Wall panel manufacturing equipment

Abstract

A wall panel 22 is manufactured by integrating a panel material 20 with vertical frame material 14 and horizontal frame material 16. [Solution] The vertical frame clamping device 24 has three clamps arranged in a row, and one clamp is made to grip the vertical frame member 14 on the vertical frame moving table and move in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame member 14. The vertical frame moving table is movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal frame member 16. The horizontal frame clamping device 26 is positioned on the horizontal frame moving table and is movably supported at both ends of the vertical frame member 14 in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame member 14, in accordance with the length of the vertical frame member 14. The control device that controls the manufacturing of the wall panel 22 causes the vertical frame member 14 and the horizontal frame member 16 to be supported by the clamps according to the order specified in the control data for manufacturing the frame body 12, and moves the clamps, the vertical frame moving table and the horizontal frame moving table in order to position them and form the frame body 12.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a manufacturing apparatus for wall panels that automatically manufactures wall panels used in building construction.

Background Art

[0002] Building wall panels have a structure in which panel materials are bonded to a frame body formed by combining frame members. Various techniques can be used for manufacturing such wall panels. For example, Patent Document 1 introduces an apparatus that automatically nails while overlapping a frame body and a face material. Patent Document 2 introduces an apparatus for clamping frame members on a production line for flow operations. Patent Document 3 introduces an apparatus for transporting and assembling structural materials and panel materials in a cell. Patent Document 4 introduces an apparatus for assembling while correcting the shape of a framework. Patent Document 5 introduces a robot that extends an arm to drive nails. Patent Documents 6 and 7 introduce apparatuses for positioning, processing, and transporting wood.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Patent Document 6

Patent Document 7

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Wall panels come in a variety of shapes depending on the type and location of the building. There is a need for equipment that can automatically and efficiently manufacture these panels without manual labor. This invention aims to provide a wall panel manufacturing apparatus that offers greater flexibility and improved versatility and productivity compared to the known apparatuses described above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The following configurations are each means of solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] <Configuration 1> An apparatus for manufacturing a wall panel 22 by arranging panel material 20 on the upper surfaces of vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 that constitute a frame 12, and integrating them together, A vertical frame clamping device 24 that receives and supports the vertical frame members 14, It is equipped with a horizontal frame clamping device 26 that receives and supports the horizontal frame members 16, The vertical frame clamping device 24 has at least three clamps arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame member 14 on a vertical frame moving platform, at least one clamp is able to grasp the vertical frame member 14 on the vertical frame moving platform and move in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame member 14, and the vertical frame moving platform is movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal frame member 16. The horizontal frame clamping device 26 has at least one clamp positioned on a horizontal frame moving platform, and one horizontal frame moving platform is positioned at each end of the vertical frame member 14 to position the horizontal frame member 16, and is movable and supported in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame member 14 to match the length of the vertical frame member 14. There are at least three of the above-mentioned vertical frame moving platforms, and each clamping device is positioned to support the vertical frame members 14 in parallel. The control device for manufacturing the wall panel 22 supports the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 in the corresponding clamps according to the order specified in the control data for manufacturing the frame 12, and moves any of the clamps, the vertical frame moving table, and the horizontal frame moving table in sequence to position them, thereby forming the frame 12 by combining the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16. A manufacturing apparatus for a wall panel 22, characterized by stacking and integrating a panel material 20 onto the upper surface of the frame 12.

[0007] <Configuration 2> The control device, according to the control data for manufacturing the frame 12, causes the vertical frame clamping device 24 to support the vertical frame members 14, and if there are multiple vertical frame clamping devices 24, it grasps the vertical frame members 14 with one of the clamps, adjusts the relative position of the vertical frame members 14 in the longitudinal direction supported by each vertical frame clamping device 24, and straightens the vertical frame members 14 with multiple clamps. The vertical frame moving platform and the horizontal frame moving platform are moved to the positions specified by the control data and positioned. A manufacturing apparatus for a wall panel 22 according to configuration 1, characterized in that it forms a frame 12 by combining vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16.

