Machine for laser machining of tubes and profiles, in particular for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, with improved unloading system for unloading tubes or profiles at end of machining process

Abstract

A machine (10) for laser machining of tubes and profiles (T), in particular laser cutting, comprises an unloading system (18, 20) for unloading the tubes or profiles (T) at the end of the machining process, where the unloading system (18, 20) comprises one or more support and unloading devices (18) arranged along and below a feed axis (x) of the machine. Each support and unloading device (18) includes a table (32) and a drive unit (34) associated with the table (32). The table (32) includes a first table portion (36) having a substantially planar upper surface (38) and a second table portion (42) extending laterally outward with respect to the first table portion (36) and having a substantially planar upper surface (44), the upper surface (44) being inclined at a given angle (alpha) with respect to the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36). The drive unit (34) is configured to cause a rotational-translational movement of the table (32) between a machining position and an unloading position with a vertical translation and a rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation (x2) oriented parallel to a feed axis (x) of the machine, the upper surface (38) of the first table part (36) is oriented substantially horizontally to support the pipe or profile (T) to be processed, and wherein the upper surface (44) of the second table part (42) is inclined with respect to the horizontal, wherein the height of the outer longitudinal edge (44a) of the upper surface (44) of the second table part (42) is greater than the height of the inner longitudinal edge (44a) of said surface (44), and in the unloading position, the upper surface (38) of the first table part (36) and the upper surface (44) of the second table part (42) are both inclined with respect to the horizontal, wherein the outer longitudinal edge (38a) of the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) is placed at a height lower than the height of the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38), and wherein the outer longitudinal edge (44a) of the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) is placed at a height lower than or equal to the height of the inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a machine for laser processing of tubes and profiles, in particular a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, which is provided with an unloading system for unloading the tubes or profiles at the end of the processing process. Background Art

[0002] Unloading systems for machines for laser processing of tubes and profiles, in particular for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, are known which have the function of unloading the tubes or profiles from the machine each time once the planned processing has been completed.

[0003] For example, EP2492041 discloses an unloading system comprising one or more unloading carriages and one or more supporting carriages, wherein both the unloading carriages and the supporting carriages are movable along the longitudinal direction of advancement of the pipes. Each unloading carriage comprises an unloading platform hinged to a support structure about a rotation axis oriented parallel to the aforementioned longitudinal direction and connected to a rod of a hydraulic cylinder. Thus, the unloading platform of each unloading carriage is movable under the control of the hydraulic cylinder between a horizontal position, in which the pipes can be unloaded onto the upper surface of the unloading platform without rolling or sliding, and an inclined position, in which the pipes can roll or slide under the action of gravity into a container arranged beside the machine, or onto a conveying device arranged beside the machine.

[0004] However, this unloading system does not allow for optimal control of the unloading movement of the pipes from the unloading platform of each unloading carriage towards the container or the conveying device, in particular in the case of pipes and profiles with non-circular cross-sections. Furthermore, in the case of large pipes (in terms of length and / or cross-sectional area), this unloading system does not completely avoid the risk of the pipes colliding with other parts of the machine during unloading, thereby damaging them.

[0005] For machines for processing tubes and profiles of relatively long lengths (particularly exceeding 8 meters in length) and / or tubes and profiles with relatively large cross-sections (particularly exceeding 300 mm in diameter), it is known to use an unloading system, as schematically illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings. This unloading system comprises a vertically movable support plate P, which is arranged below the tube T being processed to support the tube during processing and, at the end of the processing, is positioned on a pair of transport chains C arranged on opposite sides relative to the support plate P by vertically downward movement. During processing, as shown in Figure 1, the support plate P supports the head portion of the tube T, while the remaining portion of the tube is supported by one or more mandrels M. Once the processing has been completed, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the processed portion of the tube T, still supported by the support plate P, is positioned on the transport chains C by means of vertical downward movement of the support plate, so as to be ultimately transported out of the processing area of ​​the machine by the transport chains C. This unloading system is used, for example, in the machines LT14 and LT24 manufactured by the applicant.

[0006] Although this known unloading system has proven to be particularly effective, robust and reliable, there is still a need for an unloading system that is cheaper and allows the pipes to be unloaded in a shorter time. In addition, there is a need for an unloading system that can be easily reconfigured to accommodate pipes of different sizes. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for the laser processing of tubes and profiles having an unloading system for unloading the tubes or profiles at the end of the processing process, which unloading system does not suffer from the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0008] This and other objects are fully achieved according to the invention by means of a machine for laser processing of tubes and profiles provided with an unloading system as defined in independent claim 1 .

[0009] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims, the subject matter of which is to be understood as forming part of the following description.

