Method and device for processing edge bandings in edge banding machines

Abstract

The invention relates to an edge-strip-processing device for cutting an edge strip to size, which is attached to an edge of a workpiece, comprising: a securing device designed to secure the edge-strip-processing device to an edge banding machine in geometric relation to a guide device of the edge banding machine, the guide device being designed to attach the edge strip to the workpiece and to guide the workpiece along a guide direction. The edge-strip-processing device is characterized by a laser processing unit comprising a laser radiation source designed to generate a laser beam, a laser focusing unit designed to focus and / or defocus the laser beam, and a laser guiding unit designed to direct the laser beam onto a processing region, the laser processing unit being designed to cut the edge strip to size.

Description

[0001] Eisenführ Speiser

[0002] Hamburg, December 12, 2025

[0003] Our reference: AH 1290-02WO LBI / mwi

[0004] Applicant / owner: Maschinenbau Hebrock GmbH

[0005] Official file number: New registration

[0006] Hebrock GmbH Mechanical Engineering

[0007] Beendorfer Straße 31, 32609 Hüllhorst

[0008] Method and device for processing edgebanders in edgebanding machines

[0009] The invention relates to an edge banding processing device for cutting an edge band that is or will be applied to an edge of a workpiece. A further aspect of the invention is a method for processing an edge band and the use of the aforementioned edge banding processing device, as well as an edge banding machine with such an edge banding processing device.

[0010] Edgebanding units are used in edgebanding machines and typically comprise several processing stations. An edgebanding machine is generally used to apply an edgeband (or "edge strip") to the edge of a sheet-shaped workpiece. For this purpose, an edgeband, which is supplied, for example, as rolled-up material, is fed to the edge of the workpiece, which is conveyed through the edgebanding machine along a guide rail, and applied to the edge of the workpiece, typically by gluing. The necessary adhesive can be supplied separately within the edgebanding machine, or the edgeband can be pre-coated with an activatable or meltable adhesive layer, which is activated, for example, by heating, to create a bonding state. This allows the edgeband to be pressed against the edge and bonded to the edge of the workpiece.

[0011] The edge banding applied to the workpiece edge is usually not a precise fit, but rather protrudes at both the front and rear edges. Furthermore, the width of the edge banding typically does not exactly match the width of the edge or the thickness of the workpiece; instead, the banding is slightly wider, extending beyond the edge's length as well. Therefore, the edge banding requires processing with a suitable attachment within the gluing machine to precisely cut it to fit the workpiece edge.

[0012] This processing typically requires several steps. First, the edgebanding strip is cut to length at the front end in a cutting operation; in a subsequent step, the same is done at the rear end of the edgebanding strip. Since this typically occurs while the workpiece is being conveyed through the edgebanding machine, the processing tool must be guided accordingly to make the desired cut perpendicular to the guide direction despite this conveying movement.

[0013] In further steps, the excess material of the box strip, perpendicular to the guide direction, is removed by a longitudinal cut above and below the edge. After this four-step cutting process, a finishing cut of all pre-cut surfaces is usually required to create a smooth cut surface with a desired geometry, such as a chamfer or rounding. Following this, the cuts are typically smoothed with a fine grinding or polishing process to bring the cut edges to the desired final appearance and remove any adhesive residue.

[0014] It has proven effective to perform these processing steps with mechanical tools, reliably achieving high-quality results, namely dimensionally accurate and visually appealing edgebands on the workpiece. Edgebanding machines typically use blades, milling tools, and polishing tools for this purpose. To achieve the desired result with these tools and processing stations, they must be adjusted to the required dimensions. This necessitates precise adjustment of the tools at each individual processing station, which can significantly increase the setup times of edgebanding machines when switching to a different edgeband or workpiece dimensions.The cutting residue generated during processing at the individual stations is removed as chips, which, depending on the processing tool, can result in long or short chips and inevitably leads to contamination of the edgebanding machine in many places. It is known to remove these chips using collection trays or extraction systems to prevent blockages or clogging in the processing area. However, not every edgebanding material is equally suitable for efficient chip removal at every cutting depth and processing method.

[0015] From DE 60 2005 004 823 T2, an edgebanding machine is known which has stations for processing edges. In these stations, the edgebanding strip is first applied to the longitudinal edge of a workpiece and then cut to size. Furthermore, a laser cutting system is included that produces a strip profile of a desired shape. With this system, the desired edge shape is only produced after cutting, which necessitates more complex equipment on the machine.

[0016] From DE 10 201 1 006. 319 A1, a machine system for applying strip-shaped edgebanding material to workpieces is known, in which a cutting unit is arranged on a transport device and cuts the strip material before it is applied to the workpiece. The cutting unit is described as a shearing tool, and it is explained by way of example that the cutting unit can also include a laser beam cutting tool. A disadvantage of this machine system, however, is that the cutting unit is designed to cut the strip material as it approaches the workpiece, which necessitates considerable equipment effort to achieve a precise cut of the strip material for the workpiece.

[0017] DE 10 2013 218 483 A1 describes a laser processing machine with which two different processing operations are performed on a workpiece using a first laser processing tool and a second laser processing tool. This processing machine also has increased equipment complexity in that it uses two laser processing tools to process the workpiece sequentially and in a progressive manner. DE 10 2011 015 195 A1 discloses a method in which a multi-blade saw or a laser cutting device is used to cut a wood-based material into strips after compression. EP 1 961 534 A1 describes a method in which a blade, a knife, or cutting and other separating devices, such as laser devices, are used to pre-cut a web of material from a roll.These technologies focus on preparatory activities for the basic production of a strip in a production plant.