[0008] <Structure 3> The control device adjusts the vertical position of all clamps supporting the vertical frame members 14 so that the upper surfaces of all the vertical frame members 14 supported by a plurality of vertical frame clamping devices 24 are located on the same plane, and adjusts the vertical position of the clamps supporting the horizontal frame members 16 so that the upper surface of the horizontal frame member 16, which is integrated with the vertical frame member 14, is located on the same plane, and then brings the upper surfaces of the vertical frame members 14 and the horizontal frame members 16 into close contact with the panel material 20 to manufacture the wall panel 22, as described in Configuration 1.

[0009] <Structure 4> A manufacturing apparatus for a wall panel 22 according to configuration 1, characterized in that the clamps on the vertical frame moving platform that support the vertical frame members 14 of the outer frame all have their outer support plates aligned in the same straight line, and the inner support plates are opened and closed to support and fix the outer frame members.

[0010] <Composition 5> Multiple conveying devices are provided to transport panel materials 20 above the frame body 12, which is formed by vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 positioned by vertical frame clamping devices 24 and horizontal frame clamping devices 26. This conveying device consists of a first conveying device 28, a second conveying device 30, and a third conveying device 32 for conveying the panel material 20 in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12. The first conveying device 28 is positioned so as not to come into contact with the frame 12, even when the longest frame 12 in the line design is supported, and is for conveying the panel material 20 in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12. The second transport device 30 is positioned in the area covered by the panel material 20 fixed to the frame 12, and is used to transport and position the panel material 20 to the target position in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12. The wall panel 22 manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 1, characterized in that the third conveying device 32 is for supporting and conveying the panel material 20 being conveyed from the first conveying device 28 toward the second conveying device 30 in the space created between the first conveying device 28 and the second conveying device 30.

[0011] <Composition 6> The wall panel 22 manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 5, characterized in that the third conveying device is mounted on a trolley 34 that moves in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12, with the clamping device closest to the first conveying device among the clamping devices that support the frame 12 being carried on the trolley 34.

[0012] <Composition 7> The wall panel 22 manufacturing apparatus according to configuration 5, characterized in that the third conveying device and the second conveying device convey the panel material 20 above the frame 12 in a non-contact manner with the frame 12, and the second conveying device conveys the panel material 20 to a target position and then lowers it to the upper surface of the frame 12 by a lifting device 36.

[0013] <Structure 8> The control device adjusts the vertical positions of all the clamps that support the vertical frame members 14 so that the upper surfaces of all the vertical frame members 14 supported by the plurality of vertical frame clamp devices 24 are located on the same plane, and adjusts the vertical position of the clamp that supports the horizontal frame member 16 so that the upper surface of the horizontal frame member 16 integrated with the vertical frame member 14 is located on the same plane as described above. Then, the upper surfaces of the vertical frame member 14 and the horizontal frame member 16 are raised and brought into close contact with the panel member 20 to manufacture the wall panel 22, which is the manufacturing apparatus for the wall panel 22 according to Configuration 5.

[0014] <Configuration 9> A loading section for integrating the vertical frame member 14, the horizontal frame member 16, and the panel member 20, equipped with a robot arm 40 that extends its arm to all the above-mentioned loading sections, The control device uses the robot arm 40 to take out the vertical frame member 14 and the horizontal frame member 16 from the above-mentioned loading section in the order specified by the control data, support them on any of the above-mentioned clamp devices, take out the panel member 20 from the above-mentioned loading section, and place it on the above-mentioned frame body 12, which is the manufacturing apparatus for the wall panel 22 according to Configuration 1.

