Assembly apparatus for timber frame panels

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (100, Fig 1a) for the assembly of a timber-frame (F, Fig.8), the system comprises an upper rail-supporting means (120, 140, Fig 1b), attached to a plurality o

Description

Timber-frame wall panels are typically made up of vertical softwood studs and horizontal softwood rails with a wood-based panel sheathing and a plasterboard lining. When the panels are assembled to form the walls of a building, the vertical studs bear loads through the structure to the foundations of the building. The sheathing provides resistance to wind. Thermal insulation materials are usually incorporated in the spaces between the studs of external walls. Protective membrane materials may also be incorporated, for example, external walls may have a breather membrane on the external face of the panels to protect the panels during construction. This breather membrane also provides extra defence against any wind driven rain that may penetrate the completed external cladding. A vapour control layer is usually required on the inner side of the insulation, behind the plasterboard lining, to prevent water vapour entering the wall panel. Timber-frame panels may be manufactured and supplied as closed or open panel systems, with both systems having a service void to incorporate ducting for services. Open panel systems are typically manufactured off-site so that once assembled on-site, the first fix services can complete their works and then the wall panel can be battened and plasterboarded. Closed panel systems already incorporate the service void within the panel as well as fibre gypsum building board, such as Fermacell™, which replaces the need for plasterboard. Conventionally, housing is primarily constructed on-site through the labour of tradesmen using methods which may be modern within their fields, but are rooted in, and restricted by, an overall traditional approach. Factory-based methods are more modern and aim to reduce both the cost and time to construct a given building. However, with existing factorybased methods, manual, time-intensive human labour remains the bottleneck in terms of the speed of construction, with substantial skilled labour required to assemble and finish the panels on-site. In addition, existing factory methods of panel construction involve manipulation of workpieces, such as panels, in a horizontal configuration, with each workpiece lying flat atop large, wide jig-type machinery. This limits access for labour, machinery and tools and, if multiple operations are to be performed, the workpiece must typically be moved to another machine of similarly large footprint typically with cranes, forklifts or similar. This creates a minimum factory space requirement to create panels of a given size, as well as costly, timeconsuming logistical challenges when moving panels between machines and extensive human labour. There has been a recent collapse of significant numbers of major modular housing development companies using known methodologies for assembling timber-frame parts. It is a therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved timber-frame assembly apparatus which overcomes the drawbacks of known solutions or at least provides a suitable alternative. Summary of the Invention Timber-frames for panels typically comprise upper and lower horizontal timber rails and a plurality of spaced apart vertical timber studs. Rails and studs may be referred to as timbers. For example, an upper horizontal timber may be referred to as a top plate timber. The present invention addresses the problem of on-site labour costs and factory size requirements when assembling timber-frames. This problem is solved by enabling vertical assembly of timber-frames and timber-frame panels and allowing access to both sides of the frame or panel as it is being made. In other words, during assembly, frames and panels are upright rather than lie-flat. The present invention relates to a vertically-oriented system for the assembly of a timber-frame from a plurality of constituent horizontal and vertical timber parts, the system comprising a framework to accept, support and transport one or more of the horizontal constituent timber parts, a clamping mechanism to accept, insert and release a vertical constituent timber part and at least one fastening tool for fixing the horizontal and vertical parts together, wherein the framework comprises an upper channel located above a lower channel, transporting means adjacent each channel and vertical posts supporting the upper and lower channels. The invention is set out in the claims. Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is a system for the assembly of a timberframe, the system comprising a plurality of spaced apart vertical posts, upper rail-supporting means and lower rail-supporting means, wherein the upper rail-supporting means are parallel to the lower rail-supporting means and the upper and lower rail-supporting means are each independently attached to the vertical posts, wherein first upper conveying means are provided below a portion of the upper rail-supporting means and second upper conveying means are provided above a portion of the upper rail-supporting means, the first and second upper conveying means being for transporting a first timber rail through the system, wherein lower conveying means are provided below a portion of the lower rail-supporting means for transporting a second timber rail through the system, the system further comprising clamping means adapted to accept and release a timber stud and fastening means for fixing said stud to the lower and upper rails. The assembly system according to the invention may be used to fasten constituent timbers together to form panel frames by suitably supporting the timbers and moving them across one or more fastening tools. The system facilitates the holding and transport of separate constituent timbers, and the subsequently composed panel-frame, within the same overall framework, by way of its arrangement of rail-supporting means and conveying means. In particular, the top plate timber is supported from underneath and, once a stud is fixed to the top plate timber, support transitions from below to being above what is now a timber-frame workpiece with a fixed vertical member. By timber-frame workpiece is meant a partially assembled panel, a timber-frame or part of a timber-frame, i.e., at least two timber