[0010] In summary, the present invention is based on the idea of ​​providing an unloading system comprising one or more supporting and unloading devices arranged one after another along the feed axis of the machine (i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile being processed) and located below said axis, wherein each supporting and unloading device comprises a work table and a drive unit associated with the work table, wherein the work table comprises a first work table part having an upper surface and a second work table part extending transversely outwards relative to the first work table part and having an upper surface, and wherein the drive unit is configured to cause the work table of each supporting and unloading device to generate a rotational-translational movement between a processing position and an unloading position, the rotational-translational movement comprising a vertical translation and a rotation about a horizontal axis. Rotation of the rotation axis, which is horizontally oriented parallel to the feed axis of the machine, in the processing position, the upper surface of the first workbench part is oriented to support the pipe or profile being processed, and in the processing position, the upper surface of the second workbench part is oriented so that the height of the outer longitudinal edge of the upper surface is greater than the height of the inner longitudinal edge of the upper surface, in the unloading position, the workbench is vertically displaced relative to the processing position and rotated about the rotation axis, so that the height of the outer longitudinal edge of the upper surface of the first workbench part is lower than the height of the inner longitudinal edge of the upper surface, and the height of the outer longitudinal edge of the upper surface of the second workbench part is greater than or equal to the height of the inner longitudinal edge of the upper surface.

[0011] Due to the configuration of the table and of the drive means associated with the table, the supporting and unloading device forming part of the unloading system according to the invention is able to effectively move the tubes or profiles towards an unloading area beside the machine, even in the case of tubes or profiles with a non-circular cross section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of non-limiting example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] 1 to 3 schematically illustrate the operation of a known unloading system of a machine for laser processing of tubes, wherein each of the figures shows a side view and a top view of the machine with the unloading system;

[0014] Figure 4 and Figure 5 are perspective views from two different perspectives of an unloading system of a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the unloading system is in a state of processing tubes;

[0015] Figure 6 is similar to Figure 5 , but wherein the unloading system is in a state of unloading a pipe (not shown);

[0016] Figure 7 and Figure 8 They are three-dimensional and side views, showing only the Figure 4 and Figure 5 The unloading system is a support and unloading device in the pipe processing state;

[0017] Figure 9 and Figure 10 Shown respectively according to Figure 4 and Figure 5 A front view of the partition member of the unloading system in a lowered state and in a raised state;

[0018] Figure 11 yes Figure 4 and Figure 5 A perspective view of the support and unloading equipment of the unloading system;

[0019] Figure 12 and Figure 13 yes Figure 11 Side and front views of the support and unloading equipment;

[0020] Figure 14 Is a detailed display with Figure 11 A perspective view of a drive unit associated with the workbench of the support and unloading device;

[0021] Figures 15 to 18 It is shown Figure 11 Front view of the support and unloading equipment in four different positions from the normal processing position to the unloading position;

[0022] Figures 19 to 25 is a front view showing, in sequence, when the machine is used with a tube having a circular cross section, Figure 4 and Figure 5 a series of positions of a workbench of one of the supporting and unloading devices and one of the partitioning members of the unloading system; and

[0023] Figures 26 to 35 is a front view showing, in sequence, the machine when used with a tube having a square cross section. Figure 4 and Figure 5 A series of positions of a workbench of one of the supporting and unloading devices and one of the partitioning members of the unloading system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following description and claims, the term "longitudinal" is used to indicate a direction coinciding with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile being processed on the machine, while the term "transverse" is used to indicate a direction lying in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, terms related to the unloading system, such as "upper" and "lower," or "horizontal" and "vertical," are intended to refer to the state of the unloading system as installed on the machine.

[0025] First reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 A machine for processing tubes and profiles is generally indicated at 10, to which the unloading system according to the present invention can be applied. In the example presented here, the machine is a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, but the present invention is equally applicable to other types of machines for laser processing of tubes and profiles.

[0026] The machine 10 comprises, in a manner known per se, a machining unit 12 having a machining head 14 capable of performing a machining operation, in this example a cutting operation, but also other types of operations (such as welding or additive manufacturing operations), by means of a laser beam focused on the tube T. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The pipe T shown in the figure is a pipe with a circular cross-section, but the machine 10 is capable of processing pipes with any other cross-section, such as (but not limited to) square or rectangular, and processing profiles of any shape, such as C-profiles, T-profiles, IPE profiles, HEA profiles, etc. For convenience, only the term pipe is used in the following description, but it should be understood that the content shown below is also applicable to the case where the machine is used to process profiles.

[0027] The machine 10 also includes a tube holder (not shown, but of a type known per se) equipped with a holding device configured to hold the tube T at its end (tail end). This holding device defines the machine's feed axis x, with which the longitudinal axis of the tube T is aligned during machining. Upstream of and alongside the machining head 14, a supporting and guiding spindle (not shown, but of a type known per se) is advantageously provided, capable of supporting and guiding the machined tube T while keeping its longitudinal axis aligned with the feed axis x. During machining, the tube holder allows the tube T to be moved forward along the feed axis x and possibly rotated about this axis.

