Attachment for facilitating the feeding of sheets of material to be cut in a numerically controlled machine tool (NCM) and NCM comprising said attachment

Abstract

The invention relates to an accessory (9) for simplifying the feeding of sheets of material to be cut in a numerically controlled machine tool, comprising: a loading plane (14) associated with the front of the machine tool to receive the free end of the sheet; an insert plate (8) supported parallel to the plane (14) and partially projecting towards the machine tool; means for adjusting the projection of the plate (8) relative to the plane (14). In the accessory (9), the plate (8) is supported slidingly below the plane (14) on opposite guides (42, 44) to be folded back in a first feeding step of the sheet to be cut before it is held by suitable clamping means.

Description

[0001] Application Areas

[0002] The invention relates to an accessory device for a numerically controlled machine tool.

[0003] More particularly, the invention relates to a device for feeding sheets of material to be processed in a blade cutter, for example for cutting sheets of materials such as clothing fabrics and hides, footwear products, automotive and furniture products or non-woven fabrics, leather, natural or synthetic leather, soft or semi-rigid synthetic materials for insoles, etc.

[0004] The invention also relates to a numerically controlled machine tool for cutting at least one or more sheets of material to be processed, comprising said accessory device.

[0005] The types of the CNC machine tools preferably include:

[0006] - Processing room or space;

[0007] - a conveying device adapted to feed sheets into the processing chamber in a forward direction;

[0008] - A tool head adapted to operate on a wafer in said process chamber. Prior art

[0009] As is well known in the art, there are numerically controlled machines or devices capable of cutting sheets of material in an automated manner according to a predetermined cutting pattern. The material to be cut may be sheets of, for example, plastic material, natural leather, fabric, non-woven fabric, cellulose-based material, etc. The cutting may be performed on a single sheet or on a plurality of sheets stacked on each other to form multiple layers known in the art as mats.

[0010] In particular, these machines are equipped with a conveyor able to move the piece to be cut along a plane XY, also defined hereinafter as the cutting table, and inside a cutting chamber provided with a cutting tool head activated by computerized means for processing the material.

[0011] The sheets to be cut in the machine can be unrolled from a roll or other support placed at a short distance from the mouth of the machine, in which case the multiple layers are prepared beforehand off-line or in front of the machine by overlapping the sheets on a table of sufficient length. However, working specifically with fabrics, the use of relatively short accordion-folded sections of material (e.g. a few meters) handled near the mouth of the machine and placed on a supporting table has become common.

[0012] These relatively short sheets must be loaded into the machine tool at a higher frequency than the multiple layers formed from the roll.

[0013] Typically, the short free side of a sheet of material several meters long is placed on the conveyor belt over only an initial portion (e.g., about 1 meter) to be attracted and cut during the subsequent forward movement of the belt, which simultaneously involves recovery by dragging the remaining material.

[0014] When placing a new sheet of multilayer sheet on the machine tool at the beginning of a new process, it is necessary to observe some of the precautions listed below.

[0015] - Pay attention to the mutual alignment of the multilayer sheets so that the individual layers are aligned with each other to avoid having to reduce the width of the cutting field and / or to cut outside some layers;

[0016] - Pay attention to the horizontal alignment of the sheet relative to the movement of the belt; that is, make sure that the sheet does not drift to the right or left of the cutting chamber as it moves forward on the belt;

[0017] - Proper preparation for the arrival of the follow-up sheet, especially if it is multi-layered, for example on the loading plane outside the conveyor belt, to avoid interrupting or slowing down the cutting flow.

[0018] Typically, the material to be cut is held on the conveyor belt by means of a suction device which is arranged below the belt and which is kept running as the belt moves forward, in order to ensure the desired retention of the sheet.

[0019] However, before the suction device intervenes, ie when the layers are between the loading plane and the mouth of the machine tool, the intervention of one or more operators is usually required to see that the sheets are fed to the conveyor belt without misalignment between them.

