Panel dividing system

Abstract

Panel dividing system (10) for dividing panel-shaped workpieces, comprising a first feed table (12), at least one first dividing device with a first dividing line (14), a first removal table (16) and at least one first conveying device (22) with which a workpiece lying on the feed table (12) can be moved in the direction of the first dividing line (14), wherein it has at least one handling device for handling workpieces that have already been processed or are intended for processing, comprising a robot (30) having a base (31) and a working area (32), characterized in that the robot (30) is arranged and designed in such a way that it can handle a workpiece lying on the first removal table (16) and feed it through a gap between the first dividing line (14) and a pressure device (18) to the first conveying device (22).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a plate dividing system for dividing plate-shaped workpieces according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such panel dividing systems are known both from the market and from DE 10 2008 034 050 A1 and DE 10 2009 038 120 A1. These panel dividing systems are used for dividing large-format, panel-shaped workpieces, such as those used in the furniture industry. Operating these panel dividing systems requires at least one operator who, after a first processing step, removes divided workpieces from the unloading table and, for example, feeds them to a destacking unit, and pushes other divided workpieces from the unloading table across the dividing line back to the feed table, where the workpiece can again be picked up by a program pusher of a first conveying device and fed into a new dividing process.

[0003] It is known to divide a workpiece into two or more sub-operations. The first sub-operation is also referred to as longitudinal cutting, the second as cross-section cutting, and the third as recutting.

[0004] EP 1 208 933 A1 discloses a system with multiple robots in the conveying area. DE 10 2012 022 781 A1 describes a system for producing fixed-dimension panels, which also uses robots. DE 41 01 904 A1 relates to a method and a device for processing sawn timber. DE 44 16 486 A1 discloses a panel dividing system with a conveying device. DE 10 2004 040 963 A1 discloses a sawing device with a manually operated handling device. DE 10 2008 011 312 A1 relates to a system for processing panel-shaped workpieces with a robot. EP 2 243 607 A1 describes a device for processing wood panels with a robot-like conveying device. From DE 10 2014 013 423 A1 a plant for processing panels or workpieces made of wood is known.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to further develop a plate dividing system of the type mentioned above in such a way that it operates in a particularly economical manner.

[0006] This problem is solved by a plate dividing system with the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. Furthermore, features important to the invention are found in the following description and in the drawing. These features can be important to the invention both individually and in very different combinations.

[0007] The panel dividing system according to the invention has the advantage that the handling of workpieces that have already been processed or are intended for processing no longer needs to be carried out by an operator, but is automated by a robot. This increases the efficiency of the panel dividing system, since a robot, by its very nature, does not suffer from lapses in concentration or fatigue. Furthermore, a robot, if appropriately designed, can easily handle the sometimes heavy workpieces. A robot can also operate 24 hours a day. In addition, the use of a robot improves the operational safety of the system, as no personnel are endangered when handling the workpieces. A robot also has a larger working range, since its arm length can be tailored to the specific panel dividing system.

[0008] The robot can also be used in place of previously employed automatic conveying systems, such as pushers, conveyor belts, or powered roller conveyors. Compared to such automatic conveying systems, a robot, if it is a multi-axis robot with a sufficient number of degrees of freedom, has the advantage that it can not only perform linear movements in a defined plane, but can also transport the workpiece almost arbitrarily from one position to another and, for example, rotate it during this transport.

[0009] In the panel dividing system according to the invention, the robot is arranged and designed such that it can handle a workpiece lying on the first unloading table and feed it through a gap between the first dividing line and a pressure device of the first conveying unit. For example, the robot must be positioned sufficiently close to the first dividing line and must be able to transport a workpiece lying flat on the unloading table towards the first conveying unit by pushing it. For this purpose, for example, a robot arm must have joints with sufficient degrees of freedom, and the robot must be able to hold a workpiece lying flat on the unloading table at its upper surface. This allows the robot to feed a workpiece from the unloading table. This increases the system efficiency while simultaneously resulting in a very simple design for the panel dividing system.

[0010] It is proposed that the robot's working area, viewed from above, preferably covers at least part of the first removal table. The use of a robot is particularly effective at this point, as it can, for example, pick up a workpiece from the removal table and guide it to a stacking unit, or remove a machined workpiece, rotate it, and feed it to the dividing device for further processing, etc.

[0011] It is further proposed that the machine include at least one return conveying device to transport residual workpieces generated during processing back into storage. Such a panel dividing system also operates particularly efficiently because the return process is also automated.

[0012] It is further proposed that the system include an additional first conveying device with which a workpiece lying on the first infeed table can be moved towards the first cutting line. This also increases efficiency, as a new workpiece can already be inserted while another workpiece is still being cut.

[0013] It is further proposed that the first two conveying devices each include a program slide with collets. This is a particularly tried and tested and reliable design for the first conveying devices.

[0014] It is further proposed that the robot's working area, viewed from above, should at least partially cover a stacking area. This way, the robot's flexibility is also utilized for stacking.