[0028] The machine 10 also includes an unloading system for unloading the tube T at the end of the processing process. More precisely, the unloading system has the function of bringing the tube T from the processing position (the position in which the tube T is arranged during the processing process, that is, the position in which the longitudinal axis of the tube T is aligned with the feed axis x of the machine as described above) to the unloading position (the tube T is laterally displaced relative to the processing position). Specifically, in the example shown here, in the unloading position, the tube T is arranged on a conveyor device (for example, a conveyor belt 16) arranged next to the machine 10 and configured to move the tube T laterally while keeping it substantially parallel to the feed axis x of the machine until the tube T is brought to a storage area (not shown) where it can be picked up, for example, by suitable handling devices (also not shown, but in any case of a type known per se).

[0029] The unloading system essentially comprises a plurality of supporting and unloading devices 18 (or more generally, one or more supporting and unloading devices 18) arranged one after another along the feed axis x of the machine and below said axis, and a plurality of separating members 20 arranged transversely to the supporting and unloading devices 18, in particular between the supporting and unloading devices 18 and the conveyor belt 16. The supporting and unloading devices 18 are separated from any other supporting devices (e.g., rotating supporting members 22, such as Figure 7 and Figure 8 The support and unloading devices 18 (see more clearly in the figure) together perform the function of supporting the tubes T, while once the processing process has been completed, they perform the function of moving the tubes T from the processing position, placing them on the separating members 20. In turn, the separating members 20 perform the function of protecting the equipment during the processing, ensuring a high level of safety for the operators by laterally isolating the processing area where the tubes T being processed are placed from the external environment, while once the processing process has been completed, they perform the function of placing the tubes T received from the supporting and unloading devices 18 on the conveyor, as will be explained in detail below. In this respect, Figure 4 and Figure 5 as well as Figure 7 and Figure 8 The supporting and unloading device 18 is shown in a processing position in which it supports the tube T during the processing, wherein the tube T is arranged with its longitudinal axis aligned with the feed axis x of the machine, and Figure 6 The support and unloading device 18 is shown in an unloading position, in which it allows the tubes T to be displaced onto the separating members 20 under the effect of gravity. As for the separating members 20, they are Figures 4 to 6 They are shown only in the lowered position, in which they are ready to receive the pipes T coming from the supporting and unloading device 18.

[0030] Now refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 Each partitioning member 20 forms an operating surface which, in the embodiment presented here, comprises a first, substantially flat surface portion 24 and a second, also substantially flat surface portion 26, which is arranged adjacent to the first surface portion 24 and forms an angle α with the first surface portion 24 that is greater than 90°, in particular between 95° and 125°, for example equal to 115°. More generally, however, the operating surface may have a shape different from that presented here, for example being formed by two flat surfaces suitably joined to one another or by a single, suitably shaped surface.

[0031] Each partition member 20 is in the above-mentioned lowered position ( Figure 9 ) and raised position ( Figure 10 ) is movable between the lowered position and the raised position. According to the embodiment proposed herein, the movement of the partition member 20 between the lowered position and the raised position is achieved by rotation about a horizontal rotation axis x1 (in particular an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the feed axis x of the machine) under the control of actuator means comprising, for example, one or more cylinders 28. In the lowered position of the partition member 20, it is advantageously controlled, for example, by a limit switch member 30 ( Figure 9 and Figure 10 The operating surface is defined by the support and unloading device 18 (only one of the limit switch members 30 is visible in the figure), so as to receive the tube T from the support and unloading device 18 once the processing process has been completed. Specifically, in this position, the first surface portion 24 is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal plane, for example, at an angle of between 5° and 15°, so that the height of the proximal longitudinal edge 24a of the surface portion (i.e., the longitudinal edge facing the feed axis x of the machine) is greater than the height of the distal longitudinal edge 24b of the surface portion (i.e., the longitudinal edge facing the side opposite to the feed axis x of the machine). In this way, once the tube T has been placed on the first surface portion 24 of each partition member 20 by the support and unloading device 18, the tube T can slide or roll along the surface portion toward the second surface portion 26 until it comes to rest on the second surface portion 26.

[0032] In the raised position of the dividing member 20 , the first surface portion 24 extends substantially vertically and faces the conveyor belt 16 , ie the side opposite to the feed axis x of the machine.

[0033] As the partition member 20 moves from the lowered position to the raised position, the tubes T resting on the supporting surface of the partition member 20 are then transferred to the conveyor belt 16 for transport to the aforementioned storage area via the conveyor belt 16. At this point, the partition member 20 remains in the raised position until the processing of another tube T is completed, thereby acting as a protective element due to the substantially vertical arrangement of the first surface portion 24, which laterally separates the processing area of ​​the machine, where the processed tubes T are placed, from the external environment. As previously mentioned, this system ensures a high level of operator safety, as it allows the operator to be protected from laser radiation (emitted by the machine's processing head or reflected by the processed tubes or other surfaces of the machine) and from the splashing of particles and processing residues.

[0034] Now refer to Figures 11 to 18 Each supporting and unloading device 18 basically comprises a workbench 32 and a drive unit 34 associated with the workbench 32 so that the workbench 32 is in a processing position ( Figure 15 ) and uninstall location ( Figure 17 or Figure 18 ) produces a rotation-translation movement in a transverse plane (ie in a plane perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine). Figure 17 Uninstall location and Figure 18 The unloading positions are two of the possible unloading positions that can be obtained, because the unloading system is able to appropriately define the unloading positions according to the type of tube T being processed.

