Device for loading, clamping and sawing logs

Abstract

Device (4) for loading, blocking and sawing logs (8), comprising: - a carriage (12) which is inclined and configured to allow the loading of a log (8) by rolling it around a rolling axis (RR) which is parallel to a main longitudinal direction of the log (8), - at least one clamping device or clamp (16) configured to clamp the log (8) loaded onto the carriage (12) in a final position of the loading process, - cutting means to carry out the sawing operations of the log (8), - optical scanning means (24) configured to perform the optical scanning operation of a side surface (28) of the log (8) as it rolls along the carriage (12), - holding means or retaining means (36) for the log (8) which can be selectively actuated to pass from an extended or working configuration, in which they control the rolling of the log (8) on the carriage (12) and prevent the log (8) from slipping and / or sliding on the carriage (12), to a retracted or rest configuration in which they do not interfere with the movement of the log (8) on the carriage (12) and allow the log (8) to slide / slide relative to the carriage (12).

Description

SCOPE

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for loading, blocking and sawing logs. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In the field of sawing logs, it is known to load said logs by rollers onto special devices that provide clamping devices (jaws) suitable for fixing the log during subsequent cutting operations.

[0003] Sawing logs is a rather complex process, as the geometry and dimensions of the logs can vary greatly. Due to their essentially cylindrical shape, logs can exhibit unevenness and irregularities such as knots, protrusions, diameter variations, and the like.

[0004] These unevennesses can significantly impair the efficiency of the subsequent cutting phase.

[0005] For this reason, it is common practice to capture the geometry of the logs being loaded onto the fixture using 3D scanners. Thanks to this prior knowledge of the log's geometry, the fixture's software can then execute the most efficient cutting sequence based on the type of workpiece to be obtained from that particular log.

[0006] For this purpose, it is known to arrange 3D scanners so that they capture the log during the loading process onto the device. Specifically, the log is loaded onto the device's loading carriage by rolling. During this rolling process, the log gradually exposes its lateral surface to the scanner, which can then capture its geometry.

[0007] The carriages commonly used are designed with smooth metal surfaces, as they must always allow the log to be easily moved after it has been loaded into the machine in order to carry out all cutting operations.

[0008] For this reason, when loading the log onto the inclined surface, it never simply rolls on the carriage. Instead, due to its irregular geometry and considerable weight, the log tends to move forward in a rotational-translational motion that is neither predictable nor controllable in advance. In other words, the log doesn't simply roll, but partly rolls and partly slides or slides on the inclined surface.

[0009] If the movement is not purely rolling, but also partially sliding, the 3D scanner is unable to accurately capture the entire geometry of the trunk's lateral surface. As a result, incomplete or inaccurate scanning leads to inefficient and inaccurate cutting processes. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] There is therefore a need to remedy the aforementioned disadvantages and limitations of the state of the art.

[0011] This requirement is met by a device for loading, clamping and sawing logs according to claim 1. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Further features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the following description of its preferred, non-limiting embodiments, in which: Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device for loading, clamping and sawing logs according to a possible embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a front view of the device for loading, clamping and sawing logs from Fig. 1 represents; Fig. 3 a side view of the device for loading, clamping and sawing logs from Fig. 1 in working position; Fig. 4 which in Fig. 1 represents the enlarged detailed view IV; the Fig. 5-6 illustrate side views, in raised or working configuration and in retracted or resting configuration, respectively, of the detailed view of the log holding devices of the present invention; Fig. 7 is another side view of the holding devices for the trunk from the side of the Fig. 6 indicated arrow VII. Fig. 8 which in Fig. 7 shows the enlarged detailed view VIII.

[0013] The elements or parts of elements that are common to the embodiments described below are indicated by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] With reference to the above figures, the reference number 4 denotes a schematic overall view of a device for loading, clamping and sawing logs 8.

