Machines for the laser processing of tubes and profiles, in particular for the laser cutting of tubes and profiles, equipped with an improved unloading system for unloading the tubes or profiles 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 10 comprising an unloading system 18, 20 for unloading the tubes or profiles T at the end of the processing process, the unloading system 18, 20 comprising one or more support and unloading devices 18 arranged along and below a feed axis x of the machine. Each support and unloading device 18 comprises a table 32 and a drive unit 34 associated with the table 32. The table 32 comprises a first table portion 36 having a substantially flat upper surface 38 and a second table portion 42 extending laterally outwardly relative to the first table portion 36 and having a substantially flat upper surface 44 inclined at a given angle α relative to the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36. The drive unit 34 can be configured to operate in two different positions: a working position in which the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 is oriented substantially horizontally to support the tube or profile T being worked, and the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is inclined relative to the horizontal, with the outer longitudinal edge 44a of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 being higher than the height of the inner longitudinal edge 44a of said surface 44; and a working position 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, with the first The second table portion 42 is configured to generate rotary translational movement of the table 32, involving vertical translation and rotation about a horizontal rotation axis x2 oriented parallel to the feed axis x of the machine, between an unloading position in which the outer longitudinal edge 38a of the upper surface 38 of the table portion 36 is positioned at a position lower than the height of the inner longitudinal edge 38b of the upper surface 38, and an unloading position in which the outer longitudinal edge 44a of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is positioned at a position lower than or equal to the height of the inner longitudinal edge 44b of the upper surface 44.

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, which is provided with an improved unloading system for unloading the tubes or profiles at the end of the processing process. [Background technology]

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

[0003] For example, EP 2 492 041 A1 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 tubes. Each unloading carriage is hinged to a support structure about an axis of rotation and comprises an unloading platform oriented parallel to said longitudinal direction and connected to the rod of a hydraulic cylinder. The unloading platform of each unloading carriage is therefore movable under the control of a hydraulic cylinder between a horizontal position, in which the tubes can be unloaded on the upper surface of the unloading platform without rolling or sliding, and an inclined position, in which the tubes can be rolled or slid by gravity into a container located next to the machine or alternatively onto a conveyor device located next to the machine.

[0004] However, such unloading systems are unable to optimally control the unloading movement of the tubes from the unloading platform of each unloading carriage towards the container or conveyor device, particularly in the case of tubes and profiles with non-circular cross sections. Furthermore, in the case of large tubes (in terms of length and / or cross section), such unloading systems are unable to completely avoid the risk that the tubes may collide with and damage other parts of the machine during unloading.

[0005] For machines intended to process very long tubes and profiles, in particular those with lengths exceeding 8 meters, and / or tubes and profiles with large cross-sectional sizes, in particular those with diameters exceeding 300 mm, it is known to use an unloading system comprising a vertically movable support plate P, as shown diagrammatically in Figures 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings, which is positioned below the tube T being processed, supports this tube during processing, and at the end of the processing process, by vertical downward movement, places the tube on a pair of transfer chains C provided on either side of the support plate P. As shown in Figure 1, during the processing process, 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, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the processed portion of the tube T, still supported by the support plate P, is placed on the transfer chains C by vertical downward movement of the support plate and is finally transported by the transfer chains C out of the processing area of ​​the machine. Such an unloading system is used, for example, in machines LT14 and LT42 manufactured by the applicant.

[0006] While this known unloading system has proven to be particularly effective, rugged, and reliable, there remains a need for an unloading system that is relatively inexpensive and capable of unloading tubes in a relatively short time. Additionally, there is a need for an unloading system that can be easily reconfigured to process tubes of various sizes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] European Patent Application Publication No. 2492041 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to realize a machine for laser processing of tubes and profiles, which does not suffer from the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above, and which has an unloading system for unloading the tube or profile at the end of the processing process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] This and other objects are fully achieved according to the invention by a machine for the laser processing of tubes and profiles, which is provided with an unloading system as defined in independent claim 1.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims, the subject matter of which is to be understood as forming part of the following description.