[0018] The invention is based on the objective of overcoming these disadvantages of the prior art and providing an edge banding processing device which can advantageously be used in an edge banding machine without these problems occurring or in such a way that the problems occur at least to a lesser extent.

[0019] This problem is solved according to the invention with an edge strip processing device of the aforementioned type, which is further developed by a laser processing unit, comprising a laser radiation source configured to generate a laser beam, a laser focusing unit configured to focus and / or defocus the laser beam, and a laser guidance unit configured to direct the laser beam onto a processing area, wherein the laser processing unit is configured to cut the edge strip.

[0020] According to the invention, a laser processing unit is used, comprising a laser radiation source, a laser focusing unit, and a laser guidance unit. This laser processing unit is designed to effectively focus the laser beam for processing the edge strip and to guide it in such a way that, on the one hand, adjustment to different geometries of the workpiece, the edge, and the edge strip can be achieved, and on the other hand, processing of the edge strip can also be carried out on the passing workpiece. The laser processing unit can be used for a single processing step, for example, for end- or longitudinal-side trimming of the edge strip, but can also be used alternatively or additionally for fine cutting and polishing.The ability to pulse the laser beam generated in the laser radiation source by the laser radiation source, thereby influencing the pulse length and pulse frequency, and the further possibility of focusing or defocusing the laser beam with the laser focusing unit, as well as the further possibility of guiding the laser beam by means of the laser guidance unit, enables both cutting processing and fine cutting processing and finishing of the surface of the edge strip.

[0021] Preferably, the laser radiation source generates a laser beam with a wavelength in the range of 300 nm to 400 nm, particularly preferably with a wavelength of 355 nm. An excimer laser can be used as the laser radiation source. According to the inventors, these wavelengths and this type of laser have proven to be well-suited for commonly used edgebanding materials such as ABS, melamine, aluminum, or wood and wood-based materials, and achieve good cutting results on these materials.

[0022] It is important to understand that, due to the highly precise cutting performance of laser processing equipment, the previously described different processing steps can be partially combined. For example, a sufficiently precise geometry, such as a chamfer or a rounded edge, can be achieved during the initial cutting process, thus eliminating the need for subsequent fine cutting. However, it is also possible to perform the individual processing steps with the laser in the same way as with conventional mechanical processing tools.This can be achieved by a single laser radiation source that is guided and controlled on a single laser focus unit and laser guidance unit, but it can also be achieved by a single laser radiation source whose laser beam is split across multiple laser focus units and / or laser guidance units, and also by multiple laser radiation sources, each interacting with a laser focus unit and a laser guidance unit.

[0023] According to a first preferred embodiment, the laser processing unit is coupled to an electronic control device via a signal connection. The control device is configured to control the laser processing unit in a first processing mode to cut the edge strip along the guide direction, in particular by controlling the laser guide unit to align the laser focus generated by the laser focus unit transversely to the guide direction, depending on the position of a surface of the workpiece adjacent to the edge of the workpiece, to a predetermined cutting position and to hold it stationary relative to the edge strip. The control device is also configured to control the laser processing unit in a second processing mode to cut the edge strip transversely to the guide direction, in particular by controlling the laser guide unit.to align the laser focus generated by the laser focus unit to a predetermined starting position before the cutting process, depending on the position of a front or rear end of the workpiece edge, and to move it to an end position transversely to the guide direction with a cutting feed during the cutting process, and to move it longitudinally to the guide direction synchronously with the movement of the workpiece along the guide direction.

[0024] According to this preferred embodiment, in a second processing mode, a portion of the edge strip projecting from the front or rear end of the workpiece is cut off or processed by the laser processing unit. This processing can, in particular, also be carried out while the workpiece is passing through, by following the laser beam accordingly using the laser guidance unit and / or laser focus unit. This can be achieved by deflecting the laser beam in the laser processing head or by moving the laser processing head along the guide direction with the workpiece. It is understood that the guide direction of the workpiece preferably corresponds to the longitudinal extent of the edge strip on the edge of the workpiece.Accordingly, a cut made perpendicular to this guide direction can be made, in particular at an angle of 90° to this guide direction, but can also be made obliquely, i.e. at an acute or obtuse angle to the guide direction, for example if an adjacent edge to the edge strip is at an acute or obtuse angle to the workpiece surface.

[0025] In the first processing mode, a portion of the edge strip projecting perpendicular to its longitudinal direction is cut off. During this process, the laser focus is adjusted to trim the edge strip to the desired width, thus removing a longitudinal strip. To achieve the required cutting feed in this first mode, the workpiece feed can be used along the guide direction, keeping the laser beam focus stationary. Alternatively, the laser beam focus can be moved in or against the guide direction, performing the cut or using this movement in conjunction with the workpiece feed to achieve the desired cutting feed.

[0026] According to a further preferred embodiment, the laser processing unit is coupled to an electronic control device via a signal connection. The control device is configured to control the laser processing unit in a third processing mode to remove excess adhesive from a bond between the edge strip and the workpiece, in particular by controlling the laser focus unit to defocus the laser beam compared to the first mode, and / or to control the laser processing unit in a fourth processing mode to smooth a surface of the edge strip, in particular by controlling the laser focus unit to focus the laser beam less strongly or to defocus the laser beam compared to the first processing mode, and / or to control the laser radiation source to generate a lower laser beam intensity compared to the third processing mode.by reducing the laser beam density and / or the laser pulse frequency and / or the duration of a laser pulse.

