Machine for laser processing of tubes and profiles, in particular for laser cutting of tubes and profiles with an improved unloading system for removing the tube or profile at the end of the processing process

Abstract

A machine (10) for laser processing, in particular laser cutting, of tubes and profiles (T) is disclosed, the machine comprising an unloading system (18, 20) for removing the tube or profile (T) at the end of the processing operation, the unloading system (18, 20) comprising one or more divider members (20) arranged one after the other along a direction parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine. Each divider member (20) has a working surface (24, 26) including a first substantially flat surface portion (24) and a second substantially flat surface portion (26) arranged adjacent to the first surface portion (24) and forming an angle (α) with the first surface portion (24) greater than 90°. Each divider member (20) is displaceable between a lowered position in which the first surface portion (24) is slightly inclined relative to the horizontal, so that the proximal longitudinal edge (24a) of the first surface portion (24) is at a height greater than the height of the distal longitudinal edge (24b) of the first surface portion (24), thereby receiving the tube or profile (T) and rolling or sliding it against the second surface portion (26), and a raised position in which the first surface portion (24) extends substantially vertically and faces away from the feed axis (x) of the machine to isolate the processing area of ​​the machine from the external environment.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine for laser processing of tubes and profiles, in particular for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, with an unloading system for removing the tube or profile at the end of the processing process. [Background technology]

[0002] Unloading systems for machines for laser processing of tubes and profiles, in particular laser cutting of tubes and profiles, are known which have the function of removing the tube or profile from the machine each time a planned processing step is completed.

[0003] For example, EP 2492041 B1 discloses an unloading system comprising one or more unloading carriages and one or more support carriages, both of which are movable along the forward longitudinal direction of the tube. Each unloading carriage comprises an unloading platform hinged to a support structure about an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the aforementioned longitudinal direction and connected to a rod of a hydraulic cylinder. Thus, under the control of the hydraulic cylinder, the unloading platform of each unloading carriage is movable between a horizontal position, in which the tube can be removed onto the upper surface of the unloading platform without rolling or sliding, and an inclined position, in which the tube can be rolled or slid by gravity into a container located next to the machine or onto a conveyor device located next to the machine.

[0004] For machines intended to work with long lengths, in particular with lengths exceeding 8 meters, and / or with large sizes, in particular with cross sections exceeding 300 mm in diameter, it is known to use an unloading system comprising a vertically movable support plate P positioned below the tube T being processed in order to support the tube during processing and, at the end of the processing process, to place the tube by vertical downward movement onto a pair of conveying chains C provided on either side of the support plate P, as shown diagrammatically in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings. During the processing process, as shown in Figure 1, the support plate P supports the head portion of the tube T, while the remaining portion of the tube is supported by one or more mandrels M. Once the processing process is complete, the processed portion of the tube T supported by the support plate P is placed onto the conveying chain C by vertical downward movement of the support plate, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, and is finally transported by the conveying chain C from the processing area of ​​the machine. Such an unloading system is used, for example, in machines LT14 and LT24 manufactured by the applicant.

[0005] Machines for laser processing of tubes and profiles generally require a protection system that laterally delimits the processing area in which the tube is placed during processing from the external environment to ensure a high level of safety for the operator. However, known unloading systems such as those described above are not designed to be easily and effectively integrated with such protection systems. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 2492041 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a machine for laser processing of tubes and profiles that is equipped with an unloading system for removing the tube or profile at the end of the processing process, which in addition to the function of removing the tube or profile can also perform the function of protecting the processing area of ​​the machine from the external environment.

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

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

[0010] In summary, the present invention is based on the idea of ​​providing an unloading system comprising one or more divider members arranged along a direction parallel to the feed axis of the machine, each divider member being rotatably supported to rotate about a horizontal axis of rotation, in particular an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the feed axis of the machine, so as to be movable between a lowered position in which the working surface of the divider member faces substantially upwards and receives the tube or profile at the end of the processing process, and an elevated position in which the working surface of the divider member faces in a direction opposite to the feed axis of the machine, whereby, as a result of the displacement of the divider member from the lowered position to the elevated position, the tube or profile received on the working surface of the divider member moves towards the outside of the machine, and furthermore, in the elevated position, the divider member functions as a separating element separating the processing area of ​​the machine from the external environment.

[0011] By virtue of the provision of such a movable divider member, the unloading system according to the invention can perform the function of protecting the processing area from the external environment during processing in addition to the usual function of removing the tube or profile at the end of the processing step.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the unloading system further comprises actuation means, in particular at least one pneumatic cylinder, for controlling the rotation of each divider member about its respective axis of rotation between the lowered and raised positions.