[0015] It is further proposed that at least one destacking area be movable in one direction radially to the base of the robot, in particular on rails. This increases the destacking capacity.

[0016] It is further proposed that a passive intermediate storage area be located to the side and / or above the first infeed table and / or first outfeed table and / or above the first cutting line, and that the robot's working area, when viewed from above, at least partially covers an area of ​​the intermediate storage area. A passive intermediate storage area provides a cost-effective way to buffer semi-finished workpieces (for example, those workpieces that will later require recutting). Positioning such an intermediate storage area above the first infeed table, the first outfeed table, and / or the first cutting line is particularly space-saving.

[0017] It is further proposed that an active intermediate storage area be arranged above the first infeed table, to which a dedicated conveyor system is assigned. This further increases system efficiency, as the dedicated conveyor system assigned to the active intermediate storage area can transport one intermediate workpiece while the robot handles another.

[0018] It is further proposed that the active intermediate storage be arranged above the first feed table and the passive intermediate storage above the active intermediate storage, preferably such that a section of the active intermediate storage is accessible to the robot from above. The intermediate storage units thus form a kind of "stack," resulting in a particularly space-saving design for the panel dividing system.

[0019] It is further proposed that an active intermediate storage area be arranged to the side of the first infeed table, to which its own conveying system is assigned, and that a passive intermediate storage area be arranged above part of the active intermediate storage area. This also results in a particularly space-saving yet efficient panel dividing system.

[0020] It is further proposed that the first conveying device include a program slide with collets which, in the direction of the first unloading table, have a length such that they extend to the first unloading table when the program slide is in an end position closest to the first unloading table. This simplifies the process of feeding a workpiece to be machined from the unloading table to the first conveying device.

[0021] It is further proposed that the first unloading table serve as an intermediate storage area. This can be achieved, for example, by ensuring the first unloading table is sufficiently large so that temporarily stored workpieces do not obstruct the handling of workpieces that have been partially or fully processed on the unloading table. Essentially, this allows for the use of a panel dividing system very similar to a conventional panel dividing system, with the addition of a robot and possibly an extended unloading table. This is a retrofittable option that leverages the advantages of a robot in conventional panel dividing systems.

[0022] It is further proposed that the robot's base be positioned in the area of ​​the first picking table. The robot is thus essentially integrated into or surrounded by the picking table. This allows it to be used particularly efficiently for handling workpieces lying on the picking table.

[0023] It is further proposed that the robot's base be positioned above the first cutting line. This allows the robot to optimally "serve" both the unloading and infeed tables, and also saves space, so that the footprint of the panel dividing system is not increased.

[0024] It is further proposed that the robot's base be horizontally movable. This easily increases the robot's working range. It is particularly advantageous if the robot's horizontal movement is parallel to the conveying direction of the first conveying device.

[0025] It is further proposed that the system comprise at least one second infeed table with an associated second conveying device, at least one second dividing device with a second dividing line, and at least one second outfeed table, wherein the first dividing line is arranged at an angle to the second dividing line within a range of 0° to 180°. At 0°, the "partial panel dividing systems" are arranged side by side and parallel. At 90°, it is a so-called "angled system," and at 180°, the two "partial panel dividing systems" are arranged parallel to each other but in opposite directions. Such a panel dividing system has at least double the capacity.

[0026] Further development of this approach proposes that the robot's working area, viewed from above, should at least partially cover an area of ​​the first unloading table and at least partially cover an area of ​​the second infeed table. The robot can thus move a workpiece located on the first unloading table to the second infeed table, eliminating the need for a previously required complex transfer station. This is particularly relevant for so-called "angled systems," where the second cutting line is positioned at a 90° angle to the first cutting line.

[0027] A total system with particularly high capacity is created by arranging the feed tables, dividing devices and removal tables next to and parallel to each other, preferably creating a large number of partial plate dividing systems, and by assigning a common feed device to all feed tables.

[0028] Further development suggests that each feed table be assigned an active intermediate storage unit located on the same vertical plane as the feed device. Despite its high capacity, such a panel dividing system is comparatively small.

[0029] In a further development of this concept, it is proposed that a removal device for machined workpieces be arranged vertically in a different plane than the feeding device. This further development results in a relatively small overall system.

[0030] It is further proposed that the panel dividing system comprise two infeed tables with their respective conveying systems, two dividing units, and two unloading tables, arranged side by side and parallel to each other, and that it include a robot whose working area, viewed from above, at least partially covers both infeed and both unloading tables. This creates a high-capacity panel dividing system that is comparatively inexpensive, since only one robot is used to handle the workpieces in both parallel systems.

[0031] It is further proposed that the infeed tables, dividing devices, and unloading tables be arranged side by side and parallel to each other, and that the panel dividing system comprise two robots positioned so that their working areas overlap in a top view. Due to the dedicated robot assigned to each sub-panel dividing unit, such a system allows not only combined but also independent operation of the two sub-panel dividing units, thereby increasing the operational flexibility of the overall system.