[0027] According to this embodiment, the laser processing unit is controlled in a third processing mode to remove excess adhesive. The excess adhesive typically has different material properties than the edge strip and the workpiece and can therefore be removed using laser processing parameters adapted to these properties. Removal can be achieved, in particular, by vaporizing the adhesive residue. For this purpose, the pulse duration and pulse rate can be adjusted to such a value that the adhesive residue is vaporized. Furthermore, the laser beam can be defocused, in particular, to sweep a sufficiently large area with the laser beam and capture all adhesive residue. In a separate, fourth processing mode, the laser processing unit is controlled to smooth the surface of the edge strip.For this processing, the laser beam can also be focused or defocused less; alternatively or additionally, the intensity of the laser beam can be reduced to achieve the desired smoothing or polishing effect.

[0028] According to a further preferred embodiment, the laser processing unit comprises a first laser guidance unit and a second laser guidance unit, as well as a beam splitting element that divides the laser radiation from the laser source between the first and second laser guidance units. The laser processing unit is signal-coupled to an electronic control device configured to control the first and second laser guidance units independently. According to this embodiment, two, and optionally more, laser guidance units are supplied with laser radiation from a single laser source by splitting the laser radiation using one or more beam splitting elements.A beam splitting element can split the laser beam or a pulse of the laser beam into two or more laser beam directions, which are then fed to the laser guidance units, resulting in a percentage-based split, for example, using semi-transparent mirrors. The beam splitting element can also direct some pulses from a laser beam pulse sequence into one laser beam direction and other pulses into a different laser beam direction, thus splitting the laser beam. Other beam splitting methods are also conceivable. By splitting the laser beam into two or more laser guidance units and controlling them independently, it becomes possible to perform two different processing operations on the edge strip without requiring two separate laser radiation sources.

[0029] It is even more preferred if the laser radiation source comprises a first laser radiation source unit with a first wavelength and a second laser radiation source unit with a second wavelength. According to this embodiment, two laser radiation source units are provided, which generate a first and a second laser beam of different wavelengths. These two laser radiation source units can be arranged such that they each emit the laser beam generated coaxially, so that two laser beams with the first and second wavelengths, respectively, are generated from these coaxial laser beams containing the two wavelengths by subsequent beam splitting. However, the two laser radiation source units can also be arranged at a distance from each other such that the laser beam of the first wavelength and the laser beam of the second wavelength are spaced apart.

[0030] The laser beams with different wavelengths, as presented here, allow for various processing operations on a single edge strip made of the same material. These include, for example, cutting operations with a high material removal rate and, conversely, smoothing operations with a low material removal rate and a high surface finish. Furthermore, by using two laser radiation source units with different wavelengths, the edge strip processing system can be configured to process edge strips made of different materials, such as plastic, wood-based materials, and aluminum. Different laser beam wavelengths are best suited for processing these materials, which exhibit different absorption and reflection properties of laser beams.In this case, the edge strip processing device can have a control system that, depending on the material of the edge strip, controls one of the two laser radiation source units to emit the laser beam, while the other laser radiation source unit is not operated.

[0031] It is even more preferred if the first laser radiation source unit and the second laser radiation source unit are configured to direct their laser radiation to the laser focusing unit, and the laser focusing unit is configured to refract the laser radiation of the first wavelength with a first focal length and to refract the laser radiation of the second wavelength with a second focal length that differs from the first focal length. According to this embodiment, both the first and the second laser radiation source units direct their laser beam to the laser focusing unit, and the latter is configured to refract the two laser beams with the two different wavelengths and different focal lengths, so that the two laser beams of different wavelengths undergo different focusing or deflection in the laser focusing unit.This can be used efficiently to generate two spatially separated laser beam focus points from the two laser beams, thereby achieving different processing effects or allowing work to be carried out at different processing locations on the edge strip. Furthermore, the different refraction of the two wavelengths can also be used to split the two laser beams of different wavelengths, allowing them to be deflected further and thus enabling the processing point of the first and second laser beams to be determined independently.

[0032] It is particularly preferred if the edgebanding device is further developed by an electronic control device configured to selectively control either the first laser radiation source unit and / or the second laser radiation source unit to emit laser radiation with the first or second wavelength, respectively. According to this development, the first and second laser radiation source units can be controlled independently of one another by a control device in order to alternatively use the laser radiation of the first wavelength or the laser radiation of the second wavelength for edgebanding, or both.

[0033] According to a further preferred embodiment, the edgebanding device is further developed by a protective gas device comprising a protective gas source and a protective gas nozzle, which is connected to and arranged with the protective gas source to generate a protective gas atmosphere in the laser beam processing area. According to this embodiment, a gas atmosphere distinct from the surrounding environment is formed around the processing area in which the laser beam processes the edgeband. This gas atmosphere can act as a conventional protective gas to prevent undesirable effects such as oxidation, discoloration, or the like, which would otherwise occur if the area heated by the laser beam reacted with the ambient air. The protective gas atmosphere can also be used to achieve certain desired effects.For example, a desired color effect can be achieved in combination with certain gases when the laser beam heats the edge strip material. Suitable shielding gases include argon and nitrogen.

[0034] However, it is particularly preferred if the shielding gas source is a compressed air source. Using a compressed air source allows a gas to be supplied to the laser beam processing area under high pressure. This gas can be ambient air, and the effect achieved by the compressed air supply is primarily cooling and the removal of material vaporized, melted, or separated by the laser beam processing. The compressed air source can also be a specific, pressurized shielding gas supplied to the laser beam processing area, achieving further effects or other results as described above.

[0035] The edge strip processing device can be further enhanced by an electronic user interface and an electronic control device that is signal-linked to the electronic user interface and the laser processing unit, wherein

[0036] • the electronic user interface is configured to receive a geometric property of the edge strip and the electronic control device is configured to guide the laser beam along a geometrically defined path, dependent on the geometric property, to produce the geometric property, and / or the electronic user interface is configured to receive a color property of the edge strip and the electronic control device is configured to control the laser beam depending on the color property, and / or

[0037] • the electronic user interface is designed to receive an engraving geometry of the edge strip and the electronic control device is designed to control the laser beam to produce the engraving geometry depending on the engraving geometry, and / or

[0038] • the electronic user interface is designed to receive geometric marking data for post-processing of the edge strip or a region of the workpiece adjacent to the edge strip, and the electronic control device is designed to control the laser beam for marking the edge strip or the adjacent region of the workpiece depending on the geometric marking data.