[0015] <Configuration 10> A processing device 46 into which the material 42 before cutting is input is provided. The control device 56 causes the processing device 46 to perform cutting on the horizontal frame member 16, the vertical frame member 14, and the panel member 20 having shapes corresponding to the shape of the frame body 12 specified by the control data, and transports the cut horizontal frame member 16, vertical frame member 14, and panel member 20 to the above-mentioned loading section, which is the manufacturing apparatus for the wall panel 22 according to Configuration 5 or Configuration 9.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] [[ID=AA]] [[ID=BB]] <Effect of Configuration 1> By supporting the vertical frame member 14 and the horizontal frame member 16 on the clamps, moving any of the clamps, the vertical frame moving table, and the horizontal frame moving table to perform positioning, forming the frame body 12, and then integrating the panel member 20 in the order specified by the control data, various-shaped wall panels 22 can be automatically and efficiently manufactured. <Effect of Configuration 2> Using any of the clamps, the relative position of the vertical frame members 14 supported by each vertical frame clamping device 24 in the longitudinal direction can be adjusted, or multiple clamps can be moved to automatically correct and straighten any bending of the vertical frame members 14. <Effects of Configuration 3> Since all the clamps of the vertical frame clamping device 24 can be adjusted vertically, the upper surfaces of all the vertical frame members 14 supported by the vertical frame clamping device 24 can be adjusted to be on the same plane, allowing them to be brought into close contact with the panel material 20 and then integrated. The panel material 20 can be brought into close contact without being affected by any bending or dimensional inaccuracies in the vertical frame members 14 or horizontal frame members 16. <Effects of Configuration 4> By aligning the outer support plates in a straight line, the outer surface of the outer frame material is precisely positioned, allowing the appearance of the wall panel 22 to be neat without being affected by variations in the thickness of the vertical frame material 14. Furthermore, the outer surface of the outer frame material can be fixed to the column of the building to which the wall panel 22 is attached, with the outer surface of the outer frame material being parallel to the column. <Effects of Configuration 5> By combining three conveying devices, the panel material 20 can be properly supported and transported to the target position regardless of the size of the frame 12. <Effects of Configuration 6> The gap between the first conveying device 28 and the second conveying device 30 allows the third conveying device to be moved together with the clamping device, making control easier. <Effects of Configuration 7> After the panel material 20 is transported to the target position by three transport devices without touching the positioned frame 12, the lifting device 36 is used to bring the panel material 20 into close contact with the upper surface of the frame 12, enabling integration. <Effects of Configuration 8> The panel material 20 can be tightly attached without being affected by any bending or dimensional inaccuracies in other parts of the vertical frame material 14 or horizontal frame material 16. <Effects of Configuration 9> The robot arm 40 lifts the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 and supports them in clamping devices, then lifts the panel material 20 and positions it on the top surface of the frame 12, and carries out the finished wall panel 22. By setting the operating range of the robot arm 40 to enable these operations and sequentially supplying the necessary materials to the input section, wall panels 22 of various sizes can be produced flexibly and automatically. <Effects of Configuration 10> By providing a processing device 46 that cuts the material 42 according to the shape of the frame 12 specified by the control data, wall panels 22 of various sizes can be automatically and continuously produced as required. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] An example of a product manufactured by a wall panel manufacturing device (perspective view). [Figure 2] Plan view and side view of the manufacturing apparatus for the wall panel in Example 1 [Figure 3] Schematic perspective view of a wall panel manufacturing apparatus. [Figure 4] Plan view illustrating the operation of the conveying device. [Figure 5] Cross-sectional view and enlarged view of the main part of the wall panel manufacturing equipment. [Figure 6] Plan view of the manufacturing apparatus for the wall panel in Example 2 [Figure 7] Plan view of the manufacturing apparatus for the wall panel in Example 3 [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below for each example. [Examples]

[0019] (Example of a wall panel) Figure 1 shows several examples of wall panels manufactured by the apparatus of the present invention. In each case, the panel material 20 is placed on the upper surfaces of the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 that constitute the frame 12, and these are integrated. Note that in this drawing, the panel material 20 is shown fixed to the lower surface of the frame 12 so that the structure of the frame 12 can be clearly seen.

[0020] As shown in these drawings, some vertical frame members 14 consist of only one, while others consist of multiple members. The joints between the vertical frame members 14 and the horizontal frame members 16 also vary. Both the vertical frame members 14 and the horizontal frame members 16 come in various dimensions, and the dimensions of the panel material 20 are determined according to the shape of the frame 12 created by these members. Here, the combination of the vertical frame members 14 and the horizontal frame members 16 is referred to as the frame 12, and the integrated panel material 20 is referred to as the wall panel 22.

[0021] The wall panels 22 manufactured in this way are used by being fixed to various locations during the construction of a building. The manufacturing apparatus of the present invention has the function of freely and continuously manufacturing wall panels 22 of any shape according to control data that controls the apparatus.

[0022] (Wall panel manufacturing equipment) Figure 2(a) is a view of the frame manufacturing apparatus for the frame 12 from above. The vertical frame members 14, horizontal frame members 16, and panel members 20 are not shown in Figure 2(a) because they would obscure the structure of the apparatus. These are shown in Figure 2(b).

