US 10,500,892 B2Granted

Method and apparatus with rotating tool changer for automated multiple sides workpiece machining

OwnerGino Francis Ngueganginventor

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Abstract

A method and an apparatus with rotating tool changer for automatically machining multiple sides of a workpiece which is trimmed and machined according to tags placed on the workpiece or preprogrammed sequence. A method that automatically selects and adjusts parametric computer machining code to machine various workpieces sizes. An apparatus comprising a handling and trimming station of parts to be machined, multiple optical, magnetic or radio-frequency identification (RFID) reading systems for processing labels or tags information for sequential workpieces machining steps, a multiple gantries computer numerical control (CNC) station for machining workpieces on various sides, multiple rotating tool changers for selecting tools used to machine workpieces, and a storage station that receives workpieces in sequential order when they have been processed. The moving gantries of the CNC station simultaneous machine multiple sides of the workpiece which in the preferred embodiment is composed of panel for making decorative items and engraved doors.

An apparatus for automated multiple sides workpiece machining comprising of:

(A) a user interface system which is used to program the apparatus operation, interact with the apparatus, and display apparatus outputs;
(B) a computer connected to the user interface system, wherein the computer has means for storing parametric numerical control files, and computer programs for reading and processing the parametric numerical control files;
(C) at least one machine readable tag affixed to the workpiece;
(D) at least one information retrieving device which is used to retrieve workpiece processing information contained in the at least one machine readable tag, wherein said workpiece processing information is sent to the computer for selecting the corresponding parametric control file and required processing;
(E) an automated workpieces handling and trimming station, wherein the automated workpieces handling and trimming station includes:
a loading compartment with two synchronized indexing mechanisms, one indexing mechanism at a fixed height and the other indexing mechanism at an adjustable height to fit various workpieces sizes, wherein the two synchronized indexing mechanisms feed workpieces for further processing,
a set of bottom clamping devices mounted to rotating retractable arms, wherein the set of bottom clamping devices are used to securely hold in place the workpiece during processing,
a set of top clamping devices mounted to a two-axis linear motion arm with one rotating degree of freedom, wherein the set of top clamping devices are used to hold and displace the workpiece and any severed piece of workpiece, and
a trimming device with interchangeable trimming tools mounted to a movable gantry, wherein the trimming device trims the workpiece if required from the information contained in the machine readable tag or preprogrammed sequences entered locally or remotely on the user interface system;
(F) a multiple gantries computer numerical control workpieces processing station that simultaneously or sequentially processes workpiece on its various sides with preprogrammed operations;
and
(G) a storage station that receives workpieces in sequential order when they have been processed.

9 more elements

Facts

Application

15/700,131Filed 10 Sep 2017

Published

US 2019/0077185 A114 Mar 2019

Granted

10 Dec 2019

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification13 codes

B44B 3/006
Artists' machines or apparatus equipped with tools or work holders moving or able to be controlled substantially two-dimensionally for carving,…:…
B27C 5/00
Machines designed for producing special profiles or shaped work
B27M 1/08
Working of wood not provided for in subclasses B27B - B27L, e.g. by stretching: by multi-step processes
B44B 3/02
Artists' machines or apparatus equipped with tools or work holders moving or able to be controlled substantially two-dimensionally for carving,…:…

Abstract

Claims17