[0015] In particular, said device 4 for loading, clamping, and sawing logs 8 comprises a carriage 12 that is inclined and configured so that a log 8 can be loaded by rolling the log around a rolling axis RR parallel to a predominant longitudinal direction of the log. In particular, the carriage 12 has a rolling surface 14 suitable for supporting the logs 8.

[0016] The device 4 also includes at least one clamping device or clamp (Italian: morsa) 16 configured to lock the log 8 loaded onto the carriage 12 in a final position of the loading process, as well as cutting means (not shown) for performing the sawing operations on the log 8. The cutting means can be of different types and sizes and do not represent a limitation for the present invention. Furthermore, the cutting means are arranged in front of the carriages, which move on a special carriage to transport the log transversely.

[0017] For example, the end position of the travel path coincides with the stop of the log 8 at a stop 22, which is preferably perpendicular to the rolling surface 14 of the carriage 12.

[0018] The device 4 also comprises optical scanning means 24 configured to optically scan a side surface 28 of the log 8 as it rolls along the carriage 12, in particular along said rolling surface 14.

[0019] The optical scanning means 24 can be of any type and size and are positioned so that they can capture the entire development of the side surface 28 of the log 8.

[0020] Typically, said optical scanning means 24 comprise a 3D scanner positioned to detect the log 8 during the loading and unrolling phase along the carriage 12.

[0021] For example, said optical scanning means 24 are operatively connected to a processing and control unit 32 that determines the type of cut to be made on the log 8; in particular, said processing and control unit 32 is operatively connected to said cutting means.

[0022] Advantageously, the device 4 is provided with holding means or retaining means 36 for the log 8, which can be selectively actuated in order to switch from an extended or working configuration ( Fig. 5), in which they control the rolling of the log 8 on said carriage 12, thus preventing the log 8 from slipping and / or sliding on the carriage 12 into a retracted or rest configuration ( Fig. 6), in which they do not interfere with the movement of the log 8 on the carriage 12 and thus allow the sliding / sliding of the log 8 relative to the carriage 12.

[0023] According to a possible embodiment, said holding means 36 of the log 8 comprise at least one movable surface 40 with a support and holding surface 44 for said log 8, wherein in the extended configuration, said support and holding surface 44 is arranged in a raised position relative to the carriage 12, in particular relative to the rolling surface 14, in order to support the log 8 and control its rolling, and wherein in the retracted configuration, said support and holding surface 44 is arranged in a lowered position relative to the carriage 12 and in particular relative to the rolling surface 14, so that it does not interfere with the log 8 supported by the carriage 12.

[0024] According to one possible embodiment, said holding means 36 comprise a pair of drive rods or couplings or drive rods (Italian: bielle di azionamento) 48, which are kinematically connected to the movable plane 40 to enable the raising and lowering of the movable plane 40 as a result of the respective rotation. The actuation of the holding means 36 can be hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic, or the like.

[0025] According to one possible embodiment, said support and holding surface 44 comprises a grooved portion. Typically, this is a grooved portion that is applied or applied directly to the support and holding surface 44 of the movable surface 40.

[0026] According to one possible embodiment, said support and holding surface 44 comprises a coating or covering to increase friction with the side surface 28 of the log 8. Said coating or covering can be made, for example, of a polymer material.

[0027] According to one embodiment, said carriage 12 consists of a plurality of rolling surfaces 14 which are separated and spaced apart from one another along a transverse direction TT parallel to said rolling axis RR of the log 8.

[0028] Preferably, said at least one movable surface 40 of the holding means 36 is arranged between two successive rolling surfaces 14 along said transverse direction TT.

[0029] According to a further embodiment of the present invention, said holding means 36 comprise at least one slider with a retractable head, which is configured to come into contact with the lateral surface 28 of the log 8 and to retract in a controlled manner in order to enable the log 8 to roll along the carriage 12.

[0030] The following describes the operation of a device for loading, clamping and sawing logs according to the present invention.

