A method of processing profiles in a profile processing assembly, wherein each profile extends along a longitudinal profile axis and has a first end and an opposite second end, the profile processing assembly comprising:
- a working machine;
- and
- a profile infeed assembly for transporting the profiles towards the working machine,
- wherein the profile infeed assembly includes:
- an infeed cross transport assembly for feeding the profiles in a cross direction perpendicular to the longitudinal profile axes of the profiles;
- and
- an infeed conveyor assembly for feeding the profiles in a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal profile axes of the profiles, wherein the infeed conveyor assembly comprises an infeed conveyor and a measuring truck, wherein the infeed conveyor comprises a roller conveyor for supporting the profile which has been received from the infeed cross transport assembly and wherein the infeed conveyor has a first end remote from the working machine and a second end adjacent to the working machine,
- wherein the infeed cross transport assembly is arranged to supply individual profiles to the infeed conveyor assembly and wherein the infeed conveyor assembly is arranged to supply individual profiles to the working machine, wherein the measuring truck engages a profile at the first end of the profile that is facing away from the working machine and is configured to guide the profile along the longitudinal profile axis thereof over the infeed conveyor to the working machine, and
- wherein the measuring truck has a pre-defined number of rest positions spaced apart from each other along the length of the infeed conveyor,
- wherein the profile infeed assembly comprises a profile end detection system, wherein the profile end detection system performs the step of determining the longitudinal position of the first end of the profile which is to be subsequently fed to the infeed conveyor,
- wherein the profile end detection system comprises a row of photocells placed adjacent to the infeed conveyor,
- wherein the row of photocells are spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the infeed conveyor,
- wherein each photocell indicates the presence or absence of the profile at its position,
- wherein the method comprises:
- determining the longitudinal position of the first end of a profile that is facing away from the working machine for each profile that is to be fed to the infeed conveyor assembly by the infeed cross transport assembly;
- moving the measuring truck to an optimal rest position of the pre-defined number of rest positions, wherein the optimal rest position of the pre-defined rest positions is between the first end of the infeed conveyor and a first non-occupied photocell indicating there is no profile present at its position and is closest to the first non-occupied photocell, wherein the first non-occupied photocell indicating there is no profile present at its position is between the first end of the infeed conveyor and an occupied photocell indicating there is a profile present at its position, and which is the non-occupied photocell closest to the occupied photocell;
- transporting the profile from the infeed cross transport assembly to the infeed conveyor assembly;
- and
- engaging the first end of the profile with the measuring truck for transporting the profile along the longitudinal profile axis thereof to the working machine.