Method for machining longitudinal workpieces made of wood, plastic and the like, and machine for carrying out the method

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for machining elongated workpieces made of wood, plastic and the like according to the preamble of claims 1, 9 and 10 and to a machine for carrying out this method according to the preamble of claim 12.

[0002] When machining elongated, particularly rod-shaped workpieces, it is known to clamp them in a first clamping unit between upper and lower clamping jaws and to move past a tool while one long side of the workpiece is machined. So that the opposite long side of the workpiece can be machined, the clamping unit with the partially machined workpiece is moved next to a second clamping unit, whose upper and lower clamping jaws clamp the workpiece from the opposite, already machined long side. The clamping can then be released by the first clamping unit, which can then be moved back to accommodate the next workpiece. The long side of the workpiece that has not yet been machined is exposed in the second clamping unit so that this long side can also be machined with the tool.

[0003] Both clamping units grip the workpiece on the top and bottom with their clamping jaws. Transferring the workpiece between the two clamping units in such a way that the long side that has not yet been machined is free for the tool to engage while the workpiece is still reliably clamped in the second clamping unit is not always possible, depending on the workpiece and the profiling of the first long side, for example with narrow workpieces. Workpieces where the first profiling means there is no longer enough clamping surface on the top or bottom for clamping in the second clamping unit usually have to be clamped in the rebate in the second clamping unit, which is often not possible with clamping units that are not adjustable transversely to the workpiece's longitudinal direction. Such workpieces are used, for example, in window or furniture construction.

[0004] Such workpieces require a flexible clamping position transverse to their longitudinal direction. If the clamping units are not adjustable and positionable transverse to the workpiece's longitudinal direction to accommodate this flexible clamping position, the workpieces cannot be transferred directly from the first to the second clamping unit, but must be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction. To ensure machining accuracy, the workpieces must never be released during the entire transfer process from one clamping unit to the other.

[0005] In a known method and a known machine (DE 101 37 839 A1), the elongated workpieces are clamped with a first clamping device between an upper and a lower clamping jaw so that at least one side of the workpiece can be machined. A second clamping unit with an upper and a lower clamping jaw receives the workpiece from the first clamping unit and is clamped vertically so that further processing can be carried out on the workpiece. The displacement path of the workpieces transverse to their longitudinal direction during transfer is limited by stops against which the workpieces come to rest. As soon as the workpieces rest against the stops, the workpieces are clamped vertically.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of designing the generic method and the generic machine in such a way that even narrow, elongated workpieces or workpieces that have to be clamped in a fold in the second clamping unit can be processed reliably.

[0007] This object is achieved in the generic method according to the invention with the characterizing features of claims 1, 9 and 10, and in the generic machine according to the invention with the characterizing features of claim 12.

[0008] In the method according to the invention, the workpieces are first clamped with the upper and lower clamping jaws of the first clamping unit such that one long side of the workpiece is exposed and can be machined with an appropriate tool. The workpiece is then transferred to the second clamping unit. The workpiece is initially clamped horizontally while it is still clamped by the upper and lower clamping jaws of the first clamping unit. After the horizontal clamping, the vertical clamping of the first clamping unit can be released. The workpiece can then be taken over by the second clamping unit and clamped vertically with its upper and lower clamping jaws. Only then is the horizontal clamping of the workpiece released.In this way, the workpiece is always clamped during transfer from the first to the second clamping unit, eliminating the risk of internal stresses, for example, causing it to bend or twist. This allows for the production of highly dimensionally accurate workpieces.

[0009] According to the invention, it is also possible for the workpieces to be moved transversely to their longitudinal direction after horizontal clamping and the vertical clamping has been released, and then clamped vertically by the clamping jaws of the same clamping unit. The horizontal clamping is then released.

[0010] According to the invention, the workpieces are clamped horizontally during the transfer process and are shifted laterally, i.e., transversely to their longitudinal direction, during this clamping. In one case, the shifting can occur directly during the transfer from the first to the second clamping unit.

[0011] Alternatively, the displacement process can take place in an upstream process step in which the workpiece is first displaced in a first clamping unit by the amount required for clamping in a second clamping unit and is then clamped vertically in this first clamping unit using its upper and lower clamping jaws. This can take place, for example, in a loading position which has a stop that can be positioned transversely to the workpiece's longitudinal axis. The clamping unit only has one adjustable stop as a counter-pressure element. The two clamping units then move into the transfer position and can transfer the workpiece directly in the conventional manner. In this design, it is not necessary for one of the clamping units to have the positionable stop; instead, the positioning stop of the loading station, which is fixed to the machine, can be used, for example.

[0012] For horizontal clamping of the workpieces, stops are advantageously provided, at least one of which can be adjusted and positioned transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpieces. This adjustable stop allows the clamping depth of the upper and lower clamping jaws to be easily adjusted.

[0013] This adjustable stop can be used as a counterpressure element for the horizontal clamping of the workpiece. In this case, the clamping pressure is generated by the other stop, which presses the workpiece against the adjustable stop.

[0014] Due to the horizontal clamping of the workpieces, they can be moved transversely to the longitudinal axis using the lateral stops during transfer from the first to the second clamping unit. This allows even very narrow, bar-shaped or profiled workpieces to be clamped in such a way that the respective workpiece sides can be machined with a suitable tool.

[0015] Advantageously, at least one clamping unit is moved along a guideway in order to move the clamped workpiece past the tool for workpiece machining and to move the clamping unit into the transfer position for transfer to the other clamping unit.

[0016] Advantageously, both clamping units can be moved along a guide track.

[0017] To machine the clamped workpieces, the clamping units are preferably moved along the guideways. However, it is also possible for the tool to move past the clamping units. A combination of workpiece and tool movement is also possible.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention, the lower clamping jaw of at least one clamping unit is adjustable in height to generate the clamping force. In this case, the upper clamping jaw of this clamping unit serves as the reference plane against which the workpiece is clamped.