[0020] Basically, a mat of sheets is moved manually from a preparation plane toward the mouth of a cutting machine, and the operation usually requires two people.

[0021] More specifically, in the garment sector, a pad of fabric is usually placed on a perforated paper to facilitate suction holding of the material. The paper is usually slightly larger than the pad, and at the right moment, the operator slides the pad of sheet over the cutting machine by pulling the perforated paper.

[0022] The technical problem of the present invention is to provide an accessory device for simplifying the supply of sheets of material to be cut in a CNC machine tool, which device has structural and functional characteristics to allow the smooth passage of sheets or layers through the loading plane to the mouth of the machine tool, thus overcoming the drawbacks that still affect known machines.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to keep the pads of sheets loaded into the machine tool compact and properly stretched.

[0024] A further object of the invention is to provide a numerically controlled machine tool which, at least in the use condition, integrates auxiliary devices to facilitate the feeding of multilayer sheets according to the above mentioned characteristics. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The solution of the invention is to provide an accessory device which performs the function of inserting a plate between a folding slide loading plane for the sheet or sheets and a conveyor belt of the machine tool below the plane during the first feeding step.

[0027] In other words, the insertion plate extends the loading plane partially toward the mouth of the machine tool so as to allow the booster to maintain the free ends of the layers after the plate is withdrawn, and to pull back the entire loading plane when the conveyor belt is stationary, thereby leaving a sufficient portion of the layers on the conveyor belt.

[0028] The above technical problem is solved by an auxiliary device for simplifying the entry of a sheet of material to be cut into a numerically controlled machine tool, said device comprising:

[0029] - a loading surface associated with the front of the machine tool to receive the free end of the sheet;

[0030] - an insert plate, which is supported parallel to said plane and partially projects towards said machine bed;

[0031] - means for adjusting the protrusion of said plate relative to said plane.

[0032] Advantageously, said plate is slidably supported on opposite guides below said plane.

[0033] More specifically, the guide is obtained below the lateral edge of the plane in an undercut thereof.

[0034] Basically, the plate is guided in a sliding and folding manner below the plane.

[0035] Further, the plate is made of a synthetic plastic material with low surface friction, which may be nylon or polyethylene.

[0036] The above-mentioned means for adjusting the protrusion of the plate relative to the plane comprises at least one rod connected to one side of the plate and hinged to the plane.

[0037] Optionally, the device comprises at least one rack associated with one side of the plate and meshing with a gear actuated by the electric motor.

[0038] It is also noteworthy that the plane moves in horizontal translation in a direction parallel to the forward direction of the sheet between a withdrawn position in which the plane is spaced from the proximal end of the conveyor belt of the machine tool and a feed position in which the plane partially overlaps the proximal end.

[0039] It is clear how the above described structure is particularly effective, since the insert plate only partially extends the loading plane during the first supporting and feeding step on the proximal part of the belt at the mouth of the CNC machine.

[0040] Thanks to the described structure, the attachment device according to the invention can be associated with a folding slide parallel to the loading plane, which in turn can be associated in a folding manner with the front part of the machine tool below the proximal part of the conveyor belt.

[0041] Of course, according to the invention, nothing prevents having a loading plane that is structurally independent from the CNC machine and equipping said loading plane with an insert plate.

[0042] The above technical problem is also solved by a numerically controlled machine tool for cutting at least one or more layers of sheets to be processed, the numerically controlled machine tool comprising:

[0043] - a processing area (preferably defined as a chamber or space);

[0044] - a conveying device adapted to feed sheets into the processing area in a forward direction;

[0045] - a tool head adapted to operate on the wafer in said processing area;

[0046] It is characterized by further comprising:

[0047] - a holding device for holding the sheet or layers, the sheet or layers being arranged at least at the mouth of the cutting chamber and being movable between a non-operating position, in which the sheet or layers are at a determined distance from the surface of the sheet or of the conveyor belt, and an operating position, in which at least a lower edge is held against the surface of the sheet by pressing the sheet or layers against the conveyor belt; and

[0048] - said accessory device associated with said machine tool and constructed as described above.