[0032] In a further development of this, it is proposed that the panel dividing system have a common discharge device for processed workpieces and / or a common feeding device for workpieces to be processed, with the common discharge device and / or the common feeding device preferably being arranged between the two partial panel dividing systems. This reduces both the required installation space and the costs.

[0033] It is further proposed that the common feeding device be designed to both feed workpieces to be machined and return offcuts generated during machining to a storage area. This also reduces both the required installation space and the costs.

[0034] It is further proposed that an active intermediate storage area, with its own conveying system, and / or a passive intermediate storage area be arranged between the two feed tables. This increases plant efficiency while requiring less installation space.

[0035] It is further proposed that the panel dividing system include a removal device, with the robot's working area partially covering the removal device. This further expands the robot's application possibilities.

[0036] In a panel dividing system with two partial panel dividing units, it is further proposed that one of the two infeed tables, the associated dividing device, and the associated unloading table be smaller than the other of the two infeed tables, the associated dividing device, and the associated unloading table. This saves on manufacturing costs and reduces the installation space required. Nevertheless, such a panel dividing system operates very efficiently.

[0037] Possible embodiments of a plate dividing system according to the invention are described below with reference to the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18, Fig. 19, Fig. 20 to Fig. Figure 21 explains the process, showing the respective plate dividing system schematically and in a top view. Elements and areas with equivalent functions bear the same reference symbols in all figures. Furthermore, if they have already been mentioned in connection with a previous figure, they are not explained again in detail in subsequent figures.

[0038] In Fig. In Figure 1, a panel dividing system is designated as reference numeral 10. It comprises a first feed table 12 formed from several roller rails, a dividing device (not visible) designed in this case as a saw with a first dividing line 14 (“saw line”), and a first removal table 16 also formed from several roller rails. Alternatively, the first removal table 16 can also be an air cushion table, a table with roller tracks, a belt conveyor, or a conveyor belt.

[0039] The actual first division line 14 is in Fig. 1 covered by a pressure bar 18 and in Fig. 1 is therefore only indicated by a dashed line. The dividing line 14 is formed by a gap in a machine table 20, which is arranged between the feed table 12 and the discharge table 16. A saw blade can emerge through this gap and move along the dividing line 14.

[0040] The panel dividing system 10 also includes a first conveying device 22, which in this case comprises a program slide 24 mounted on lateral rails (without reference numerals) to which a plurality of collets 26 are attached, of which, for the sake of clarity, only one is provided with a reference numeral. By means of the first conveying device 22, a workpiece lying on the feed table 12 can be moved in the direction of the dividing line 14 and also against this direction along a conveying direction indicated by a double arrow 28 in a manner known per se.

[0041] Also included are two alignment devices with which a workpiece lying on the feed table 12 can be aligned longitudinally in the direction of the first conveying direction 28, and laterally to it, i.e., transversely. The longitudinal alignment device includes upwardly extendable alignment stops arranged parallel to the dividing line 14, which enable the workpiece to be aligned in the direction of the first conveying direction 28. With the transverse alignment device, which is arranged at the cutting line 14, a workpiece lying on the feed table 12 can be pressed against a lateral angle guide. This guide defines the side of the feed table 12 and is arranged exactly orthogonal to the dividing line 14, thereby aligning the workpiece laterally. The last processed workpiece is pushed onto the unloading table 14 by means of an ejection device, which is not shown in detail here.

[0042] The panel dividing system 10 further comprises a handling device 30, which in this case is formed by a robot (not shown in detail) comprising a base 31 and a robot arm articulated to the base 31. The robot arm is pivotable and rotatable about a plurality of axes relative to the base 31 and has a plurality of segments. A plate-shaped and essentially horizontal suction gripper, also not shown in the figure, is located at a projecting end of the robot arm. The suction gripper is also mounted to rotate about a vertical axis relative to the robot arm. The suction gripper is designed as a plate-shaped truss structure and has a plurality of individual pneumatic suction cups on its underside, which can grip the upper surface of a plate-shaped workpiece.

[0043] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the workspace of the robot 30 as a dashed circle 32. The workspace 32 is the area in which workpieces located there can be grasped, placed, and / or transported by the robot 30. The workspace 32 is therefore a three-dimensional area in space, approximately in the shape of a hemisphere, with a joint at its center connecting the robot arm to the base 31.

[0044] The panel dividing system 10 further comprises an active intermediate storage unit 34 to the side of the feed table 10, and a passive intermediate storage unit 36 ​​to the side of the dividing line 14 and the discharge table 16. The adjective "active" in the case of the active intermediate storage unit 34 means that it is an intermediate storage unit to which its own intermediate storage conveying device is assigned. This could, for example, be a raised and lowered driven roller or belt conveyor.