[0023] This device includes a vertical frame clamping device 24 for receiving and supporting vertical frame members 14, and a horizontal frame clamping device 26 for receiving and supporting horizontal frame members 16. Three vertical frame clamping devices 24 are arranged side by side so that the vertical frame members 14 can be supported in parallel. This allows, for example, the three vertical frame members 14 required for the wall panel 22 shown in Figure 1(a) to be supported side by side.

[0024] The two vertical frame clamping devices 24 on each side are provided to position and fix the vertical frame members 14 that are located on the outermost part of the frame body 12. The central vertical frame clamping device 24 is for positioning the other vertical frame members 14, and there may be any number of these central vertical frame clamping devices 24.

[0025] As shown in Figure 2(b), in the vertical frame clamping device 24, three clamps 27 are arranged in a line along the length of the vertical frame member 14 on the vertical frame moving table 23. It is preferable to provide at least three clamps 27 in order to support the vertical frame member 14 while correcting any bending.

[0026] At least one of the three clamps 27 is positioned on the vertical frame moving platform 23 to grip the vertical frame member 14, allowing it to move along its length. The other clamps 27 either loosely grip the vertical frame member 14 or simply support it to prevent it from falling. This allows the position of the vertical frame member 14, supported by the vertical frame clamping device 24, at the left end of the figure, to be positioned at a specified location. In other words, the relative position of the vertical frame member 14 supported by each vertical frame clamping device 24 in the length direction can be adjusted.

[0027] In this embodiment, the three clamps 27 also have the function of moving up and down while supporting the vertical frame members 14. Furthermore, the two outermost of the three vertical frame moving stands 23 are movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal frame members 16. That is, the position of the central vertical frame clamp device 24 may be fixed. The distance between them can be freely adjusted by moving the vertical frame clamp devices 24 on either side. Therefore, the frame 12 can be manufactured using horizontal frame members 16 of various lengths.

[0028] The horizontal frame clamping device 26 has at least one clamp 27 positioned on the horizontal frame moving platform 25. The number of clamps 27 is selected according to the length and number of horizontal frame members 16 of the frame body 12 to be manufactured. The horizontal frame moving platform 25 is movable in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame members 14 to position the horizontal frame members 16 at both ends of the vertical frame members 14, in accordance with the length of the vertical frame members 14. Rails 50 are provided to enable the movement of each device and drive servo motors, etc., but a known mechanism is used, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0029] As shown in Figure 2(b), the control device 56, such as a computer, which controls the manufacturing of the wall panel 22, controls the operation of each device in the order specified in the control data (not shown) for manufacturing the wall panel 22. That is, for example, first the vertical frame members 14 are supported by the vertical frame clamp device 24, and the horizontal frame members 16 are supported by the horizontal frame clamp device 26. Next, the spacing between the three vertical frame clamp devices 24 is adjusted to match the length of the horizontal frame members 16.

[0030] Next, the clamps 27 are operated on the vertical frame moving platform 23 to position one end of the vertical frame member 14. At this time, the three clamps 27 shown in Figure 2(b) can adjust the order in which they grip the vertical frame member 14 and move up and down to automatically correct and straighten any bending of the vertical frame member 14.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the control device 56 can adjust the vertical position of all clamps 27 supporting the vertical frame members 14 so that the upper surfaces of all the vertical frame members 14 supported by the multiple vertical frame clamp devices 24 are located on the same plane. At the same time, the control device 56 can adjust the vertical position of the clamps supporting the horizontal frame members 16 so that the upper surfaces of the horizontal frame members 16 are located on the same plane.

[0032] In this way, if all the clamps 27 of the vertical frame clamping device 24 and the horizontal frame clamping device 26 can be adjusted vertically, the upper surfaces of the vertical frame members 14 and the horizontal frame members 16 can be adjusted to be on the same plane, and the panel material 20 can be tightly attached without being affected by bending or dimensional inaccuracies in other parts of the vertical frame members 14 and the horizontal frame members 16.

[0033] Next, the horizontal frame moving platform 25 is moved to position the horizontal frame members 16 at both ends of the vertical frame members 14. With the frame 12 in this state, nails are driven in, and the panel material 20 is placed on top. Finally, the panel material 20 is nailed in to integrate it, completing the wall panel 22. In addition to nailing, integration can also be done by bolting, etc. In this way, wall panels 22 of various shapes can be manufactured automatically and efficiently. The control data specifies the operation procedures for each part of the device, and by changing the specifications of the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 at any time, various wall panels can be manufactured.