[0011] In summary, the invention is based on the idea of ​​realizing an unloading system comprising one or more supporting and unloading devices arranged one after the other along the feed axis of the machine (i.e. along the longitudinal axis of the tube or profile to be processed) and below said axis, each supporting and unloading device comprising a table and a drive unit associated with said table, said table comprising a first table part having an upper surface and a second table part extending laterally outwardly relative to said first table part and also having an upper surface, said drive unit being oriented so that the upper surface of the first table part supports the tube or profile to be processed and the upper surface of the second table part supports said The supporting and unloading devices are configured to generate rotary translational movements of the tables of the supporting and unloading devices, involving vertical translation and rotation about a horizontal rotation axis oriented parallel to the feed axis of the machine, between a processing position oriented so that the outer longitudinal edge of the upper surface is positioned at a height higher than the inner longitudinal edge of the upper surface, and an unloading position in which the tables are displaced vertically relative to the processing position and rotate about the rotation axis so that the outer longitudinal edge of the upper surface of the first table portion is positioned at a height lower than the height of the inner longitudinal edge of the upper surface and the outer longitudinal edge of the upper surface of the second table portion is positioned at a height higher than or equal to the height of the inner longitudinal edge of the upper surface.

[0012] Due to the configuration of the table and the configuration of the drive means associated therewith, the supporting and unloading device forming part of the unloading system according to the invention is able to effectively move tubes or profiles towards the unloading area next to the machine, even in the case of tubes or profiles with a non-circular cross section.

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the 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-1C are diagrams showing the operation of known unloading systems for machines for laser processing of tubes, each diagram showing both a side view and a top view of a machine equipped with the unloading system; [Figure 2] 1A-1C are diagrams showing the operation of known unloading systems for machines for laser processing of tubes, each diagram showing both a side view and a top view of a machine equipped with the unloading system; [Figure 3] 1A-1C are diagrams showing the operation of known unloading systems for machines for laser processing of tubes, each diagram showing both a side view and a top view of a machine equipped with the unloading system; [Figure 4] 1A-1C are perspective views of the unloading system of a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from different viewing angles while processing a tube. [Figure 5] 1A-1C are perspective views of the unloading system of a machine for laser cutting of tubes and profiles according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from different viewing angles while processing a tube. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5, but showing the unloading system unloading a tube (not shown). [Figure 7] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing only the supporting and unloading device of the unloading system in the tube processing state according to FIGS. 4 and 5. [Figure 8] FIG. 6 is a side view showing only the supporting and unloading device of the unloading system in the tube processing state according to FIGS. 4 and 5. [Figure 9] 6 is a front view of the partition member of the unloading system according to FIGS. 4 and 5 in a state in which the partition member of the unloading system is lowered. FIG. [Figure 10] 6 is a front view of the partition member of the unloading system according to FIGS. 4 and 5, in a state in which the partition member of the unloading system is raised; FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a support and unloading device of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a side view of the supporting and unloading device of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] FIG. 12 is a front view of the supporting and unloading device of FIG. 11. [Figure 14] 12 is a perspective view showing in detail a drive unit associated with the table of the supporting and unloading apparatus of FIG. 11; FIG. [Figure 15] 12A-12C are front views of the supporting and unloading device of FIG. 11 in different positions from the standard processing position to the unloading position. [Figure 16] 12A-12C are front views of the supporting and unloading device of FIG. 11 in different positions from the standard processing position to the unloading position. [Figure 17] 12A-12C are front views of the supporting and unloading device of FIG. 11 in different positions from the standard processing position to the unloading position. [Figure 18] 12A-12C are front views of the supporting and unloading device of FIG. 11 in different positions from the standard processing position to the unloading position. [Figure 19] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes having a circular cross section; [Figure 20] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes having a circular cross section; [Figure 21] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes having a circular cross section; [Figure 22] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes having a circular cross section; [Figure 23] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes having a circular cross section; [Figure 24] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes having a circular cross section; [Figure 25] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes having a circular cross section; [Figure 26] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 27] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 28] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 29]6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 30] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 31] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 32] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 33] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 34] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; [Figure 35] 6 is a front view showing in sequence the successive positions assumed by the table of one of the support and unloading devices and one of the partition members of the unloading system of FIGS. 4 and 5 when the machine is used with tubes of square cross section; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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