parts fastened together. Advantageously, the invention permits a labourer assembling a timber-frame panel, e.g., by adding plasterboard, insultation, sheathing, electrics, etc. to the timber-frame, to do so while the workpiece is fed through the system in the upright position rather than by moving machinery around a lie-flat workpiece. This vertical orientation of the workpiece improves upon the efficiency by which timber-frame panels can be constructed, reducing the time, labour, and physical space required to build a given panel. The assembly system according to the invention enables insertion and fixing of timbers together to form panel frames without the need for jigs and the like. Thus, a significantly high proportion of the required work may be performed within a factory setting, thus reducing the amount of time and skilled labour required on the final building site. This relocation of required work also reduces the number of disparate materials required to be delivered to and managed in a building site setting. The rail-supporting means and vertical posts together may be described herein as the framework of the system. The framework supports the workpiece in a substantially vertical aspect and orientation throughout the process, providing access to both sides of the frames. Wall panels may thus be assembled ‘standing up’ rather than ‘lying flat’. This vertical orientation grants access to more workable area of a frame or panel at any given time while reducing the floorspace necessary to do so when compared to a conventional horizontal assembly system. This increased access greatly improves production speed of panels as more operations can be completed without needing to move panels to different machines using forklifts, cranes or similar. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a controller for automation of at least one of the conveying means, fastening means and clamping means. Preferably, the controller is a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) controller for governing the operation of the system. In a preferred embodiment, the upper and lower rail-supporting means are each independently perpendicular to the vertical posts. In some embodiments, one or more of the vertical posts are height-adjustable, allowing for construction of panels which use timbers of differing profiles and dimensions. For example, the one or more height-adjustable vertical posts may be telescopic, preferably wherein the telescopic action is driven, e.g., by a motor or the like, particularly preferably wherein the driver is controlled by the controller such that the post height adjustment may be automatically driven. Timber-frames manufactured using the assembly may be used in the preparation of modular panels used to form the walls of timber structures, though frames for use in floor, ceiling, or roof structures are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. The frames are intended principally for human accommodation, e.g., houses, but are not restricted to such structures and are scalable to other buildings. In some embodiments, the upper and lower rail-supporting means each independently comprises a channel with an adjustable width, preferably wherein the width adjustability is controlled by the controller such that each channel width may be automatically adjusted. In use of the system, the upper rail-supporting means and the lower rail-supporting means each independently form a channel around the horizontal timber. In a preferred embodiment, the upper rail-supporting means comprises two T-shaped crosssections such that the upper rail-supporting means is substantially H-shaped in cross-section. In this embodiment, the T-shaped cross-sections are preferably separated by a gap, particularly preferably wherein the upper rail-supporting means is adjustable in width by moving one or both of the T-shaped cross-sections to widen or narrow the gap, preferably wherein the movement is controlled by the controller such that the gap width may be automatically adjusted. Additionally, or alternatively, the lower rail-supporting means preferably comprises two T-shaped cross-sections such that the upper rail-supporting means is substantially H-shaped in cross-section, particularly preferably wherein the T-shaped cross-sections are separated by a gap, especially preferably wherein the gap is adjustable by moving one or both of the T-shaped cross-sections such that the lower rail-supporting means is adjustable in width, preferably wherein the movement is controlled by the controller such that the gap width may be automatically adjusted. The rail-supporting means cross-sections may alternatively be L-shaped or any other suitable shape to form a channel around the timber, e.g., around the base and part of the longitudinal sides of the timber. In a preferred embodiment, the upper rail-supporting means are attached to each vertical post independently by a support extending from each said vertical post, particularly preferably by a support extending perpendicularly from said post. In this embodiment, the portion of the upper rail-supporting means below which the first upper conveying means are provided preferably extends upwardly from each support along the length of that portion and the portion of the upper rail-supporting means above which the second upper conveying means are provided preferably extends downwardly from each support along the length of that portion. Additionally, or alternatively, the lower rail-supporting means are preferably attached to each vertical post independently by a support extending from each said vertical post, particularly preferably by a support extending perpendicularly from each said post. In this embodiment, the lower rail-supporting means preferably extends upwardly from each support. The upper rail-supporting means preferably comprises an upper on-loading channel and an upper off-loading channel, wherein the first upper conveying means are provided below a portion of the upper on-loading channel and the second upper conveying means are provided above a portion of the upper off-loading channel. The lower rail-supporting means preferably comprises a lower on-loading channel and a lower off-loading channel. In this embodiment, the lower conveying means comprises first lower conveying means provided below a portion of the lower on-loading channel and second lower conveying means provided below a portion of the lower off-loading channel. In a