[0019] In another embodiment, a fold extending in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece is created on the workpiece while it is clamped in the first clamping unit. Such a workpiece is clamped in the fold in the second clamping unit, via a shoulder defining the fold, with the upper clamping jaw against the lower clamping jaw of the respective clamping unit. This type of clamping is suitable when the fold is located near the top of the workpiece.

[0020] If, however, the fold is intended to be in the area of ​​the underside of the workpiece, the lower clamping jaw of the respective clamping unit is moved upwards so far that it is clamped against the upper clamping jaw in the fold.

[0021] Dimensionally accurate machining of the workpieces is ensured because, as long as they are clamped horizontally, they are shifted transversely to their longitudinal direction by one clamping unit relative to the other. This shifting process allows the workpieces to be optimally fed into the clamping unit so that its clamping jaws can clamp the workpiece in such a way that the side of the workpiece to be machined is exposed.

[0022] In another embodiment according to the invention, at least two workpieces are clamped as a workpiece package next to or on top of each other in the first clamping unit such that at least one side of one workpiece in the workpiece package can be machined. So that further processing can take place, for example so that a corresponding side of the other workpiece in the workpiece package can be machined, the workpiece package is transferred to the second clamping unit. The workpiece package is clamped horizontally, with the vertical clamping being maintained by the first clamping unit. As soon as the horizontal clamping has been achieved, the vertical clamping of the first clamping unit is released and the clamped workpiece package is transferred to the second clamping unit.This transfer is performed in such a way that, after the workpiece stack has been clamped with the upper and lower jaws of the second clamping unit, at least one side of the other workpiece in the stack can be machined. As soon as the vertical clamping of the workpiece stack in the second clamping unit has been completed, the horizontal clamping of the workpiece stack can be released. The first clamping unit is then ready to accept the next workpiece to be machined.

[0023] The main advantage of clamping two or more workpieces next to each other is that, even if the profile is the same, the ends can be machined together in one operation.

[0024] In another embodiment according to the invention, at least two workpieces are clamped as a workpiece package next to and / or on top of each other in the first clamping unit in such a way that at least one side of one workpiece of the workpiece package can be machined, that the workpiece package is then clamped horizontally with vertical clamping, and that the workpiece package clamped in this way is displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpiece package after the vertical clamping is released and is then clamped vertically by the clamping jaws of the same clamping unit and the horizontal clamping is then released.

[0025] Depending on the design of the workpiece stack and requirements, the stack is shifted transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpieces during transfer from one clamping unit to the other when clamped horizontally. This allows the workpiece stack to be positioned very precisely in the second clamping unit.

[0026] The workpiece stack can consist of not just two, but also four or eight workpieces, for example, which are arranged side by side and one on top of the other to form a workpiece stack. This allows multiple workpieces in the stack to be machined simultaneously, especially on their end faces. The workpieces are clamped horizontally during transfer from the first to the second clamping unit, ensuring that the workpieces are never exposed or unclamped during the transfer process.

[0027] The machine according to the invention is characterized in that at least one clamping unit has at least one positionable stop for adjusting the clamping depth of the workpiece. This stop can be positioned manually or in a controlled manner transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpieces or the travel direction of the clamping unit such that the workpiece resting against the stop can be clamped vertically by the clamping jaws of this clamping unit such that the corresponding workpiece side can be machined by the tool. The other clamping unit is provided with a clamping pressure element with which the workpiece can be clamped against the stop transversely to its longitudinal direction or transversely to the travel direction of the clamping unit. The horizontal clamping of the workpiece thus takes place between the clamping pressure element and the stop.By adjusting and positioning the stop during the transfer from the first to the second clamping unit, the workpiece can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction. By applying force to the clamping pressure element, it always rests against the workpiece during the transfer process and clamps it against the stop, ensuring that it remains clamped during the transfer.

[0028] In a further embodiment according to the invention, the lower clamping jaw of at least one clamping unit is adjustable in the vertical direction to apply the clamping force. This allows, in particular, workpieces that have a fold in the area of ​​the underside of the workpiece to be reliably clamped. In this case, the lower clamping jaw is moved from below into this fold and against a shoulder or web bordering this fold, and is clamped against the upper clamping jaw of the clamping unit. The upper clamping jaw advantageously serves as a reference surface for the vertical clamping of the workpiece during the clamping process. The lower clamping jaw clamps the workpiece against the upper clamping jaw.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, the upper or lower clamping jaws are provided with at least one rocker-shaped pivoting clamping element which rests against the workpiece in the clamping position.

[0030] The rocker-shaped clamping element forms a two-armed lever whose lever arms rest on two adjacent workpieces within a workpiece stack. This allows both parts to be securely clamped, despite any height difference between the two parts.

[0031] Further features of the invention emerge from the further claims, the description and the drawings.

[0032] The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to some embodiments shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 in a simplified and perspective view of a machine according to the invention for machining workpieces with a clamping device according to the invention for the workpieces, Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 the re-clamping process during the machining of the workpiece between two adjacent clamping units of the clamping device according to the invention, in the direction of the arrow A in Fig. 1 seen, Fig. 4 in perspective view a clamping unit of the clamping device, Fig. 5 in perspective view a further embodiment of a clamping unit of the clamping device.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows a simplified and schematic representation of a machine on which elongated workpieces, such as rod-shaped ones made of wood, plastic, and the like, can be processed. The workpieces are clamped in a manner to be described below in clamping units 1, 2 of a clamping device 3 in such a way that they cannot slip during processing by corresponding tools 4.

[0034] The two clamping units 1, 2 are each movable on a guide track 5, 6. The two guide tracks 5, 6 are parallel to each other and, viewed in the displacement direction 7 of the clamping units 1, 2, adjacent to each other. In the exemplary embodiment, the guide tracks 5, 6 are each formed by two guide rails arranged parallel to each other at a distance and provided on a machine table 8. The two clamping units 1, 2 are provided with corresponding guides 9, 10 in the form of groove-shaped recesses into which the guide rails engage.