[0034] (Panel material conveying device) Returning to Figure 2, let's explain the conveying device for the panel material 20. As shown in Figure 2, above the frame 12 formed by the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 positioned by the vertical frame clamping device 24 and the horizontal frame clamping device 26, a plurality of conveying devices 28, 30, and 32 for conveying the panel material 20 are provided.

[0035] This conveying device consists of a first conveying device 28, a second conveying device 30, and a third conveying device 32 for conveying panel materials 20 in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12. The first conveying device 28 is located in an area for waiting for panel materials 20 brought in from the outside. It has the function of sending the panel materials 20 upward toward the horizontal frame clamping device 26 on the left side of the figure, according to instructions from the control device 56.

[0036] The location where the first conveying device 28 is placed is such that it does not come into contact with the frame 12, even when the longest frame 12 is supported. That is, it is located to the right of the diagram. The second conveying device 30 is placed in the area covered by the panel material 20 fixed to the frame 12. The second conveying device 30 has the function of conveying and positioning the panel material 20 to the target position in the longitudinal direction of the frame 12.

[0037] However, when the first conveying device 28 and the second conveying device 30 are arranged in this manner, there may be a relatively large gap between them. The third conveying device 32 has the function of supporting and conveying the panel material 20 being conveyed from the first conveying device 28 toward the second conveying device 30 in the space created between the first conveying device 28 and the second conveying device 30.

[0038] In this way, by combining three conveying devices, the panel material 20 can be properly supported and transported to the target position, regardless of the size of the frame 12.

[0039] The explanation will be given with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Note that in Figure 3, the vertical frame members 14, horizontal frame members 16, and panel members 20 have been omitted from the illustration to avoid obscuring the structure of the device. The support structure of the second conveying device 30 has also been omitted from the illustration.

[0040] Figure 3 shows the directions in which each device can move using arrows. The vertical frame moving platforms 23 of two of the three vertical frame clamping devices 24 can move in the direction of arrow P. The horizontal frame moving platform 25 of the horizontal frame clamping device 26 on the left side of the figure can move in the direction of arrow Q. Furthermore, the trolley 34 on which the horizontal frame clamping device 26 on the right side of the figure is mounted can move in the direction of arrow R. In addition, the clamps 27 on the vertical frame moving platform 23 can move in the directions of arrows S and T.

[0041] In this embodiment, the third conveying device 32 is mounted on a trolley 34 together with a horizontal frame clamping device 26 located closest to the first conveying device 28. This trolley 34 moves in the longitudinal direction (arrow R direction) of the frame 12 to position the horizontal frame members 16 at the ends of the vertical frame members 14.

[0042] Figure 4 illustrates the method for transporting the panel material 20. Figure 4(a) shows the state before the trolley 34 has been moved. In order to position the horizontal frame material 16 supported by the horizontal frame clamp device 26, the horizontal frame clamp device 26 is moved as shown in Figure 4(b), causing the third transport device 32 to move so that it is positioned exactly between the first transport device 28 and the second transport device 30.

[0043] Since both the horizontal frame clamping device 26 and the third conveying device 32 move simultaneously to the appropriate position each time, control and positioning become easier. The drive mechanism also becomes simpler. Of course, if there is structural room, the horizontal frame clamping device 26 and the third conveying device 32 may be moved to their positions separately.

[0044] Figure 5 shows a cross-section of the apparatus in Figure 3 along line A-A. As shown in Figure 2, the third conveying device and the second conveying device convey the panel material 20 to the top of the frame 12 without contacting the frame 12. When the second conveying device has conveyed the panel material 20 to the target position, the state is as shown in Figure 5(a).

[0045] In other words, the second conveying device 30 supports the panel material 20 at a position slightly above the top surface of the vertical frame material 14. The second conveying device 30 is equipped with a lifting device 36 that moves its position up and down. This lifting device 36 lowers the panel material 20 to the top surface of the frame 12. This results in the state shown in Figure 5(b). After that, the panel material 20 is integrated with the frame 12.

[0046] In this way, the panel material 20 is transported to the target position by three transport devices without touching the positioned frame 12, and then the lifting device 36 is used to bring the panel material 20 into close contact with the upper surface of the frame 12.