[0045] In this case, the intermediate storage conveyor enables workpieces temporarily stored on the active intermediate storage 34 to be transported by this conveyor from the active intermediate storage 34 to the feed table 12, i.e., transversely to the first conveying direction 28. If necessary, workpieces stored on the active intermediate storage 34 can also be moved against the conveying direction just described. The adjective "passive" in the case of the passive intermediate storage 36, on the other hand, means that it is simply a storage area without any such dedicated conveying device.

[0046] Furthermore, the panel dividing system 10 includes a discharge device in the form of a roller conveyor 38, which also incorporates a labeling device 40. The discharge device 38 is arranged to the side of the unloading table 16, as shown in the top view. Fig. 1 is also "south" of robot 30. Finished workpieces can be transported away using the removal device 38. Information can be applied to a workpiece using the labeling device 40.

[0047] One can tell from Fig. 1. The working area 32 of the robot 30, as shown in the top view, covers part of the feed table 12, part of the removal table 16, part of the passive intermediate storage 36, and part of the active intermediate storage 34. Thus, the robot 30 can implement a material flow as indicated by arrows 42. A workpiece processed or cut by the dividing unit can be picked up by the robot 30 and either placed directly back onto the feed table 12, where it is then picked up by the first conveyor 22 and fed to the dividing line 14 for further processing, or it can be placed by the robot 30 on the active intermediate storage 34 or the passive intermediate storage 36 for temporary storage. Since the working area 32 also covers part of the discharge unit 38, a finished workpiece can also be placed by the robot 30 on the discharge unit 38.

[0048] In this way, 10 large-format workpieces can be divided in the panel dividing system using a first saw cut (longitudinal cut). The divided workpiece can then be rotated 90° around a vertical axis by robot 30 and fed to the dividing unit for a second saw cut (cross cut). The workpiece thus separated can then, if necessary, be rotated again around a vertical axis by robot 30 and fed to the dividing unit for a third saw cut (recut). This allows for almost any cutting pattern to be realized on a single starting workpiece.

[0049] At the in Fig. In the plate dividing system 10 shown in Figure 2, a return conveying device 44 is also provided, with which residual workpieces generated during processing can be conveyed back to a storage area (not shown). The return conveying device 44 can, for example, be a driven roller conveyor. The return conveying device 44 is shown here in Fig. 2 are arranged above the active intermediate storage unit 34. Remaining workpieces reach them, for example, by the active intermediate storage unit 34 also providing a conveying option to the return conveying device 44.

[0050] At the in Fig. In the plate dividing system 10 shown in Figure 3, the passive intermediate storage 36 is arranged above the active intermediate storage 34, but is significantly smaller than the active intermediate storage 34, so that in the illustrated top view it only obscures the lower right quadrant of the active intermediate storage 34. Furthermore, in the Fig. The plate dividing system 10 shown in Figure 3 has two first conveying units 22A and 22B with program slides 24A and 24B and collets 26A and 26B. The second first conveying unit 22B can also move a workpiece lying on the first feed table 12 towards the first dividing line 14. Thus, an output workpiece pushed onto the first feed table 12 from behind can be moved by the second first conveying unit 22B towards the dividing line 14, while the first first conveying unit 22A holds a workpiece currently being processed by the dividing unit.

[0051] At the in Fig. In the plate dividing system 10 shown in Figure 4, several destacking areas 46 are also shown, which are aligned approximately radially and side by side on a roughly circular path relative to the base 31 of the robot 30, and which are at least partially covered by the working area 32 of the robot 30 in the top view. The destacking areas 46 can, for example, be lifting pallets. A removal device is shown in the Fig. The plate dividing system 10 shown in Figure 4 is not present. The robot 30 can therefore also be used to stack the machined workpieces on the stacking areas 46.

[0052] At the in Fig. In the plate dividing system 10 shown in Figure 5, the stacking areas 46 are motor-driven and radially movable in one direction to the base 31 of the robot 30 on rails 48, although manual movement of the stacking areas 46 is also possible. During operation, the stacking area 46 currently being loaded is moved radially inwards into the working area 32 of the robot 30. In this way, more stacking areas 46 can be provided than can actually fit simultaneously in the working area 32 of the robot 30.

[0053] The in Fig. The plate dividing system shown in Figure 6, number 10, is very similar to that of... Fig. 1. However, the collets 26 on the program slide 24 of the first conveyor 22 are extended towards the discharge table 16. Their length is dimensioned such that they reach the discharge table 16 when the program slide 24 is in an end position closest to the first discharge table 16. Thus, the last workpieces in the divided strip can also be fed from the first discharge table 16 through a gap between the first division line 14 and the pressure beam 18 to the collets 26 of the first conveyor 22. With this system, a material flow is therefore also possible that runs against the material flow 42, namely in the direction of a Fig. 6 drawn arrow 50. In this plate dividing system 10, the return conveyance of residual workpieces can also be carried out by the program slide 24 of the first conveying device 22.