[0035] The guide for clamping units 1, 2 can, of course, also have a different design. The guideways 5, 6 are designed so that the two clamping units can pass each other with a small gap, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0036] The two clamping units 1, 2 are advantageously designed and arranged mirror-symmetrically to each other. However, it is fundamentally possible for the two clamping units 1, 2 of the clamping device 3 to be designed differently.

[0037] The tool 4 for machining the workpieces is mounted, for example, on a gantry 11 that spans the machine table 8. The tool 4 is provided, for example, on a cross member 12 of the gantry 11 and can be moved vertically and along the cross member 12. In addition, a pivot axis, which is parallel to the displacement direction 7, is provided so that the axis of the tool 4 can be set, for example, to a horizontal position.

[0038] The two clamping units 1, 2 each have a carriage 13, 14 on which a drive 59, 60 is provided, with which the carriage 13, 14 can be moved on the machine table 8 on the respective guideway 5, 6.

[0039] Each clamping unit 1, 2 is equipped with two pairs of clamping jaws 15, 16. They each have an upper clamping jaw 17, 18 and a lower clamping jaw 19, 20. The upper and lower clamping jaws are adjustable relative to each other in height.

[0040] As can be seen from the Fig. 2 and 3 As can be seen, the clamping jaws of each pair of clamping jaws 15, 16 are seated on at least one vertical guide 21, which is formed, for example, by an axis.

[0041] On each carriage 13, 14 there are two supports 22, 23 which are spaced apart one behind the other in the direction of displacement 7 and into which the guides 21 extend.

[0042] It is possible to adjust the two supports 22, 23 of each slide 13, 14 relative to each other in the displacement direction 7 on the slide 13, 14, whereby the distance between the pairs of clamping jaws 15, 16 of the respective slide 13, 14 can be changed, for example, to allow adaptation to workpieces of different lengths. More than two supports 22, 23 with pairs of clamping jaws 15, 16 can also be arranged on a slide 13, 14, which will be explained later. Likewise, the machine can have more than two slides 13, 14.

[0043] It is also possible to adjust the supports 22, 23 additionally or exclusively transversely to the displacement direction 7.

[0044] Stops 24, 25 are located on both sides of the upper and lower clamping jaws 17 to 20. Stops 24 together form a stop 24', and stops 25 together form a stop 25'. Stops 24, 25 are adjustable transversely to the direction of travel 7 of the slides 13, 14. Stops 24, 25 engage the workpieces 26 to be machined, as described below.

[0045] The clamping jaws 17 to 20 are each of the same design, with the upper and lower clamping jaws 17, 18 and 19, 20 being arranged in mirror image to each other.

[0046] For example, Fig. 2a combined with Fig. 1 As can be seen, the clamping jaws are essentially cuboid-shaped. Their mutually facing sides form flat clamping surfaces 27, 28. The outer sides of the clamping jaws 17 to 20 opposite the clamping surfaces 27, 28 each have inclined surfaces 29, 30, which are advantageously flat. They extend, for example, over more than half the width of the clamping jaws 17 to 20.

[0047] Due to the inclined surfaces 29, 30, the thickness of the clamping jaws 17 to 20 decreases continuously towards their free end.

[0048] In the non-tapered area of ​​the upper clamping jaw 17, 18, the upper end of the guide 21 is fastened, which extends through a through opening 31 in the non-tapered part of the respective lower clamping jaw 19, 20.

[0049] Based on the Fig. 2 The following describes how the workpiece 26 to be machined can be re-clamped by transferring it from the clamping unit 2 to the clamping unit 1, without the workpiece 26 being released at any time. In this illustration, only the clamping jaws 18, 20 of the clamping units 1, 2 are visible. The other clamping jaws 17, 19 are located congruently behind the clamping jaws 18, 20. Therefore, when the clamping jaws 18 and 20 are mentioned below, this of course also includes the clamping jaws 17 and 19, which are shown in the view according to Fig. 2 are not visible.

[0050] The workpiece 26, which is parallel to the displacement direction 7, is elongated and has a rectangular cross-section, square in the illustrated embodiment. This workpiece 26 must be machined, for example, on one of its long sides 32 and on its top side 33 with the tool 4.

[0051] Such workpieces 26 are used, for example, in window or furniture construction and are relatively narrow. In order to machine the corresponding longitudinal sides 32, 33 of the workpiece 26, a re-clamping process is necessary so that the corresponding side of the workpiece 26 to be machined is exposed and can be machined by tool 4.

[0052] Fig. 2a shows that the unmachined workpiece 26 is initially located in the area next to the clamping unit 2.

[0053] In the starting position, the clamping jaws 18 and 20 of the clamping unit 2 are raised so far that the unmachined workpiece 26 can be moved between the clamping jaws 18, 20 transversely to the displacement direction 7.

[0054] The stop 25, which is adjustable transversely to the displacement direction 7, is adjusted so that the workpiece 26 is clamped over the largest possible width, thus ensuring secure clamping during machining by the tool 4. The stop 25 is adjusted so that the longitudinal side 32 of the workpiece 26 can be machined perfectly by the tool 4.

[0055] As from Fig. 2b As can be seen, the workpiece 26 is moved between the clamping jaws 18, 20 until it rests against the stop 25. The workpiece 26 rests, for example, on the clamping surface 28 of the lower clamping jaw 20, while the upper clamping jaw 18 is still at a distance from the workpiece 26.

[0056] As soon as the workpiece 26 rests against the stop 25, the upper clamping jaw 18 is moved downward along the guide 21 until its clamping surface 27 rests on the upper side 33 of the workpiece 26. The clamping force is so high that the workpiece 26 clamped between the clamping jaws 18, 20 cannot shift during machining by the tool 4.