[0047] Furthermore, if the clamp 27 is equipped with a function to move up and down, it is also possible to raise all the clamps 27 of the vertical frame clamp device 24 and the horizontal frame clamp device 26 simultaneously while the panel material 20 is supported by the second transport device 30, so that the vertical frame material 14 and the horizontal frame material 16 are in close contact with the panel material 20.

[0048] Figure 5(c) shows a modified example of the clamp 27. This figure is an enlarged view of the area of ​​circle B shown by the dashed line in Figure 5(a). The three clamps 27 on the vertical frame moving stand 23 that support the vertical frame members 14 of the outer frame have the same structure. That is, all of them have an outer support plate 27b fixed in the same straight line, and the inner support plate 27a is opened and closed to support and fix the outer frame members. The outer side refers to the outer surface of the frame body 12.

[0049] By aligning the outer support plates in a straight line, the outer surface of the outer frame material 14 is precisely positioned on the outside of the frame body 12, allowing the appearance of the wall panel 22 to be neat without being affected by variations in the thickness of the vertical frame material 14. Furthermore, the outer surface of the outer frame material can be made parallel to the building columns to which the wall panel 22 is attached, allowing it to be fixed to the side of a column without any gaps, for example. [Examples]

[0050] (robot) A mechanism is needed to transport the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 to the vertical frame clamping device 24 and horizontal frame clamping device 26 described above. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, a robotic arm 40 is used. The robotic arm 40 grasps the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 in sequence and causes the horizontal frame clamping device 26 and vertical frame clamping device 24 to support them in the order specified by the control data. The operating range of the robotic arm 40 is set to enable these operations. Although it is difficult to see in the plan view, the robotic arm 40 can extend and retract its arm by bending and straightening its joints.

[0051] In this example, the panel material 20 is transported by the first transport device 28 and the third transport device 32, but it is also acceptable to grasp it with the robot arm 40 and carry it directly onto the frame 12. The integrated wall panel 22 is removed by the robot arm 40 and stored in the space on the left side of this diagram.

[0052] In other words, if a loading area is provided for accumulating the vertical frame members 14, horizontal frame members 16, and panel members 20, and robot arms 40 that extend their arms are provided at all of these loading areas, the control device can use the robot arms 40 to retrieve the vertical frame members 14 and horizontal frame members 16 from the loading area in the order specified by the control data, thereby controlling the manufacturing of the wall panel 22. [Examples]

[0053] The apparatus in this embodiment can freely manufacture wall panels 22 of various sizes. The sizes of the vertical frame members 14, horizontal frame members 16, and panel members 20 are defined in the control data. Therefore, for example, as shown in the example in Figure 7, a material processing apparatus 46 is combined.

[0054] In this embodiment, the control device 56 causes the processing device 46 to cut horizontal frame members 16, vertical frame members 14, and wall panels 22 according to the shape of the frame 12 specified by the control data. These are transported by the transport path 48 and sent to a location where the robot arm 40 can retrieve them. In this way, the processing device 46 is controlled by the control device 56, and wall panels 22 of various sizes can be automatically switched and manufactured as required. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0055] 12 Frame 14 Vertical frame material 16 Horizontal frame material 20 Panel materials 22 Wall Panels 23 Vertical frame moving stand 24 Vertical frame clamping device 25 Horizontal frame moving platform 26 Horizontal frame clamping device 27 Clamp 28. First conveying device 30 Second conveying device 32 Third conveying device 34 bogies 36 Lifting device 40 Robot Arms 42 Materials 46 Processing equipment 48 Conveyor paths 50 rails 56 Control device

