Multiple head machine tool for machining panels

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multiple head machine tool (1) for machining panels (27), comprising a bearing framework (2) which, at the top thereof, comprises a driving assembly for supporting a multiple head tool set (10), which can be reciprocated in a first direction, and, at the bottom thereof, a bed (3) for supporting at least a panel bearing assembly (20) which can be driven in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

Description: The present invention relates to a multiple head macchine tool, which has been specifically designed for machining panels and the like. There are already known machine tools for machining panels, for example for milling, shaping, contouring said panels, which generally comprise a multiple head which is driven on the panel in order to perform the desired machining operations. These prior machine tools, however, are affected by some drawbacks the main of which is that the machining head can not be precisely driven in the two main working directions, because of vibrations generated during the displacements of the working head. Another drawback affecting these prior machine tools is that said prior machines are rather dangerous for the operator since the machining tools of said prior machines are driven to regions which are very near to the operator. The document DE-A-1 477 397 discloses a multiple head machine tool for machining panels having substantially the features of the pre-characterizing part of the main claim. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a multiple-head machine tool, which has been specifically designed for machining panels and the like, in which the related displacements of the panel to be machined and the tool bearing head are mutually separated so as to provide an assembly which is very stable and affords the possibility of performing very accurate machining operations. Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object of the present invention is to provide such a multiple head machine tool the working operating zone of which can not be easily accessed by the operator thereby providing very safe operating conditions. Another object of the present invention is to provide such a multiple head machine tool which is very reliable in operation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a machine tool, specifically designed for machining panels and the like, which can be easily made starting from easily available elements and materials. According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent thereinafter, are achieve by a multiple head machine tool for machining panels, having the features of the main claim. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following detailed description of a preferred, though not exclusive embodiment, of a multiple head machine tool, specifically designed for machining panels, which has been illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, where: Figure 1 is a top view of the machine tool according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an end view of the machine tool according to the invention; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the machine tool according to the invention, and clearly illustrates the panel supporting surface thereof; Figure 4 is a schematic top plan view of a panel supporting surface included in the machine tool according to the invention; Figure 5 is a front view of a machine tool according to the invention including a modification of its supporting framework; and Figure 6 is a side elevation view of the machine tool shown in figure 5 DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, and, in particular, to figures 1 to 4 thereof, the multiple head machine tool, specifically designed for machining panels and the like, according to the present invention, and which has been overally indicated at the reference number 1, comprises a bearing framework 2 which substantially includes a framework bed 3 therefrom uprights 4 extend which support cross members 5 projecting at the ends with respect to the bed 3. The cross members 5 are provided with driving rods 6 thereon a tool assembly, indicated overally at the reference number 10, can slide in a first direction, through a worm screw 12, extending parallel to the driving rods 6 The multiple head tool assembly 10 is substantially provided with a milling assembly, overally indicated at the reference number 15, and a plurality of drills 16 which are arranged with an adjoining relationship and can be individually driven in order to independently operate according to a variable set number. Likewise, the milling tool can be independently driven and is operated in order to perform contouring operations for forming seats for housing wash basins, openings for housing computers, grooves, and any other types of machining operations. On the bed 3 there are provided one or more panel bearing surfaces, overally indicated at the reference number 20, which can be driven either in an independent or in a timed way, along a second direction which is perpendicular to the driving direction of the multiple head tool assembly 10. Each panel bearing assembly, as is clearly shown in figure 4, is provided with a base 25 which can slide on sliding guides in a perpendicular direction to the tool assembly driving direction and supports a plurality of suckers 26, which can be connected to a vacuum source, in order to restrain at a desired restraining position the panels to be machined, which have been schematically indicated at 27. Between the suckers 26 there are arranged endless belts 28, which are provided for loading and unloading the panels, at the end of the processing thereof. The construction of the above disclosed machine is very advantageous since the side zone thereof, in which the panel bearing assemblies are arranged, is protected by protecting rails 30, preventing the operator from excessively approaching the tool heads. These tool heads, as is clearly shown in figure 2, can be arranged in an adjoining relationship by pairs, so as to perform multiple processing operations, which can be either timed or not. Another main feature of the machine tool according to the present invention is that the top cross members 5 project from the base 3 at the longitudinal end portions thereof, so that the tool head can be moved away from the base as the drills or tools supported thereby must be replaced. Moreover, automatic locking devices can be provided for locking the several tool bearing mandrels, and a further safety locking device 35 can be arranged in order to lock the drive as the operator must replace the tools. Figures 5 and 6 illustrate a modified embodiment of the subject machine tool which comprises all of the features thereinabove disclosed with the exception that it includes a single tool bearing assembly, indicated at 10, and a supporting framework, indicated at 50. The framework 50, in particular, has a C-shape with a bottom base 51 supporting the panel bearing assemblies: from this base an upright 52 extends which ends with a cantilever arm member 53 supporting longitudinal guides 55 adapted to slidably receive thereon the tool bearing head. From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects. In particular, a multiple head machine tool has been provided which is adapted to allow an operator to operate under very safe conditions since the machining displacements are in part provided by the tool multiple head, which displaces the machining tools in a first direction, and in part by the panel supporting assembly, which is driven in a reverse direction. Moreover, the machining zone is always spaced from the zones accessible for the operator. Another important aspect of the invention is that, during the replacement of the tools, the tool head can be displaced to the end portions of the top part of the framework, that is a region not affected by the bottom bed, thereby facilitating the replacing operations. To the foregoing it is to be added that on the disclosed machine tool a cutting device can be further assembled, including a cutting blade adapted to rotate through 90°.

