly in position by clamp arms 15 which pivot about an axis 16 at the rear of the machine under the action of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder and piston unit 17 (see Fig. 3). The clamp arms 15 are provided at each end of the work station outside of the limits of the longitudinal run of the router cutter. Upstanding from the front and rear of the work table 13 are front and rear pillars 19 which support each end of spaced apart front and rear longitudinal rails 20, 21. The rails 20, 21 support a main carriage 22 that ' is freely movable along the rails 20, 21 in the direction of arrows A so as to traverse the longitudinal extent of the work station 14. The carriage 22 has front and rear plates 23, 24 to which are fixed ball bushings 25 (see Fig. 4) that receive the rails 20, 21. The front and rear places 23, 24 are interconnected by a pair of spaced apart transverse rails 26, 27. A router head 28 is ver ically movable with respect to a base plate 29 which has ball bushings 30 that receive the transverse rails 26, 27 whereby the base plate 29 is movable in the direction of arrows B. The router head 28 has a router motor 31 which drives the router cutter 32. The head 28 (and hence the cutter 32) i s vertically movable in the direction of arrows C by means of pistons 34 that are raised or lowered by the pneumatic cylinder 35, there being a cylinder 35 on either side of the electric motor 31. Above the cutter 32 there is a nylon pad 33 which is adapted to engage the upper beads of the workpiece 18 so as to ' reduce vibration and to guide the cutter 32. At the front of the base plate 29 the 36 '" which receive pivot pins 37 mounted on t_ 39 of control arm 38. The side members 39 -. base plate to the front of the machine and a cross members 40 which constitute hand grips operator to move the router head 28 across anc work station. The side members 39 converge rearwardly of pins 37 and at the apex 41 they support a follow adapted to engage a template 43 held in position table 13 by clamp 44. When the hand grips 40 are moved downwardly, follower 42 is raised to clear the profile of the 43 whereupon the router head can be moved along the transverse rails 26, 27 to position the cutter 32 be ribs of the workpiece 18 as desired. The hand grips 40 are then raised so that the fo. 42 falls to engage a slot in the template and the carr 22 is then moved along the longitudinal rails ^ whereby t cutter 32 machines a slot in the workpiece 18. When the control arm 33 is in its upward position, control 38a on the control arm 38 acts to ensure that the cutter 32 can only be operated whilst the follower 42 is constrained -to remain in the profile of the template. Appropriate locating guides are provided on the work table to ensure that both the emplate 43 and workpiece 13 are located parallel to the router guides. Openings are provided in the work table so that swarf may fall or be swept to a removable bin 50 located beneath the table. In the event that a slot or slots are to be machined in the trailing end of the workpiece, end block 51 is secured to the workpiece by means of bolts 52 and spacers 53. The end 54 of end block 51 is recessed to receive the workDiece 18 therebeneath and has slots 55 for receiving the cutter 32. The end block 51 may be positioned on the other side of the work station if the leading end of the workpiece is too slotted. Various modifications may be made in details of design and construction without departing from the scope and ambit of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A machine for cutting or otherwise machining a workpiece which comprises a work table having a work station for receiving the workpiece, a machining head adapted to be moved along and across the work station, means for moving the machining head into and out of engagement with the workpiece and follower means adapted to engage a template whereby the machining head is constrained to follow the path of the template. 2. A machine for cutting slots or openings of pre¬ determined size and location in a workpiece, said machine comprising: i) a frame which supports a work station for receiving a workpiece, ii) a pair of spaced apart longitudinal rails° supported by the frame, iii) a main carriage movably mounted on the longitudinal rails, said main carriage having a pair of spaced apart transverse rails, iv) a cutter head movably mounted on the transverse rails and having thereon a cutter adapted to engage a workpiece at the work station, v) means for moving the cutter into and out of engagement with the workpiece, and, vi) a control arm pivotally mounted on the cutter head and having at one end a follower adapted to engage a profile of the cut to be made in the workpiece whereby the cutter is constrained to follow a path similar to that of the profile. 3. A machine according to claim 1 or claim 2 and further including clamping means for holding the workpiece at the work station. 4. A machine according to claim 2 wherein the means for moving the cutter into and out of engagement with the workpiece includes a cylinder and ram arrangement connected between the cutter head and a motor adapted to drive the cutter. 5. A machine according to claim 2 wherein the control arm is movable between a first position in which the follower is engaged in the profile and in which transverse movement of the cutter head is inhibited and a second position in which the follower is clear of the profile and transverse movement of the cutter head is not inhibited, and including control means on the control arm operable to actuate the cutter when the control arm is in the first position. OMPI

Inventors: WINKLER ULRICH, WISE FREDERICK EDWARD, WINKLER, ULRICH, WISE, FREDERICK, EDWARD
Applicants: GLAMAGARD PTY LTD, GLAMAGARD PTY LIMITED
Application year: 1984
Main classification: B23Q35
IPC codes: B23Q1, B23Q35