Woodworking – Matching machine – Matching cutter
Patent
1988-09-12
1989-08-15
Bray, W. Donald
Woodworking
Matching machine
Matching cutter
144 2R, 144134A, 144363, 144347, B27F 116
Patent
active
048565695
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to machines for cutting end joints on workpieces of wood, materials derived from wood, plastics and the like. Machines according to the invention are suitable for processing square dressed or moulded timber in the manufacture of frame members for windows or doors. In this operation, they can be used to cut a tenon in a single end of each of a number of workpieces in a single cycle. Alternatively, such machines can be used for cutting tongues and grooves, mitres, finger joints, or locating feathers.
BACKGROUND ART
Single-end tenoning machines generally comprise a rotary cutter fixed in relation to the machine, and a bed for moving a workpiece past the cutter. Such machines have limited capacity as the backing piece has to be changed at the end of each cycle. Patent Specification GB No. 2,125,729A (Boardman) describes an end-forming machine in which a tenoning cutter is moved in a lateral direction to engage one end of each of two workpieces. After one end has been tenoned, a workpiece can be moved longitudinally to a position in which the cutter tenons the other end. The machine still has limited capacity.
THE INVENTION
A machine according to the invention comprises a rotary cutter having a number of cutting discs, set coaxially and separated by spacers, and movable past means for supporting workpieces, the support means comprising at least two tables, each of which can adjustably be set at a different level in relation to the machine and in relation to each other.
Movement of the cutter along the ends of the workpieces in a single pass is thus capable of cutting a different joint in each workpiece. The thickness and diameter respectively of the cutting discs determine the width and depth of the slots cut in the workpieces for the formation of joints. The thickness of the spacers determines the spacing of the slots, not only in an individual workpiece but also on a number of workpieces set on the various tables. A single extractor for chips cut in the machining may be provided around the cutter.
The arrangement of three tables side by side is preferred, as it is not practicable to have more than three cutting discs on a spindle without top support, and a top support would complicate the design. Additional tables may be arranged on the other side of the cutter in relation to the machine so that a greater number of workpieces can be cut in a single pass. Mechanism may be provided for a workpiece to be moved longitudinally from one side of the cutter to the other after one end has been cut, so that the other end can be cut on the next pass of the cutter.
The cutter may be provided with a multi-speed motor for adjustment according to cutter diameter and to provide optimum space for the workpiece. The means for moving the cutter may include a multi-speed motor, so that the machine can be programmed to make a return movement of a cutter not engaging a workpiece quicker than an advance or cutting movement or may be programmed to move at varying speeds on the cutting stroke. In this way break-out may be mitigated, and cycle time may be optimized. It is also possible to power the table movement, and provide a programme for its control in cooperation with the cutter so as to automate the machine.
The workpieces are set at different levels through the tables themselves being settable so that a number of similar workpieces can each have the same end joint formation cut in an end. Alternatively a number of workpieces can be loaded on each table, the level of each table being adjustable, for example by half a pitch so that complementary end joints are cut in the workpieces on each table. This can be useful in the formation of finger joints or corner locking for example.
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a machine according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the machine shown in FIG. 1, with the arrangement of an additional set of tables shown in broken lines to the left; and
FIG. 3 is a plan corresponding to FIG. 2.
BEST MODE
With particular reference
REFERENCES:
patent: 3179135 (1965-04-01), Windsor
patent: 3602275 (1971-08-01), Nissen
patent: 3844320 (1974-10-01), Dimter
patent: 3951189 (1976-04-01), Croomeens
patent: 4130150 (1978-12-01), Cook et al.
patent: 4248280 (1981-02-01), Taylor
patent: 4557303 (1985-12-01), Gardner et al.
Bray W. Donald
Wadkin PLC
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