[0054] The in Fig. The plate dividing system shown in Figure 7, number 10, is again very similar to that of... Fig. 6. However, the active intermediate storage 34 is located above the feed table 12 and above the cutting line 14. Therefore, the transport of workpieces placed on the active intermediate storage 36 to the feed table 12 must be carried out by the robot 30.

[0055] At the in Fig. The panel dividing system 10 shown in Figure 8 combines various aspects of previously described embodiments. This panel dividing system 10 includes both an active intermediate storage unit 34 and a passive intermediate storage unit 36. However, these are not arranged laterally, but rather above the dividing device or the dividing line 14 and above the feed table 12. The active intermediate storage unit 34 is arranged in a first level above the feed table 12 and the dividing line 14, and the passive intermediate storage unit 36 ​​is arranged in a second level above the active intermediate storage unit 34. This provides two full quadrants of the working area 32 for the destacking areas 46. Furthermore, the labeling device 40 is also arranged at both intermediate storage units 34 and 36.

[0056] The in Fig. The embodiment of a plate dividing system 10 shown in Figure 9 is particularly compact and is therefore also referred to as a "compact cell". In this system, the components are made of Fig. Six known extended collets are present, which, however, is not shown in the illustration of Fig. 9 is concealed by the active intermediate storage unit 34 located above the feed table 12. The feed table 12 is significantly shorter in the direction of the first conveying direction 28 compared to the previous embodiments. The active intermediate storage unit 34 is located above the feed table 12 and the dividing line 14, whereas the passive intermediate storage unit 6 and the robot 30 are located laterally to the dividing line 14 and the feed table 12. The base 31 of the robot 30 is shifted slightly downwards in the top view compared to the previous embodiments, i.e., no longer directly to the side of the dividing line 14, but to the side of the removal table 16. A labeling device 40 is again located above the active intermediate storage unit 34.

[0057] At the in Fig. The plate dividing system shown in 10 is similar to that of [unclear text]. Fig. 9 again a relatively "short" feed table 12 and a program slide 24 with long collets 26 are present. The active intermediate storage 34 is arranged above the dividing line 14, whereas the passive intermediate storage 36 is arranged above the feed table 12. The labeling device 40 is also arranged in the area of ​​the passive intermediate storage 36. The base 31 of the robot 30 is again located to the side of the dividing line 14.

[0058] The panel dividing system of Fig. System 11 can be particularly cost-effective if it has neither an active nor a passive intermediate storage system. Instead, workpieces that are not yet fully machined are temporarily stored directly on the unloading table 16. A passive intermediate storage system 36 may be provided above the dividing line 14. The first conveying device is, of course, present, but is not shown for clarity. This variant can be retrofitted, in particular, to existing panel dividing systems 10.

[0059] Again, a certain similarity to the embodiment of Fig. 2 shows the plate dividing system 10 of Fig. 12. However, the passive intermediate storage 36 is located above part of the active intermediate storage 34, thus creating space for stacking areas 46.

[0060] Fig. Figure 13 shows a so-called "angle system". Such a system includes a second feed table 52 with an associated second conveying device 54, a second dividing device with a second dividing line 56, and a second unloading table 58. The second dividing line 56 is at a 90° angle to the first dividing line 14. Therefore, there are two partial plate dividing systems 10a and 10b.

[0061] The second feed table 52 is designed as a roller conveyor and begins in a recess of the first removal table 16. The second conveying device 54 again has a program slide 60 with clamping jaws 62. The base 31 of the robot 30 is arranged in the area of ​​the first removal table 16. The working area 32 of the robot 30, viewed from above, covers an area of ​​the first removal table 16 and an area of ​​the second feed table 52.

[0062] In such an angled system, the first cutting unit is also referred to as a longitudinal saw, whereas the second cutting unit is called a crosscut saw. The first and second cuts are made in the longitudinal saw, while the subsequent cuts are made in the crosscut saw. The robot 30 transfers the workpieces, finished by the longitudinal saw, to the second infeed table 52 of the crosscut saw.

[0063] Fig. Figure 14 shows a panel dividing system 10 with three parallel partial panel dividing systems. For clarity, only one partial panel dividing system, 10a, is shown. The other partial panel dividing systems, 10b and 10c, are located to the left of it and are indicated by arrows. The active intermediate storage unit 34, the feed table 12, the dividing line 14, and the unloading table 16 are all visible, arranged in the same vertical plane. The robot 30 is also visible, with its base 31 and the suction gripper 64, which is shown in various positions in this figure.

[0064] In a plane above the aforementioned vertical plane, a discharge device 38 in the form of a roller conveyor is provided, and also in a plane above the aforementioned vertical plane and outside the plane of the discharge device 38, a conveyor device 66 is arranged. The output workpieces are transported by the conveyor device 66 from a storage area (not shown) to both the partial panel dividing system 10a shown and the other partial panel dividing systems 10b and 10c (not shown). From the conveyor belt 66, the output workpieces reach the active intermediate storage area 34. The workpiece is moved onto the feed table 12 by means of its own associated conveyor device. A decision is then made as to whether the workpiece still needs to be rotated by the robot 30, or whether the workpiece can be immediately picked up by the first conveyor device 22 and fed to the dividing line 14.Accordingly, the feed table 12 can be relatively short, as in the embodiments already mentioned above. The discharge device 38 is also used by all partial panel dividing systems to transport the finished workpieces as well as any residual workpieces generated during processing. Therefore, it is located within the working area 38 of the robot 30.