[0016] 4 and 5, a machine for processing tubes and profiles to which the unloading system according to the invention can be applied is shown generally at 10. In the example proposed here, the machine is a machine for laser cutting tubes and profiles, but the invention is equally applicable to other types of machines for laser processing 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, in this case 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 also process tubes with any other cross section, for example (but not exclusively) square or rectangular, as well as profiles of any shape, such as C-profiles, T-profiles, IPE-profiles, HEA-profiles, etc. For convenience, in the following description only the term tube will be used, but it will be understood that what follows is equally applicable if 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) provided with holding means configured to hold the tube T at its ends. Such holding means define the feed axis x of the machine, with which the longitudinal axis of the tube T is aligned during processing. Upstream of and adjacent to the processing head 14, a support and guide mandrel (not shown, but in any case of a type known per se) is advantageously provided, by means of which the tube T can be supported and guided while maintaining 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 may also rotate about this axis.

[0019] The machine 10 further comprises an unloading system for unloading the tube T at the end of the processing process. More precisely, the unloading system has the function of moving the tube T from a processing position in which the tube T is located during the processing process, i.e., as mentioned above, a position in which the longitudinal axis of the tube T is aligned with the feed axis x of the machine, to an unloading position in which the tube T is laterally displaced relative to this processing position. Specifically, in the example illustrated herein, in the unloading position, the tube T is placed on a conveyor means, such as a conveyor belt 16, which is arranged alongside the machine 10 and is configured to move laterally while keeping the tube T approximately parallel to the feed axis x of the machine until the tube T is conveyed to a storage area (not shown), where it can be picked up, for example, by suitable handling means (also not shown, but in any case of a type known per se).

[0020] The unloading system essentially comprises a number of supporting and unloading devices 18 (or, more generally, one or more supporting and unloading devices 18) arranged one after the other along and below the feed axis x of the machine, and a number of partition elements 20 arranged laterally of the supporting and unloading devices 18, in particular between the supporting and unloading devices 18 and the conveyor belt 16. The supporting and unloading devices 18 perform the function of supporting the tube T together with any other supporting devices, for example a rotating support element 22, during the processing process (as can be seen more clearly in Figures 7 and 8), and once the processing process is completed, of removing the tube T from the processing position and placing it on the partition element 20. Furthermore, the partition element 20 performs the function of a protective device during the processing process, laterally separating the processing area in which the processed tube T is located from the external environment, thereby ensuring a high level of safety for the workers, and once the processing process is completed, of placing the tube T received from the supporting and unloading device 18 on the conveyor means, as will be explained in more detail below. In this respect, Figures 4 and 5, as well as Figures 7 and 8, show the supporting and unloading device 18 in a processing position, in which it supports the tube T during the processing process, the tube T being positioned so that its longitudinal axis is aligned with the feed axis x of the machine, and Figure 6 shows the supporting and unloading device 18 in an unloading position, in which it allows the tube T to be displaced by gravity onto the partition member 20. As far as the partition member 20 is concerned, it is shown in Figures 4 to 6 only in the lowered position, in which it is ready to receive the tube T from the supporting and unloading device 18.

[0021] 9 and 10, each partition member 20, in the embodiment proposed herein, forms a work surface comprising a substantially planar first surface portion 24 and a similarly substantially planar second surface portion 26, which is arranged adjacent to the first surface portion 24 and forms with the second surface portion 26 an angle α greater than 90°, in particular between 95° and 125°, for example equal to 115°. However, more generally, the work surface may have a shape different from that proposed herein, for example formed by two planes suitably joined together or by a single suitably shaped surface.

[0022] Each partition element 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 partition elements 20 between the lowered and raised positions is caused by rotation about a horizontal axis of rotation x1, specifically 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. In the lowered position of the partition elements 20, advantageously determined for example by limit switch elements 30 (only one of which is visible in FIGS. 9 and 10), the working surface faces the supporting and unloading device 18 and receives the tube T from this supporting and unloading device 18 once the machining process is completed. Specifically, in this position, the first surface portion 24 is slightly inclined to the horizontal, for example by an angle between 5° and 15°, so that the proximal longitudinal edge 24a of said surface portion (i.e., the longitudinal edge facing the machine feed axis x) is higher than the distal longitudinal edge 24b of said surface portion (i.e., the longitudinal edge facing away from the machine feed axis x). In this way, when the tube T is placed on the first surface portion 24 of each partition member 20 by the supporting and unloading device 18, it can slide or rotate along said surface portion towards the second surface portion 26 until it comes to a stop against this second surface portion 26.

