Machine tools for manufacturing workpieces of predetermined length

Abstract

The invention relates to a machine tool (1) for manufacturing a workpiece (2) of a given length. The machine tool (1) has a frame (3) for receiving the workpiece (2), extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and configured for guiding at least a part of the workpiece (2) in the longitudinal direction (X). The machine tool (1) is equipped with a cutting tool (4) for cutting the received workpiece (2) in a processing position. The machine tool (1) also has a drivable stop element (5) preferably displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) mounted on the frame (3) for moving the received workpiece (2) to the processing position. The machine tool (1) further has at least one actuatable sliding element (6) preferably displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) mounted on the frame (3) and configured for guiding the received workpiece (2) when the received workpiece (2) is moved by the drivable stop element (5).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a machine tool for manufacturing workpieces, preferably for cutting to length, having a frame for receiving a workpiece extending longitudinally and configured to guide the workpiece at least partially longitudinally. [Background technology]

[0002] Machine tools for cutting workpieces such as support rails are known in the prior art in a number of different configurations. The workpiece to be manufactured or machined often has to be manually inserted into the tool in a complex manner. This is primarily the case for machine tools provided for cutting elongated rod profiles.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cross-cutting system for cutting a workpiece to a desired length and a machining device having a longitudinal stop and a cutting tool. The longitudinal stop is mounted displaceably in the machining direction to adjust to a determined length of the workpiece. A distance measuring device is used to determine the desired length. In both cases, the distance measuring device has a wireless or wired communication connection to the processing device via a communication module. To displace the longitudinal stop, an actuator is provided that adjusts the desired length as a function of the distance detected by the distance measuring device. Side stops, against which the workpiece to be machined can be placed, are fixedly arranged on the workpiece support.

[0004] Patent document 2 describes a stop rail for a panel saw, which can be pivoted relative to the cutting surface by means of a pivot bearing. A first longitudinal stop surface and a second longitudinal stop surface are guided independently movable and lockable along the length of the stop rail via an actuator in the form of a threaded spindle in order to position the workpiece according to the two dimensions to be cut. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] German Patent Application Publication No. 102015211692, same specification [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 1837110 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine tool for producing length workpieces, preferably by cutting to length, which is improved in terms of handling and operation. In particular, the machine tool should be characterized by an optimized production of elongated workpieces, preferably support rails. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The object of the invention is achieved by the features of independent claim 1. Further exemplary embodiments and applications of the invention result from the dependent claims and are explained in more detail in the following description, partly with reference to the drawings.

[0008] According to a general aspect, the present invention relates to a machine tool for manufacturing workpieces, preferably support rails, preferably for cutting to length, said machine tool comprising: a frame for receiving the workpiece, the frame extending in a longitudinal direction and configured to at least partially longitudinally guide the workpiece, i.e., the workpiece to be received; The machine tool includes a cutting tool for cutting a received workpiece at a processing location; The machine tool has a drivable stop element, preferably longitudinally displaceable, mounted on the frame for moving the received workpiece into a processing position, and The machine tool has at least one actuatable sliding element mounted on the frame, preferably displaceable in an approximately longitudinal direction, and configured to guide the workpiece to be received as it is moved by the drivable stop element.

[0009] The machine tool according to the invention is characterized in that, for example, instead of a rigidly fixed stop, i.e. a non-movable stop, strip or ramp, at least one movable guide element is used to guide the workpiece to be received, which movable guide element moves at least partially in one direction together with the workpiece to be received and guides the workpiece.

[0010] In this way, problem-free and positionally accurate feeding of the workpiece to the cutting tool can be ensured, particularly in the case of relatively long and / or rod-shaped workpieces, such as support rails with an initial length of, for example, 2000 mm. The machine tool can therefore preferably be configured to produce rod-shaped and / or bar-shaped workpieces in a cutting configuration to produce workpieces of predetermined length. The machine tool according to the invention allows the workpieces to be automatically cut to length.

[0011] The cutting tool is preferably configured to be able to penetrate the workpiece longitudinally. In other words, the cutting tool can have a through opening or through channel through which cutting of the received workpiece occurs. The cutting tool can have a clamping mechanism for releasably fixing the workpiece at least partially during the cutting process. The drivable stop element can be driven, for example, by a hydraulic or electric motor. The drivable stop element can have a holding portion, to which the free end of the workpiece can be removably fixed, for example, by a clamping connection or by a plug-in connection.

