GB2428401A

GB2428401A - Automated saw bench

Info

Publication number: GB2428401A
Application number: GB0514710A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Terence George Bridgman; Gary Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-07-18
Filing date: 2005-07-18
Publication date: 2007-01-31
Also published as: GB0514710D0

Abstract

An automated saw bench comprises a rigid frame fitted with a dedicated cutting unit, wherein the control of the unit can be operated from a main control box (13, fig 7) or hand held device (14, fig 7). The complete unit can folded from a central pivot point 2 to enable ease of stowage (see fig 2). The workpiece can be clamped in position with clamps 9 prior to cutting and its position set accurately using a laser sight (10, fig 8) fitted to a dedicated cutting head (12, fig 8). The cutting head may be operated via a rack drive system (24, fig 8). Pivoting arms 7 may be provided, fitted within sliding pivot guides 8, which support the clamps.

Description

Automated Saw Bench

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a self-assembled saw bench for the Construction and DIY, in particular to an automated saw bench that can cut large sheets of material.

Background of the Invention

Saw benches have been popular for many years now since their introduction to the marketplace. There popularity has increased of late with the increase in DIY television channels and the reduced cost of circular saws and the likes at the local DIY store. However, the general circular saw available to the public at large still requires a great deal of safety during operation. Every week in the United Kingdom 3,900 people require hospital treatment due to injuries caused during DIY work that is recorded by the DTI. The largest area for accidents is a ladder followed by power tools and in particular electric saws and drills. The problem arises when trying to cut large plywood or similar material boards. A board for example 2.4m x I.2m requires several people to hold the board during the cutting process or requires additional supports and a lengthy clamping process. The average DIY enthusiast does not possess a large workbench or clamping facilities to clamps such a board. This is when accidents occur.

In industry, a similar situation arises regularly. For example, on a construction site, several employees would have to be allocated to work with the cutting operator to ensure safety is maintained during the cutting process. This reduces the work that can be completed by the company, which in turn delays the project.

To overcome this problem, the present invention proposes a self-assembled automatic saw unit that can be remotely controlled and be operated by one man.

Summary of Invention

I

The framework is constructed of two un-equal channels that are constrained at either end by a fixture plate. The two channels form one half of the frame and are assembled to another pair of channels by means of a central hinge point. The two sections are locked together with a spring-loaded arrangement that acts as a frame constraint and safety feature.

The combined framework is mounted on 4 cast aluminium legs which are can be indexed into a variety of positions to increase stability during operation. The legs also are fitted with Supporting features that allow tool variants to be stored during operation. A pair of pivot guides is mounted on slides attached to a framework. These pivot guides operate through 90 degrees to give a uniform cutting guide that allows variations in timber sizes. The guides are locked in the correct position manually and are connected together by support wires that improve the support of the workpiece. Slide clamps that are fitted to the pivot guides are then used to clamp the workpiece into position prior to the cutting commencing. Each set of clamps on the pivot guide are connected to reduce manual operations, therefore one clamping action locks the complete workpiece down A red light sight line is used for workpiece positioning along with a slide rule scale attached to two of the four pivot guides.

The electrical version of the unit is controlled by a small remote system on a guide cable that allows the operator to fully survey the workpiece prior to the cutting operation beginning.

The unit is driven by a single-phase motor (230V A.C./ 11 OV transformer supply) that travels the framework via a belt system. The cutter head is controlled via a separate small single- phase motor with a high-end speed based on the load per tooth standards for material cutting.

This small motor is similar in design to a standard field coil and armature assembly.

The pneumatic version uses small vane motors and is fitted with a pneumatic control panel at the side of the unit. The incoming standard air pressure is split through the receiver to two drive motors. One motor drives the unit along the fitted rack inside the framework while the other operates the cutting head.

The basic operation of the unit will be such that the workpiece is loaded to the bench. The workpiece is then positioned and sighted using the sight line or the slide rule. The workpiece is then clamped and the operator activates the controller. The controller will only become active when the clamps have been secured. This safety feature will remove the possibility of the operator being in the vicinity of the cutting head during operation. The cutting head is started and the feed rate set to the material using a supplied setting' sheet. The material is then cut to the required size, the clamps released and the material removed.

Variations of the saw bench will be produced that will allow a greater scope of use to the end user. The application of a new attachment to the existing cutter head, be it electrical or pneumatically driven will allow the saw bench to transform to a regular circular saw bench.