[0023] In the raised position of the partition member 20, the first surface portion 24 extends substantially vertically and faces the conveyor belt(s) 16, i.e. faces away from the feed axis x of the machine.

[0024] By moving the partition element 20 from the lowered position to the raised position, the tube T resting on its support surface is then transferred onto the conveyor belts 16, which transport it to the aforementioned storage area. At this point, the partition element 20 remains in the raised position until the processing of another tube T is finished, thereby acting as a protective element, thanks to the approximately vertical arrangement of the first surface portion 24, laterally separating the processing area of ​​the machine, in which the tube T to be processed is located, from the external environment. As already mentioned, this system ensures a high degree of safety for the workers, since it can protect them both from the laser radiation (emitted from the processing head of the machine or reflected by the tube being processed or by other surfaces of the machine) and from the emission of particles and processing residues.

[0025] 11 to 18, each supporting and unloading device 18 basically comprises a table 32 and a drive unit 34 associated with this table 32, which generates a rotational-translational movement of the table 32 in a transverse plane (i.e., a plane perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine) between a processing position (FIG. 15) and an unloading position (FIG. 17 or 18). The unloading system can appropriately determine the unloading position depending on the type of tube T to be processed, so that the unloading positions of FIG. 17 and FIG. 18 are two of the possible unloading positions that can be obtained.

[0026] The table 32 first includes a first table portion 36 having an upper surface 38, which in the embodiment proposed herein is substantially planar, but may also be a slightly arcuate surface, specifically having an upwardly concave surface. A plurality of idle rollers 40 (better visible in FIGS. 5-7 ) are mounted on the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 at longitudinal intervals and rotatably supported about respective rotation axes parallel to the plane of the upper surface 38 and oriented perpendicular to the feed axis x of the machine. In the machining 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 machining process. The table 32 further includes a second table portion 42 extending laterally outward relative to the first table portion 36 and having an upper surface 44. In the embodiment proposed herein, the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42, like the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36, is substantially planar. However, this top surface 44 may also be non-flat, for example, slightly arcuate, specifically having an upward concave surface. The top surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is inclined with respect to the top surface 38 of the first table portion 36 by an angle β, specifically an angle greater than 135°, preferably greater than 150°, so that, when the top surface 38 is oriented horizontally, as shown in Figure 15, the outer longitudinal edge 44a of the top surface 44 is higher than the inner longitudinal edge 44b of said surface. The top surfaces 38 of the first table portion 36 and 44 of the second table portion 42 are preferably joined to each other by an arcuate joining surface 46, specifically when both the top surfaces 38, 44 are substantially planar. According to a further embodiment (not shown in the drawings), the table 32 comprises a third table portion extending laterally inwardly relative to the first table portion 36 and therefore opposite the second table portion 42, the upper surface of which has a shape similar to that of, for example, but not necessarily, the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42.

[0027] 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 the third table portion, which lateral portions extend laterally like banks from the longitudinal edges on either side of the first table portion 36.

[0028] In the embodiment proposed herein (better seen in FIGS. 11-14), the first table portion 36 of the table 32 is preferably 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 and 52 are mounted so as to be freely rotatable, so that the roller chain 48 can move freely in one direction or the other. The roller chain 48 of the table 32 of the various supporting and unloading devices 18 has the function of "accompanying" the 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 unloading, particularly in the case of tubes with non-circular cross sections, and preventing the tube T 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.

[0029] As mentioned above, the drive unit 34 can be configured to operate in two different positions: the working 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, so that the outer longitudinal edge 44 a of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is positioned at a higher level than the inner longitudinal edge 44 b of said surface; and the working position of FIG. 17 or 18, in which both the first table portion 36 and the second table portion 42 are inclined relative to the horizontal and the outer longitudinal edge 38a of the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 is positioned at a lower level than the inner longitudinal edge 38b of said surface, and the outer longitudinal edge 44a of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 is positioned at a lower level than (or at most the same level as) the inner longitudinal edge 44b of said surface.