[0039] According to this embodiment, the edgebanding device generally comprises an electronic user interface and an electronic control device. The electronic user interface is configured to receive data entered by the user, for example, by means of data transmission from a data interface such as a standardized data connector or a standardized wireless data transmission interface (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi), or in the form of an interface designed for direct user input such as a keyboard, a touch-sensitive pad or screen, voice input, or the like.

[0040] The control device coupled to this user interface is designed to control the laser processing unit based on the received data. This allows for the consideration of individually and diversely entered data during laser processing. This can include various types of data and processing methods. For example, a geometric property of the edge strip can be entered, such as the radius geometry of an edge rounding, and the laser beam can be guided according to the desired radius geometry.Furthermore, a color property of the edge strip can be entered, and the laser processing can then be carried out, for example, by selecting a corresponding wavelength of the laser beam, so that the desired color property is created in the edge strip by the laser processing, whereby corresponding photosensitive color-producing materials within the edge strip are excited by the wavelength. It is also possible to enter an engraving geometry, such as a lettering, a decoration, or the like, via the user interface and then create it accordingly with the laser beam using appropriate laser beam guidance.Furthermore, it is possible to enter geometric marking data via the user interface, which makes a marking necessary for later post-processing of the workpiece or edge strip on the edge strip or makes such a marking in the area of ​​the workpiece adjacent to the edge strip, for example to mark drill center points by means of corresponding cross or dot markings using the laser.

[0041] It is even more preferred to further develop the edge strip processing device by means of an extraction device which is arranged and designed to extract material from the edge strip that has been vaporized by the laser processing unit.

[0042] According to this embodiment, material vaporized by laser processing is extracted by an extraction device, so that on the one hand contamination of the edgebanding device itself as well as of the entire edgebanding machine in which this device is installed is avoided or at least reduced, a clean working field is created for laser beam processing and accordingly a precise work result is achieved without burdening a user working at the edgebanding machine and without contamination of the workpiece.

[0043] Another aspect of the invention is an edgebanding machine for applying an edge strip to the edge of a workpiece, which is characterized by a cutting device designed according to the type of the edge strip processing device described above. Such an edgebanding machine therefore has the advantage that the edge strip can be processed using the edge strip processing device described above, and thus at least partially, preferably completely, the edge strip can be processed after, during, or even before being applied to the workpiece. The edge strip processing device can be used to geometrically cut the edge strip, to further refine the edge strip by appropriate coloring or laser processing, for example, by engraving, lettering, or a complete or partial color change.In addition to this laser-assisted edgebanding unit, the edgebanding machine can have further processing equipment for the edgeband, such as additional cutting devices to process the edgeband using methods other than laser processing, for example, mechanical clamping, including polishing and similar operations. Furthermore, the edgebanding machine can also include quality control processing stations where the edgeband and the workpiece are measured or otherwise inspected. These quality control processing stations can be followed by further laser-assisted or mechanical processing stations to correct any deviations between the actual and target states within the edgebanding machine itself.

[0044] Another aspect of the invention is a method for processing an edge strip applied or to be applied to an edge of a workpiece, comprising the step of: cutting the edge strip in a processing area by means of a laser processing unit, which

[0045] • a laser radiation source designed to produce a laser beam,

[0046] • a laser focusing unit designed to focus and / or defocus the laser beam, and

[0047] • A laser guidance unit designed to direct the laser beam onto the processing area. This method according to the invention is characterized in that an edge strip, which is applied or is to be applied to a workpiece, is processed by means of a laser processing unit in order to cut, color-modify, decorate, or the like.

[0048] The process can be further developed by

[0049] (i) the laser processing unit cuts the edge strip in a first processing mode along a guide direction, in particular by controlling the laser guide unit to align the laser focus generated by the laser focus unit transversely to the guide direction to a predetermined cutting position depending on the position of a surface of the workpiece adjacent to the edge of the workpiece and to hold it stationary relative to the edge strip, and / or

[0050] (ii) the laser processing unit cuts the edge strip in a second processing mode transverse to the guide direction, in particular by controlling the laser guide unit to align the laser focus generated by the laser focus unit to a predetermined starting position before the cutting process depending on the position of a front or rear end of the edge of the workpiece, and during the cutting process

[0051] • to move across the guide direction with a cutting feed to a final position and

[0052] • to move along the guide direction synchronously with the movement of the workpiece along the guide direction, and / or

[0053] (iii) the laser processing unit removes an adhesive protrusion from an adhesive bond between edge strips and the workpiece in a third processing mode, in particular by controlling the laser focusing unit to defocus the laser beam compared to the first mode, and / or

[0054] (iv) the laser processing unit smooths a surface of the edge strip in a fourth processing mode, in particular by the laser focusing unit

[0055] • for a less intense focusing or defocusing of the laser beam compared to the first processing mode, and / or

[0056] • the laser radiation source is controlled to produce a lower laser beam intensity compared to the first processing mode by reducing the laser beam density and / or reducing the laser pulse frequency and / or reducing the duration of a laser pulse, and / or

[0057] (v) optionally a first laser radiation source unit emits laser radiation with a first wavelength or a second laser radiation source unit emits laser radiation with a second wavelength, wherein preferably the first and the second laser radiation are guided through the same laser focusing unit, and / or

[0058] (vi) a protective gas is supplied and / or material vaporized by the laser beam is extracted, and / or

[0059] (vii) a geometric property of the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface, and the laser beam is guided along a geometrically defined path, dependent on the geometric property, to produce the geometric property, and / or (viii) a color property of the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface and the laser processing unit is controlled depending on the color property, and / or

[0060] (ix) an engraving geometry of the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface and the laser beam is controlled to produce the engraving geometry depending on the engraving geometry, and / or

[0061] (x) geometric marking data for post-processing of the edge strip or a region of the workpiece adjacent to the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface and the laser beam is controlled to mark the edge strip or the region adjacent to the workpiece.