[0013] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, given purely by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B show a schematic illustration of the operation of a known unloading system for a machine for laser processing of tubes, showing both a side view and a top view of a machine with a tube unloading system; [Figure 2] 1A and 1B show a schematic illustration of the operation of a known unloading system for a machine for laser processing of tubes, showing both a side view and a top view of a machine with a tube unloading system; [Figure 3] 1A and 1B show a schematic illustration of the operation of a known unloading system for a machine for laser processing of tubes, showing both a side view and a top view of a machine with a tube unloading system; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view from a different viewing angle of an unloading system of a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles according to an embodiment of the present invention, the unloading system being in a state of processing a tube. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a perspective view from a different viewing angle of an unloading system of a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles according to an embodiment of the present invention, the unloading system being in a state of processing a tube. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5, but with the unloading system removed from the tube (not shown). [Figure 7] 6 is a perspective view showing only the support and removal device of the unloading system according to FIGS. 4 and 5 in a tube processing state; FIG. [Figure 8]6 is a side view showing only the support and removal device of the unloading system according to FIGS. 4 and 5 in a tube processing state; FIG. [Figure 9] 6 shows a front view of the divider member of the unloading system according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the divider member being in the lowered position; FIG. [Figure 10] 6 shows a front view of the divider member of the unloading system according to FIGS. 4 and 5, the divider member being in a raised position. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a support and removal device of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of the support and removal device of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is a front view of the support and removal device of FIG. 11. [Figure 14] 12 is a detailed perspective view of a drive unit associated with the table of the support and removal device of FIG. 11; FIG. [Figure 15] 12A-12C are front views showing the support and removal device of FIG. 11 in different positions from the normal processing position to the removal position. [Figure 16] 12A-12C are front views showing the support and removal device of FIG. 11 in different positions from the normal processing position to the removal position. [Figure 17] 12A-12C are front views showing the support and removal device of FIG. 11 in different positions from the normal processing position to the removal position. [Figure 18] 12A-12C are front views showing the support and removal device of FIG. 11 in different positions from the normal processing position to the removal position. [Figure 19] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions assumed by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with a tube having a circular cross section. [Figure 20]6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions assumed by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with a tube having a circular cross section. [Figure 21] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions assumed by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with a tube having a circular cross section. [Figure 22] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions assumed by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with a tube having a circular cross section. [Figure 23] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions assumed by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with a tube having a circular cross section. [Figure 24] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions assumed by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with a tube having a circular cross section. [Figure 25] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions assumed by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with a tube having a circular cross section. [Figure 26] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 27]6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 28] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 29] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 30] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 31] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 32] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 33] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 34]6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. [Figure 35] 6A and 6B are front views showing in sequence a series of positions taken by one of the tables and divider members of one of the support and removal devices of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with pipes having a square cross section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In the following description and claims, the term "longitudinal" is used to identify a direction that is coincident with or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile being machined, and the term "transverse" is used to identify a direction that lies in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, terms such as "upper" and "lower," or "horizontal" and "vertical," when used with respect to the unloading system, are intended to refer to the state in which the unloading system is installed on the machine.

[0016] 4 and 5, a machine for processing tubes and profiles to which the unloading system according to the invention is applicable is generally indicated at 10. In the example proposed here, the machine is a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles, but the invention is equally applicable to other types of machines for laser processing of tubes and profiles.

[0017] The machine 10 comprises, in a manner known per se, a processing unit 12 having a processing head 14 capable of carrying out processing operations, which in the present case are cutting operations, but which may also include other types of operations, such as welding or additive manufacturing operations by means of a laser beam focused on the tube T. The tube T shown in Figures 4 and 5 is a tube with a circular cross section, but the machine 10 can process tubes with any other shape, for example (but not exclusively) with a square or rectangular cross section, as well as profiles of any shape, such as C-profiles, T-profiles, IPE-profiles, HEA-profiles, etc. For convenience, the following description will only use the term tube, but it will be understood that what follows is equally applicable when the machine is used to process profiles.

[0018] The machine 10 further comprises a tube holding carriage (not shown, but in any case of a type known per se) equipped with holding means configured to hold the tube T by its ends (terminal ends). Such holding means define the feed axis x of the machine, with the longitudinal axis of the tube T being aligned with it during processing. Upstream of and next to the processing head 14, advantageously, a support and guide mandrel (not shown, but in any case of a type known per se) is also provided, which can support and guide the tube T during processing while keeping its longitudinal axis aligned with the feed axis x. During processing, the tube T is moved forward along the feed axis x by the tube holding carriage and, in any case, rotated about this axis.