[0030] The table 32 is supported by a first support structure 54, which extends primarily vertically and is supported for vertical movement by a second support structure 58 of the supporting and unloading device 18 by means of linear guides 56 (shown in Figures 15 to 18). More specifically, the table 32, together with its first table portion 36, is hinged to the upper end of the first support structure 54 and can rotate relative to the first support structure 54 about a horizontal axis of rotation x2, specifically an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the feed axis x of the machine. Advantageously, the axis of rotation x2 is not aligned with the center of gravity G of the first table portion 36 and is spaced from the center of gravity G of the first table portion 36 in the direction of the feed axis x of the machine. In this way, rotating the table 32 clockwise or counterclockwise about the axis of rotation x2 (relative to the viewpoint of the viewer of Figures 15 to 18) relative to the first support structure 54 results in a downward or upward displacement of the center of gravity G of the first table portion 36, respectively.

[0031] Furthermore, the second support structure 58 of each supporting and unloading device 18 is advantageously mounted in turn on a fixed support structure (not shown in the figures) so as to be movable relative to this 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) attached to the fixed support structure.

[0032] The drive unit 34 firstly comprises a first actuator 62 for controlling the vertical translation of the first support structure 54 relative to the second support structure 58 .

[0033] 13 and 14 , in the embodiment proposed herein, the first actuator 62 includes a motor 64, specifically an electric motor 64 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, configured to convert the rotational motion generated by the motor 64 into vertical translational motion. More specifically, in the illustrated example, the motor 64 is supported 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 controlled by the motor 64 in one direction or the other results in vertical upward or downward translation of the first support structure 54 and, therefore, vertical upward or downward translation of the table 32 supported 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 properly support the tube T being processed.

[0034] The drive unit 34 further includes a second actuator 70 inserted between the first support structure 54 and the table 32 to generate rotational movement of the table 32 in one direction or the opposite direction relative to the first support structure 54 around the rotation axis x2.

[0035] 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 housing 76 of the pneumatic cylinder 72 and the cylindrical housing 80 of the pneumatic cylinder 74 are fixed to a support base 84, and specifically, although not necessarily, the cylindrical housing 76 of the pneumatic cylinder 72 is centrally positioned next to each other, and the cylindrical housing 80 of the pneumatic cylinder 74 is positioned laterally on either side of the cylindrical housing 76 of the pneumatic cylinder 72.

[0036] The rods 78 of the two pneumatic cylinders 72 point downward and are hingedly connected with their respective free ends to a bracket 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 hingedly connected with its respective free end to the first table portion 36 of the table 32, specifically to a point on the first table portion 36 that is located between the center of gravity G of said table portion and the second table portion 42. Thus, the retraction of the pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 causes a rotational movement of the table 32 about the rotation axis x2 relative to the first support structure 48 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 13 or in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 15-18, i.e., in a direction such that the second table portion 42 moves downward.

[0037] Advantageously, both the pneumatic cylinder 72 and the pneumatic cylinder 74 are controlled to extend / retract their respective rods to the end of their range of motion. More specifically, the pneumatic cylinder 72 is configured such that, when the respective rod 78 moves in one direction or the other, the table 32 rotates in one direction or the other about the axis of rotation x2 by a small first angle, for example, an angle equal to 5°, and the pneumatic cylinder 74 is configured such that, when the respective rod 82 moves in one direction or the other, the table 32 rotates in one direction or the other about the axis of rotation x2 by a second angle greater than the first angle, for example, an angle greater than 45°, for example, an angle equal to 55°, as shown in FIG. 18.

[0038] The drive unit 34 further comprises a cam mechanism having a roller-shaped rolling element 88 supported by the second support structure 52, in particular above a bracket 86, and a cam element 90 fixed to the table 32, in particular to the first table portion 36, and having a machined surface 90a suitably shaped to cooperate with the outer cylindrical surface of the rolling element 88. For force balancing purposes, two such cam mechanisms are preferred, or more generally at least two such cam mechanisms, arranged on either longitudinal side of the second actuator 70, as shown in Figure 11.