[0012] According to a further aspect of the present invention, the at least one actuatable sliding element is configured to be actuated by the received workpiece via at least one contact portion of the at least one actuatable sliding element. Thus, the workpiece can move the at least one actuatable sliding element by itself, e.g., without the need for an additional drive. For this purpose, the at least one actuatable sliding element can be mounted on a frame so as to be displaceable accordingly. The at least one contact portion can be, for example, a pin-shaped or plate-shaped flat or plate-shaped curved contact portion with which the received workpiece at least partially contacts.

[0013] At least one contact portion, preferably at least one further contact portion, of the at least one actuatable sliding element can form a stop, preferably transverse to the longitudinal direction, for the received workpiece, which can ensure a defined and / or accurate position of the received workpiece relative to the frame and / or the cutting tool, preferably before the workpiece is cut by the cutting tool.

[0014] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one actuatable sliding element is mounted longitudinally displaceably between the drivable stop element and the cutting tool, thereby ensuring uniform mounting and guidance of the received workpiece, particularly in the case of relatively long and thin workpieces.

[0015] The machine tool has at least one light barrier, which is arranged on the cutting tool and configured to determine at least one zero position on the workpiece to be received or to define a zero position for machining by the cutting tool by at least one optical signal that is transmitted to the workpiece to be received and is either at least one optical signal that is reflected by the workpiece to be received or is not reflected by the workpiece to be received.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the invention, the machine tool has a control and regulating unit connected to at least the cutting tool, the drivable stop element and the light barrier via signal connections, the control and regulating unit being preferably configured to actuate the drivable stop element via the signal connections in order to translate, preferably displace, the received workpiece to a processing position as a function of at least one optical signal of the light barrier that is transmitted to the received workpiece and reflected by the received workpiece or that is not reflected.

[0017] The machine tool may have a display and operating unit connected to at least the control and regulating unit via a signal connection and configured to query at least the predetermined length of the workpiece. The display and operating unit may, for example, be designed as a touch screen.

[0018] The signal connection may be a wired or wireless signal connection.

[0019] The machine tool may have at least one sensor unit for detecting the presence of a workpiece to be received at least at a first time point and a second time point. The at least one sensor unit may include, for example, an inductive sensor.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the invention, the at least one sensor unit is disposed on the at least one actuatable sliding element.

[0021] The frame can be configured at least in part as a table with a working plate for receiving the workpiece, on which a groove or recess extending approximately longitudinally is preferably formed for displaceably mounting at least one actuatable sliding element and / or for guiding a drivable stop element. It should be mentioned that the received workpiece itself preferably does not come into contact with the table, i.e. the working plate of the table.

[0022] According to a further aspect of the invention, the frame can have a workpiece receiving portion between the drivable stop element and the cutting tool, the receiving portion extending in the longitudinal direction by at least 2000 mm. In this way, as already mentioned above, relatively long and thin workpieces in the form of support rails can be received on and produced by the machine tool.

[0023] The actuatable stop element can be designed and / or configured to removably fix at least one portion of the workpiece to be received. For this purpose, the actuatable stop element can preferably include a plug-in part and / or a clamping part with a clamping device. The at least one portion of the workpiece to be received is preferably a free end of the workpiece to be received. Thus, the workpiece to be received is supported, for example, only by the actuatable stop element and the sliding element.

[0024] The above-described embodiments and features of the present invention can be combined in any desired manner. Further details and advantages of the present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a machine tool according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the machine tool shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine tool shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a side view (side view seen from the left) of the machine tool shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] Identical or functionally equivalent parts or elements are designated by the same reference numerals in the figures, and for the purposes of the description, reference is made in part to the description of other exemplary embodiments and / or figures to avoid repetition.

[0027] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings is provided for purposes of further explanation or clarification and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first schematic embodiment of a machine tool 1 according to the invention. The machine tool 1 is configured to manufacture a workpiece 2, as will be described in more detail below. Figure 1 shows the machine tool 1 having received the workpiece 2.

[0029] The workpiece 2 is preferably a support rail of a corresponding length. Particularly preferably, the workpiece 2 can be designed as a standard NS35 / 15 support rail (known as a "DIN rail with a hat profile"). The machine tool 1 can be configured to process a workpiece 2 in the form of a support rail with an initial length of, for example, 2000 mm.