[0049] The accessory device may be a part of the machine tool, possibly also integrated in the machine tool; or alternatively, it may be a different device associable with the machine tool under use conditions.

[0050] The above-mentioned machine tool may comprise a front device equipped with a support plane for the sheet, said support plane being foldable between a vertical rest position and a horizontal operating position in which said support plane is substantially continuous with said conveyor device.

[0051] Advantageously, the accessory device may be mounted in a lower position and may be moved horizontally between an extended position, in which the cantilevered arms of the accessory device protrude from below and are close to the loading surface, and a retracted position in which the accessory device is folded and hidden below the loading surface.

[0052] Characteristics and advantages of the device and the machine tool according to the invention will become apparent from the following description of some exemplary embodiments given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0053] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0054] In the attached picture:

[0055] - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a machine tool equipped with an attachment according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the attachment is provided and configured to facilitate the feeding of sheets of material to be cut;

[0056] - Figure 1A A perspective view of a numerically controlled machine tool without the attachment device according to the invention is shown, with the front element and the rear element in an open position;

[0057] - Figure 2 The diagram shows the loading start and overlapping configuration of the sheets to be cut. Figure 1 A magnified stereogram of

[0058] - Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view and a rear view of a machine tool with the attachment folded up under the front of the machine tool;

[0059] - Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a machine tool equipped with an attachment according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein the attachment also delivers four rolls of material in a two-by-two configuration;

[0060] - Figure 5 The loading plane is shown in a forward configuration equipped with the attachment device of the present invention. Figure 1 A magnified stereogram of

[0061] - Figure 6 A further perspective view showing the machine tool according to the invention in a further operating step thereof;

[0062] - Figure 7 shows another perspective view of the machine tool according to the invention in a further operating step thereof;

[0063] - Figures 8 to 10 Corresponding perspective views in partial section showing details of the attachment device of the invention in different operating forms and configurations;

[0064] - Fig.11 A perspective view of a machine tool equipped with an attachment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The machine tool is equipped with the attachment device of the present invention.

[0065] Details

[0066] With reference to these figures, a numerically controlled machine for cutting sheets of material according to the invention has an accessory device 9 removably associated with the device 1 , indicated schematically as a whole with the reference numeral 1 .

[0067] The drawings represent schematic representations and are not drawn to scale, instead they are drawn to emphasize important features of the invention. Furthermore, in the drawings, different elements are depicted in a schematic manner, the shapes of which vary depending on the desired application.

[0068] Furthermore, identical reference numerals refer to elements that are identical in shape or function. Finally, specific features described with respect to the embodiments shown in the figures may also be applied to other embodiments shown in the other figures.

[0069] In its more general form, the machine tool 1 is adapted to process, in particular to automatically cut, fold or flexible sheets 2, such as fabric, leather, natural or synthetic leather, nonwovens, cellulose based materials, other synthetic materials etc. for clothing items or accessories.

[0070] In the context of the present invention, the term "sheet" means any element of any shape and material having substantially two-dimensional dimensions and a certain thickness (usually reduced), which must be cut by a machine tool. As will be noted in more detail below, the cutting of a plurality of sheets stacked on top of each other to form multiple layers and having substantially uniform shapes and dimensions is often performed, if not necessarily.

[0071] The machine tool 1 is thus a numerically controlled machine tool equipped with a data and program memory. In particular, the device 1 comprises a control unit 21 comprising said memory and suitably programmed and configured for its management and automatic control. The control unit 21 may be, for example, an integrated computerized unit, or may be external to the machine tool 1 and operatively connected to it. Furthermore, it is noted that the control unit may be a single central unit, or may comprise a plurality of local units, which are considered to be controllers associated with various actuators arranged on and in the machine tool.

[0072] Conventional user interfaces 30, 35 are available for the operator to activate or program the operating algorithms of the machine tool. Said interfaces 30, 35 are supported at the front and rear of the machine tool, possibly being effective on the relevant front and rear elements.