[0035] The table 32 first comprises a first table portion 36 having an upper surface 38. In the embodiment presented here, the upper surface 38 is a substantially flat surface, but it may also be a slightly curved surface, in particular with an upwardly concave surface. Figures 5 to 7 ) are mounted on the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36, are longitudinally spaced apart from one another, and are rotatably supported for rotation about respective rotation axes oriented parallel to the plane of the upper surface 38 and perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine. Figure 7As shown, in the processing position of the workbench 32, the idler rollers 40 serve as supporting elements for the tube T during the processing process. The workbench 32 also includes a second workbench portion 42 extending laterally outward relative to the first workbench portion 36 and having an upper surface 44. In the example presented herein, the upper surface 44 of the second workbench portion 42 is also a substantially flat surface, like the upper surface 38 of the first workbench portion 36. However, the upper surface 44 can be a non-flat surface, for example, it can be a slightly curved surface, in particular with an upwardly concave surface. The upper surface 44 of the second workbench portion 42 is inclined at an angle β relative to the upper surface 38 of the first workbench portion 36, in particular at an angle greater than 135°, preferably greater than 150°, so that when the upper surface 38 is oriented horizontally, the height of the outer longitudinal edge 44a of the upper surface 44 is greater than the height of the inner longitudinal edge 44b of said surface, as shown in FIG. Figure 15 As shown. The upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 and the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 are preferably connected to each other by an arcuate connecting surface 46, especially when the upper surface 38 and the upper surface 44 are both substantially flat surfaces. According to another embodiment (not shown in the figures), the table 32 includes a third table portion that extends laterally inward relative to the first table portion 36 (thus, on the side opposite the second table portion 42) and has an upper surface that has, for example (but not necessarily) a shape similar to the shape of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42.

[0036] Thus, more generally speaking, the workbench 32 has a cradle-like shape having a main portion formed by the first workbench portion 36, and one or two transverse portions formed by the second workbench portion 42 and the third workbench portion (if present), which extend laterally like banks from opposite longitudinal edges of the first workbench portion 36.

[0037] Preferably, in the embodiments presented herein (e.g. Figures 11 to 14As can be better seen, the first table section 36 of the table 32 is provided at one of its longitudinal ends with at least one roller chain 48 wound around a pair of sprockets 50 and 52 (in this example, a pair of roller chains arranged side by side). Both sprockets 50 and 52 are mounted in a freely rotatable manner, and the roller chain 48 is therefore freely movable in one direction or the other. The roller chains 48 of the tables 32 of the various support and unloading devices 18 have the following functions: to "accompany" the tube T during any rotational movement about the feed axis x controlled by the holding device of the machine 10 while it is being processed; and, during the unloading of the tube T (particularly in the case of tubes with non-circular cross-sections), to facilitate the sliding of the tube T along the first table section 36, thereby preventing it from slipping on the idler rollers 40 provided on said table section. Although in the embodiment presented here, the roller chain 48 is provided at only one of the two longitudinal ends of each table 32, it could also be provided at both longitudinal ends of each table 32. Moreover, other devices with similar functions could be provided in place of the roller chains.

[0038] As described above, the drive unit 34 is configured to Figure 15 Processing position and Figure 17 or Figure 18 Move the workbench 32 between the unloading positions, Figure 15 In the machining position, the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 is oriented substantially horizontally, so that the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is inclined relative to the horizontal plane by an angle corresponding to the above-mentioned angle β, whereby the outer longitudinal edge 44a of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is placed at a height greater than the height of the inner longitudinal edge 44b of said surface. Figure 17 or unloading position 18, the upper surface 38 of the first workbench portion 36 and the upper surface 44 of the second workbench portion 42 are both inclined relative to the horizontal plane, wherein the outer longitudinal edge 38a of the upper surface 38 of the first workbench portion 36 is placed at a height lower than the height of the inner longitudinal edge 38b of the surface, and the outer longitudinal edge 44a of the upper surface 44 of the second workbench portion 42 is placed at a height lower than the height of the inner longitudinal edge 44b of the surface (or at most the same height as the inner longitudinal edge 44b of the surface).

[0039] The workbench 32 is supported by a first support structure 54 and a second support structure 58 of the support and unloading device 18, the first support structure 54 extending mainly vertically and supported in a vertically movable manner by linear guides 56 (e.g. Figures 15 to 18More specifically, the table 32 is hinged with its first table part 36 to the upper end of the first support structure 54 so as to be rotatable relative to the first support structure 54 about a horizontal axis of rotation x2, in particular an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the feed axis x of the machine. Advantageously, the axis of rotation x2 is not aligned with the center of gravity G of the first table part 36, but is spaced apart from the center of gravity G of the first table part 36 in the direction of the feed axis x of the machine. In this way, the table 32 can be rotated relative to the first support structure 54 about the axis of rotation x2 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction (relative to the observation Figures 15 to 18 The rotation of the first table portion 36 (from the perspective of the person) causes the center of gravity G of the first table portion 36 to shift downward or upward, respectively.