[0057] For vertical adjustment of the clamping jaws 17 to 20, drives 51 to 54 ( Fig. 4 ), of which drives 51, 52 are for the upper clamping jaws 17, 18, and drives 53, 54 are for the lower clamping jaws 19, 20. Drives 51 to 54 are, for example, electric motor-driven nut spindle drives, with which the necessary clamping force can be applied. Pneumatically operated cylinder drives can also be used.

[0058] As from Fig. 2c As can be seen, the workpiece 26 is clamped over more than half its width between the clamping jaws 18, 20. The projection of the workpiece 26 beyond the clamping jaws 18, 20 is selected such that in the subsequent machining process the tool 4 can perform the required machining on the longitudinal side 32 of the workpiece 26.

[0059] This process step is in Fig. 2d The tool 4 is positioned so that it can machine the longitudinal side 32. The clamped workpiece 26 is guided by the carriage 14 past the tool 4, which rotates about a vertical axis, in the displacement direction 7. In the process, the longitudinal side 32 of the workpiece 26 is machined accordingly, for example, profiled. For example, the tool 4 is designed such that it creates a recess 34 (fold) on the longitudinal side 32 of the workpiece 26 that is open to the upper side 33. This recess is delimited in the direction of the workpiece underside 35 by a web 36.

[0060] Since the upper side 33 of the workpiece 26 also has to be machined, but the upper clamping jaws 18 rest on this side, the workpiece 26 is transferred to the clamping unit 1.

[0061] For this purpose, the carriage 14 of the clamping unit 2 can be moved, if necessary with an offset in the adjustment direction 7, next to the carriage 13 of the clamping unit 1, which is in the Fig. 1 It is also possible to move the slide 13 from the starting position according to Fig. 1 in the direction of the carriage 14 so that both carriages 13, 14 lie next to each other after the longitudinal side 32 of the workpiece 26 has been machined. Finally, it is also possible for both carriages 13, 14 to move toward each other so that they lie next to each other in a transfer position once the workpiece 26 has been machined on its longitudinal side 32 by the tool 4.

[0062] Fig. 2e shows the clamping jaws 18, 20 of the two adjacent clamping units 1, 2. The clamping jaws 18, 20 of clamping unit 1 are moved apart. The clamping jaws 18, 20 of clamping unit 2 firmly clamp the workpiece 26 machined on one long side 32.

[0063] The stop 24 is still in a withdrawn position. It will, as a comparison of the Fig. 2e und 2f shows, displaced transversely to the direction of displacement 7 so far that it rests on the web 36 of the workpiece 26.

[0064] The lower clamping jaws 20 are raised until they rest against the underside 35 of the workpiece 26. The upper clamping jaws 18 of the clamping unit 1 are still in the raised position, so they do not come into contact with the workpiece 26.

[0065] While the lower clamping jaws 20 and the stop 24 are applied to the workpiece 26, the workpiece continues to be firmly clamped by the upper and lower clamping jaws 18, 20 of the clamping unit 2.

[0066] To transfer the workpiece 26 from the clamping unit 2 to the clamping unit 1, the workpiece 26 is firmly clamped between the stops 24 and 25. The stop 24 rests against the end face of the web 36, and the stop 25 rests against the long side 37 of the workpiece 26. Both stops 24, 25 have flat, mutually facing clamping surfaces 38, 39, which rest flatly against the workpiece 26 under correspondingly high force application. The height of the clamping surfaces 38 approximately corresponds to the height of the workpiece 26. The clamping pressure is generated by the stop 24 of the clamping unit 1, which presses the workpiece 26 against the stop 25.

[0067] Drives 55 to 58 are provided to operate the stops 25 ( Fig. 4 ), which are arranged on the supports 22, 23. As Fig. 4 As shown, in the exemplary embodiment, the stops 25 are provided on both sides of the lower and upper clamping jaws 17 to 20. The drives 25 can be, for example, electric motor-driven linear drives or pneumatic drives.

[0068] Corresponding drives are also provided in the clamping unit 1.

[0069] As soon as the partially machined workpiece 26 is firmly clamped between the stops 24, 25, the upper clamping jaws 18 of the clamping unit 2 are raised so that they are released from the workpiece 26 ( Fig. 2g ), which rests on the lower clamping jaws 20 of the clamping unit 1, 2.

[0070] When the upper clamping jaws 18 are raised, the workpiece 26 is displaced by means of the two stops 24, 25 transversely to the displacement direction 7 in the illustration to the right so far that when lowered the upper clamping jaws 18 of the clamping unit 1 reach the upper side of the web 36 of the workpiece 26 ( Fig. 2i ). The workpiece 26 is thus firmly clamped in the area of ​​the web 36 between the upper and lower clamping jaws 18, 20 of the clamping unit 1. To ensure secure clamping, the workpiece 26 is positioned by means of the stops 24, 25 so that the upper clamping jaws 18 of the clamping unit 1 can clamp the web 36 over the largest possible width.

[0071] As soon as the clamping jaws 18, 20 of the clamping unit 1 have clamped the workpiece 26 to the web 36, the stop 25 is moved transversely to the displacement direction 7 and the lower clamping jaws 20 of the clamping unit 2 are lowered. This prevents grinding marks on the workpiece 26 caused by the clamping jaws 18, 20 of the clamping unit 2 when the clamping units 1 or 2 are moved.

[0072] Now the clamping unit 1 with the clamped, partially machined workpiece 26 can be moved on the guideway 6 to the tool 4, which has been rotated so that it is driven to rotate about a horizontal axis ( Fig. 2k ). With this tool 4, the upper side 33 of the workpiece 26 can be machined when the clamping unit 1 is moved along the guideway 6.

[0073] During this machining step, the stop 24 of the clamping unit 1 also advantageously rests against the front side of the web 36 of the workpiece 26, so that the workpiece is optimally clamped and held by the tool 4 during the machining process.