preferred embodiment, the system further comprises one or more sensors for sensing the first timber rail, preferably wherein at least one sensor is located on or adjacent the upper railsupporting means, particularly preferably at the end of the upper on-loading channel closest to the vertical post. Additionally, or alternatively, the system further comprises one or more sensors for sensing the second timber rail, preferably wherein at least one sensor is located on or adjacent the lower rail-supporting means, particularly preferably at the end of the lower on-loading channel closest to the fastening means. In a particularly preferred embodiment, a sensor is located in a gap in the upper rail-supporting means, preferably wherein a further sensor is located in a gap in the lower rail-supporting means. The upper and lower conveying means may each independently comprise one or more of a belt conveyor, tooth conveyor, rack and pinion and the like. In a preferred embodiment, each conveying means independently comprises active and passive rollers connected by a drive linkage, wherein the active rollers are driven by a motor or the like, particularly preferably wherein the active roller driver is controlled by the controller such that the conveying means may be automatically driven. In some embodiments, the direction of movement of each conveying means may be reversed such that a workpiece is moved backwards through system the, for example for fixing of subframes. The clamping means is adapted to accept and release a timber stud and is preferably located in proximity to the fastening means. The studs may be provided in a magazine located in proximity to the clamping means. Preferably, the clamping means comprises one or more pneumatic clamps, particularly preferably wherein the accepting and releasing actions of the or each clamp are driven, e.g., by a motor or the like, particularly preferably wherein the clamping means driver is controlled by the controller such that the clamping means may be automatically driven. The clamping means is preferably height-adjustable, allowing for construction of frames with differing profiles and dimensions, i.e., to accommodate vertical studs of differing lengths. The fastening means preferably comprises at least one tool such as a nail gun, rivet gun, screw gun or the like, preferably two such tools, one above the other such that a stud may be fastened to the upper rail and lower rail simultaneously, particularly preferably wherein the fastening action is driven, e.g., by a motor or the like, particularly preferably wherein the fastening means driver is controlled by the controller such that the fastening means may be automatically driven. The upper and lower tools may be of the same type but this is not essential. Preferably, the fastening means is located in proximity to the upper and lower conveying means on or adjacent one of the vertical posts and the clamping means is adjacent said vertical post. The system has a feed end where horizontal timbers may be introduced, a work area where vertical timbers may be introduced and where the timbers may be assembled to form a workpiece and a discharge end where the assembled timber-frame may be offloaded. During operation of the assembly system, upper and lower beam timbers are loaded onto the feed end of the system and are then fed along the system via upper and lower conveyor means to a, preferably central, work area where vertical studs are inserted to form the frame which is subsequently offloaded at the discharge end. The assembly system preferably further comprises one or more workstations located adjacent the work area of the system, particularly preferably a plurality of workstations, wherein each workstation is essentially a designated space where a specific task is performed along the workpiece as it arrives adjacent that workstation. In this embodiment, the one or more tasks are preferably selected from among the insertion of pre-assembled sub-panel frames, e.g., for doors and windows, noggin installation, attaching plywood, attaching plasterboard, installing insulation, installing sheathing, installing vapour barriers, installing plumbing elements, installing elements for electrical wiring, cutting openings and routing channels, installing fixture mechanisms to aid on-site assembly and connection of the panels. The workstation tasks may be performed manually or automatically. Where possible, automated positioning preferably occurs at each workstation, for any viable set of stations, regardless of their arrangement or specific implementation. In a preferred embodiment there is at least one workstation located adjacent one side of the framework and at least one located on the other, opposing, side of the framework. Preferably at least one workstation is located along a central area of the framework. Preferably, the or each workstation independently is automated by the controller. The skilled person will understand that where the same feature has been referenced in different aspects of the invention, this feature comprises the same parts and operates in the same way unless otherwise stated. Brief Description of the drawings Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1a is a side view of a preferred timber-frame assembly system according to the invention with optional workstation areas shown on one side only for clarity; Figure 1b is an enlarged view of Detail A of Figure 1a; Figure 2a is plan view of the assembly system shown in Figure 1 with optional workstation areas shown on both sides; Figure 2b is an enlarged view of Detail B of Figure 2a; Figure 3 is an end view of the assembly system shown in Figure 1; Figure 4a is a partial perspective view of the assembly system shown in Figure 1; Figure 4b is an enlarged view of Detail C of Figure 4a; Figure 5 is a partial side view of the assembly system shown in Figure 1 with horizontal timbers being fed into the system; Figure 6 is a partial perspective view of the assembly system shown in Figure 1 with a first vertical timber being retrieved for feeding into the system; Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of the assembly system shown in Figure 1 with a first vertical timber being fed into the system and fixed in place; Figure 8 is partial perspective view from another angle of the assembly system shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of the assembly system shown in Figure 1 with a last vertical timber being fed into the system and fixed in place; Figure 10a is an end view of a preferred lower rail-supporting means and support; Figure 10b is a partial perspective view of the preferred lower rail-supporting means and support shown in Figure 10a; Figure 11a is an end view of a preferred upper rail-supporting means and support; and Figure 11b is a partial perspective view of the preferred upper rail-supporting means and support shown in Figure 10a. Detailed Description In overview, a timber-frame assembly system is provided comprising a framework configured to support and move timbers along a production line, facilitating the connection of individual timbers to form assembled timber-frames, the framework comprising channels for accepting and supporting the timbers and conveyors for transporting the timbers. Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, where like reference numerals represent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views. It will be appreciated that the invention should not be construed to be limited to the examples, which are now described; rather, the invention is construed to include any and all applications provided herein and all equivalent variations within the skill of the ordinary artisan. Referring to the drawings, there is shown a preferred assembly system according to the invention, generally referred to herein by reference numeral 100, with optional workstation areas W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W3, W7 and W8 shown adjacent said system 100. System 100 has feed end 10 where horizontal timbers T1, T2 may be introduced, work area 20 where vertical timbers S may be introduced and where the timbers T1, T2, S may be assembled to form workpiece F and discharge end 30 where the assembled timber-frame may be offloaded. System 100 comprises a framework with upper on-loading transport channel 120, lower on-loading transport channel 130, upper off-loading transport channel 140 and lower off-loading transport channel 150 each independently attached to and supported by a plurality of spaced apart vertical posts 110, 111. On-loading upper conveyor 121 is provided below a portion of upper on-loading transport channel 120 and off-loading upper conveyor 141 is provided above a portion of upper offloading transport channel 140 for transporting a first timber rail T1 through system 100. Lower conveyor 131 is provided below a portion of the lower on-loading transport channel 130 for transporting a second timber rail T2 through system 100. Rotatable placer mechanism 160 is located adjacent fastening tool 170 between feed end 10 and work area 20 in proximity to post 111. System 100 further comprises a CNC controller (not shown) to govern the operation of one or more components of system 100. As shown in the preferred embodiment of Figures 4 and 6 to 9, placer mechanism 160 is an elongate upstanding device with two pneumatic clamps 161, 162 extending therefrom to pick up timber stud S1 from stud magazine M, rotate and insert stud S1 in place to be fixed to timber rails T1, T2 by nail guns 171, 172 which insert fixings where required. However, this is not to be considered limiting and more or less clamps may be used. The rotation and clamping and releasing actions of placer mechanism 160 may be controlled by the controller. The elongate portion of placer 160 is height-adjustable, allowing for construction of frames with differing profiles and dimensions, i.e., to accommodate vertical studs S of differing lengths. The clamps may also be moved up and down the elongate portion to accommodate vertical studs S of differing lengths. Fastening tool 170 comprises upper and lower nail guns 171,172 mounted on motion systems. Lower nail gun 171 for fixing the lower rail to the stud is located on vertical post 111 between lower on-loading transport channel 130 and lower off-loading transport channel 150. Upper nail gun 172 for fixing the upper rail to the stud is located on vertical post 111 between upper on-loading transport channel 120 and upper off-loading transport channel 140. Nail guns 171,172 are powered by motors (not shown) and may be controlled by the controller. Whilst nail guns are provided in the preferred embodiment shown in the drawings for fastening the timbers together, system 100 may additionally or alternatively be provided with screw guns or the like. Vertical posts 110, 111 are height-adjustable, allowing for construction of frames with differing profiles and dimensions, i.e., to accommodate vertical studs S of differing lengths. In the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, posts 110, 111 are telescopic and the telescopic action is driven by a motor (not shown) controlled by the controller. Channels 120, 130, 140, 150 are each independently attached to vertical posts 110, 111 via support plates 190 extending perpendicularly from said vertical post. As shown in Figures 10a, 10b, 11a and 1b, upper channel 120 extends upwardly from support 190 and upper channel 140 extends downwardly from support 190. As further shown in Figures 11a and 11b, preferred upper on-loading transport channel 120 comprises two T-shaped cross-sections, outer section 122 and inner section 123, separated by gap 124 such that channel 120 is substantially H-shaped in cross-section with the width of channel 120 being adjustable by moving outer T-shaped cross-section 122 towards or away from inner T-shaped cross-section 123 using motor 191 to adjust the size of gap 124. As shown in Figures 10a and 10b, preferred upper off-loading transport channel 140 comprises two T-shaped cross-sections, outer section 142 and inner section 143, separated by gap 144 such channel 140 is substantially H-shaped in cross-section with the width of channel 140 being adjustable by moving outer T-shaped cross-section 142 towards or away from inner T-shaped cross-section 143 to adjust the size of gap 144. However, this is not considered limiting and other cross-section shapes suitable for forming a channel around the timber are contemplated within the scope of the invention. Lower on and off-loading channels 130,150 correspond to upper off-loading channel 140 and, as upper on-loading transport channel 120, each independently comprise two T-shaped crosssections separated by a gap such that each channel 130, 150 independently is also substantially H-shaped in cross-section with an adjustable width. However, this is not considered limiting and other cross-section shapes suitable