[0040] Furthermore, the second support structure 58 of each supporting and unloading device 18 is advantageously in turn mounted on a fixed support structure (not shown in the figures) so as to be movable relative to the fixed support structure parallel to the machine feed axis x. In this respect, sliding pads 60 are designated, which are fixed to the second support structure 58 and slide along corresponding guide rails (not shown) attached to the fixed support structure.

[0041] The drive unit 34 firstly comprises a first actuating device 62 for controlling the vertical translation movement of the first support structure 54 relative to the second support structure 58 .

[0042] Special References Figure 13 and Figure 14 In the embodiment presented herein, the first actuating device 62 comprises a motor 64, in particular an electric motor, arranged to generate a rotational motion, and a motion conversion mechanism, for example a mechanism comprising a rack 66 and a pinion 68 meshing with the rack 66, arranged to convert the rotational motion generated by the motor 64 into a vertical translational motion. More specifically, in the example shown, the motor 64 is carried by the second support structure 58, and the rack 66 is attached to the first support structure 54. In this manner, rotation of the pinion 68 in one direction or the other, controlled by the motor 64, results in a vertical upward or downward translation of the first support structure 54, and thus of the work table 32 carried by the first support structure 54. This vertical translational motion serves, among other things, to properly position the work table 32 in the vertical direction relative to the feed axis x during processing of the tube T, so as to provide adequate support for the tube T being processed.

[0043] The drive unit 34 further comprises a second actuating device 70 interposed between the first support structure 54 and the table 32 to generate a rotational movement of the table 32 about the rotation axis x2 relative to the first support structure 54 in one direction or the other.

[0044] Special References Figures 12 to 14In the embodiment presented herein, the second actuation device 70 includes a first pair of cylinders 72, or more generally, a first pair of linear actuators, and a second pair of cylinders 74, or more generally, a second pair of linear actuators, which operate in series with the first pair of cylinders 72. Each cylinder 72 includes a cylindrical housing 76 and a rod 78 extending from the cylindrical housing 76, and similarly, each cylinder 74 includes a cylindrical housing 80 and a rod 82 extending from the cylindrical housing 80. The cylindrical housings 76 of the cylinders 72 and the cylindrical housings 80 of the cylinders 74 are both fixed to a support base 84, and particularly (although not necessarily) the cylindrical housings 76 of the cylinders 72 are arranged centrally adjacent to each other, and the cylindrical housings 80 of the cylinders 74 are arranged laterally on opposite sides of the cylindrical housings 76 of the cylinders 72.

[0045] The rods 78 of the two cylinders 72 are directed downwards and are articulated with their respective free ends to a bracket 86 attached to the lower end of the first support structure 48, whereas the rod 82 of the cylinder 74 is directed upwards and is articulated with its respective free ends to the first table portion 36 of the workbench 32, in particular to a point of the first table portion 36 situated between the centre of gravity G of said table portion and the second table portion 42. Thus, the retraction movement of the cylinders 72 and 74 causes a rotational movement of the workbench 32 relative to the first support structure 48 about the axis of rotation x2, which is relative to the observation Figure 13 counterclockwise for the person observing, or relative to the Figures 15 to 18 For a person, it is in a clockwise direction, that is, in a direction in which the second table portion 42 moves downward.

[0046] The cylinders 72 and 74 are advantageously controlled so as to extend / retract the respective rods until the end of their travel. More specifically, the cylinder 72 is configured so as to cause the movement of the respective rods 78 in one direction or the other, for example, to cause the table 32 to rotate about the axis of rotation x2 in one direction or the other by a first angle of a relatively small magnitude, for example equal to 5°, such as Figure 16 As shown, the cylinder 74 is configured so that the movement of the corresponding rod 82 in one direction or the other direction causes, for example, the table 32 to rotate about the rotation axis x2 in one direction or the other direction by a second angle greater than the first angle, in particular an angle greater than 45°, for example equal to 55°, as shown. Figure 18 shown.

[0047] The drive unit 34 further comprises a cam mechanism having a roller-shaped rolling element 88 carried by the second support structure 52 (in particular above the bracket 86) and having a cam element 90, which is fixed to the workbench 32, in particular to the first workbench part 36, and has a machined surface 90a of suitable shape to cooperate with the outer cylindrical surface of the rolling element 88. For reasons of force balance, there are preferably two such cam mechanisms, which are arranged on longitudinally opposite sides relative to the second actuating device 70, as shown in FIG. Figure 11 As shown, or more generally, there are at least two such cam mechanisms.