[0074] During the described re-clamping process of the workpiece 26 from clamping unit 2 to clamping unit 1, the workpiece 26 is never released. This prevents the workpiece from being bent or twisted, for example, due to internal stresses, as would be the case if the workpiece were released during the re-clamping process. The described re-clamping process results in workpieces with very high dimension accuracy after the machining process.

[0075] While the horizontally positioned tool 4 is used to machine the upper side 33 of the workpiece as the workpiece 26 passes through, the other clamping unit 2 can be retracted so that the next workpiece can be clamped between the clamping jaws 18, 20 of the clamping unit 2 in the manner described during the final machining of the workpiece.

[0076] Using the stop 25, the clamping depth can be selected so that the workpiece 26 is gripped as far as possible by the clamping jaws 18, 20, ensuring a secure hold of the workpiece during machining. The greater the clamping depth, the larger the support or clamping surface for the clamping jaws. This allows for high clamping forces without the clamping jaws leaving indentations on the workpiece.

[0077] Since in the described embodiment, the two clamping units 1, 2 are not adjustable transversely to the displacement direction 7, the clamping depth is determined by the positionable stop 25 of the clamping unit 2. This stop 25 also determines the clamping depth in the clamping unit 1 by positioning the workpiece in the required position under the effect of the counterpressure of the stop.

[0078] Advantageously, the clamping unit 1 is provided with a slider (not shown) with which the workpiece 26 can be pushed off the clamping unit 1 transversely to the displacement direction 7 after its processing has been completed, so that the clamping unit is available again to receive the following workpiece.

[0079] However, the stop 24 can also be used as a slide. In this case, it has a dual function, as it can also be used to horizontally clamp the workpiece 26 in the manner described.

[0080] In the described procedure, the web 36 of the workpiece 26 is clamped from above by the upper clamping jaws 18 of the clamping unit 1, because the web 36 is provided in the area of ​​the workpiece underside 35.

[0081] In method step 2d, the tool 4 or the clamped workpiece 26 can be positioned relative to one another such that the web 36 is located on the upper side 33 of the workpiece. In this case, the recess 34 created by the tool 4 on the long side 32 of the workpiece 26 is not open to the upper side, but to the underside 35. In this case, the lower clamping jaws are adjusted upwards along the guide 21 and form a support surface for the workpiece which, compared to the support surface of the first clamping unit, is offset upwards in the vertical direction corresponding to the surface delimiting the fold. It is also possible to clamp the workpiece 26 by means of the lower clamping jaws 20 against the upper clamping jaws 18, which in this case form the reference surface for clamping. The lower clamping jaws 20 are moved upwards along the guide 21 until they rest against the underside of the web 36.

[0082] Since preferably both clamping units 1, 2 are provided with the lower clamping jaws 19, 20 which are adjustable in height, the workpieces 26 can be clamped flexibly from below or from above on the web 36.

[0083] When clamping the workpiece 26 horizontally ( Fig. 2f bis 2h ), the stop 24 of the clamping unit 2 rests against the end face of the web 36 provided on the pre-profiled side 32 of the workpiece 26. To prevent the stop 24 from damaging the pre-profiled side of the workpiece 26, the contact side of the stop 24 is advantageously provided with a soft pad, which can be made of rubber or felt, for example.

[0084] It is also possible that the movable stop 24 in the clamping unit 1, which in the exemplary embodiment serves as a clamping pressure element and for applying the clamping force, is arranged as a positioning stop and the counter stop 25 for the pressure build-up during horizontal clamping is arranged in the clamping unit 2.

[0085] Finally, it is possible to provide the two stops 24, 25 in the area outside the slides 13, 14 in a transfer area in which the transfer of the workpiece 26 from the clamping unit 2 to the clamping unit 1 is carried out.

[0086] In the described procedure, the lower clamping jaw 19, 20 forms the reference surface for machining the workpiece 26. The clamping force during the clamping process is then exerted by the upper clamping jaw 17, 18.

[0087] It is also possible, however, for the upper clamping jaws 17, 18 to form the reference surface for machining the workpiece 26. In this case, the lower clamping jaws 19, 20 are used for the clamping process by adjusting them from bottom to top.

[0088] The clamping surfaces 27, 28 of the clamping jaws 17 to 20 and the clamping surfaces 38, 39 of the stops 24, 25 ( Fig. 2g ) are perpendicular to each other. This is the rule when manufacturing window frame parts from workpieces 26.

[0089] Depending on the part to be manufactured from the workpiece 26, the clamping surfaces 27, 28, 38, 39 can also be arranged at an angle to each other if the corresponding counter surfaces on the workpiece 26 are provided at an angle to each other in a corresponding manner. The clamping jaws 17 to 20 and the stops 24, 25 are then provided with correspondingly angled clamping surfaces.

[0090] In the described embodiment, the clamping jaw pairs 15, 16 are arranged on the carriages 13, 14 at a predetermined distance from one another, relative to the displacement direction 7.

[0091] However, if workpieces 26 of different lengths are to be machined, it is advantageous if the clamping jaw pairs 15, 16 on the slides 13, 14 are adjustable in the displacement direction 7, so that the distance between the clamping jaw pairs 15, 16 on the respective slides 13, 14 can be changed. This ensures that workpieces 26 of different lengths can also be reliably clamped. It is also possible for the supports 22 and 23 to be moved directly with a respective drive on the guides 5 and 6. In this case, the slides 13 and 14 can be omitted.

[0092] It is also possible for the clamping jaws 17 to 20 of the two clamping units 1, 2 to be arranged so as to be adjustable transversely to the displacement direction 7. The position of the clamping jaws can then be further optimized with regard to the machining to be performed on the workpiece 26.

[0093] In the described and illustrated embodiment, the clamping jaws 17 to 20 are not adjustable transversely to the displacement direction 7.