[0062] With regard to this method according to the invention and its further developments, reference is made to the previously given explanations concerning the edge strip processing device and the edge banding machine; the device properties and functions explained therein, as well as the process effects achievable therewith, are to be applied accordingly to the method according to the invention and its further developments and are included in the method according to the invention.

[0063] In the inventive method, it is even more preferred if a color property of the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface and the laser processing unit is controlled depending on the color property, with the following steps:

[0064] • Applying an edge strip containing color components that are photosensitive to at least two different laser wavelengths to the workpiece,

[0065] • wherein the color components are photosensitive to a first wavelength and, upon photoactivation by the first wavelength, form a first color, and upon photoactivation by a second wavelength, form a second color different from the first color,

[0066] • when receiving the color property, a color specification for the edge stripe is received,

[0067] • the laser processing unit is controlled to irradiate the edge strip with a wavelength selected from the first and second and, if necessary, further wavelengths, whereby the wavelength is selected depending on the received color specification,

[0068] • Irradiating the edge strip with the wavelength to activate the photosensitive color components, so that the edge strip assumes a color according to the selected color specification.

[0069] According to this further development of the inventive method, the color property of the edge strip to be achieved with the laser processing of the edge strip is entered via an electronic user interface, which can be a data interface for receiving individual data for the edge strip processing process or an interface designed for direct input of user data such as a keyboard, touchscreen or the like, and then the laser processing unit is controlled depending on this entered color property.For this purpose, an edge strip is used which has corresponding photosensitive color components that can generate at least two alternative color properties of the edge strip when they are individually irradiated with the laser and the laser is controlled accordingly to generate the desired and entered color property from these two color components, for example in that only one of the two color components is activated by the laser irradiation or in that both color components are activated and the degree of activation of one and the other color component is controlled so that a desired color property is achieved through a color mixture.

[0070] Finally, another aspect of the invention is the use of an edgeband processing device of the previously described design for processing an edgeband in an edgebanding machine. This use allows for efficient, low-contamination, and versatile processing of edgebands in an edgebanding machine. It should be understood that the processing of the edgeband can preferably be carried out according to a method as previously described as the method according to the invention.

[0071] Preferred embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. These show:

[0072] Fig. 1a: a schematic view of a surface coated with an edge strip

[0073] Edge before cutting, Fig. 1b: a schematic view of an edge coated with an edge strip after cutting,

[0074] Figure 2: a perspective rear view of a conventional edge banding machine,

[0075] Figure 3: a perspective rear view of a section of an edge banding machine with a first embodiment of the edge strip processing device according to the invention,

[0076] Fig. 4: a view according to Figure 3 of a second embodiment of the edge strip processing device according to the invention,

[0077] Fig. 5: a view according to Figure 3 of a third embodiment of the edge strip processing device according to the invention,

[0078] Fig. 6: a view according to Figure 3 of a fourth embodiment of the edge strip processing device according to the invention, and

[0079] Fig. 7: a view according to Figure 3 of a fifth embodiment of the edge strip processing device according to the invention.

[0080] Fig. 1a shows a workpiece 20 with a front edge 22 and an edge strip 30 applied to this front edge 22, which is not yet cut. The front edge 22 forms corners 21a and 22a with a front and a rear side edge 21, 23. The edge strip 30 is shown with an overhang on all sides. It can therefore typically project upwards beyond the surface 25 of the workpiece 20 with an overhang 30c and downwards beyond the underside of the workpiece 20 with an overhang 30d. Furthermore, the edge strip can project forwards with an overhang 30a beyond the side edge 21 or corner 21a of the workpiece 20 in the conveying direction and backwards with an overhang 30b beyond the side edge 23 or corner 22a of the workpiece.Basically, it should be understood that the extent of the overhang in the four directions can vary and that the edge strip does not always have to overhang in all four directions, but can also be flush with respect to one or more directions.

[0081] Fig. 1b shows the workpiece 20 with the finished edge strip 30'. The edge strip 30' is cut flush on the front and back sides and provided with a chamfer 31a,b. On the top and bottom sides, the edge strip is also cut flush and provided with a rounded edge 31c,d. The cut surfaces 31ad are also smoothed and polished.

[0082] Figure 2 shows an edge banding machine for applying and processing an edge strip. This is done in such a way that a workpiece with an edge to be coated with the edge strip is guided and conveyed along a horizontal guide direction F running from left to right by a guide device 110, whereby this movement of the workpiece may be further guided by a processor by appropriate supporting guides to the workpiece.

[0083] In a coating area 120 of the edgebanding machine, shown on the left in Figure 2, the edgebanding strip is fed in, for example, by being unwound from a supply reel 121 and guided to the edge of the workpiece by appropriate guides. The edgebanding strip itself may already have a meltable adhesive layer, which is heated by the application of heat via a laser, thermal radiation, heated air, or compressed air, thereby activating it for bonding. Alternatively, an adhesive from a separate source can be supplied to and applied to the edgebanding strip and / or the edge of the workpiece to bond the edgebanding strip to the edge. After successful adhesive activation or application, the edgebanding strip is pressed onto the edge, for which appropriate guides, rollers, and workpiece supports are provided on the edgebanding machine.