[0048] exist Figure 15 In the machining position, the first pair of cylinders 72 and the second pair of cylinders 74 are both extended to maintain the substantially horizontal orientation of the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36. Starting from this position, the cylinders 72 are first retracted to rotate the table 32 relative to the first support structure 48 about the rotation axis x2 (clockwise relative to the viewing angle). Figures 15 to 18 ) the first angle (e.g., equal to 5°), such as Figure 15 Then, the cylinder 74 is retracted so that the workbench 32 is further rotated clockwise about the rotation axis x2 relative to the first support structure 48 (relative to the observation Figures 15 to 18 ). Figure 17 As shown, this further rotation of the table 32 results in a point at which the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism carried by the table 32 comes into contact with the rolling element 88 carried by the second support structure 52. In this case (which, in the example shown here, corresponds to a rotation of the table 32 about the axis of rotation x2 by an angle of 25° relative to the horizontal, but of course also possible by different angles), the cylinder 74 is still in extension, since the corresponding rod 82 has not yet reached the end-of-stroke position of the retraction movement, but the contact between the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism and the rolling element 88 prevents a further retraction movement of the corresponding rod 82.

[0049] At this point, the upward vertical translation movement of the first support structure 54 together with the work table 32 is controlled by the first actuating device 62. Due to this movement, and due to the pulling action exerted by the cylinder 74, which keeps the cam element 90 in contact with the rolling element 88 of the cam mechanism, the cam mechanism causes the work table 32 to rotate further relative to the first support structure 48 about the rotation axis x2 until Figure 18 Thus, in this final phase of the movement, the table 32 translates upward and simultaneously rotates about the axis of rotation x2, according to the motion law defined by the profile of the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism. Consequently, in this case, the height that the axis of rotation x2 can reach in the unloading position is greater than the height at which the table 32 is located when it is in the machining position.

[0050] The above references can be combined in different ways depending on the type of tube T being processed. Figures 15 to 18 For example, when the pipe is small, the cylinders 72 and 74 can be actuated simultaneously rather than sequentially, so that the work table 32 reaches the unloading position as quickly as possible. In addition, when it is not necessary to achieve a large tilt of the work table 32 relative to the horizontal plane, the rotation movement of the work table 32 controlled by the cam mechanism can be performed only partially.

[0051] This movement is managed by the machine's control unit, which is programmed to send appropriate control signals to the various actuators of the drive unit 34, i.e. to the motor 64 of the first actuator 62 and the pair of cylinders 72, 74 of the second actuator 70 (or more generally, to the pair of linear actuators), so that once the tube T has been processed, the work table 32 of the one or more supporting and unloading devices 18 (depending on the length of the tube) is moved from the processing position to the unloading position defined above and then brought back to the processing position taking into account the processing of another tube.

[0052] The advantage of this drive unit is that, through controlled actuation of only the first actuator 62, the movement of the worktable 32 can be controlled according to a desired motion law, both in terms of vertical translation and rotation about the rotation axis x2, where the term "controlled actuation" should be understood as position-controlled actuation. In fact, the pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 of the second actuator 70 do not require position control; rather, as described above, they are controlled only in terms of extension or retraction. For the pneumatic cylinder 72, the movement of the rod 78 in one direction or the other is always a movement to the end of the stroke, while for the pneumatic cylinder 74, the retraction movement of the rod 82 is determined by the profile 90a of the cam element 90 when it comes into contact with the rolling element 88 of the cam mechanism, and thus is controllable by the vertical displacement of the worktable 32 under the control of the first actuator 62. This configuration allows for a robust drive unit that is simpler and less expensive than solutions using, for example, position-controlled linear actuators.

[0053] Figures 19 to 25 The operation of the above-described unloading system is shown when the machine is used to process a tube T having a circular cross section.

[0054] Figure 19 The tube T is shown during the processing process, which is supported by the various support and unloading equipment 18 of the table 32 ( Figure 19 ) and the rotation support member 22 ( Figure 19 In addition, in this example, the machine is also provided with one or more rotating support members 92 ( Figure 19Only one of them is visible in the figure), which is arranged above the feed axis x to laterally constrain the tube T. The partitioning member 20 is in a raised position at this stage so as to laterally separate the processing area of ​​the machine from the external environment.

[0055] Once the tube T has been processed, the rotary support members 22 and 92 are moved away from the tube T by the downward movement of the lower rotary support member 22 and the upward movement of the upper rotary support member 92, so that the tube T remains supported only on the table 32 of the supporting and unloading device 18, as shown. Figure 20 The workbench 32 is still in the processing position, and the partition member 20 is still in the raised position.

[0056] Figure 21 A subsequent stage is shown, in which the separating member 20 has been moved into the lowered position, while the table 32 of the supporting and unloading device 18 is still in the processing position.

[0057] Then, by means of a downward vertical translation movement of the second support structure 52 of the support and unloading device 18, the work table 32 is brought closer to the corresponding partition member 20, such as Figure 22 In addition, still refer to Figure 22 Once the downward vertical translation movement of the second support structure 52 has been completed, the workbench 32 is slightly tilted by actuating the cylinder 72 of the corresponding second actuating device 70, and each workbench 32 reaches the position corresponding to the second actuating device 70. Figure 16 Due to the inclination of the table 32 , the tube T rolls along the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 until it comes to rest at the joining surface 46 .