[0019] The machine 10 further includes an unloading system for removing the tube T at the end of the processing step. More precisely, the unloading system serves to transport the tube T from the processing position in which the tube T is located during the processing step, i.e., as described above, the position in which the longitudinal axis of the tube T is aligned with the feed axis x of the machine, to a removal position in which the tube T is displaced laterally with respect to the processing position. In particular, in the example shown here, in the removal position, the tube T is placed on a transport means, such as a conveyor belt 16, arranged alongside the machine 10 and configured to move the tube T laterally, while keeping the tube T substantially parallel to the feed axis x of the machine, until the tube T is transported, for example, to a storage area (also not shown) from which it can be picked up by suitable handling means (not shown, but in any case of a type known per se).

[0020] The unloading system essentially comprises a plurality of support and removal devices 18 (or, more generally, one or more support and removal devices 18) arranged one after the other along and below the feed axis x of the machine, and a plurality of divider members 20 arranged transversely to the support and removal devices 18, in particular between these support and removal devices and the conveyor belt 16. The support and removal devices 18, together with any other support devices, such as, for example, rotary support members 22 (more clearly visible in Figures 7 and 8), serve to support the tube T during the processing step, while, once the processing step is completed, they serve to remove the tube T from its processing position and place it on the divider members 20. The divider members 20 then serve as protective devices during the processing step, ensuring a high level of safety for the operator by laterally separating the processing area in which the processed tube T is located from the external environment, and, once the processing step is completed, serve to place the tube T received from the support and removal devices 18 on a transport means, as will be explained in more detail below. In this regard, Figures 4 and 5, as well as Figures 7 and 8, show the supporting and removing device 18 in a processing position, which supports the tube T during the processing process, with the tube T positioned with its longitudinal axis aligned with the feed axis x of the machine, while Figure 6 shows the supporting and removing device 18 in a removing position, which allows the tube T to be displaced by gravity onto the divider member 20. With regard to the divider member 20, the divider member is shown in Figures 4-6 only in a lowered position ready to receive the tube T from the supporting and removing device 18.

[0021] 9 and 10, each divider member 20, in the embodiment proposed herein, forms a working surface comprising a substantially planar first face portion 24 and an equally substantially planar second face portion 26, the second face portion being arranged adjacent to the first face portion 24 and forming with it an angle α greater than 90°, in particular between 95° and 125°, for example equal to 115°. However, more generally, the working surface may have a shape different from that proposed herein and may, for example, be formed by two flat surfaces suitably joined to each other or by a single suitably shaped face.

[0022] Each divider member 20 is movable between the aforementioned lowered position (FIG. 9) and raised position (FIG. 10). According to the embodiment proposed herein, the movement of the divider members 20 between the lowered and raised positions is effected by rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation x1, in particular an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the feed axis x of the machine, under the control of actuator means, for example comprising one or more pneumatic cylinders 28.

[0023] For example, in the lowered position of the divider members 20, advantageously defined by the limit switch members 30 (only one of which is visible in FIGS. 9 and 10 ), the working surface faces the support and removal device 18 to receive the tube T from the support and removal device after the processing step is completed. In particular, in this position, the first surface portion 24 is slightly inclined with respect to the horizontal, for example by an angle of 5° to 15°, so that the proximal longitudinal edge 24a of said surface portion (i.e., the longitudinal edge facing the feed axis x of the machine) is higher than the distal longitudinal edge 24b of said surface portion (i.e., the longitudinal edge facing the opposite side of the feed axis x of the machine). In this way, when the tube T is placed on the first surface portion 24 of each divider member 20 by the support and removal device 18, the tube T can slide or roll along said surface portion toward the second surface portion 26 until it stops against said second surface portion 26.

[0024] In the raised position of the divider member 20, the first surface portion 24 extends substantially vertically and faces the conveyor belt 16, i.e., opposite the feed axis x of the machine.

[0025] When the divider elements 20 move from the lowered position to the raised position, the tube T placed on the support surface of the divider elements 20 is then transferred onto the conveyor belts 16, which transport it to the aforementioned storage area. At this point, the divider elements 20 remain in the raised position until the processing of another tube T is finished, thereby acting as a protective element that laterally separates the processing area of ​​the machine, in which the tube T under processing is placed, from the external environment, due to the substantially vertical orientation of the first surface portion 24. As already mentioned, this system ensures a high degree of operator safety, since it makes it possible to protect the operator both from laser radiation (emitted by the processing head of the machine or reflected by the tube under processing or other surfaces of the machine) and from the emission of particulates and processing residues.