[0039] 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, maintaining the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 in a substantially horizontal orientation. Starting from this position, as shown in FIG. 15 , the pneumatic cylinders 72 are first retracted, causing the table 32 to rotate (clockwise as viewed by a viewer of FIGS. 15-18 ) about the rotation axis x2 relative to the first support structure 48 at the aforementioned first angle (e.g., an angle equal to 5°). The pneumatic cylinders 74 are then retracted, causing the table 32 to further rotate clockwise (as viewed by a viewer of FIGS. 15-18 ) about the rotation axis x2 relative to the first support structure 48. As the table 32 continues to rotate in this manner, at some point, the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism supported by the table 32 comes into contact with the rotating element 88 supported by the second support structure 52, as shown in FIG. 17 . In this state (which in the example shown in this specification corresponds to the table 32 being rotated about the axis of rotation x2 by an angle of 25° relative to the horizontal, but of course a different angle is also possible), each rod 82 has not yet reached the end position of its retraction range, so the pneumatic cylinder 74 is still in traction, but contact between the cam element 90 and the rotating element 88 of the cam mechanism prevents further retraction of each rod 82.

[0040] 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 as a result of the pulling action of the pneumatic cylinder 74, which keeps the cam element 90 in contact with the rotating element 88 of the cam mechanism, the cam mechanism further rotates the table 32 about the rotation axis x2 relative to the first support structure 48 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 rotation axis x2 according to a law of motion defined by the profile of the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism. Thus, in this case, the rotation axis x2 can reach a higher height in the unloading position than it does when the table 32 is in the processing position.

[0041] Depending on the type of tube T being processed, the movements described above with reference to Figures 15 to 18 may be combined in various ways. For example, in the case of small tubes, the pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 may be operated simultaneously instead of sequentially, so that the table 32 reaches the unloading position as quickly as possible. Furthermore, if it is not necessary to tilt the table 32 significantly relative to the horizontal, the rotational movement of the table 32 controlled by the cam mechanism may be performed only partially.

[0042] Such movements are managed by the machine's 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 (or more generally, a pair of linear actuators) of the second actuator 70, so that once a tube T has been processed, the tables 32 of one or more supporting and unloading devices 18 (depending on the length of the tube) are moved from the processing position to the previously defined unloading position and then returned to the processing position to allow for the processing of another tube.

[0043] Such a drive unit offers the advantage that the movement of the table 32 can be controlled according to the desired law of motion, both in vertical translation and in rotation about the rotation axis x2, by controlled actuation of only the first actuation device 62, where the term "controlled actuation" is understood to mean position-controlled actuation. Indeed, the pneumatic cylinders 72 and 74 of the second actuation device 70 do not require position control but are, as previously mentioned, simply controlled during extension or retraction. For the pneumatic cylinder 72, the movement of the rod 78 in one direction or the other is always to the end of its range of motion. For the pneumatic cylinder 74, the retraction movement of the rod 82 is determined by the profile 90a of the cam element 90 when it comes into contact with the rotating element 88 of the cam mechanism, and is therefore controllable by the vertical displacement of the table 32 under the control of the first actuation device 62. This configuration results in a drive unit that is robust and, at the same time, less complex and expensive than, for example, a solution using position-controlled linear actuators.

[0044] 19 to 25 show the operation of the unloading system described above when the machine is used to process a tube T having a circular cross section.

[0045] Figure 19 shows the tube T during the machining process, the tube T being supported from below by the table 32 (not visible in Figure 19) of the various supporting and unloading 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 is also provided with one or more rotary support members 92 (only one of which is visible in Figure 19) arranged above the feed axis x so as to laterally restrain the tube T. The partition member 20 is in its raised position at this stage and laterally separates the machining area of ​​the machine from the external environment.

[0046] As tube T is processed, rotary support members 22 and 92 move away from tube T by downward movement of lower rotary support member(s) 22 and upward movement of upper rotary support member(s) 92, so that tube T remains supported solely on table 32 of supporting and unloading apparatus 18, as shown in Figure 20. Table 32 is still in the processing position and partition member 20 is still in the raised position.

[0047] FIG. 21 shows a subsequent stage in which the partition member 20 has been moved to the lowered position and the table 32 of the supporting and unloading device 18 is still in the processing position.

[0048] 22, downward vertical translation of the second support structure 52 of the supporting and unloading apparatus 18 moves the tables 32 closer to the respective partition members 20. Further, still referring to FIG. 22, once downward vertical translation of the second support structure 52 is completed, the tables 32 are tilted slightly by actuation of the pneumatic cylinders 72 of the respective second actuators 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 rotates along the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 before coming to rest at the interface surface 46.