[0084] In a crosscut saw module 130, the front protruding end 30a and, after the workpiece edge has completely passed through, the rear end 30b of the edge strip are also precisely cut off. This can be done perfectly flush with a front or rear edge 21, 23 of the workpiece, or optionally with a corresponding chamfer for later gluing of an edge strip to this front or rear edge of the workpiece. The crosscut saw module 130 compensates for a constant conveying movement of the workpiece through the edgebanding machine by making a correspondingly angled cut or by moving along with the workpiece during a vertical cut.

[0085] In a subsequent milling module 140, spaced apart from the crosscut saw module 130 in the guide direction of the workpiece, both the upper and lower overhang 30c, d of the edge strip is then cut off over the surface 25 and the underside of the workpiece, respectively. The milling module can operate stationary on the edgebanding machine and use the workpiece feed from the machine as the cutting feed.

[0086] In a scraper module 150, which is spaced apart from the milling module 140 in the guide direction of the workpiece, the milled surface created in the milling module 40 is recut, thereby achieving a desired geometry, such as a chamfer or rounding 31 c, d and a geometric precision of the cut, so that the upper and lower edges of the edge strip are aligned with the surface and the underside of the workpiece.

[0087] In a corner milling module 160, which is further downstream and again geographically spaced from the scraper module 150, an exact corner geometry is produced at the front and rear ends of the edge strip, which can be, for example, a rounding with a certain radius or a chamfer 31 a,b with a certain angle.

[0088] Finally, a cleaning station 170 is arranged in the guide direction of the workpiece at a distance from the corner milling module 160, in which the cut surfaces on the edge strip are finally reworked by means of a polishing or grinding operation, i.e. typically a operation with an indeterminate cutting edge, and the desired geometry and surface quality are finally produced in a fine machining operation.

[0089] All five of the aforementioned processing stations 130-170 operate in different manufacturing ways, require different guidance, and must each be adjusted or selected according to processing-specific parameters such as workpiece thickness, workpiece length, edgeband width, and material. This makes setting up an edgebanding machine a complex process that can only be carried out by qualified personnel and must be repeated regularly whenever a parameter of the workpiece or edgeband changes.

[0090] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of an edgebanding machine with an edgebanding processing unit according to the invention. The edgebanding processing unit comprises a laser radiation source 210, which can provide a laser beam in pulsed form and with two different wavelengths. From the laser radiation source 210, this laser beam is guided along a curved path in a fiber optic cable 220 to a processing head 230 by means of a beam guide.

[0091] In this processing head 230, a laser beam focusing unit focuses the laser beam, and a laser beam guidance unit guides the laser beam to a processing point or processing area. The laser beam focusing unit and laser beam guidance unit can also be integrated. The laser radiation source 210 and the processing head 230 are connected to each other via the fiber optic cable 220 in such a way that the processing head can be moved relative to the laser radiation source. The traversing movement of the processing head 230 can, in particular, take place along a linear axis 240 that extends in the same direction as the guide direction F along which the workpiece is conveyed through the edgebanding machine.This makes it possible to move the processing head 230 along with the workpiece over a specific distance and consequently perform processing, for example, at the front or rear end of the workpiece, in order to execute the function of the crosscut saw module or the corner milling module with the laser beam. At the same time, it becomes possible, after crosscutting or corner milling at the front end, to return the processing head to a starting point along the linear axis 240 and thereby process any overhang of the edge strip beyond the surface and the underside of the workpiece, and consequently also to perform the processing of the milling module and the scraper module.

[0092] The laser beam can be controlled and directed in such a way that it performs a two-stage process: first, the edge strip is machined to create its basic dimensions, and simultaneously, the desired geometry of the edge strip is produced in the area of ​​its edge, for example, a chamfer or rounding. By moving the laser beam linearly against the workpiece's direction of travel, the machining head can be returned to a starting position, from which it can then perform a final milling operation at the rear end of the workpiece to complete the machining process.

[0093] In principle, it can be understood that by appropriately controlling the laser radiation source and the processing head, and by adjusting the pulse duration and deflection of the laser beam, the laser processing unit shown in Figure 3 can integrally perform the tasks that are conventionally carried out by several mechanical processing stations. This means that several processing steps, which previously had to be performed by separate and specifically designed processing stations in the edgebanding machine, are now performed by a single laser processing station.

[0094] It is understood that, according to the invention, two or more laser processing units can also be provided on the edgebanding machine, for example, to increase throughput or to perform multiple functions on the edgebanding strip via laser processing, such as color activation. Furthermore, it is understood that mechanical processing stations can be provided both upstream and downstream of the laser processing unit, for example, to perform rough preparation of the edgebanding strip or to carry out final finishing of the edgebanding strip to achieve a high-quality surface finish.

[0095] Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of an edgebanding machine with an edgebanding processing device according to the invention. In this embodiment, a laser radiation source 310 is also provided, which, in accordance with the first embodiment of Figure 3, guides a laser beam via a beam guide in a fiber optic cable 320 to a movable processing head 330. Consequently, laser beam processing can be carried out on the edgebanding strip or the workpiece by means of this processing head. This requires a relative movement between the laser processing head and the workpiece or the edgebanding strip that is decoupled from the movement of the workpiece by the edgebanding machine, for example, moving the processing head along with the workpiece moved by the edgebanding machine over a certain distance.In the second embodiment, a second processing head 230b is provided, which is also supplied with a laser beam from the laser radiation source 310. For this purpose, a corresponding beam splitting is provided within the laser radiation source 310 to direct the laser beam selectively to the first processing head 330a, to the second processing head 330b, or to both processing heads 330a and 330b.