[0031] In particular, the log 8 is loaded onto a conveyor system which, for example, comprises a loading chain 52 in a known manner, which places it onto the carriage 12.

[0032] Subsequently, the holding means 36 are activated to bring them into the extended or working configuration in which the support and holding surface 44 comes into contact with the log 8 during the loading phase.

[0033] In other words, thanks to the lifting of the holding means 36, the log 8 is supported by the support and holding surface 44 and not by the rolling surface 14 of the carriage 12.

[0034] This prevents the log 8 from slipping or dragging along the rolling surface 14 of the carriage 12. In other words, the log 8 can roll on the support and holding surface with a pure rolling motion.

[0035] Thanks to the pure rolling movement, the optical scanning means 24 can completely scan the side surface 28 of the log 8 during the loading and rolling phases on the carriage 12.

[0036] After this optical scanning, the optical scanning means 24 and thus the processing and control unit 32 are able to acquire information about the geometry of the log 8 in order to determine the subsequent cutting sequences for the log 8.

[0037] When the log 8 reaches the stop 22, the log 8 is locked in the final position of the loading process on the carriage 12 by means of at least one said clamping device 16.

[0038] Subsequently, the holding means 36 are brought into the retracted or rest position so that they do not interfere with the subsequent phases of the movement of the log 8.

[0039] Thereafter, the sawing operations of the log 8 are carried out using the cutting means mentioned, taking into account the previously recorded geometry of the log.

[0040] As can be seen from the above description, the present invention makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages existing in the known art.

[0041] In particular, the device allows precise and complete scanning of the log during the loading phase, as movements with simultaneous rotation and translation (roto-translation) of the log along the carriage are avoided.

[0042] In this way, the log can present its entire lateral surface to the scanning devices during the loading phase onto the carriage. It is sufficient for the log to travel a distance in pure rolling motion that is at least equal to the unfolding of its lateral surface.

[0043] The device of the present invention can also be manufactured cost-effectively and in a space-saving manner.

[0044] In addition, the solution of the present invention enables effective scanning of the log and thus optimization of the cutting processes without slowing down the loading process of the log.

[0045] Furthermore, the log support means do not interfere in any way with the subsequent movements of the log on the carriage: once the support means have been moved into their retracted position, the log is supported exclusively by the carriages and the clamping devices and can thus be easily moved onto the carriage, also taking advantage of any sliding or slipping that would otherwise be prevented or at least made more difficult by the support means.

[0046] Advantageously, the holding means penetrate the carriages in the retracted position or engage with each other so that, on the one hand, they do not hinder the normal course of the sawing operations and, on the other hand, they do not increase the overall dimensions of the device.

[0047] The present innovation relates in particular to a device 4 for loading, clamping and sawing logs 8, comprising: a carriage 12 inclined and configured so that a log 8 can be loaded by rolling the log 8 around a rolling axis RR parallel to a predominant longitudinal direction of the log 8, at least one clamping device 16 configured to lock the log 8 loaded on the carriage 12 in a final position of the loading operation, cutting means for carrying out the sawing operations on the log 8, optical scanning means 24 configured to carry out an optical scanning of a lateral surface 28 of the log 8 as it rolls along the carriage 12, holding means 36 for the log 8, which can be selectively actuated to switch from an extended or working configuration in which they control and prevent the rolling of the log 8 on said carriage 12,that the log 8 can slide and / or slide on the carriage 12, into a retracted or rest configuration in which they do not interfere with the movement of the log 8 on the carriage 12 and allow the log 8 to slide / slide relative to the carriage 12.