[0026] 11 to 18, each supporting and removing device 18 basically comprises a table 32 and a drive unit 34 associated with the table 32 for generating a rotational-translational movement of the table 32 in a transverse plane (i.e., in a plane perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine) between a processing position (FIG. 15) and a removing position (FIG. 17 or 18). The removing positions in FIG. 17 or 18 are two of the possible removing positions that can be obtained, since the unloading system can appropriately define the removing positions depending on the type of tube T to be processed.

[0027] The table 32 first comprises a first table portion 36 having an upper surface 38, which in the embodiment proposed herein is a substantially flat surface, but may in particular be a slightly arched surface having an upward concave shape. A plurality of idle rollers 40 (better visible in FIGS. 5 to 7 ) are attached to the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36, spaced apart from one another in the longitudinal direction, and rotatably supported for rotation about respective rotation axes parallel to the plane of the upper surface 38 and perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine. In the processing position of the table 32, as shown in FIG. 7 for example, the idle rollers 40 serve as support elements for the tube T during the processing process. The table 32 further comprises a second table portion 42 extending laterally outward relative to the first table portion 36 and having an upper surface 44. In the example proposed herein, the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42, like the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36, is also a substantially flat surface. However, the top surface 44 may also be non-flat, for example slightly arched, in particular concave upward. The top surface 44 of the second table part 42 is inclined relative to the top surface 38 of the first table part 36 by an angle β, in particular an angle greater than 135°, preferably greater than 150°, so that when the top surface 38 is oriented horizontally, the outer longitudinal edge 44a of the top surface 44 is at a greater height than the inner longitudinal edge 44b of said surface, as shown in Figure 15. The top surfaces 38 of the first table part 36 and 44 of the second table part 42 are preferably connected to each other by an arched connecting surface 46, in particular when the top surfaces 38 and 44 are both substantially flat. According to a further embodiment (not shown), the table 32 comprises a third table portion extending laterally inward relative to the first table portion 36 and therefore opposite the second table portion 42, and having, for example, an upper surface having a shape similar to the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42, although this does not necessarily have to be the case.

[0028] More generally, therefore, the table 32 has a cradle-like shape, with a main portion formed by the first table portion 36 and one or two lateral portions formed by the second table portion 42 and, if present, by a third table portion, which extend laterally like banks from opposite longitudinal edges of the first table portion 36.

[0029] Preferably, in the embodiment proposed herein (as can be better seen in FIGS. 11 to 14 ), the first table portion 36 of the table 32 is provided at one of its longitudinal ends with at least one roller chain 48 (in this case, a pair of roller chains arranged side by side) wound around a pair of sprockets 50 and 52. Both sprockets 50, 52 are rotatably mounted, and the roller chain 48 is freely movable in one direction or the other. The roller chain 48 of the table 32 of the various support and removal devices 18 has the function of “accommodating” a possible rotational movement of the tube T about the feed axis x, which is controlled by the holding means of the machine 10, while the tube T is being processed, and of facilitating the sliding of the tube T along the first table portion 36 during removal, particularly in the case of tubes with a non-circular cross section, and preventing it from slipping on the rollers 40 provided on said table portion. In the embodiment proposed herein, the roller chain 48 is provided only at one of the two longitudinal ends of each table 32, but it may also be provided at both longitudinal ends of each table 32. Furthermore, instead of the roller chain, other devices having similar functions may be provided.

[0030] As described above, the drive unit 34 is configured to move the table 32 between the processing position of FIG. 15, in which the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 is oriented substantially horizontally and the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is therefore inclined relative to the horizontal by an angle corresponding to the aforementioned angle β, whereby the longitudinal outer edge 44a of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is located at a height higher than the longitudinal inner edge 44b of said surface, and the removal position of FIG. 17 or 18, in which both the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 and the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 are inclined relative to the horizontal, the longitudinal outer edge 38a of the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 is located at a height lower than the longitudinal inner edge 38b of said surface, and the longitudinal outer edge 44a of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is located at a height lower (or at most the same) than the longitudinal inner edge 44b of said surface.

[0031] The table 32 is supported by a first support structure 54 that extends primarily vertically and is vertically movable by linear guides 56 (shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 ) and supported by a second support structure 58 of the supporting and unloading device 18. More specifically, the table 32 is hinged to its first table portion 36 and to the upper end of the first support structure 54 so as to be rotatable relative to the first support structure 54 about a horizontal rotation axis x2, specifically a rotation axis oriented parallel to the feed axis x of the machine. Advantageously, the rotation axis x2 is not aligned with the center of gravity G of the first table portion 36 but is spaced apart from the first table portion 36 in the direction of the feed axis x of the machine. In this way, a clockwise or counterclockwise rotation of the table 32 relative to the first support structure 54 about the rotation axis x2 (relative to the viewpoint of the viewer in FIGS. 15 to 18 ) results in a downward or upward displacement of the center of gravity G of the first table portion 36, respectively.