Claims

1. An apparatus for manufacturing a wall panel by arranging panel material on the upper surface of vertical and horizontal frame members that constitute a frame, and integrating them together, A vertical frame clamping device that receives and supports vertical frame members, It is equipped with a horizontal frame clamping device that accepts and supports horizontal frame members, The vertical frame clamping device has at least three clamps arranged in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame member on a vertical frame moving platform, at least one clamp is capable of gripping the vertical frame member on the vertical frame moving platform and moving in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame member, and the vertical frame moving platform is movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal frame member. The horizontal frame clamping device has at least one clamp positioned on a horizontal frame moving platform, and one horizontal frame moving platform is positioned at each end of the vertical frame members to position the horizontal frame members, and is movable and supported in the longitudinal direction of the vertical frame members to match the length of the vertical frame members. There are at least three of the above-mentioned vertical frame moving platforms, and each is positioned to support the vertical frame members in parallel with its clamping device. The control device for manufacturing wall panels supports the vertical and horizontal frame members in the corresponding clamps according to the order specified in the control data for manufacturing the frame, and moves any of the clamps, the vertical frame moving table, and the horizontal frame moving table in sequence to position them and form a frame by combining the vertical and horizontal frame members. A wall panel manufacturing apparatus characterized by stacking and integrating panel material onto the upper surface of this frame.

2. The control device, according to the control data for manufacturing the frame, causes the vertical frame clamping device to support the vertical frame members, and if there are multiple vertical frame clamping devices, it grasps the vertical frame members with one of the clamps, adjusts the relative position of the vertical frame members in the longitudinal direction supported by each vertical frame clamping device, and straightens the vertical frame members with multiple clamps. The vertical frame moving platform and the horizontal frame moving platform are moved to the positions specified by the control data and positioned. A wall panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it forms a frame by combining vertical frame members and horizontal frame members.

3. The wall panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the control device adjusts the vertical position of all clamps supporting the vertical frame members so that the upper surfaces of all vertical frame members supported by a plurality of vertical frame clamp devices are located on the same plane, and adjusts the vertical position of the clamps supporting the horizontal frame members so that the upper surfaces of the horizontal frame members to be integrated with the vertical frame members are located on the same plane, and then brings the upper surfaces of the vertical frame members and horizontal frame members into close contact with the panel material to manufacture a wall panel.

4. The wall panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamps on the vertical frame moving platform that support the vertical frame members of the outer frame all have their outer support plates aligned in the same straight line, and the inner support plates are opened and closed to support and fix the outer frame members.

5. The system includes multiple conveying devices that transport panel materials above the frame formed by vertical and horizontal frame members positioned by vertical and horizontal frame clamping devices. This conveying device consists of a first conveying device 28, a second conveying device 30, and a third conveying device 32 for conveying panel materials in the longitudinal direction of the frame. The first conveying device 28 is positioned so as not to come into contact with the frame even if the longest frame in the line design is supported, and is for conveying panel materials in the longitudinal direction of the frame. The second transport device 30 is positioned in an area covered by the panel material fixed to the frame, and is used to transport and position the panel material to the target position in the longitudinal direction of the frame. The wall panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the third conveying device 32 is for supporting and conveying panel material being conveyed from the first conveying device 28 toward the second conveying device 30 in the space created between the first conveying device 28 and the second conveying device 30.

6. The wall panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the third conveying device is mounted on a trolley that moves in the longitudinal direction of the frame, carrying the clamping device closest to the first conveying device among any of the clamping devices that support the frame.

7. The wall panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the third conveying device and the second conveying device convey the panel material above the frame in a non-contact manner with the frame, and the second conveying device conveys the panel material to a target position and then lowers it onto the top surface of the frame.

8. The wall panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the control device adjusts the vertical position of all clamps supporting the vertical frame members so that the upper surfaces of all vertical frame members supported by a plurality of vertical frame clamp devices are located on the same plane, and adjusts the vertical position of the clamps supporting the horizontal frame members so that the upper surfaces of the horizontal frame members integrated with the vertical frame members are located on the same plane, and then raises the upper surfaces of the vertical frame members and horizontal frame members to bring them into close contact with the panel material to manufacture a wall panel.

9. A loading area where vertical frame materials, horizontal frame materials, and panel materials are stacked, All of the above loading areas are equipped with robotic arms that can extend their arms. The control device is characterized in that, using a robot arm, it takes out vertical frame members and horizontal frame members from the above-mentioned loading section in the order specified by the control data, supports them with one of the above-mentioned clamping devices, and takes out panel members from the above-mentioned loading section and places them on the above-mentioned frame, as described in claim 1.

10. A wall panel manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5 or 9, characterized in that a processing device is provided into which material before cutting is fed, and a control device causes the processing device to cut horizontal frame material, vertical frame material and panel material in a shape corresponding to the frame shape specified by control data, and then feeds the cut horizontal frame material, vertical frame material and panel material into the feeding section.

Images