[0048] With regard to the present innovation, a method for loading, clamping and sawing logs 8 can be applied, which comprises the following steps: - Providing a device 4 for loading, clamping and sawing logs 8 as described and / or claimed, - activating said holding means 36 to bring them into the extended or working configuration, - arranging said holding means 36 in contact with the log 8 during the loading phase and controlling the loading and rolling on the carriage 12 to prevent the log 8 from slipping or sliding along the carriage 12, - scanning the side surface 28 of the log 8 during the loading and rolling phase on the carriage 12 with the said optical scanning means 24, - Collecting information about the geometry of the log 8, - locking the log 8 in the final position of the loading process on the carriage 12 by means of said at least one clamping device 16, - bringing said holding means 36 into the retracted or rest position, - Carrying out the sawing operations of the log 8 by means of the cutting means, taking into account the previously recorded geometry of the log 8.

[0049] A specialist can make numerous modifications and variations of the solutions described above to meet current and specific requirements.

[0050] The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. Reference character list: 4: Device 8: Log 12: Sleigh 14: Rolling surface 16: Clamping device or clamp 22: Attack 24: optical scanning devices 28: Side surface 32: Processing and control unit 36: Holding or restraint devices 40: movable surface 44: Support and holding surface 48: Drive rods or couplings or drive rods 52: Loading chain RR: Roll axis TT: transverse direction

Claims

[1] Device (4) for loading, blocking and sawing logs (8), comprising: - a carriage (12) which is inclined and configured to allow the loading of a log (8) by rolling it around a rolling axis (RR) which is parallel to a main longitudinal direction of the log (8), - at least one clamping device or clamp (16) configured to clamp the log (8) loaded onto the carriage (12) in a final position of the loading process, - cutting means to carry out the sawing operations of the log (8), - optical scanning means (24) configured to perform the optical scanning operation of a side surface (28) of the log (8) as it rolls along the carriage (12), - holding means or retaining means (36) for the log (8) which can be selectively actuated to pass from an extended or working configuration, in which they control the rolling of the log (8) on the carriage (12) and prevent the log (8) from slipping and / or sliding on the carriage (12), to a retracted or rest configuration in which they do not interfere with the movement of the log (8) on the carriage (12) and allow the log (8) to slide / slide relative to the carriage (12). [2] Device (4) for loading, clamping and sawing logs (8) according to claim 1, wherein said holding means (36) comprise at least one movable surface (40) with a support and holding surface (44) for said log (8), wherein in the extended configuration said support and holding surface (44) is arranged in a raised position relative to the carriage (12) in order to support the log (8) and control its rolling, and wherein in the retracted configuration said support and holding surface (44) is arranged in a lowered position relative to the carriage (12) so as not to interfere with the log (8) supported by the carriage (12). [3] Device (4) for loading, clamping and sawing logs (8) according to claim 2, wherein said holding means (36) comprise a pair of drive rods or couplings or drive rods (48) kinematically connected to the movable plate (40) to enable the lifting and lowering of the movable plate (40) as a result of the respective rotation. [4] Device (4) for loading, clamping and sawing logs (8) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said support and holding surface (44) comprises a grooved portion. [5] Device (4) for loading, clamping and sawing logs (8) according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein said support and holding surface (44) has a coating to increase friction with the side surface (28) of the log (8). [6] Device (4) for loading, clamping and sawing logs (8) according to claim 2, 3, 4 or 5, wherein said carriage (12) consists of a plurality of rolling surfaces (14) which are separated and spaced apart from one another along a transverse direction (TT) parallel to said rolling axis (RR) of the log (8). [7] Device (4) for loading, clamping and sawing logs (8) according to claim 6 in combination with claim 2, wherein said at least one movable surface (40) is arranged between two successive rolling surfaces (14) along said transverse direction (TT). [8] Device (4) for loading, clamping and sawing logs (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said holding means (36) comprise at least one slider with a retractable head configured to abut against the lateral surface 28 of the log 8 and to retract in a controlled manner to allow the log 8 to roll along the carriage 12 [9] Device (4) for loading, clamping and sawing logs (8) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said optical scanning means (24) comprise a 3D scanner positioned to detect the log (8) during the loading and unrolling phase along the carriage (12).

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