[0073] In general, the machine tool 1 of the present invention comprises a frame F, made of, for example, metal material, which supports and surrounds the main elements of the machine tool.

[0074] More specifically, the machine tool 1 comprises a cutting chamber or work cell 3 in which processing of the sheet 2 is carried out on a working plane a. The cutting chamber 3 has a loading inlet 4 through which the sheet 2 is fed and a unloading outlet 5 from which the cut parts of said sheet 2 are recovered.

[0075] Furthermore, the apparatus 1 comprises a motorized conveyor belt 6 which passes through the cutting chamber 3 from the inlet 4 to the outlet 5 and is suitable for feeding and conveying the sheets 2 into said cutting chamber 3. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor belt 6 extends horizontally.

[0076] The conveyor belt 6 may be covered with a protective and breathable support layer (not shown in the drawings) which undergoes several cutting steps during the various processes and is regularly replaced. Below the support layer, conventional suction devices are provided (also not shown in the drawings) which allow the sheet 2 to be kept on the conveyor belt 6 during the forward movement due to suction. Possibly, a perforated paper is provided as the first layer to facilitate cutting, creating a better difference for the blade.

[0077] Inside the cutting chamber, one or more tool heads (not shown) suitable for running over the sheet 2 to perform the cutting are active.

[0078] exist Figure 1A In the embodiment, the sliding direction or the advancing direction of the conveyor belt 6 is represented by the direction Y, and the direction transverse thereto is represented by the direction X. That is, the direction Y represents the direction in which the conveyor belt 6 moves, and Figure 1A The arrow A in denoted the feeding direction of the sheet.

[0079] The machine tool 1 according to the invention is equipped with closing elements 10 a , 10 b on the inlet 4 of the cutting chamber 3 and on the outlet 5 of the cutting chamber 3 .

[0080] The closing element may be, for example, a glass or Plexiglas plate or screen connected to the frame F of the device 1 or provided with its own frame which in turn is connected to the frame F.

[0081] The purpose of the closing element is to isolate the cutting chamber 3 during the processing steps and at the same time to protect the operator close to the machine tool from noise. However, for the purposes of the present invention, the movement of the front screen 10a cooperating with the attachment device 9 will also be used.

[0082] The front closure element 10a can be in a first position or an open position (eg Figure 1A ) and a second position or closed position (as shown Figure 7 As shown, the cutting chamber 3 can be moved between end-of-stroke positions), in a first position or open position, it is possible to enter the cutting chamber 3 from the entrance 4, and in a second position or closed position, the lower edge 16 is close to the working plane α.

[0083] In practice, the closing element 10a is movable towards and away from the working plane α.

[0084] When the closure element 10a is in the closed position, with the edge 16 close to the working plane α, not only is access to the cutting chamber 3 prevented, but when the conveyor belt 6 is stationary it is held at the end free edge of the pad of sheet 2 before continuing the cutting operation.

[0085] In this way, the front screen 10a cooperates with the accessory device 9 to facilitate the loading of individual sheets 2 or sheet pads, as will be apparent from the remainder of the description.

[0086] Now please refer to the attached Figures 2 to 7 By way of example, a modification advantageously adopted in the apparatus 1 in order to more easily feed and properly place the sheets 2 on the conveyor belt 6 is now described in detail.

[0087] As mentioned above, according to the invention, the machine tool 1 comprises auxiliary means 9 to facilitate the feeding of the sheet 2 of material to be cut.

[0088] The attachment 9 is associated with the machine tool 1 and comprises at least one movable loading surface 14 supported in an operating position close to the proximal end 13 of the conveyor belt 6 by a suitable supporting structure 25 associated and connected to the lower part of the front part 20 of the frame F of the machine tool 1.

