Apparatus and method for the selective sorting of groups of panels intended for different customer orders

A method of sorting of painted panels of different dimensions and finishing,

• wherein the painted panels are partially dried and stored in a vertical oven combined with storage function and having a group of mobile conveyor sectors and a fixed conveyor sector,
• wherein the group of mobile conveyor sectors comprises an upper mobile conveyor sector having a first predefined length and a lower mobile conveyor sector having a second predefined length, the mobile conveyor sectors being provided with a first motor for advancement alternatively in one of two directions, the mobile sectors being adapted to move together in a synchronized manner due to a second motor and to perform a vertical displacement lifting and lowering the group of mobile conveyor sectors,
• wherein the group of mobile conveyor sectors and the fixed conveyor sector are arranged alternately and in series, and
• wherein the group of mobile conveyor sectors and the fixed conveyor sector comprise roller conveyors,
• the method comprising:
• (a) uploading the painted panels inside of the vertical oven combined with the storage function;
• (b) keeping the painted panels inside the vertical oven for a time sufficient for drying or for completing drying;
• and
• (c) withdrawing the painted panels using an uploading and/or downloading system (10) for preparing a customer order;
• wherein there is provided with software configured for:
• memorizing a position of the uploaded painted panels;
• and
• actuating the second motor of the mobile conveyors sectors lifting and lowering the mobile conveyor sectors and the first motor driving a rotation of the group of mobile conveyor sectors and the fixed roller conveyor sector correspondingly to one or more of the painted panels to be withdrawn,
• wherein each motor lifting and lowering each group of the mobile conveyor sectors and each motor driving a rotation of each group of the mobile conveyor sectors and of the fixed roller conveyor sector is actuated independently.

A selective sorting system that actively or passively dries and temporarily stores painted panels, comprising:

• a group of overlapping mobile conveyor sectors, the group comprising an upper conveyor sector of a first predefined length and a bottom conveyor sector of a second predefined length, the mobile conveyor sectors moving together synchronously due to a motor configured to vertically lift and lower the group;
• a fixed conveyor sector, the group of mobile conveyor sectors and the fixed conveyor sector being arranged alternately and in series;
• a control unit configured to control an uploading and downloading system of one or more of the painted panels, the group of mobile conveyor sectors, or the fixed conveyor sector, the control unit executing a control software comprising instructions for controlling the uploading and downloading system;
• an independent motor for a vertical movement of each group of mobile conveyor sectors, each independent motor being separately controlled by the control unit;
• a displacement unit of the group of mobile conveyor sectors and of the fixed conveyor sector which moves horizontally, alternatively the mobile and fixed conveyors sectors along driving directions;
• the control software comprising instructions for an independent control of each group of mobile conveyor sectors and of the fixed conveyor sector;
• the software comprising instructions configuring the control unit to enable:
• each group of mobile conveyor sectors and of each fixed conveyor sector to move the painted panels horizontally;
• and
• each group of mobile conveyor sectors to move vertically, thereby moving the painted panels vertically.