[0094] Based on Fig. 3 By way of example, it is described how the two clamping units 1, 2 enable the production of double or multiple parts in one clamping operation with a lateral transfer between the clamping units 1, 2. For example, two adjacent elongated workpieces 26, 26' are clamped, each with a clamping element 40 of the upper clamping jaws 18. In contrast to the previous embodiment, the upper clamping jaws 18 do not rest directly on the workpiece 26, 26' to be clamped, but rather with the clamping elements 40, which are designed as two-armed levers and are pivotally mounted on the opposite side surfaces of each upper clamping jaw 17, 18. The pivot axes 41 of the clamping elements 40 are parallel to the displacement direction 7.

[0095] At the free ends of the levers 42, 43 of the clamping elements 40 there are narrow projections 44, 45 which project in the direction of the workpiece 26, 26' to be clamped or the lower clamping jaws 19, 20 and each have a flat end face 46, 47 which acts as a clamping surface.

[0096] Each upper clamping jaw 17, 18 is provided with two such clamping elements 40, which are located on the opposite side surfaces of the clamping jaws. Advantageously, the two clamping elements 40 of each clamping jaw share a common pivot axis 41. It is advantageous if the clamping elements 40 rest against the respective outer side or side surface of the upper clamping jaw 17, 18.

[0097] For clamping purposes, it is sufficient if the upper clamping jaws 17, 18 are provided with the clamping element 40 on only one side.

[0098] The clamping elements 40 are pivotally mounted on the upper clamping jaws 17, 18 such that at least their projections 44, 45 protrude beyond the clamping jaws toward the workpieces 26, 26' to be clamped. This allows the workpieces to be clamped securely.

[0099] The clamping elements 40 are also arranged such that at the free end of the clamping jaws 17, 18 they do not protrude beyond the end face 48 of the clamping jaws 17, 18, but are approximately flush with it.

[0100] How Fig. 3 As shown, the lower clamping jaws 19, 20 are provided with through-openings 49 through which the pivot axis 41 can be inserted in the event that the clamping elements 40 are attached to the lower clamping jaws 19, 20. This is the case when the clamping or tensioning force is applied with the lower clamping jaws 19, 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping force is generated by the upper clamping jaws 17, 18, so that the clamping elements 40 are mounted on them.

[0101] How Fig. 3a shows, the elongated workpieces 26, 26', with their long sides abutting one another, are first introduced into the clamping unit 2. The upper clamping jaws 18 are raised far enough that the workpieces 26, 26', resting on the lower clamping jaws 20, can be reliably pushed into the clamping unit 2. The stop 25 is adjusted so that the long side 32 of the workpiece 26 to be machined protrudes beyond the clamping jaws 18, 20 transversely to the displacement direction 7 far enough that it can be machined by the tool 4, as explained for the previous embodiment.

[0102] The workpiece 26' rests with its longitudinal side 50 facing away from the workpiece 26 against the clamping surface 39 of the stop 25.

[0103] As soon as the workpieces 26, 26' are positioned, the upper clamping jaws 17, 18 are lowered, whereby the clamping elements 40 press with their lugs 44, 45 onto the two workpieces 26, 26' and clamp them firmly in conjunction with the lower clamping jaws 19, 20.

[0104] The clamping unit 2 is then moved with its two clamped workpieces 26, 26' by means of the carriage 14 past the tool 4, with which the profiling is carried out on the long side 32 of the workpiece 26.

[0105] So that the long side 50 of the workpiece 26' can also be machined, the two workpieces 26, 26' are transferred from the clamping unit 2 to the clamping unit 1. According to the previous embodiment, the transfer takes place when the two clamping units 1, 2 are located next to one another. Before the transfer of the workpieces 26, 26', the upper clamping jaws 17, 18 of the clamping unit 1 are raised and the lower clamping jaws 19, 20 are lowered, if necessary, so that the end of the workpiece 26 projecting beyond the clamping unit 2 transversely to the displacement direction 7 can pass between the clamping jaws 17 to 20 of the clamping unit 1.

[0106] The stop 24 is then moved transversely to the direction of displacement 7 until its clamping surface 38 comes into contact with the machined longitudinal side 32 of the workpiece 26 ( Fig. 3b ). The workpieces 26, 26' are still firmly clamped by the clamping jaws 17 to 20 of the clamping unit 2.

[0107] The clamping force is applied by the stop 24, whereby the two workpieces 26, 26' lying against each other and resting on the lower clamping jaws 19, 20 of the two clamping units 1 and 2 are clamped horizontally.

[0108] Then the upper clamping jaws 17, 18 of the clamping unit 2 are raised ( Fig. 3c ), so that the clamping elements 40 are released from the two workpieces 26, 26'.

[0109] In the next step, the two stops 24, 25 are moved transversely to the direction of displacement 7 ( Fig. 3d ) that the workpiece 26' with its longitudinal side 50 still to be machined projects transversely to the direction of displacement 7 over the clamping jaws 17 to 20 of the clamping unit 1. The stop 25 is advantageously positioned transversely to the direction of displacement, while the stop 24, as a clamping pressure element, bears against the workpiece 26 under the action of force and constantly presses the workpiece package 26, 26' against the stop 25 and thus clamps it. The clamping force of the stop 24 can advantageously be applied via pneumatic cylinders. With such a design, a positioning drive is only required for the stop 25. However, both stops 24, 25 can also be equipped with positioning drives which are moved synchronously during the transverse displacement of the workpieces 26, 26' and thus always hold the workpieces 26, 26' firmly clamped.

[0110] Now the upper clamping jaws 17, 18 of the clamping unit 1 are lowered until their clamping elements 40 rest with their projections 44, 45 on the workpieces 26, 26' and clamp them against the lower clamping jaws 19, 20 of the clamping unit 1 ( Fig. 3e ).

[0111] Subsequently, the clamping jaws 17 to 20 of the clamping unit 2 are moved apart so far that it can be moved away without contacting the workpiece 26' in order to pick up the pair of workpieces to be machined next. As the clamping jaws 17 to 20 move apart, the stop 25 of the clamping unit 2 is also retracted transversely to the displacement direction 7.