[0096] The second processing head 330b is stationary and therefore cannot be moved within the edgebanding machine. The laser beam exiting this processing head 330b can, therefore, be moved to a certain extent by laser guides within the processing head, and the focus can also be adjusted by corresponding laser focusing devices within the processing head. The second processing head 330b allows processing of the workpiece or edgeband strip within the scope of this relative mobility of the laser beam by means of the laser guides and laser focusing devices in the processing head and the movement of the workpiece through the edgebanding machine.It is suitable, for example, for carrying out machining in the longitudinal direction of the workpiece, such as cutting off an overhang of the edge strip above the surface or the underside of the workpiece, or reworking, smoothing or the like of a corresponding upper or lower longitudinal cut edge on the workpiece.

[0097] Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of an edgebanding machine with an edgebanding processing device according to the invention. In this embodiment, a first laser radiation source 410a is provided, which, in the same way as in the first and second embodiments, guides a laser beam via a fiber optic cable 420 to a movable processing head 430a. This enables processing of the workpiece or the edgeband in the manner already described.

[0098] Furthermore, a second laser radiation source 410b is provided, which generates a second laser beam and directs it to a stationary second processing head 430b. This second laser radiation source 410b can generate a laser beam with a wavelength matching or differing from that of the first laser radiation source 410a. The second laser radiation source 410b and the second processing head 430b illuminated by this laser beam enable the edge strip or the workpiece to be processed independently of the processing by the first processing head 430a.Again, the stationary arrangement of the processing head within the edge banding machine allows for limited mobility of the focus and laser beam by the laser guidance means and laser focusing means in the processing head 430b itself to be used for this processing, and the superimposed movement of the workpiece and edge strip by the edge banding machine.

[0099] Figure 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, two laser beam sources 510a, 510b are arranged on the edgebanding machine, which generate a laser beam with matching or different wavelengths.

[0100] The first laser beam source 510a directs the laser beam via a fiber optic cable 520a to a movable processing head 530a. The second laser beam source 510b directs a laser beam via a fiber optic cable 520b to a second processing head 530b, which is also movable.

[0101] The two processing heads 530a, b can be moved independently of each other within the edge banding machine, so that both processing heads can perform processing with the processing head moving or with the processing head stationary.

[0102] Figure 7 shows a fifth embodiment of the invention. In this fifth embodiment, a laser radiation source 610 is provided, in accordance with the second embodiment of the figure, which, by means of beam splitting, directs one beam to a movable processing head 630a via a fiber optic cable 620 and to a stationary second processing head 630b. The processing of the workpiece or the edge strip by means of these two processing heads 630a, b corresponds to the processing method that has already been explained previously with regard to the second embodiment of Figure 4.

[0103] The fifth embodiment further includes a mechanical processing station 640. In this mechanical processing station 640, the edge strip can be mechanically processed. In principle, in the arrangement shown in Figure 7, this is provided as a mechanical processing step downstream of the laser processing, which can therefore include, for example, smoothing or polishing the previously cut surfaces. For this purpose, the mechanical processing station can be, for example, a polishing station, milling station, or planing station. It should be understood that machining with a defined or undefined cutting edge can be performed in the mechanical processing station.

Claims

Claims:

1. Edge strip processing device for cutting an edge strip that is or will be applied to an edge of a workpiece, comprising: A fastening device designed to attach the edgebanding processing device to the edgebanding machine in geometric relation to a guide device of an edgebanding machine, designed to apply the edgebanding to the workpiece and to guide the workpiece along a guide direction, characterized by a laser processing unit, with • a laser radiation source designed to produce a laser beam, • a laser focusing unit designed to focus and / or defocus the laser beam, and • a laser guidance unit configured to direct the laser beam onto a processing area, wherein the laser processing unit is configured to cut the edge strip.

2. Edge strip processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser processing unit is signal-coupled with an electronic control device configured to control the laser processing unit in a first processing mode to cut the edge strip along the guide direction, in particular by controlling the laser guide unit to align the laser focus generated by the laser focus unit transversely to the guide direction to a predetermined cutting position depending on the position of a surface of the workpiece adjacent to the edge of the workpiece and to hold it stationary relative to the edge strip, and / or to control the laser processing unit in a second processing mode to cut the edge strip transversely to the guide direction, in particular by controlling the laser guide unit to to align the laser focus generated by the laser focus unit to a predetermined starting position before the cutting process, depending on the position of a front or rear end of the edge of the workpiece, and during the cutting process • to move across the guide direction with a cutting feed to a final position and • to move along the guide direction synchronously with the movement of the workpiece along the guide direction.

3. Edge strip processing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser processing unit is signal-coupled with an electronic control device configured to control the laser processing unit in a third processing mode to remove adhesive excess from an adhesive bond between the edge strip and the workpiece, in particular by controlling the laser focus unit to defocus the laser beam compared to the first mode, and / or to control the laser processing unit in a fourth processing mode to smooth a surface of the edge strip, in particular by controlling the laser focus unit • for a less intense focusing or defocusing of the laser beam compared to the first processing mode, and / or • the laser radiation source is controlled to produce a lower intensity of the laser beam compared to the third processing mode by reducing the laser beam density and / or reducing the laser pulse frequency and / or reducing the duration of a laser pulse.

4. Edge strip processing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser processing unit comprises a first laser guidance unit and a second laser guidance unit as well as a beam splitting element which splits the laser radiation of the laser radiation source between the first and the second laser guidance unit, and that the laser processing unit is coupled to an electronic control device via signal technology, which is trained to control the first laser guidance unit and the second laser guidance unit independently of each other.

5. Edge strip processing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser radiation source comprises a first laser radiation source unit with a first wavelength and a second laser radiation source unit with a second wavelength.