[0032] Furthermore, the second support structure 58 of each support and removal device 18 is advantageously mounted on a fixed support structure (not shown) so as to be movable relative to the fixed support structure parallel to the feed axis x of the machine. In this respect, slide pads are indicated at 60 which are fixed to the second support structure 58 and which slide along respective guide rails (not shown) mounted on the fixed support structure.

[0033] The drive unit 34 first comprises a first actuator 62 for controlling the vertical translation of the first support structure 54 relative to the second support structure 58 .

[0034] 13 and 14 , in the embodiment proposed herein, the first actuator 62 comprises a motor 64, particularly an electric motor, configured to generate rotational motion, and a motion conversion mechanism, e.g., a mechanism including a rack 66 and a pinion 68 meshing with the rack 66, arranged to convert the rotational motion generated by the motor 64 into vertical translational motion. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the motor 64 is carried by the second support structure 58, and the rack 66 is attached to the first support structure 54. In this manner, rotation of the pinion 68 in one direction or another, controlled by the motor 64, results in vertical upward or downward translation of the first support structure 54, and thus of the table 32 carried by the first support structure 54. This vertical translational motion serves, among other things, to properly position the table 32 perpendicular to the feed axis x during processing of the tube T so as to provide adequate support for the tube T being processed.

[0035] The drive unit 34 further includes a second actuator 70 interposed between the first support structure 54 and the table 32 so as to generate rotational movement of the table 32 in one direction or the other relative to the first support structure 54 about the rotation axis x2.

[0036] 12-14 , in the embodiment proposed herein, the second actuator 70 comprises a first pair of pneumatic cylinders 72, or more generally, a first pair of linear actuators, and a second pair of pneumatic cylinders 74, or more generally, a second pair of linear actuators, operating in series with the first pair of pneumatic cylinders 72. Each of the pneumatic cylinders 72 comprises a cylindrical housing 76 and a rod 78 extending from the cylindrical housing 76. Similarly, each of the pneumatic cylinders 74 comprises a cylindrical housing 80 and a rod 82 extending from the cylindrical housing 80. Both the cylindrical housings 76 of the pneumatic cylinders 72 and the cylindrical housings 80 of the pneumatic cylinders 74 are fixed to a support base 84. While not required, the cylindrical housings 76 of the pneumatic cylinders 72 are centrally positioned adjacent to each other, and the cylindrical housings 80 of the pneumatic cylinders 74 are laterally positioned on either side of the cylindrical housing 76 of the pneumatic cylinders 72.

[0037] The rods 78 of the two pneumatic cylinders 72 point downward and are hinged at their free ends to brackets 86 attached to the lower end of the first support structure 48, while the rod 82 of the pneumatic cylinder 74 points upward and is hinged at its free end to the first table portion 36 of the table 32, in particular to a point on the first table portion 36 located between the center of gravity G of said table portion and the second table portion 42. Thus, the retraction movement of the pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 generates a rotational movement of the table 32 relative to the first support structure 48 about the axis of rotation x2 in a counterclockwise direction relative to a viewer of Figure 13 or in a clockwise direction relative to a viewer of Figures 15 to 18, i.e., in a direction such that the second table portion 42 moves downward.

[0038] Both pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 are preferably controlled so that the extension / retraction of each rod occurs to the end of its stroke. More specifically, pneumatic cylinder 72 is configured so that movement of each rod 78 in one direction or the other rotates table 32 in one direction or the other about rotation axis x2 by a first angle of small magnitude, for example an angle equal to 5°, as shown in Fig. 16, while pneumatic cylinder 74 is configured so that movement of each rod 82 in one direction or the other rotates table 32 in one direction or the other about rotation axis x2 by a second angle greater than the first angle, in particular an angle greater than 45°, for example an angle equal to 55°, as shown in Fig. 18.

[0039] The drive unit 34 further comprises a cam mechanism having a roller-shaped rolling element 88 carried by the second support structure 52, in particular above the bracket 86, and a cam element 90 fixed to the table 32, in particular to the first table part 36, and having an actuating surface 90a suitably shaped to cooperate with the outer cylindrical surface of the rolling element 88. For the purposes of force balancing, there are preferably two such cam mechanisms, or more generally at least two such cam mechanisms, arranged longitudinally on either side of the second actuating device 70, as shown in Figure 11.