[0112] The clamping unit 1 with the clamped workpiece pair 26, 26' is now moved past the tool 4, for example, whereby the long side 50 of the workpiece 26' is machined.

[0113] In this procedure, the workpiece pair 26, 26' is also clamped horizontally and vertically, whereby the transfer of the workpiece pair 26, 26' from the clamping unit 2 to the clamping unit 1 takes place in such a way that the workpiece pair is firmly clamped at all times.

[0114] The use of the pivoting clamping elements 40 has the advantage that height tolerances of the workpieces 26, 26' can be compensated. Furthermore, due to the two-arm design of the clamping elements, the projections 44, 45 press onto the two workpieces 26, 26' with approximately half the available clamping force.

[0115] In principle, however, it is also possible if the upper clamping jaws 17, 18 have a design corresponding to the previous embodiment. Even then, the adjacent and adjacent workpieces 26, 26' can be securely clamped.

[0116] In the illustrated embodiment, the two workpieces 26, 26' are positioned side by side and extend in the displacement direction 7. It is possible for the workpieces to be positioned one above the other rather than side by side. Even in this case, two workpieces can be clamped simultaneously and transferred from one clamping unit to the other.

[0117] Furthermore, it is possible, for example, to place two additional workpieces on top of workpieces 26, 26', so that a set of four can be clamped simultaneously and machined with the appropriate tools. The working method described for the double set remains unchanged.

[0118] In this way, for example, eight workpieces can be clamped and machined at the same time.

[0119] The workpieces can be, as shown by Fig. 3 As explained, the respective outer side of the double part package must be machined using the appropriate tool.

[0120] In all embodiments, the workpieces 26, 26' can protrude beyond the clamping units 1, 2 in the displacement direction 7. This makes it possible to also perform transverse machining on the end faces of the workpieces. To do so, the slides 13, 14 or the supports 20, 22 must be positioned longitudinally when clamping the workpieces 26, 26' such that, at least on one side, the end faces protrude beyond the clamping jaw pairs 15, 16 to such an extent that the tool 4 has sufficient clearance to machine the end faces.

[0121] For example, drilling or milling operations can also be carried out on the long sides 32, 37, 50 of the workpieces 26, 26'.

[0122] Clamping multiple workpieces 26, 26' has the particular advantage of allowing simultaneous end machining of the workpieces. The respective clamping unit 1, 2 remains stationary while the end machining tool moves past the workpieces transversely to the displacement direction 7 and machines their ends.

[0123] The respective clamping unit 1, 2 and the end machining tool can perform an interpolation movement so that the workpiece ends are machined at an angle.

[0124] In the described embodiments, floating clamping of the workpieces is possible during transfer to the second clamping unit. The lower or upper clamping jaws 17 to 20 of the second clamping unit rest against the workpiece without the buildup of clamping pressure, e.g., on the web 34, and are locked in this position. The other clamping jaw then clamps the workpiece in the manner described. With such a procedure, the vertical workpiece position in the second clamping unit is determined by the clamping in the first clamping unit, regardless of the machining and machining accuracy in the first clamping unit.

[0125] The clamping elements 40 can also be used in clamping units that engage workpiece surfaces that are inclined to one another.

[0126] Fig. 5 shows, by way of example, another embodiment of a clamping unit 2. It is provided with four pairs of clamping jaws 15, 16 arranged one behind the other in the direction of displacement 7 and having an identical design. The clamping elements 40 are pivotably mounted on the upper clamping jaws 18. These clamping jaws 18 thus have a design corresponding to that shown in Fig. 3 illustrated embodiment.

[0127] Supports 71, 72 are located on the carriage 14, projecting upwards from the carriage 14. Guides 69, 70 extending transversely to the direction of displacement are mounted in the supports 71, 72, to which the stop 25 is attached, allowing it to be adjusted transversely to the direction of displacement. The stop 25 extends in the direction of displacement 7 over the length of the carriage 14.

[0128] In the area of ​​the clamping jaw pairs 15, 16, the stop 25 is interrupted so that it can be moved relative to the clamping jaw pairs 15, 16 transversely to the displacement direction 7.

[0129] The clamping jaw pairs each extend through through openings 67, which are open toward one longitudinal side 25. This forms individual stop fingers 68, which are provided laterally next to the clamping jaw pairs 15, 16.

[0130] A bearing block 73 is arranged on each of the supports 22, 23, in which a shaft 62 extending parallel to the direction of displacement 7 is rotatably supported. A gear 63, 64 is mounted on each of the two ends of the shaft in a rotationally fixed manner. The two gears engage with a rack 65, 66, which is provided at each end of the stop 25 and extends perpendicular to the direction of displacement 7.

[0131] Shaft 62 with the two gears 63, 64 and racks 65, 66 form a rack and pinion gear 61, which ensures that the stop 25 can be smoothly adjusted transversely and parallel to the displacement direction 7. This ensures that the workpieces 26, 26' to be clamped are clamped cleanly and, in particular, cannot become tilted. Shaft 62 synchronizes the two racks 65, 66, which ensures that the stop 25 can be adjusted evenly and parallel and cannot become tilted. This ensures that the stop 25 does not press obliquely on the workpiece, which could lead to machining inaccuracies. This problem occurs particularly when the workpiece is shorter than the stop 25.

[0132] The stop 25 is connected to a drive 74, which extends transversely to the displacement direction 7 and with which the stop can be adjusted transversely to the displacement direction 7. In the exemplary embodiment, the drive 74, as a positioning axis, is, for example, an electric motor-driven linear drive. In the case of the stop 24, which only needs to be adjusted to generate the clamping pressure so that it rests against the workpiece 26, 26', the drive is preferably a pneumatic cylinder.