[0049] 23, the table 32 is further rotated by the operation of the pneumatic cylinder 74 of the second actuator 70 before reaching an angular position corresponding to that of FIG. 17. In this manner, the tube T is transferred from the table 32 to the partition member 20, then rotates along the first surface portion 24 of the partition member, and then rests against the second surface portion 26 of the partition member. In the case of a circular tube T, the inclination of the upper surface 38 of the first table portion 36 and the inclination of the upper surface 44 of the second table portion 42 are sufficient to rotate the tube T from the table 32 to the partition member 20, so that it is not necessary to move the table 32 to the position shown in FIG. 18.

[0050] At this point, as shown in FIG. 24, the table 32 of the supporting and unloading device 18 is returned to the processing position.

[0051] Finally, the divider member 20 moves from the lowered position to the raised position, so that the tube T supported by it is transferred to the conveyor belt 16 (FIG. 25). The machine is then ready to process a new tube.

[0052] Finally, Figures 26 to 35 show the operation of the aforementioned unloading system when the machine is used to process a tube T having a square cross section. The sequence of movements of the partition member 20 and table 32 of the supporting and unloading device 18 is similar to that described above with reference to Figures 19 to 25 and will therefore not be described in detail again. The only difference is that in this case, the table 32 moves from the processing position to the unloading position of Figure 18, allowing the tube T to be transferred from the second table portion 42 of the table 32 to the partition member 20 (Figures 31 and 32). Thus, in this case, after reaching the position of Figure 17, the table 32 rises and further rotates about the rotation axis x2 according to the law of motion defined by the profile of the cam element 90 of the cam mechanism before reaching the position of Figure 18. The same applies to tubes of any other non-circular shape.

[0053] As is clear from the above description, the unloading system according to the invention allows the unloading operation of the tubes to be controlled in an optimal manner, even in the case of tubes and profiles with non-circular cross sections.

[0054] The present invention has been described herein with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be envisioned that share the same inventive core as described herein, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A machine (10) for laser processing, in particular laser cutting, of tubes and profiles (T), comprising: a processing unit (12) provided with a laser processing means (14); feeding means adapted to move the tube or profile (T) to be processed along a feed axis (x) towards said processing unit (12) in each case; an unloading system (18, 20) for unloading said tube or profile (T) at the end of the working process, said unloading system (18, 20) comprising one or more support and unloading devices (18) arranged along and below said feed axis (x) of said machine, each support and unloading device (18) comprising a table (32) and a drive unit (34) associated with said table (32); Equipped with the table (32) of each supporting and unloading 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 configured to operate in two positions: a working position in which the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) is oriented to support the tube or profile (T) to be worked, and the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) is oriented such that an outer longitudinal edge (44a) of the upper surface (44) is positioned at a height higher than an inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44); and a working position in which the outer longitudinal edge (38a) of the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) is positioned at a height lower than an inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38), the machine is configured to generate a rotary-translational movement of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) involving vertical translation and rotation about a horizontal rotation axis (x2) oriented parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine between an unloading position in which the table (32) moves vertically with respect to the processing position and rotates about the rotation axis (x2) so that the outer longitudinal edge (44a) of the upper surface (44) of each table portion (42) is positioned at a position lower than or equal to the height of the inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44).

2. 2. The machine of claim 1, further comprising a control unit programmed to control the drive units (34) of each supporting and unloading device (18) to move the table (32) from the processing position to the unloading position and vice versa.

3. 3. A machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is configured such that, when the table (32) is in the processing position, the outer longitudinal edge (38a) and the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38) are arranged at approximately the same height.

4. 4. A machine according to claim 1, 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 unloading device (18) are designed in such a way that a plane passing through the outer longitudinal edge (44a) and the inner longitudinal edge (44b) of the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) is inclined at a given angle (β), in particular an angle greater than 135°, to a plane passing through the outer longitudinal edge (38a) and the inner longitudinal edge (38b) of the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36).

5. 5. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is substantially planar.

6. 6. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is substantially planar.

7. 7. A machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) further comprises an arcuate joining surface (46) joining the upper surface (38) of the first table portion (36) and the upper surface (44) of the second table portion (42).

8. 8. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading 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 top surface (38) of the first table portion (36) and perpendicular to the feed axis (x) of the machine.