[0030] The machine tool 1 has a frame 3 that receives a workpiece 2. The frame 3 extends along the longitudinal direction X of the machine tool 1 and guides at least a portion of the received workpiece 2 in the longitudinal direction X. Furthermore, the frame 3 supports the received workpiece 2 via further parts and elements, which will be described later. The frame 3 is preferably configured as a table or has at least one substantially planar processing plate 3P. This allows, for example, the workpiece 2 to be inserted into the machine tool 1 and at least two side surfaces of the machine tool 1 to be processed.

[0031] The machining plate 3P has grooves 3NA or recesses 3NA extending substantially in the longitudinal direction X for mounting and guiding other parts of the machine tool 1. The frame 3 can be made, for example, from cast iron, steel or light metal and has correspondingly sufficient strength and rigidity.

[0032] The machine tool 1 is provided with a cutting tool 4, which is preferably configured as a cutter. The cutting tool 4 is, for example, a laser beam cutter or a water jet cutter. Further and other embodiments and configurations of the cutting tool are possible, so that, for example, the cutting tool 4 can be designed as a saw.

[0033] The cutting tool 4 is arranged on the end face 3S of the frame 3 along the longitudinal direction X. The cutting tool 4 is configured to allow the workpiece 2 to pass therethrough. In other words, the cutting tool 4 has a through opening extending substantially in the longitudinal direction X for the workpiece 2 to pass therethrough (not shown in detail in FIG. 1 ). In the machining position, the workpiece 2 can be cut, preferably cut, by the cutting tool 4. Preferably, the workpiece 2 is cut in the cutting tool 4 and in the machining position, i.e. when the workpiece 2 is in the corresponding position.

[0034] The machine tool 1 comprises a drivable stop element 5. The drivable stop element 5 has two plate-shaped parts arranged approximately at right angles to each other. The drivable stop element 5 can be designed as a bent and / or punched part.

[0035] The drivable stop element 5 preferably has a holding portion 5A, to which the free end of the workpiece 2 can be removably fixed, for example by means of a clamping connection or a bayonet connection (not shown in Figure 1 ). For this purpose, the holding portion 5A can have bayonet pins or wall portions (not visible in Figure 1 ) protruding or projecting therefrom, which can at least partially form a secure connection with the workpiece 2.

[0036] The drivable stop element 5 is partially mounted in the groove 3NA or recess 3NA, which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction X. The drivable stop element 5 can be actuated by a drive unit, e.g., an electric motor or a hydraulic pump (not shown in FIG. 1 ), to move in the groove 3NA or recess 3NA in the substantially longitudinal direction X. The drivable stop element 5 is provided to move the received workpiece 2 into a processing position, i.e., the drivable stop element 5 moves the received workpiece 2 towards the cutting tool 4.

[0037] The machine tool 1 comprises an actuatable sliding element 6. According to another embodiment of the invention, the machine tool 1 can have a plurality of actuatable sliding elements 6. The number of actuatable sliding elements 6 can be selected, for example, as a function of the predetermined length (initial length) of the workpiece 2 to be manufactured.

[0038] The actuatable sliding element 6 is displaceably mounted on the frame 3, i.e. on the work plate 3P in a groove 3NA or recess 3NA extending in the longitudinal direction X, and is configured to guide the received workpiece 2 when moved by a drivable stop element 5, which will be described later. In this way, the machine tool 1 is characterized in that the received workpiece 2 is not guided by means of, for example, a rigidly fixed, immovable stop, strip or ramp, but rather by the presence of a guide element that moves at least partially in one direction together with the received workpiece 2. The actuatable sliding element 6 is preferably mounted displaceably in the longitudinal direction X between the drivable stop element 5 and the cutting tool 4.

[0039] The actuatable sliding element 6 has a first contact portion 6A and a second contact portion 6B. The second contact portion 6B is displaceably disposed in the groove 3NA or recess 3NA and is partially plate-shaped. The second contact portion 6B forms a stop or limit for the workpiece 2 to be received in the longitudinal direction X.

[0040] The actuatable sliding element 6 can be displaceably mounted, for example, by a plain bearing. Alternatively, the actuatable sliding element 6 can be displaceably mounted via a rolling bearing (not shown). The first contact portion 6A is configured to be actuated by the workpiece 2 to be received. That is, the workpiece 2 to be received can move the actuatable sliding element 6 even when it contacts the first contact portion 6A. The first contact portion 6A can have, for example, at least one protruding bolt that at least partially contacts the workpiece 2 to be received.