Claims

1. Method for machining elongated workpieces (26, 26') made of wood, plastic and the like, which are clamped between at least one upper and one lower clamping jaw (17 to 20) of a first clamping unit (1) in such a way that at least one side (32) of the workpiece (26, 26') can be machined, and comprising a second clamping unit (2) which has at least one upper and one lower clamping jaw (17 to 20) and to which the workpiece (26, 26') is transferred from the first clamping unit (1), which is clamped with the second clamping unit (2) in such a way that further machining can be carried out on the workpiece (26, 26'), characterized in that the workpiece (26, 26') is clamped horizontally for transfer between the two clamping units (1, 2), wherein the workpiece (26, 26') is still clamped vertically by the clamping jaws (17 to 20) of the at least one clamping unit (1, 2) until the horizontal clamping, that the workpiece (26, 26') is displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpiece (26, 26') when clamped horizontally and the vertical tension is released and thereafter by the clamping jaws (17 to 20) of the same clamping unit or the clamping unit (1, 2) holding the workpiece (26, 26') is clamped vertically and then the horizontal clamping is released.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that for the horizontal clamping of the workpiece (26, 26') stops (24, 25) are provided, of which at least one is adjustable, preferably positionable, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpiece (26, 26') for adjusting the clamping depth.

3. Method according to Claim 2, characterized in that the clamping force is generated with the other adjustable stop (24).

4. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one, preferably both clamping units (1, 2) are moved along a guide track (5, 6).

5. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one, preferably both clamping units (1, 2) are moved past at least one tool (4) for machining the workpiece (26, 26').

6. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the lower clamping jaw (19, 20) of at least the one clamping unit (1, 2) is adjustable in the height direction to generate the clamping force.

7. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a rebate (34) extending in its longitudinal direction is produced on the workpiece (26, 26') with the tool (4), and that the workpiece (26, 26') is clamped with the upper clamping jaw (17, 18) in the rebate (34) against the lower clamping jaw (19, 20) on a shoulder (web) (36) delimiting the rebate (34).

8. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a rebate (34) extending in its longitudinal direction is produced on the workpiece (26, 26') with the tool (4), and in that the workpiece (26, 26') is clamped with the lower clamping jaw (19, 20) in the rebate (34) against the upper clamping jaw (17, 18) at a shoulder (36) delimiting the rebate (34).

9. Method for machining elongated workpieces (26, 26') made of wood, plastic and the like, which are clamped between at least one upper and one lower clamping jaw (17 to 20) of a first clamping unit (1) in such a way that at least one side (32) of the workpiece (26, 26') can be machined, and comprising a second clamping unit (2) which has at least one upper and one lower clamping jaw (17 to 20) and to which the first workpiece (26, 26') is transferred from the first clamping unit (1), which is clamped with the second clamping unit (2) in such a way that a further machining can be carried out on the workpiece (26, 26') wherein at least two workpieces (26, 26') are clamped as a workpiece package next to and / or on top of one another in the first clamping unit (1, 2) in such a way that at least one side (32) of the one workpiece (26) of the workpiece package can be machined, characterized in that the workpiece package is then clamped horizontally with vertical clamping, and that the workpiece package clamped in this way is transferred to the second clamping unit (1, 2) after the vertical clamping has been released, so that after the workpiece package has been clamped with the upper and lower clamping jaws (17 to 20) of the second clamping unit (1, 2) and the horizontal clamping has been released, at least one further machining can be carried out.

10. Method for machining elongated workpieces (26, 26') made of wood, plastic and the like, which are clamped between at least one upper and one lower clamping jaw (17 to 20) of a first clamping unit (1) in such a way that at least one side (32) of the workpiece (26, 26') can be machined, and comprising a second clamping unit (2) which has at least one upper and one lower clamping jaw (17 to 20) and to which the first workpiece (26, 26') is transferred from the first clamping unit (1), which is clamped with the second clamping unit (2) in such a way that a further machining can be carried out on the workpiece (26, 26'), wherein at least two workpieces (26, 26') are clamped as a workpiece package next to and / or on top of one another in the first clamping unit (1, 2) in such a way that at least one side (32) of the one workpiece (26) of the workpiece package can be machined, characterized in that the workpiece package is then clamped horizontally with vertical clamping, and that the workpiece package clamped in this way is displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpiece package (26, 26') after the vertical clamping has been released and is then clamped vertically by the clamping jaws (17 to 20) of the same clamping unit and the horizontal clamping is then released.

11. Method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the workpiece package is displaced transversely to the longitudinal direction of the workpieces (26, 26') when clamped horizontally during transfer from one clamping unit (1, 2) to the other.

12. Machine for machining elongated workpieces made of wood, plastic and the like, for carrying out the method according to one of Claims 1 to 11, comprising at least two clamping units (1, 2) which can be moved on guide tracks (5, 6) lying parallel to one another, having upper and lower clamping jaws (17 to 20) and can be moved into a transfer position in which the clamping units (1, 2) are arranged next to one another in such a way that the workpieces (26, 26') can be transferred from one clamping unit (1, 2) to the other, characterized in that at least the one clamping unit (1, 2) has at least one positionable stop (25) for adjusting the clamping depth of the workpiece (26, 26'), and the other clamping unit (1, 2) has at least one clamping pressure element (24) with which the workpiece (26, 26') can be clamped horizontally against the stop (25) during transfer transversely to its longitudinal direction.

13. Machine according to Claim 12, characterized in that the lower clamping jaw (19, 20) of the at least one clamping unit (1, 2) is adjustable in the vertical direction to generate the clamping force.

14. Machine according to Claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the upper clamping jaw (17, 18) serves as a reference surface for the vertical clamping of the workpiece (26, 26') and the lower clamping jaw (19, 20) clamps the workpiece (26, 26') against the upper clamping jaws (17, 18).

15. Machine according to one of Claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the upper or lower clamping jaw (17 to 20) is provided with at least one rocker-shaped pivotable clamping element (40).