[0089] The movable plane 14 is essentially a rectangular plate support on which the free edges of the short sides of the sheets 2 to be loaded on the conveyor belt 6 are arranged. Optionally, side faces 39, 41 are provided on both sides of the movable plane 14 to facilitate the lateral alignment of the sheets 2 or more specifically of the layers formed by the overlapping stacks of sheets 2. The positioning of said side faces 39, 41 can be adjusted by means of a scale.

[0090] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the movable plane 14 is movably guided from a rest position, in which the movable plane 14 extends vertically close to the above-mentioned lower front part 20, to an operating position; in the operating position, the movable plane 14 extends horizontally.

[0091] In the accompanying drawings, except Figure 3 , the movable plane 14 is always shown in a horizontal operating position.

[0092] The motorized translation means for actuating the movable plane 14 of the plane are arranged between two horizontal extension extreme positions. The motorized means are electric motors, such as brushless motors or the like, which can be adjusted with a certain precision and are interlocked with the control unit 21 of the device 1 .

[0093] Therefore, in the initial position of loading withdrawal ( Figure 4 ) and release the final and extended position ( Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 ) is movably guided in a substantially horizontal plane between the two guide planes 14, and in the extended position the guide plane 14 extends upwardly to the cutting chamber 3.

[0094] It is worth noting that the plane 14 is also foldable so that the lower front part 20 of the frame F close to the machine tool 1 becomes compact, such as in Figure 1A and Figure 3 In this compact position, the plane 14 is manually folded under the proximal end 13 of the conveyor belt 6, which position is useful, for example, in conveyor beds 1 or in some treatments of skins when the plane 14 is merely an obstacle.

[0095] However, motorized means and associated support guides may be provided to activate the rotational translation of the movable plane 14 from the stationary laying position and bring it into a coplanar operating position or partially above the proximal end 13 of the conveyor belt 6. Figure 1A or Figure 3 In the rest position, the plane 14 is folded parallel to the lower front part 20 of the frame F.

[0096] The movable plane 14 is also configured to facilitate the feeding of the sheets 2 to be processed on the conveyor belt 6 .

[0097] In this respect, the plane 14 is provided with an attachment device 9 according to the invention in the form of an insert plate 8 extending parallel to the plane 14 and below the plane 14 .

[0098] The plate 14 is made of a synthetic plastic material.

[0099] In one embodiment, the plate 14 is constructed from a nylon sheet. Important for the purposes of the present invention is the very low surface coefficient of friction of the plate 14, allowing the plate 14 to slide even in the presence of pressure on the overlying pads of the sheet.

[0100] In an alternative embodiment, sheet 14 is polyethylene (PE) or a polyene.

[0101] Among plastic materials, polyenes are known for their various properties, such as resistance to impacts and wear, low coefficient of friction, resistance to corrosion and chemical products. In addition, the material has good dimensional stability and is easy to process and weld.

[0102] For the purpose of the present invention, a PE polyene sheet having a molecular weight of 300 to 1000 may be used, preferably PE 1000 having a low friction coefficient and high impact resistance.

[0103] Advantageously, the plate 8 slides under the plane 14 .

[0104] More specifically, the plate 8 is supported by two opposite guides 42, 44 obtained below it in the undercut of the lateral edges of said plane 14. The plate 8 slides away from and mutually towards the proximal edge 40 of the plane 14 on the opposite guides.

[0105] Optionally, it is also possible to provide at least one track centre support of the plate 8, possibly tapering towards the protruding direction, or at least one pair of track supports extending in parallel but not necessarily at two opposite lateral ends.

[0106] What is important for the purposes of the present invention is that at least a portion of the plate 8 or the strip 10 can extend in the distal projection towards the loading direction emerging from the lower side of the plane 14 .

[0107] The plate 8 is substantially rectangular, with dimensions which correspond substantially to those of the plane 14 , or which are slightly smaller in terms of longitudinal extension.

[0108] The plate 8 is intended to partially protrude in the direction of the cutting chamber 3 below the plane 14 .