Claims: A multiple head machine tool (1) for machining panels (27), said machine tool comprising a bearing framework (2, 50) provided, at the top thereof, with driving means for supporting a multiple head tool assembly (10), which can be reciprocated in a first direction and, at the bottom thereof, with a supporting bed (3) supporting at least a panel bearing assembly (20), which can be displaced along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, said bearing framework (2) comprising a framework bed supporting uprights (4) which in turn support cross members (5) projecting at the longitudinal end portions thereof from said bed (3), said cross members (5) supporting driving rods (6) adapted to slidably support thereon said multiple head tool assembly (10), in said first direction, a worm screw (12) being moreover provided which extends substantially parallel to said driving rods (6) for displacing said tool assembly (10), said tool assembly (10) comprising a plurality of tools (15, 16), mounted on tool mandrels, which are arranged with a mutual adjoining relationship and can be individually driven in order to operate one independently from the other, characterized in that said machine tool (1) further comprises a plurality of panel supporting assemblies (20) which can be independently displaced from one another or driven in a timed way, in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction, that each panel bearing assembly (20) is provided with a base (25) which can slide on sliding guides in a direction perpendicular to said first direction and being provided with a plurality of suckers (26), adapted to be connected to a vacuum source, in order to restrain at a set machining position the panels (27) to be machined, and that said machine tool further comprises endless belts (28), arranged between said suckers (26), in order to load and unload said panels (27) on said machine tool (1). A multiple head machine tool, according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said machine tool (1) further comprises, at a side zone affected by said panel bearing assemblies (20), a protecting rail (30). A multiple head machine tool, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said multiple head tool assembly can be arranged, at the end of the guide elements thereof, on the outside of the zone affected by the bed (3), for replacing the tools. A multiple head machine tool, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said bearing framework (50) has a substantially C-shape, with a bottom base (51) supporting said panel bearing assemblies, from said base extending an upright (52) which cantilever supports an arm element (53) in turn supporting longitudinal guides (55) thereon said multiple head tool assembly can slide. A multiple head machine tool, according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said machine tool (1) is further adapted to receive thereon a cutting device including a cutting blade which can be rotated through 90°.

Inventors: ALBERTI LUIGI, ALBERTI, LUIGI
Applicants: ALBERTI VITTORIO SPA, ALBERTI VITTORIO S.P.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: B23B39
IPC codes: B27M1, B23Q1, B27C9, B23B39, F16P1