for forming a channel around the timber are contemplated within the scope of the invention. The movement of the outer sections of channels 120,130,140 and 150 may also be controlled by the controller. Conveyors 121, 131, 141 are powered by motors which may be controlled by the controller such that conveyors 121, 131, 141 may be automatically driven. For example, as shown in Figure 4a, conveyor 141 comprises active roller 146 driven by motor 145 and passive rollers 147 connected by drive linkage 148. As shown in Figure 4b, sensor 129 is located at the end of upper on-loading transport channel 120 between outer section 122 and inner section 123 adjacent post 111. A further sensor (not shown) is located at the end of lower on-loading transport channel 130 between the outer section 132 and inner section 133 adjacent post 111. The sensors alert the controller when a timber has reached post 111 and as a result fastening tool 170. This means the control system can reliably position the timbers, and consequently the forming timber-frame F, at any desired location along the framework. In use of system 100, upper and lower beam timber rails T1, T2 are loaded onto upper and lower channels 120, 130 at feed end 10 of system 100 and are then fed along system 100 through work area 20 to discharge area 30 via upper conveyors 121,141 and lower conveyors 131, 151. Sensor 129 and the sensor (not shown) on lower on-loading channel 130 locate the leading edge of the first and second timber rail T1, T2, respectively. In the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 4b, sensor 129 is a roll-over style limit / home switch such that when a timber rolls over the switch, sensor 129 is triggered to alert the controller that a timber has reached post 111. However, this is not to be considered limiting and sensor 129 may alternatively comprise an electronic contact probe, laser, computer vision or the like. As shown in Figures 5 to 8, once the front ends of timbers T1, T2 reach post 111, clamps 161, 162 of placer mechanism 160 collect timber stud S1 from stud magazine M and rotate to insert stud S1 in place between said front ends of timbers T1, T2. Nails guns 171, 172 then insert the necessary fixings N at the top and bottom of stud S1, respectively. When top and bottom rails T1, T2 are fixed to stud S1, clamps 161, 162 of placer 160 open and the placer 160 rotates to pick up the next stud S. The now joined timbers T1, T2, S1 are fed onward along system 100 as progressively forming timber-frame F. As may be seen in Figures 6 to 9, there is an over / under arrangement of channels 121,141 at the top of system 100, and under / under arrangement of channels 131, 151 at the bottom of system 100 such that timber T1 is supported from below until stud S1 is fixed in place and once stud S1 is fixed to timbers T1, T2, support transitions to being above what is now timberframe workpiece F. When workpiece F has moved forwards through system 100 such that fixing tools 171, 172 are in line with the next stud’s position, that stud S is inserted and fixed in the same manner as previous stud S1. Each subsequent stud may be installed in the same manner. The direction of movement of conveyors 121, 131, 141 and 151 movement may be reversed such that workpiece F is moved backwards through system 100, for example for fixing of subframes. Workpiece F may be moved forwards and backwards through the system as progressively forming timber-frame F continues to be fed along channels 140,150 by conveyors 141,151 to workstation areas W1, W2, W3, W4, W5, W6, W7 and W8 where feeding by conveyors 141, 151 stops and plates (not shown) may be fixed to frame F to form panels (not shown). Each workstation at areas W1 to W8 shown in the Figures in work area 20 is essentially a designated space where a specific task is performed either manually or automatically along the workpiece as it arrives adjacent that workstation. Example tasks include but are not limited to: subframe installation atW1, plywood installation at W2, noggin installation at W3, sheathing installation at W4, insulation installation at W5, fixture / lifting point installation at W6, vapour barrier installation at W7 and plasterboard installation at W8, all of which aid on-site assembly and connection of panel F. By subframe installation at W1 is meant installation of optional smaller pre-assembled subpanel timber frames for more complex sections - mostly doors and windows. There is often the requirement for arrangements of vertical and horizontal timbers with varying lengths and positions and such frame sections cannot be made on the main framework of system 100 but may be pre-made separately, inserted into the main progressively forming frame F at W1, then fixed to F in the same manner as the studs S. When all relevant work has been completed, the assembled frame F or panel continues to be fed by conveyors 141, 151 to discharge section 30, where transport channel 140 is raised, preferably by an amount in the range of from about 300-500mm, such that the finished workpiece, e.g., frame or panel, may be easily removed perpendicular to the long axis of said channels, i.e., in a place parallel to the framework, thus avoiding the need for more space at discharge end 30. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and additions are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A system for the assembly of a timber-frame, the system comprising:a plurality of spaced apart vertical posts;upper rail-supporting means attached to the vertical posts;lower rail-supporting means parallel to the upper rail-supporting means and attached to the vertical posts; andclamping means adapted to accept and release a timber stud;wherein first upper conveying means are provided below a portion of the upper railsupporting means and second upper conveying means are provided above a portion of the upper rail-supporting means for transporting a first timber rail through the system,wherein lower conveying means are provided below a portion of the lower rail-supporting means for transporting a first timber rail through the system; andwherein the system further comprises fastening means for fixing said stud to said lower and upper rails.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more of the vertical posts are height-adjustable.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper and lower railsupporting means each independently comprises a channel with an adjustable width.

4. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper rail-supporting means comprises two T-shaped cross-sections such that the upper rail-supporting means is substantially H-shaped in cross-section.

5. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower railsupporting means comprises two T-shaped cross-sections such that the lower railsupporting means is substantially H-shaped in cross-section.

6. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper railsupporting means are attached to each vertical post independently by a support extending from each said vertical post.

7. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower rail-5 supporting means are attached to each vertical post independently by a support extending from each said vertical post.

8. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each conveying means independently comprises active and passive rollers connected by a drive linkage.

9. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening 10 means is located in proximity to the upper and lower conveying means on or adjacent one of the vertical posts and the clamping means is adjacent said vertical post.

10. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising a controller for automation of the system.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS:-17CLAIMS:

1. A system for the assembly of a timber-frame, the system comprising:a plurality of spaced apart vertical posts;upper rail-supporting means attached to the vertical posts;lower rail-supporting means parallel to the upper rail-supporting means and attached to the vertical posts; andclamping means adapted to accept and release a timber stud;wherein first upper conveying means are provided below a portion of the upper railsupporting means and second upper conveying means are provided above a portion of the upper rail-supporting means for transporting a first timber rail through the system,wherein lower conveying means are provided below a portion of the lower rail-supporting means fortransporting a second timber rail through the system; andwherein the system further comprises fastening means for fixing said stud to said first and second timber rails.

2. The system as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more of the vertical posts are height-adjustable.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the upper and lower railsupporting means each independently comprises a channel with an adjustable width.

4. The system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the upper rail-supporting means comprises two T-shaped cross-sections such that the upper rail-supporting means is substantially H-shaped in cross-section.

5. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower railsupporting means comprises two T-shaped cross-sections such that the lower railsupporting means is substantially H-shaped in cross-section.

6. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper rail-5 supporting means are attached to each vertical post independently by a support extending from each said vertical post.

7. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower railsupporting means are attached to each vertical post independently by a support extending from each said vertical post.10 8. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each conveyingmeans independently comprises active and passive rollers connected by a drive linkage.

9. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening means is located in proximity to the upper and lower conveying means on or adjacent one of the vertical posts and the clamping means is adjacent said vertical post.15 10. The system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising acontroller for automation of the system.

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