[0109] The distal portion of the plate 8 emerging from below the plane 14 is denoted by the reference numeral 10 and represents a supporting strip of the free end of the sheet 2 or of the multilayer sheet 2 .

[0110] In the operating position, the belt 10 protrudes a few centimeters, for example less than 10 cm, from the distal edge 15 of the plane 14, which obviously does not represent any limitation of the applicant's rights. The protrusion can be selected based on the type of material to facilitate withdrawal, thereby avoiding disturbing the alignment of the sheets constituting the pad to be treated.

[0111] The opposite side of the plate 8 , ie the proximal portion, is constrained to a rod 45 having an end 46 hinged to an underside edge 48 of the plane 14 .

[0112] More specifically, the rod 45 is disposed at each proximal angle of the plate 8 close to the proximal edge 40 of the plane 14 .

[0113] The two opposing rods 45 have respective control levers 49 emerging from slotted portions of a plane taken near opposing lateral portions of the proximal edge 40. The control levers 49 can be gripped by an operator.

[0114] The rod 45 can be offset at a predetermined angle from Fig.10 The rest position shown is moved angularly into the operating position ( Figure 8 and Fig. 9 ), in the rest position, the plate 8 is completely retracted below the plane 14; in the operating position, the plate 8 protrudes beyond the distal edge 15 of the plane 14, exposing the support belt 10.

[0115] In the embodiment provided by the invention, the movement of the plate 8 is completely automatic and is performed by motorized means interlocked with the control unit 21 of the machine tool 1 .

[0116] For example, motorized means may be provided for moving the rod 45 which is interlocked with the control unit 21 of the machine tool 1 .

[0117] Alternatively, the lateral parts of the plate 8 may be equipped with respective toothed racks (not shown) coupled to corresponding toothed wheels actuated by an electric motor, for example a stepper motor.

[0118] Each rack is mounted longitudinally on a corresponding guide 42 , 44 below the plane 14 and is activated to adjust the projection of the plate 8 together with the opposing rack.

[0119] In an alternative embodiment, using a single rack on one side of the plate, clearly with a single drive motor, the opposite side associated with the other side of the plate 8 and sliding in a corresponding guide 42 or 44 may be adapted as a further alternative.

[0120] It should also be noted that the movable plane 14 is movably guided towards and away from the proximal end 13 of the conveyor belt 6 .

[0121] More specifically, the movable plane 14 is movable in horizontal translation in a direction parallel to the moving direction of the conveyor belt 6 (i.e., direction Y), and is specifically movably guided between a loading withdrawal position and a supply and release position, in which the movable plane 14 faces the proximal end of the conveyor belt 6, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 In the supply and release position, the movable plane 14 partially overlaps with the conveyor belt 6, as Figure 5 shown.

[0122] More specifically, when the movable plane 14 is in the loading withdrawal position ( Figure 4 ), the pad of sheet 2 can be dragged and extended on plane 14 until the end of the free edge (in the case of a single sheet) or the end of the overlapping edges of multiple layers coincides with the protruding outer edge of the band 10 of the plate 8.

[0123] The programmed forward movement of the movable plane 14 causes the pad of the sheet to be dragged toward the cutting chamber until it reaches Figure 5 The predetermined position is shown, in which the exposed strip 10 of the plate 8 lies on the protrusion of the front screen 10a.

[0124] At this point, it is possible to withdraw the plate 8 and obviously the belt 10 , which slides under the free end of the pad of the sheet 2 due to the low coefficient of friction.

[0125] By activating the lever 45 (manually or automatically), the plate 8 is withdrawn so that the strip 10 returns to being completely folded under the plane, slipping out from under the free end of the pad of the sheet due to the very low surface friction.

[0126] Only after this pass, the front screen 10a, which blocks the pads of the sheet in place, is lowered.

[0127] At this point, the plane 14 may be withdrawn while the material to be cut remains clamped and captured by the lower edge 16 of the front screen 10a.