9. 9. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first table portion (36) of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading 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.

10. 10. A machine as claimed in claim 9, 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).

11. 11. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the rotational-translational movement of the table (32) of each supporting and unloading device (18) is such that, at least in that stage, a translational movement in the vertical direction and a rotational movement about the axis of rotation (x2) are performed simultaneously.

12. 12. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each supporting and unloading 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 so as to be vertically movable, 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).

13. 13. The machine according to claim 12, wherein the drive unit (34) further comprises at least one cam mechanism (88, 90) interposed between the table (32) and the first support structure (54) and configured so that a law of motion of at least a part of the rotational motion of the table (32) about the axis of rotation (x2) depends on the law of motion of the vertical translational motion of the first support structure (54) relative to the second support structure (58), at least starting from a given rotation angle of the table (32) about the axis of rotation (x2) relative to the horizontal.

14. 14. The machine of claim 12 or 13, wherein the second actuation means (70) comprises at least one first linear actuator (72) and at least one second linear actuator (74) sequentially actuating relative to the first linear actuator (72), wherein the at least one first linear actuator (72) is configured to generate a first rotational movement of the table (32) by a first angle about the axis of rotation (x2), and the at least one second linear actuator (74) is configured to generate a second rotational movement of the table (32) by a second angle about the axis of rotation (x2) that is greater than the first angle.

15. 15. The machine according to claim 13, wherein the at least one cam mechanism (88, 90) is configured such that the law of motion of the second rotational motion of the table (32) depends on the law of motion of the vertical translational motion of the first support structure (54) relative to the second support structure (58) from at least a given angle of rotation of the table (32) about the axis of rotation (x2) relative to the horizontal.

16. 16. Machine according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the axis of rotation (x2) of the table (32) is spaced from the centre of gravity (G) of the first table part (36) in the direction of the feed axis (x) of the machine, so that 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).

17. The unloading system (18, 20) further comprises one or more partition members (20) arranged along a direction parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine, each partition member (20) being rotatably supported to rotate about a horizontal rotation axis (x1), specifically a rotation axis oriented parallel to the feed axis (x) of the machine, and the working surfaces (24, 26) of the partition members (20) facing substantially upward to receive the processed tube or profile (T) from the supporting and unloading device(s) (18).

17. The machine according to claim 1, wherein the work surface (24, 26) is movable between a lowered position in which the work surface (24, 26) faces away from the feed axis (x) of the machine, and a raised position in which the work surface (24, 26) faces away from the feed axis (x) of the machine, so that, as a result of the displacement of the partition element (20) from the lowered position to the raised position, the tube or profile (T) received on the work surface (24, 26) moves towards the outside of the machine, and in the raised position, the partition element (20) acts as a separating element separating a processing area of ​​the machine from the external environment.

18. 18. A machine according to claim 17, wherein the working surface (24, 26) of each partition member (20) comprises a first surface portion (24) and a second surface portion (26) arranged adjacent to the first surface portion (24) and inclined relative to the first surface portion, wherein in the lowered position of the partition 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 height higher than a distal longitudinal edge (24b) of the surface portion (24) to receive the tube or profile (T) and allow it to rotate or slide until it abuts the second surface portion (26), and wherein in the raised position of the partition member (20), the first surface portion (24) extends substantially vertically.

19. 18. A machine according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the first surface portion (24) and the second surface portion (26) of the working surface (24, 26) are substantially planar and form an angle (α) with each other that is greater than 90°.

20. 19. Machine according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the unloading system (18, 20) further comprises actuation means, in particular at least one pneumatic cylinder (28), for controlling the displacement of each partition member (20) between the lowered position and the raised position by rotation about the respective axis of rotation (x1).

21. A method for laser processing, in particular laser cutting, a tube or profile (T) using a machine (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising: (a) performing one or more laser machining operations on the tube or profile (T) by the laser machining means (14); (b) at the end of step (a) of performing one or more laser processing operations, unloading the tube or profile (T) from the machine (10) by displacing the table (32) of one or more supporting and unloading devices (18) from the processing position to the unloading position, said displacement comprising both a vertical translational movement and a rotational movement about the rotation axis (x2); A method comprising:

22. 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the rotational movement and the translational movement are performed at least partially simultaneously.

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