[0065] Fig. Figure 15 shows a plate dividing system 10, which is very similar to that of Fig. 13. However, the first dividing line 14 and the second dividing line 56 are not arranged at an angle of 90° to each other, but at an angle of 0°, i.e., parallel to each other. In order to be able to realize cutting lines that are at an angle of 90° to each other (for example, cross cut to longitudinal cut), the robot 30 must rotate the workpiece by 90° when transferring it from the longitudinal saw (first dividing line 14) to the crosscut saw (second dividing line 56).

[0066] Fig. Figure 16 describes a very simple plate dividing system 10. This system has only a passive intermediate storage unit 36, which is located above the pressure beam or above the dividing line 14 and is relatively small. Furthermore, in the Fig. In the panel dividing system 10 shown in Figure 16, the robot 30 is also positioned above the dividing line 14 and the pressure beam. This increases the area of ​​the unloading table 16 and the area of ​​the feed table 12 covered by the robot 30's working area 32. Again, it can be seen that the clamping jaws 26 are extended towards the unloading table 16, so that, if desired, workpieces can also be fed from the unloading table 16 through the gap between the machine table 20 and the pressure beam to the clamping jaws 26.

[0067] At the in Fig. In the panel dividing system 10 shown in Figure 17, the base 31 of the robot 30 is located in the area of ​​the removal table 10, and is thus virtually integrated into it. The working area 32 of the robot 30 therefore essentially only covers the removal table 16 and the discharge device 38. In this embodiment, the robot 30 primarily handles workpieces that are located on the removal table 16 or are to be placed on the discharge device 38.

[0068] In this embodiment in particular, but also in all other embodiments, the first conveying device 22 can consist of two partial conveying devices, for example a relatively wide program slide with a plurality of collets, wherein the program slide covers almost the entire width of the feed table 12, and a small, laterally mounted and movable slide with only one collet, with which a narrow strip, independent of the relatively wide program slide, is conveyed. Fig. 17, located on the right edge of the feed table 12, can be moved. This is known on the market as so-called "PC technology".

[0069] Another possible design of a plate dividing system 10 shows Fig. 18. In this configuration, the base 31 of the robot 30 is movable in a horizontal plane. This is shown in Fig. 18 is characterized by a possible displacement path 68, and the corresponding work areas 32 are indicated by dashed circles. It can be seen that in the Fig. 18 at the maximum lower horizontal position of the base 31 of the robot 30, the work area 32 still covers part of the removal table 16, but in particular five stacking areas 46, so that the robot 30 can be used in this position to stack workpieces from the removal table 16 to the stacking areas 46.

[0070] In the Fig. In its maximum upper position, the base 31 is located essentially in the center of the removal table 16, so that the working area 32 covers a large part of the removal table 16 and extends to the machine table 20. In this position, the robot 30 can, for example, pick up machined workpieces or feed workpieces back through the gap between the machine table 20 and the pressure beam of the first conveyor 22 for further processing. The horizontal mobility of the robot 30's base 31 thus enlarges the working area 32. In this case, it has an oval shape when viewed from above. The removal table 16 is located in the Fig. The plate dividing system 10 shown in 18 is dimensioned to be sufficiently large so that it can also serve as a passive intermediate storage for workpieces that are not yet finished.

[0071] At the in Fig. In the panel dividing system shown in Figure 18, a so-called "outfeed" is integrated into the unloading table 16. This is essentially a transport device 38 from which finished workpieces can be removed by the robot 30 and placed on the stacking areas 46. It can be seen in Fig. 18 To the right of the actual removal table 16, which in this case is designed as an air cushion table, is an additional removal table 16 B, wherein the boundary line between the actual removal table 16 and the additional removal table 16 B lies in the extension of the (not shown) angle ruler. By means of the return conveying device 44 formed by a roller conveyor, residual workpieces generated during machining can be conveyed back to a storage area along an L-shaped path.

[0072] The in Fig. The panel dividing system 10 shown in Figure 19 comprises first and second feed tables 12 and 52, a first and second dividing line 14 and 56, a first and second unloading table 16 and 58, and a first and second conveying unit 22 and 54. The first and second components create two partial panel dividing systems 10A and 10B, which together form a Fig. 19 vertical lines are mirror-symmetrical and each has a robot, with the two robots in Fig. 19 are designated with 30 A and 30 B. Corresponding work areas bear the reference numbers 32 A and 32 B.