[0041] The machine tool 1 comprises a sensor unit 10. The sensor unit 10 is configured to detect the presence of an incoming workpiece 2 at least at a first time point and at a second time point. This allows, for example, the machine tool 1 to start a production process, such as a separation or cutting process of the workpiece 2, only if there is an incoming workpiece 2. As shown in Figure 1, the sensor unit 10 is preferably arranged on the actuatable sliding element 6. In another embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit 10 can also be arranged, for example, in the entry area of ​​the cutting tool 4.

[0042] The machine tool 1 comprises a light barrier 7, which is preferably arranged on the cutting tool 4 and is configured to determine at least one zero position on the received workpiece 2 or to define a zero position for machining by the cutting tool 4 by means of at least one light signal LS transmitted to the received workpiece 2 and reflected or not reflected by the received workpiece 2.

[0043] The machine tool 1 comprises a control and regulation unit 9. The control and regulation unit 9 preferably comprises electronic hardware components (e.g., CPU, RAM, ROM, bus system, etc.) and software components (e.g., a real-time capable operating system, application programs for controlling and / or regulating the cutting tool 4 and the drivable stop element 5, etc.). The control and regulation unit 9 is connected via signal connections S to at least the cutting tool 4, the drivable stop element 5, the light barrier 7, the sensor unit 10, the actuatable sliding element 6, and the display and operating unit 8. The signal connections S can be wired or wireless signal connections S. Correspondingly, coordinated actuation of the relevant parts and elements of the machine tool 1 can be performed via the control and regulation unit 9.

[0044] The display and operating unit 8 can be designed, for example, as a touchscreen, via which parameters of the workpiece 2 to be machined and settings for operating the machine tool 1, preferably for a predetermined length of the workpiece 2, are queried and entered. The machine tool 1 is preferably configured and / or designed to machine workpieces 2 having an initial length of, for example, 2000 mm. That is to say, the receiving part 3A of the frame 3 that receives the workpiece 2 extends over a length of at least 2000 mm. The receiving part 3A is located between the drivable stop element 5 and the cutting tool 4.

[0045] Figure 2 is a front view of the machine tool 1 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a plan view of the machine tool 1 shown in Figure 1. From a combination of Figures 1 to 3, it can be seen that the frame 3 is approximately cubic. It can also be seen that at an end face 3S of the frame 3, the workpiece 2 to be received passes through the cutting tool 4, with the portion of the workpiece 2 to be cut protruding from the cutting tool 4. Figures 2 and 3 at least partially show a holding portion 5A of a drivable stop element 5, on which the workpiece 2 to be received is, for example, clamped.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a side view (side view seen from the left) of the machine tool 1 shown in FIG.

[0047] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Rather, numerous variations and modifications are possible, which also utilize the inventive idea and therefore fall within the scope of protection. The present invention also preferably claims protection for the subject matter and features of the dependent claims independently of the cited claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1 Machine tools 2 workpieces 3 frames 3A Receiving part 3P frame processing plate 3NA Groove or recess 3S end face 4 Cutting Tools 5. Actuable stop element 5A holding part 6. Actuable sliding element 6A First Contact 6B Second contact part 7 Light Barrier 8 Display and operation unit 9. Control and adjustment unit 10 Sensor Unit LS optical signal S signal connection X Longitudinal direction

Claims

1. A machine tool (1) for manufacturing a workpiece (2) of a predetermined length, comprising: a frame (3) for receiving the workpiece (2), the frame (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and configured to guide at least a portion of the workpiece (2) in the longitudinal direction (X); The machine tool (1) comprises a cutting tool (4) for cutting the received workpiece (2) at a processing position; The machine tool (1) has a drivable stop element (5) mounted on the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) in order to move the workpiece (2) received thereinto into a processing position, The machine tool (1) is mounted on the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in a longitudinal direction (X) and has at least one actuatable sliding element (6) configured to guide the workpiece (2) to be received when the workpiece (2) is moved by the drivable stop element (5), The at least one actuatable sliding element (6) is configured to be actuated by the workpiece (2) received therein via at least one contact portion (6A, 6B) of the at least one actuatable sliding element (6); and at least one contact portion (6A, 6B) of said at least one actuatable sliding element (6) forms a stop portion for said workpiece (2) to be received transversely to said longitudinal direction (X), Machine tools.