[0128] At this point, after lowering the front screen 10a, the plane can also be withdrawn without moving the material, thereby leaving a considerable portion (for example about 40 cm) lying on the conveyor belt.

[0129] Optionally, a transverse piece (not shown in the drawings) may be provided which has the function of clamping the free end of the pad of the piece, or at any rate the end thereof, releasing the function of the screen retaining pad when the plate 8 has been withdrawn.

[0130] Typically, clamping means may also be provided, arranged laterally on the plane 14 but integral with the machine, to laterally hold the pad of the sheet during the withdrawal step of the plane. Said means may be supported by lateral longitudinal elements of the sliding guide supporting the plane.

[0131] Basically, the machine tool of the present invention comprises a clamping device for clamping the sheet or layers, which is arranged at least at the mouth 4 of the cutting chamber 3 and can be moved between a non-operating position and an operating position, in which the sheet or layers are at a determined distance from the surface of the sheet or the surface of the conveyor belt 6, and in the operating position, at least a lower edge is in contact with the surface of the sheet, almost touching the conveyor belt.

[0132] In any case, thanks to the presence of the attachment device 9, it is possible to place the sheet 2 or sheets 2 in a simple and effective manner and in a semi-automatic manner on the conveyor belt 6. In fact, the movable plane 14 is substantially supported by a cantilever outside the machine bed 1 and makes the activities of preparing a new sheet to be loaded easy for the operator, such as grasping the free end and pulling the sheet from a supporting roll or from a folded material.

[0133] Furthermore, the attachment device 9 facilitates the alignment and superposition of the layers of sheet 2 relative to one another and their alignment relative to the conveyor belt movement.

[0134] Suitably, the movement of the movable plane 14 is controlled in an automatic manner by the control unit 21 and, in one embodiment, is synchronized with the movement of the conveyor belt 6 and with the movement of the front screen 10a.

[0135] Now, for completeness of description, and with specific reference to Fig.10 By way of example, it should be noted that the movable plane 14 has two arms 60 articulated transversely relative to a number of uprights 61 integral with the supporting structure 25 .

[0136] Another accessory 50 or 50 ′ for supporting the roll of sheets 2 is associated with the plane 14 ; said accessory comprises two longitudinal elements 51 , a plurality of planar appendages 54 that can be associated with said longitudinal elements 51 and the support 53 , and a guide 56 transverse bar supported by said appendages 54 located in relative positions on the two longitudinal elements 51 .

[0137] All these elements are variably configured, as illustrated in the figures, to support one or more rolls 57 of material 2 to be cut; said rolls are placed on the support rods 53 and in different positions. The use of more rolls 57 allows more layers of material 2 to be unrolled simultaneously, to produce multiple layers or mats to be cut in the machine 1.

[0138] The guide rods 56 allow the roll to return to a substantially continuous planar orientation relative to the direction of the conveyor 6 , thereby avoiding interference between unrolled sheets from the continuous roll 57 .

[0139] The longitudinal element 51 is preferably manufactured as a metal part with a rectangular or square section and cantilevered and fixed to the machine tool 1 or the movable plane 14 .

[0140] The appendages 54 are pairs including right appendages and left appendages that are mirror-symmetrical to each other. Each pair of appendages 54 must be associated with two longitudinal elements 51 facing oppositely and provide different primary and secondary grooves 52 and 55, which are suitable for supporting the support 53 and guide 56 transverse rods respectively.

[0141] The appendages 54 are removably mounted on the longitudinal element 51 so that they can be used in different numbers in various configurations of the device 50 .

[0142] Each appendage 54 is preferably made of sheet metal and thus has a substantially planar configuration.

[0143] It has two wings, an upper wing 54a and a lower wing 54b, which are opposite and substantially mirror-symmetrical to each other. Both wings have a main groove 52. The groove is made as a C-shaped groove, preferably by shearing, which obtains a lowered seat in which the transverse rod 53 is housed.