[0073] Furthermore, each of the partial panel dividing systems includes an active intermediate storage unit 34 A and 34 B, which are arranged adjacent to each other in the center of the overall panel dividing system 10. Also located on the mirror symmetry line are a return conveying device 44, common to both partial panel dividing systems 10 A and 10 B, for residual workpieces generated during processing, and a discharge conveying device 38, common to both partial panel dividing systems 10, for finished workpieces.

[0074] A labeling device 40 is located at the end of the discharge device 38. A passive intermediate storage unit 36 ​​A and 36 B is located on each side of the discharge device 38.

[0075] It can be seen that the work areas 32A and 32B of robots 30A and 30B overlap in the area of ​​the mirror symmetry line. It is also possible for workpieces to be transported from one active intermediate storage location to the other using the conveyor systems assigned to the active intermediate storage locations 34A and 34B. In this way, a very high degree of system flexibility is achieved, as workpieces can be exchanged almost arbitrarily between the two partial panel dividing systems 10A and 10B. Therefore, by providing two essentially identical partial panel dividing systems 10A and 10B, not only is the capacity doubled, but the increased flexibility also results in a further increase in efficiency.

[0076] The in Fig. The plate dividing system shown in Figure 20 is similar to that of... Fig. 19 is very similar. It simply lacks the return pumping device. Instead, there, i.e., in the Fig. 20 upper area between the two partial plate dividing systems, a normal plate storage area is provided.

[0077] Fig. Figure 21 shows a panel dividing system 10, which in turn has two sub-panel dividing systems 10 A and 10 B. However, only the one shown in Figure 21 has a sub-panel dividing system 10 A and 10 B. Fig. 21 Left-hand panel dividing system 10 A via an active intermediate storage unit 34, from which workpieces can only be conveyed to the left-hand feed table 12. Between the two unloading tables 16 and 58, there is a passive intermediate storage unit 36, which can be used by both panel dividing systems 10 A and 10 B. In a vertical plane above the in Fig. At the left edge of the right-hand panel dividing system 10A, a discharge unit 38 with a labeling unit 40 is arranged. The base 31 of the single robot 30 is positioned centrally between the two dividing units or dividing line 14. The working area 32 thus covers part of the two removal tables 16 and 58, the passive intermediate storage 36, part of the active intermediate storage 34, and part of the two feed tables 12 and 52.

[0078] Since the active intermediate storage facility 34 can only pump onto the feed table 12, the one in Fig. 21 right-hand panel dividing systems 10 B are significantly simpler and therefore less expensive to construct than those in Fig. 21 left partial panel dividing system 10 A. This saves costs. This cost saving can be further increased if the in Fig. The right-hand panel dividing system 10 B is significantly smaller than the one in Fig. 21 left-hand partial panel dividing system 10 A, i.e., it has a smaller infeed table 52, a smaller second conveying device 54, a shorter second dividing line 56, and a smaller second unloading table 58. In the Fig. In the plate dividing system 10 shown in Figure 21 and in the other plate dividing systems 10, which have a first dividing device and a second dividing device, the first dividing device of the one shown in Figure 21 can be used as a first dividing device. Fig. 21 left-hand part-plate dividing system 10 A is preferably used for carrying out longitudinal and cross-sectional cuts, whereas the second dividing device of the in Fig. 21 right-hand part plate dividing system 10 B is preferably used for carrying out cross-sections and recuts.