2. 2. The machine tool according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuatable sliding element (6) is mounted displaceably in the longitudinal direction (X) between the drivable stop element (5) and the cutting tool (4).

3. A machine tool (1) for manufacturing a workpiece (2) of a predetermined length, comprising: a frame (3) for receiving the workpiece (2), the frame (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and configured to guide at least a portion of the workpiece (2) in the longitudinal direction (X); The machine tool (1) comprises a cutting tool (4) for cutting the received workpiece (2) at a processing position; The machine tool (1) has a drivable stop element (5) mounted on the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) in order to move the workpiece (2) received thereinto into a processing position, The machine tool (1) is mounted on the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) and has at least one actuatable sliding element (6) configured to guide the workpiece (2) to be received when the workpiece (2) is moved by the drivable stop element (5), and the machine tool (1) has at least one light barrier (7), which is arranged on the cutting tool (4) and is configured to determine at least one zero position on the workpiece (2) to be received or to define a zero position for machining by the cutting tool (4) by at least one light signal (LS) transmitted to the workpiece (2) to be received and being at least one light signal (LS) reflected or not reflected by the workpiece (2) to be received; Machine tools.

4. the machine tool (1) comprises a control and regulating unit (9) connected via a signal connection (S) to at least the cutting tool (4), the drivable stop element (5) and the light barrier (7), 4. The machine tool according to claim 3, wherein the control and regulating unit (9) is configured to actuate the drivable stop element (5) via the signal connection (S) in order to translate the received workpiece (2) into a processing position as a function of at least one light signal (LS) of the light barrier (7) that is transmitted to the received workpiece (2) and reflected by the received workpiece (2) or that is not reflected.

5. 5. The machine tool according to claim 4, wherein the machine tool (1) comprises a display and operating unit (8) connected to at least the control and regulating unit (9) via the signal connection (S) and configured to query at least the predetermined length of the workpiece (2).

6. A machine tool (1) for manufacturing a workpiece (2) of a predetermined length, comprising: a frame (3) for receiving the workpiece (2), the frame (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and configured to guide at least a portion of the workpiece (2) in the longitudinal direction (X); The machine tool (1) comprises a cutting tool (4) for cutting the received workpiece (2) at a processing position; The machine tool (1) has a drivable stop element (5) mounted on the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) in order to move the workpiece (2) received thereinto into a processing position, The machine tool (1) is mounted on the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) and has at least one actuatable sliding element (6) configured to guide the workpiece (2) to be received when the workpiece (2) is moved by the drivable stop element (5), and The machine tool (1) comprises at least one sensor unit (10) for detecting the presence of the workpiece (2) to be received at least at a first time point and at a second time point. Machine tools.

7. 7. The machine tool according to claim 6, wherein the at least one sensor unit (10) is arranged on the at least one actuatable sliding element (6).

8. A machine tool (1) for manufacturing a workpiece (2) of a predetermined length, comprising: a frame (3) for receiving the workpiece (2), the frame (3) extending in a longitudinal direction (X) and configured to guide at least a portion of the workpiece (2) in the longitudinal direction (X); The machine tool (1) comprises a cutting tool (4) for cutting the received workpiece (2) at a processing position; The machine tool (1) has a drivable stop element (5) mounted on the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) in order to move the workpiece (2) received thereinto into a processing position, The machine tool (1) is mounted on the frame (3) so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction (X) and has at least one actuatable sliding element (6) configured to guide the workpiece (2) to be received when the workpiece (2) is moved by the drivable stop element (5), and the frame (3) is at least partly configured as a table (2) having a work plate (3P) for receiving the workpiece (2), and grooves (3NA) or recesses (3NA) extending in the longitudinal direction (X) are formed on the work plate (3P) for displaceably mounting the at least one actuatable sliding element (6) and / or for guiding the drivable stop element (5), Machine tools.

9. 9. The machine tool according to claim 8, wherein the frame (3) has a receiving portion (3A) for the workpiece (2) between the drivable stop element (5) and the cutting tool (4), the receiving portion extending in the longitudinal direction (X) by at least 2000 mm.

10. 9. Machine tool according to claim 8, wherein the drivable stop element (5) is designed to releasably fix at least a part of the workpiece (2) to be received.

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