[0040] In the processing position of FIG. 15 , both the first pair of pneumatic cylinders 72 and the second pair of pneumatic cylinders 74 are extended to maintain a substantially horizontal orientation of the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36. Starting from that position, as shown in FIG. 15 , the pneumatic cylinders 72 are retracted to first rotate the table 32 relative to the first support structure 48 by the aforementioned first angle (e.g., equal to 5°) about the axis of rotation x2 (clockwise rotation relative to the viewer of FIGS. 15-18 ). The pneumatic cylinders 74 are then retracted to further rotate the table 32 about the axis of rotation x2 relative to the first support structure 48 (clockwise rotation relative to the viewer of FIGS. 15-18 ). This further rotation of the table 32 causes the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism carried by the table 32 to contact the rolling element 88 carried by the second support structure 52 at a specific point, as shown in FIG. 17 . In such a state (which in the example shown here corresponds to a rotation of the table 32 about the axis of rotation x2 at an angle of 25° to the horizontal, but of course could be at a different angle), although each rod 82 has not yet reached the end of its retraction stroke, further retraction of each rod 82 is prevented by contact between the cam element 90 and the rolling element 88 of the cam mechanism, so that the pneumatic cylinder 74 is still in traction.

[0041] At this point, the upward vertical translation of the first support structure 54, together with the table 32, is controlled by the first actuator 62. As a result of this movement and the pulling action exerted by the pneumatic cylinder 74, which keeps the cam element 90 in contact with the rolling element 88 of the cam mechanism, the cam mechanism generates a further rotation of the table 32 relative to the first support structure 48 about the axis of rotation x2 to the position shown in FIG. 18. Thus, during this final phase of its movement, the table 32 translates upward and simultaneously rotates about the axis of rotation x2 according to the law of motion determined by the profile of the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism. Thus, in this case, the axis of rotation x2 can reach a height in the removal position that is higher than the height at which the table 32 is located when in the processing position.

[0042] Depending on the type of tube T to be processed, the movements described above with reference to Figures 15 to 18 can be combined in different ways. For example, in the case of small tubes, the pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 can be actuated simultaneously rather than sequentially, so that the table 32 reaches the removal position as quickly as possible. Furthermore, if the table 32 does not need to be tilted significantly relative to the horizontal, the rotational movement of the table 32 controlled by the cam mechanism can be only partially performed.

[0043] Such movements are managed by a machine control unit which is programmed to send appropriate control signals to the various actuators of the drive unit 34, i.e. the motor 64 of the first actuator 62 and the pair of pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 of the second actuator 70 (or, more generally, the pair of linear actuators), in such a way that, once a tube T has been processed, the table 32 of one or more of the supporting and removing devices 18 (depending on the length of the tube) is moved from the processing position defined above to the removing position and then returned to the processing position to allow for the processing of another tube.

[0044] Such a drive unit offers the advantage that the movement of the table 32 can be controlled according to the desired laws of motion, both in terms of vertical translation and in terms of rotation about the rotation axis x2, by controlled actuation of only the first actuation device 62. The term "controlled actuation" here should be understood to mean position-controlled actuation. Indeed, the pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 of the second actuation device 70 are, as mentioned, simply extended or retracted, without the need for position control. For the pneumatic cylinder 72, the movement of the rod 78 in one direction or the other is always to the end of its stroke, whereas for the pneumatic cylinder 74, the movement of the rod 82 during retraction is determined by the contour 90a of the cam element 90 when it contacts the rolling element 88 of the cam mechanism, and is therefore controllable through the vertical displacement of the table 32 under the control of the first actuation device 62. Such an arrangement is more robust than, for example, a solution using position-controlled linear actuators, and at the same time, allows for a less complex and expensive drive unit.

[0045] 19 to 25 show the operation of the unloading system described above when the machine is used to work on a tube T having a circular cross section.

[0046] Figure 19 shows the tube T during the processing step, supported from below by the table 32 (not visible in Figure 19) of the various supporting and removing devices 18, as well as by the rotary support members 22 (only one of which is visible in Figure 19). Furthermore, in this case the machine also comprises one or more rotary support members 92 (only one of which is visible in Figure 19) arranged above the feed axis x to laterally restrain the tube T. The divider members 20 are at this stage in a raised position to laterally isolate the processing area of ​​the machine from the external environment.