Claims

[1] Panel dividing system (10) for dividing panel-shaped workpieces, comprising a first feed table (12), at least one first dividing device with a first dividing line (14), a first removal table (16) and at least one first conveying device (22) with which a workpiece lying on the feed table (12) can be moved in the direction of the first dividing line (14), wherein it has at least one handling device for handling workpieces that have already been processed or are intended for processing, comprising a robot (30) having a base (31) and a working area (32), characterized by , that the robot (30) is arranged and designed in such a way that it can handle a workpiece lying on the first removal table (16) and feed it through a gap between the first dividing line (14) and a pressing device (18) to the first conveying device (22). [2] Panel dividing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the working area (32) preferably covers at least part of an area of ​​the first removal table (16) in a top view. [3] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it has at least one return conveying device (44) with which residual workpieces produced during processing can be conveyed back to a storage area. [4] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that it has a further first conveying device (22 B) with which a workpiece lying on the first feed table (12) can be moved in the direction of the first dividing line (14). [5] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 4, characterized by , that the first two conveying devices (22 A, 22 B) each comprise a program slide (24 A, 24 B) with collets (26 A, 26 B). [6] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the working area (32) of the robot (30) covers at least part of a stacking area (46) in the top view, wherein the stacking area (46) may optionally include a plurality of stacking places. [7] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 6, characterized by , that at least one stacking area (46) is movable in a direction radial to the base (31) of the robot (30), in particular on rails. [8] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that a passive intermediate storage (36) is located to the side and / or above the first feed table (12) and / or first removal table (16) and / or above the first division line (12), and that the working area (32) of the robot (30) covers at least part of an area of ​​the passive intermediate storage (36) in the top view. [9] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 8, characterized by , that above the first feed table (12) an active intermediate storage (36) is arranged, to which a separate intermediate storage conveying device is assigned. [10] Plate dividing system (10) according to claims 8 and 9, characterized by , that the active intermediate storage (34) is arranged above the first feed table (12) and the passive intermediate storage (36) is arranged above the active intermediate storage (34), preferably such that an area of ​​the active intermediate storage (34) is accessible upwards for the robot (30). [11] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 8, characterized by , that an active intermediate storage (34) is arranged to the side of the first feed table (12), to which a separate intermediate storage conveying device is assigned, and a passive intermediate storage (36) is arranged above a part of the active intermediate storage (34). [12] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first conveying device (22) comprises a program slide (24) with collets (26) which have such a length in the direction of the first removal table (16) that they reach at least almost to the first removal table (16) when the program slide (24) is in an end position closest to the first removal table (16). [13] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the first extraction table (16) has an intermediate storage function. [14] Panel dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (31) of the robot (30) is arranged in the area of ​​the first removal table (16). [15] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of claims 1-13, characterized by , that the base (31) of the robot (30) is located above the first division line (14). [16] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the base (31) of the robot (30) is horizontally movable. [17] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , comprising at least one second feed table (52) with an associated second conveying device (54), at least one second dividing device with a second dividing line (56), and at least one second removal table (58), wherein the first dividing line (14) is arranged at an angle to the second dividing line (56) which is in a range of 0° to 90°. [18] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 17, characterized by , that the working area (32) of the robot (30) in the top view covers at least part of an area of ​​the first removal table (16) and at least part of an area of ​​the second feed table (58) and at least part of an area of ​​the active intermediate storage (36). [19] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 17, characterized by , that the feed tables (12, 52), dividing lines (12, 56) and removal tables (16, 58) are arranged next to each other and parallel to each other, that all feed tables (12, 52) are assigned a common feed device (66). [20] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 19, characterized by , that each feed table is assigned an active intermediate storage (34) which is located in the same vertical plane as the feed device (66). [21] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of claims 19 or 20, characterized by , that a removal device (38) for removing machined workpieces is arranged vertically in a different plane than the feeding device (66). [22] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 17, characterized by, that it has two feed tables (12, 52) with respective conveying devices (22, 54), two dividing lines (14, 56) and two removal tables (16, 58) which are arranged next to each other and parallel to each other, and that it includes a robot (30) whose working area (32) in the top view at least partially covers both feed tables (12, 52) and both removal tables (16, 58). [23] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 17, characterized by , that the feed tables (12, 52), dividing lines (14, 56) and removal tables (16, 58) are arranged next to each other and parallel to each other, and that it includes two robots (30 A, 30 B) which are arranged so that their working areas (32 A, 32 B) overlap in the top view. [24] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of claims 22 or 23, characterized bythat it has a common removal device (38) for machined workpieces and / or a common feeding device (44) for workpieces to be machined, wherein the common removal device (38) and / or the common feeding device (44) are preferably arranged between the feeding tables (12, 52), dividing lines (14, 56) and removal tables (16, 58). [25] Plate dividing system (10) according to claim 24, characterized by , that the common feeding device is also designed as a return conveying device (44) so ​​that it can both feed workpieces to be processed and convey residual pieces produced during processing back into a storage area. [26] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of claims 22-25, characterized by , that an active intermediate storage unit (34) with its own intermediate storage conveying device is arranged between the two feed tables (12, 52), and / or a passive intermediate storage unit (36) is arranged. [27] Plate dividing system (10) according to one of claims 22-26, characterized by that it includes a removal device (38), wherein the working area (32) of the robot (30) partially covers the removal device (38). [28] Plate dividing system according to one of claims 22-27 characterized by , that one of the two feed tables (52), the associated dividing line (56), and the associated removal table (58) are smaller in dimension than the other of the two feed tables (12) and the associated dividing line (14) and the associated removal table (16). [29] Panel dividing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the panel dividing system (10) further comprises a passive intermediate storage (36) laterally from the dividing line (14) and from the first removal table (16), wherein the robot (30) is configured for a first material flow to take a workpiece processed or separated by the first dividing device from the first removal table (16) and place it on the passive intermediate storage (36), and wherein the robot (30) is further configured for a second material flow which runs in the opposite direction to the second material flow. [30] Panel dividing system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the panel dividing system (10) further comprises a passive intermediate storage (36) laterally from the feed table (10), wherein the robot (30) is configured for a first material flow to take a workpiece processed or separated by the first dividing device from the first removal table (16) and place it on the passive intermediate storage (36), and wherein the robot (30) is further configured for a second material flow which runs in the opposite direction to the second material flow. [31] Method for operating a plate dividing plant according to one of claims 17-28, characterized by , that longitudinal sections and cross sections are carried out using the first dividing device and cross sections and recuts are carried out using the second dividing device.

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