[0144] The appendages 50 or 50 ′ are shown in the figures in two different embodiments, which differ from each other, in different arrangements of the rolls just above and below the plane, or are all aligned with each other, such as Fig.11 The foregoing description applies to both embodiments.

[0145] In both embodiments, the attachment 50 is associated with the end of the movable plane 14 when the attachment 50 is in the raised configuration.

[0146] In this case, the plane defined by the longitudinal elements 51 is substantially at the height of the plane of the machine tool 1 or slightly above, i.e. it is a feed plane substantially continuous with respect to the plane of the conveyor 6 , except for slight differences in level represented by the partial overlap of the plane 14 and the associated plate 8 .

[0147] In this case, the longitudinal element 51 is introduced telescopically into the arm 60 of the movable plane, which is advantageously configured as a hollow part. Depending on the desired use of the machine tool 1, the longitudinal element 51 can be blocked in a position more or less extended relative to the arm.

[0148] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications to the present invention in order to meet specific needs and specifications, which are all included in the protection scope of the present invention defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A numerically controlled machine tool (1) for cutting at least one or more sheets (2) of material to be processed, comprising an auxiliary device (9) for simplifying the feeding of the sheets of material to be cut, The accessory device (9) comprises: - a loading plane (14) associated with the front of the CNC machine to receive the free end of the sheet; - an insert plate (8) which is supported parallel to the loading plane (14) and partially projects towards the CNC machine; as well as - means for adjusting said protrusion of said insert plate (8) relative to said plane, wherein the insert plate (8) is guided in a sliding and foldable manner below the loading plane (14), and The insert plate (8) is slidably supported on opposing guides (42, 44) below the loading plane (14).

2. CNC machine tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the opposing guides (42, 44) are obtained below the loading plane (14) in an undercut of a lateral edge thereof.

3. The numerically controlled machine tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insert plate (8) is made of a synthetic plastic material with low surface friction.

4. The numerically controlled machine tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insert plate (8) is made of nylon.

5. The numerically controlled machine tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insert plate (8) is made of polyethylene.

6. A CNC machine tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the device for adjusting the protrusion of the insert plate (8) relative to the plane includes at least one rod (45) connected to one side of the insert plate (8) and hinged to the loading plane (14).

7. A numerically controlled machine tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the protrusion of the insert plate (8) relative to the plane comprises at least one rack associated with one side of the insert plate (8) and meshed with a gear actuated by an electric motor.

8. A CNC machine tool (1) according to claim 1, wherein the loading plane (14) moves horizontally in a direction parallel to the forward direction (Y) between a withdrawal position in which the loading plane (14) is spaced apart from the proximal end (13) of the conveying device (6) and a supply position in which the loading plane (14) partially overlaps with the conveying device (6).

9. The numerically controlled machine tool (1) according to claim 1, further comprising: - Processing area (3); - a conveying device (6) adapted to feed said at least one or more sheets (2) into said treatment area (3) in a forward direction (Y); - a tool head adapted to operate on at least one or more sheets (2) in said treatment area; and - A clamping device for clamping the sheet or layers, the sheet or layers being arranged at least at the mouth (4) of the treatment area (3) and being movable between a non-operating position, in which the sheet or layers are at a determined distance from the surface of the sheet or the surface of the conveying device (6), and an operating position, in which at least one lower edge is held in abutment with the surface of the sheet, pressing the sheet or layers against the conveying device (6).

10. A CNC machine tool (1) according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary device (9) includes a loading plane (14) for the at least one or more layers of sheets (2), and the at least one or more layers of sheets (2) can be folded under the conveying device (6) on the front part of the CNC machine tool (1).

11. CNC machine tool (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one lower edge (16) of the clamping device holds the free edge of the multilayer at the mouth (4) of the processing area (3).

12. CNC machine tool (1) according to claim 9, wherein the attachment device (9) is configured to support one or more rolls (57) of the material to be cut.

13. CNC machine tool (1) according to claim 9, wherein the holding device is a screen closure element (10a) which is movably guided between an open and a closed position of the processing area (3).

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