[0047] Once the tube T has been processed, the rotary support members 22 and 92 are moved away from the tube T by downward movement of the lower rotary support member 22 and upward movement of the upper rotary support member 92, so that the tube T remains supported solely on the table 32 of the supporting and removing apparatus 18, as shown in Figure 20. The table 32 is still in the processing position and the divider member 20 is still in the raised position.

[0048] FIG. 21 shows a subsequent stage in which the divider member 20 has been moved to a lowered position, while the table 32 of the support and removal device 18 is still in the processing position.

[0049] 22, the tables 32 are then moved closer to their respective divider members 20 by downward vertical translation of the second support structure 52 of the supporting and removing apparatus 18. Referring further to FIG. 22, once the downward vertical translation of the second support structure 52 is complete, the tables 32 are tilted slightly by actuation of the pneumatic cylinders 72 of the respective second actuation devices 70, each reaching a position corresponding to the position shown in FIG. 16. As a result of the tilting of the tables 32, the tube T rolls along the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 until it comes to rest against the coupling surface 46.

[0050] 23, table 32 is further rotated by operation of pneumatic cylinder 74 of second actuator 70 until it reaches an angular position corresponding to that of FIG. 17. In this manner, tube T is transferred from table 32 to divider member 20 and rolls along first surface portion 24 of the divider member until it hits second surface portion 26 of the divider member and stops. For circular tube T, it is not necessary to move table 32 to the position shown in FIG. 18, because the inclination of upper surface 38 of first table portion 36 and the inclination of upper surface 44 of second table portion 42 are sufficient to cause tube T to roll from table 32 onto divider member 20.

[0051] At this point, as shown in FIG. 24, the table 32 of the support and removal device 18 is returned to the processing position.

[0052] Finally, the divider members 20 are moved from the lowered position to the raised position, so that the tube T supported by the divider members is transferred to the conveyor belt 16 (FIG. 25). The machine is then ready to process a new tube.

[0053] Finally, Figures 26 to 35 show the operation of the unloading system described above when the machine is used to process a tube T having a square cross section. The sequence of movements of the divider member 20 and the table 32 of the support and removal device 18 is similar to that described above with reference to Figures 19 to 25, and will not be described in detail again. The only difference is that in this case, the table 32 is moved from the processing position to the removal position of Figure 18 (Figures 31 and 32) to allow the tube T to be transferred from the second table portion 42 of the table 32 to the divider member 20. Thus, in this case, after reaching the position of Figure 17, the table 32 is lifted and further rotated about the rotation axis x2 according to the law of motion determined by the profile of the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism until it reaches the position of Figure 18. The same applies to any other non-circular tube.

[0054] The present invention has been described herein with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, and it should be understood that other embodiments may be envisioned that share the same inventive core as described herein, as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A machine (10) for laser processing, in particular laser cutting, of tubes and profiles (T), comprising: a processing unit (12) equipped with a laser processing means (14); feeding means configured to move each time the tube or profile (T) to be processed along a feed axis (x) towards said processing unit (12); an unloading system (18, 20) for removing the tube or profile (T) at the end of the processing step, the unloading system (18, 20) comprising one or more divider members (20) arranged along a direction parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine, each divider element (20) is rotatably supported for rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation (x1), in particular an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine, so as to be movable between a lowered position in which the working surfaces (24, 26) of the divider element (20) face substantially upwards to receive the tube or profile (T) at the end of the processing step, and a raised position in which the working surfaces (24, 26) face in a direction opposite to the feed axis (x) of the machine, whereby, as a result of the displacement of the divider element (20) from the lowered position to the raised position, the tube or profile (T) received on the working surfaces (24, 26) moves towards the outside of the machine, and in the raised position, the divider element (20) functions as a separating element separating the processing area of ​​the machine from the external environment; Machine (10).

2. 2. The machine of claim 1, wherein the working surface (24, 26) of each divider member (20) comprises a first surface portion (24) and a second surface portion (26) disposed adjacent to the first surface portion (24) and inclined relative to the first surface portion (24), wherein in the lowered position of the divider member (20), the first surface portion (24) is inclined relative to the horizontal so that a proximal longitudinal edge (24a) of the surface portion (24) is at a higher height than a distal longitudinal edge (24b) of the surface portion (24) to receive the tube or profile (T) and cause the tube or profile (T) to roll or slide against the second surface portion (26), and wherein in the raised position of the divider member (20), the first surface portion (24) extends substantially vertically.

3. 3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first surface portion (24) and the second surface portion (26) of the working surface (24, 26) are substantially flat surfaces which form an angle (α) with each other of greater than 90°.

4. 4. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the unloading system (18, 20) further comprises actuation means, in particular at least one pneumatic cylinder (28), for controlling the displacement of each divider member (20) between the lowered and raised positions by rotation about a respective axis of rotation (x1).