[0058] like Figure 23 As shown, by the operation of the cylinder 74 of the second actuator 70, the work table 32 is further rotated until they reach the position corresponding to the position of the second actuator 70. Figure 17 In this way, the tube T is transferred from the workbench 32 to the partition member 20 and then rolls along the first surface portion 24 of the partition member until it abuts against the second surface portion 26 of the partition member. In the case of a round tube T, there is no need to move the workbench 32 to the partition member 20. Figure 18 In the position shown, the inclination of the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 and the inclination of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 are sufficient to allow the tube T to roll from the table 32 to the separator member 20.

[0059] At this time, if Figure 24 As shown, the table 32 of the support and unloading device 18 is brought back into the processing position.

[0060] Finally, the partition members 20 are moved from the lowered position to the raised position, with the result that the tubes T supported by them are transferred to the conveyor belt 16 ( Figure 25). The machine is then ready to process new tubes.

[0061] at last, Figures 26 to 35 The operation of the unloading system is shown when the machine is used to process a tube T having a square cross section. The sequence of movements of the partitioning member 20 and the table 32 supporting and unloading device 18 is the same as that described above with reference to FIG. Figures 19 to 25 The sequence described is similar and will not be described in detail again. The only difference is that in this case the table 32 is moved from the machining position to the Figure 18 The unloading position allows the pipe T to be moved from the second table portion 42 of the table 32 to the partition member 20 ( Figure 31 and Figure 32 ). Therefore, in this case, after having reached Figure 17 After reaching the position, according to the motion law defined by the profile of the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism, the worktable 32 is lifted and further rotated around the rotation axis x2 until they reach Figure 18 The same applies to any other non-circular shape of tubing.

[0062] As is evident from the above description, the unloading system according to the invention allows the tube unloading movement to be controlled in an optimal manner, even in the case of tubes and profiles with non-circular cross-sections.

[0063] The invention has been described herein with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It should be understood that other embodiments may be envisaged which have the same inventive core as the embodiments described herein, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A machine (10) for laser processing of tubes and profiles (T), in particular laser cutting, comprising: a processing unit (12) provided with a laser processing device (14); a feed device arranged to move the tube or profile (T) to be processed each time along a feed axis (x) towards the processing unit (12); and Unloading system (18, 20) for unloading tubes or profiles (T) at the end of a machining process, said unloading system (18, 20) comprising one or more supporting and unloading devices (18) arranged along the feed axis (x) of the machine and located below said axis, wherein each supporting and unloading device (18) comprises a work table (32) and a drive unit (34) associated with the work table (32), wherein each table (32) of the support and unloading device (18) includes a first table portion (36) having an upper surface (38) and a second table portion (42) extending laterally outward relative to the first table portion (36) and having an upper surface (44), and wherein the drive unit (34) is configured to cause the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) to generate a rotation-translation movement between a processing position and an unloading position, the rotation-translation movement having a vertical translation and a rotation about a horizontal rotation axis (x2), the horizontal rotation axis (x2) being oriented parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine, wherein in the processing position the upper surface (38) of the first table part (36) is oriented to support the tube or profile (T) to be processed and in the processing position the upper surface (44) of the second table part (42) is oriented so that the outer longitudinal direction of the upper surface (44) is The edge (44a) is placed at a height greater than the height of the inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44), and in the unloading position, the workbench (32) is vertically moved relative to the processing position and rotated around the rotation axis (x2), so that the outer longitudinal edge (38a) of the upper surface (38) of the first workbench part (36) is placed at a height lower than the height of the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38), and the outer longitudinal edge (44a) of the upper surface (44) of the second workbench part (42) is placed at a height lower than or equal to the height of the inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44).

2. The machine according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit programmed to control the drive unit (34) of each supporting and unloading device (18) to move the work table (32) from the processing position to the unloading position and vice versa.

3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper surface (38) of the first worktable portion (36) of the worktable (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is configured so that when the worktable (32) is in the processing position, the outer longitudinal edge (38a) and the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38) are placed at substantially the same height.

4. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface (38) of the first table part (36) and the upper surface (44) of the second table part (42) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) are designed so that the plane passing through the outer longitudinal edge (44a) and the inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44) of the second table part (42) are inclined at a given angle (β) relative to the plane passing through the outer longitudinal edge (38a) and the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38) of the first table part (36), in particular an angle greater than 135°.

5. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is a substantially flat surface.

6. Machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is a substantially flat surface.

7. A machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the work table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) also has an arcuate connecting surface (46) connecting the upper surface (38) of the first work table part (36) with the upper surface (44) of the second work table part (42).

8. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first table part (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is provided with a plurality of idler rollers (40), which are arranged longitudinally spaced apart from each other and are supported in a freely rotatable manner around respective rotation axes oriented in a plane parallel to the upper surface (38) of the first table part (36) and perpendicular to the feed axis (x) of the machine.

9. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first table part (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is provided with an anti-slip device, which is configured to allow the pipe (T) to slide along the first table part (36) without slipping when the table (32) is rotated relative to the processing position.

10. Machine according to claim 9, wherein the anti-slip device comprises a roller chain (48) mounted on freely rotatable sprockets (50, 52) arranged at one or both longitudinal ends of the first table part (36).

11. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation-translation movement of the worktable (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) provides, at least in one phase thereof, a translation movement in the vertical direction and a rotation movement around the axis of rotation (x2) to be performed simultaneously.

12. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each supporting and unloading device (18) includes a first supporting structure (54) and a second supporting structure (58), wherein the first supporting structure supports the workbench (32) in a rotatable manner around the rotation axis (x2), the first supporting structure (54) is mounted on the second supporting structure in a vertically movable manner, and wherein the drive unit (34) includes a first actuator (62) and a second actuator (70), the first actuator (62) being used to control the vertical translation movement of the first supporting structure (54) relative to the second supporting structure (58), and the second actuator (70) being inserted between the workbench (32) and the first supporting structure (54) for controlling the rotation of the workbench (32) relative to the first supporting structure (54) around the rotation axis (x2).

13. A machine according to claim 12, wherein the drive unit (34) further comprises at least one cam mechanism (88, 90), the at least one cam mechanism being inserted between the workbench (32) and the first support structure (54), and the at least one cam mechanism being configured such that at least starting from when the workbench (32) rotates about the rotation axis (x2) about a given angle relative to the horizontal plane, the motion law of at least part of the rotational motion of the workbench (32) about the rotation axis (x2) depends on the motion law of the vertical translational motion of the first support structure (54, 54) relative to the second support structure (58).

14. A machine according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the second actuating device (70) includes at least one first linear actuator (72) and at least one second linear actuator (74), the second linear actuator (74) operating in series with the first linear actuator (72), wherein the at least one first linear actuator (72) is arranged to cause the worktable (32) to produce a first rotational movement of a first angle around the rotation axis (x2), and wherein the at least one second linear actuator (74) is arranged to cause the worktable (32) to produce a second rotational movement of a second angle around the rotation axis (x2), and the second angle is greater than the first angle.

15. A machine according to claims 13 and 14, wherein the at least one cam mechanism (88, 90) is configured so that at least starting from the rotation of the workbench (32) around the rotation axis (x2) by a given angle relative to the horizontal plane, the motion law of the second rotational motion of the workbench (32) depends on the motion law of the vertical translational motion of the first support structure (54) relative to the second support structure (58).

16. A machine according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation axis (x2) of the worktable (32) is spaced apart from the center of gravity (G) of the first worktable part (36) in the direction of the feed axis (x) of the machine, so that rotation of the worktable (32) in one direction or the other around the rotation axis (x2) causes a downward or upward displacement of the center of gravity (G) of the first worktable part (36).

17. A machine according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the unloading system (18, 20) further comprises one or more partition members (20) arranged in a direction parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine, wherein each partition member (20) is rotatably supported to rotate about a horizontal rotation axis (x1), in particular a rotation axis oriented parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine, so as to be movable between a lowered position and a raised position, in which, in the lowered position, the operating surface (24, 26) of the partition member (20) is essentially facing upwards to receive the processed tubes or profiles (T) from the supporting and unloading device (18), and in the raised position, the operating surface (24, 26) faces away from the feed axis (x) of the machine, so that due to the displacement of the partition member (20) from the lowered position to the raised position, the tubes or profiles (T) received on the operating surface (24, 26) are moved towards the outside of the machine, and in the raised position, the partition member (20) serves as an isolation element to isolate the processing area of ​​the machine from the external environment.

18. A machine according to claim 17, wherein the operating surface (24, 26) of each dividing member (20) comprises a first surface portion (24) and a second surface portion (26), the second surface portion (26) being arranged adjacent to the first surface portion (24) and inclined relative to the first surface portion (24), wherein in the lowered position of the dividing member (20), the first surface portion (24) is inclined relative to the horizontal plane so that the height of the proximal longitudinal edge (24a) of the surface portion (24) is greater than the height of the distal longitudinal edge (24b) of the surface portion (24) to receive the tube or profile (T) and roll or slide it until it abuts the second surface portion (26), and wherein in the raised position of the dividing member (20), the first surface portion (24) extends substantially vertically.

19. Machine according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first surface portion (24) and the second surface portion (26) of the operating surface (24, 26) are substantially flat surfaces forming an angle (α) greater than 90° with each other.

20. Machine according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the unloading system (18, 20) further comprises an actuating device, in particular at least one cylinder (28), for controlling the displacement of each partition member (20) between the lowered position and the raised position by rotation about the respective rotation axis (x1).

21. Method for laser processing of tubes or profiles (T) using a machine (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in particular laser cutting, comprising the following steps: (a) performing one or more laser processing operations on a tube or profile (T) by means of the laser processing device (14); and (b) at the end of said step (a) of performing one or more laser processing operations, the tube or profile (T) is unloaded from the machine (10) by means of a work table (32) of one or more supporting and unloading devices (18) shifting from said processing position to said unloading position, said shifting comprising a vertical translation movement and a rotational movement about said axis of rotation (x2).

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the rotational movement and the translational movement are performed at least partially simultaneously.

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