6. Edge strip processing device according to the preceding claim, characterized by an electronic control device configured to selectively control the first laser radiation source unit and / or the second laser radiation source unit to emit laser radiation with the first or second wavelength, respectively.

7. Edge strip processing device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first laser radiation source unit and the second laser radiation source unit are configured to guide their laser radiation to the laser focus unit and the laser focus unit is configured to refract the laser radiation of the first wavelength with a first focal length and to refract the laser radiation of the second wavelength with a second focal length which is different from the first focal length.

8. Edge strip processing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a protective gas device with a protective gas source and a protective gas nozzle, which is connected to the protective gas source and arranged and designed to generate a protective gas atmosphere in the area of ​​laser beam processing.

9. Edge strip processing device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the shielding gas source is a compressed air source.

10. Edge strip processing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by - an electronic user interface, and - an electronic control device that is signal-linked to the electronic user interface and the laser processing unit, wherein • the electronic user interface is configured to receive a geometric property of the edge strip and the electronic control device is configured to guide the laser beam along a geometrically defined path, dependent on the geometric property, to produce the geometric property, and / or • the electronic user interface is designed to receive a color property of the edge strip and the electronic control device is designed to control the laser beam depending on the color property, and / or • the electronic user interface is designed to receive an engraving geometry of the edge strip and the electronic control device is designed to control the laser beam to produce the engraving geometry depending on the engraving geometry, and / or • the electronic user interface is designed to receive geometric marking data for post-processing of the edge strip or a region of the workpiece adjacent to the edge strip, and the electronic control device is designed to control the laser beam for marking the edge strip or the adjacent region of the workpiece depending on the geometric marking data.

11. Edge strip processing device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an extraction device which is arranged and designed to extract material of the edge strip vaporized by the laser processing unit.

12. Edge banding machine for applying an edge strip to an edge of a workpiece, comprising: a guide device extending along a guide direction and configured to guide the workpiece to be coated with the edge strip along the guide direction, an edge strip feed unit configured to feed the edge strip to the edge of the workpiece guided by the guide device, an application device configured to press the edge strip fed by the edge strip feed unit onto the edge of the workpiece, a cutting device configured to cut the edge strip attached to the edge of the workpiece, characterized in that the cutting device is an edge strip processing device according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Method for processing an edge strip applied or to be applied to an edge of a workpiece, comprising the step: Cutting the edge strip in a processing area using a laser processing unit, which • a laser radiation source designed to produce a laser beam, • a laser focusing unit designed to focus and / or defocus the laser beam, and • a laser guidance unit designed to direct the laser beam onto the processing area.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that (i) the laser processing unit cuts the edge strip in a first processing mode along a guide direction, in particular by controlling the laser guide unit to direct the laser focus generated by the laser focus unit transversely to the guide direction depending on the position of a to align the edge of the workpiece with the adjacent surface of the workpiece at a predetermined cutting position and hold it stationary relative to the edge strip, and / or (ii) the laser processing unit cuts the edge strip in a second processing mode transverse to the guide direction, in particular by controlling the laser guide unit to align the laser focus generated by the laser focus unit to a predetermined starting position before the cutting process depending on the position of a front or rear end of the edge of the workpiece, and during the cutting process • to move across the guide direction with a cutting feed to a final position and • to move along the guide direction synchronously with the movement of the workpiece along the guide direction, and / or (iii) the laser processing unit removes an adhesive protrusion from an adhesive bond between edge strips and the workpiece in a third processing mode, in particular by controlling the laser focusing unit to defocus the laser beam compared to the first mode, and / or (iv) the laser processing unit smooths a surface of the edge strip in a fourth processing mode, in particular by the laser focusing unit • for a less intense focusing or defocusing of the laser beam compared to the first processing mode, and / or • the laser radiation source is controlled to produce a lower laser beam intensity compared to the first processing mode by reducing the laser beam density and / or reducing the laser pulse frequency and / or reducing the duration of a laser pulse, and / or (v) optionally a first laser radiation source unit emits laser radiation with a first wavelength or a second laser radiation source unit emits laser radiation with a second wavelength, wherein preferably the first and the second laser radiation are guided through the same laser focusing unit, and / or (vi) a protective gas is supplied and / or material vaporized by the laser beam is extracted, and / or (vii) a geometric property of the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface, and the laser beam is guided along a geometrically determined path, dependent on the geometric property, to produce the geometric property, and / or (viii) a color property of the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface and the laser processing unit is controlled depending on the color property, and / or (ix) an engraving geometry of the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface and the laser beam is controlled to produce the engraving geometry depending on the engraving geometry, and / or (x) geometric marking data for post-processing of the edge strip or a region of the workpiece adjacent to the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface and the laser beam is controlled to mark the edge strip or the region adjacent to the workpiece.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein a color property of the edge strip is received via an electronic user interface and the laser processing unit is controlled depending on the color property, comprising the steps: - Applying an edge strip containing color components that are photosensitive to at least two different laser wavelengths to the workpiece, - wherein the color components are photosensitive to a first wavelength and, upon photoactivation by the first wavelength, form a first color, and upon photoactivation by a second wavelength, form a second color different from the first color, - when receiving the color property, a color specification for the edge stripe is received, - the laser processing unit is controlled to irradiate the edge strip with a wavelength selected from the first, second and, if necessary, further wavelengths, whereby the wavelength is selected depending on the received color specification, - irradiation of the edge strip with the wavelength to process the photosensitive To activate color components so that the edge stripe takes on a color according to the selected color specification.

16. Use of an edge strip processing device according to one of claims 1-11 for processing an edge strip in an edge banding machine, preferably using a method of claims 13, 14 or 15.

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