5. the unloading system (18, 20) further comprises one or more support and removal devices (18) arranged along and below the feed axis (x) of the machine, Each supporting and removing device (18) comprises a table (32) and a drive unit (34) associated with said table (32); the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) comprises a first table portion (36) having an upper surface (38) and a second table portion (42) extending laterally outwardly relative to the first table portion (36) and having an upper surface (44); The drive unit (34) is adapted to: a processing position in which the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) is oriented to support the tube or profile (T) to be processed, and the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) is oriented so that the outer longitudinal edge (44a) of the upper surface (44) is located at a height higher than the inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44); and a processing position in which the outer longitudinal edge (38a) of the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) is located at a height lower than the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38) and the second table portion (42) is oriented so that the outer longitudinal edge (38a) of the upper surface (38) is located at a height lower than the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38). and a support and removal device (18) configured to generate a rotational translational movement of the table (32) of each support and removal device (18) with a vertical translation and a rotation about a horizontal rotation axis (x2) oriented parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine between the processing position and a removal position, in which the table (32) is moved vertically and rotated about the rotation axis (x2) so that the outer longitudinal edge (44a) of the upper surface (44) of the support part (42) is located at a height lower than or equal to the inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44). A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. 6. The machine of claim 5, wherein the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) is configured such that the outer longitudinal edge (38a) and the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38) are positioned at substantially the same height when the table (32) is in the processing position.

7. 7. A machine according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) and the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) of the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) are designed so that a plane passing through the longitudinal outer edge (44a) and the longitudinal inner edge (44b) of the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) is inclined at a predetermined angle (β), in particular an angle greater than 135°, relative to the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36).

8. 8. A machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) is a substantially flat surface.

9. 9. A machine according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) of the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) is a substantially flat surface.

10. 10. A machine according to claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) further comprises an arched joining surface (46) joining the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) with the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42).

11. 11. A machine according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) is provided with a plurality of idle rollers (40) arranged longitudinally spaced from one another and supported so as to be freely rotatable about respective rotation axes oriented parallel to the plane of the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) and perpendicular to the feed axis (x) of the machine.

12. 12. A machine according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) is provided with anti-slip means configured to allow the tube (T) to slide along the first table portion (36) without slipping when the table (32) is rotated relative to the processing position.

13. 13. A machine as set forth in claim 12, wherein the anti-slip means comprises a roller chain (48) attached to freely rotatable sprockets (50, 52) located at one or both longitudinal ends of the first table portion (36).

14. 14. A machine according to any one of claims 5 to 13, wherein the rotational-translational movement of the table (32) of each supporting and removing device (18) is carried out at least in one stage in which the translational movement in the vertical direction and the rotational movement about the axis of rotation (x2) are carried out simultaneously.

15. 15. A machine according to claim 14, wherein each supporting and removing device (18) comprises a first support structure (54) supporting the table (32) rotatably about the axis of rotation (x2) and a second support structure (58) to which the first support structure (54) is mounted for vertical movement, and the drive unit (34) comprises first actuating means (62) for controlling the vertical translational movement of the first support structure (54) relative to the second support structure (58), and second actuating means (70) interposed between the table (32) and the first support structure (54) for controlling the rotation of the table (32) relative to the first support structure (54) about the axis of rotation (x2).

16. 16. The machine of claim 15, wherein the second actuation means (70) comprises at least one first linear actuator (72) and at least one second linear actuator (74) operating in series with the first linear actuator (72), the at least one first linear actuator (72) configured to generate rotational movement of the table (32) through a first angle about the axis of rotation (x2), and the at least one second linear actuator (74) configured to generate rotational movement of the table (32) through a second angle about the axis of rotation (x2) that is greater than the first angle.

17. 17. The machine according to claim 16, wherein the drive unit further comprises at least one cam mechanism interposed between the table and the first support structure and configured such that a law of motion of the rotational movement of the table about the axis of rotation (x2) controlled by the at least one second linear actuator (74) depends, at least starting from a given rotation angle of the table about the axis of rotation (x2) relative to the horizontal, on a law of motion of the vertical translational movement of the table controlled by the first actuation means (62).

18. 18. Machine according to any one of claims 5 to 17, wherein the axis of rotation (x2) of the table (32) is arranged away from the centre of gravity (G) of the first table part (36) in the direction of the feed axis (x) of the machine, whereby a rotation of the table (32) about the axis of rotation (x2) in one direction or the other results in a downward or upward displacement of the centre of gravity (G) of the first table part (36).

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