Another attachment produced using an off-centre cam system changes the cutting head into an oscillating cutting fixture. To this is fitted a standard jigsaw blade holder which then allows the user to use the bench as an automatic jig saw machine.

The variations mentioned previously in the last paragraph relate to the operation of the saw bench with wooden objects. This equates to only 50% of the current requirements for the bench, to this end attachments will also be produced to allow the machine to cut steel, aluminium, brass, copper and other composite materials. The cutting head is fitted with a high ratio gearbox that gives more control of the cutter speed. This change is necessary due to the regulatory cutting speeds between steel, aluminium and brass etc. To this unit is fitted a number of cutting attachments including a slitting disc, rotary cutter or knifing blade. If the material is under 24SW0 (0.55 m/m) the unit can be fitted with the sheet metal nibbler attachment, which uses two blades and a shear action to cut the material. When this unit is fitted, the machine control is switch to delay mode. This is due to the delay required as the blades retract after the cutting stroke, which can be up to 0.8 seconds.

Description

A specific embodiment of the design will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings Figure 1 - Shows the workbench in its assembled state Figure 2 -Shows the workbench in its folded state Figure 3 - Shows the indexing legs Figure 4- Shows the sliding pivot guides Figure 5 - Shows the hinge and locking mechanism Figure 6- Shows the clamping arrangement Figure 7- Shows the basic electrical operation Figure 8 - Shows the cutting head unit and drive system Figure 1 shows the typical set up for the saw bench in its assembled state. The frame is constructed from special purpose channels (I) that are fixed in the centre by a hinge point (2). The channels are held rigidly at the opposing ends by an insert (3), which allows the legs (4) to be mounted on an indexing housing (5) that allows a variation of stability. Two more channels (I) are fixed to the hinge point (2) and are locked together by the spring loaded jib key (6). The workpiece is placed on the pivoting arms (7) that operate through 90 degrees to accommodate material variances. The pivoting arms are fitted to sliding pivot guides (8) that can be moved in a perpendicular motion to the workpiece datum plane. The material is then clamped in position with the swing clamps (9) that are situated on the outer edge of the pivoting arms (7).

Figure 2 shows the saw bench folded when the indexing legs (4) are positioned to the home position and with the jib key (6) released the special purpose channels (1) are folded together.

Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the indexing housing (5) with the associated tool (15), which is used to secure the leg in position during the unfolding process.

Figure 4 shows an isometric view of the sliding pivot guide configuration. The sliding pivot guides (8) are connected to each other through the diametrically opposite holes (16) and are secured by appropriate fixing screws (17) Figure 5 shows an isometric view from the underside of the unit showing the hinge and locking mechanism. The two hinge points (2) are built using the hinge plates (18) that are fixed to the special purpose channel (1). The spring loaded jib key (6) is held in position by two fixing brackets (19), which is the shaft is then secured between with a lock pin (20) Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the clamping arrangement on each pivoting arm (7). The proprietary clamps (21) are moved through 90 degrees and clamp the workpiece against the supporting rail (22). The clamps can be adjusted using the supplied clamping rod (23) from the supplier.

Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the electric control system and the hand held pendant controller for freedom of movement. The main control box (13) is fixed to the legs (4) to allow a clear viewing point of the workpiece prior to cutting. The hand held pendant controller (14) can be removed from its dedicated holder on the main control box (13) and give the operator freedom of movement to examine the workpiece during the cutting operation.

Figure 8 shows a detail view of the cutting head (12) that is operated via a rack (24) drive system. The cutting head (12) is fitted with a standard cutting tool (25) that can be interchanged with standard cutters readily available. The cutting head is fitted with a high- density clear guard (26) that protects the operator via a dead lock safety system (26) and is fitted with a sight line laser system (10) to enable the workpiece to be set correctly.

Automatetj Saw Operation The workpiece is located and set correctly using either the red line sight line (10) or the scale rule on the pivoting arm (11). With the workpiece securely clamped, the cutting head (12) is switched on from the control panel (13) that can be operated independently from the pendant control (14). The cutting head then is directed to cut the workpiece by the manipulation of the controls on the pendant (14)

Claims

Claims 1. A automated work bench comprising an essentially supported work

surface supported on a by four legs and connected by a hinge point which can be locked or unlocked, wherein the whole unit if required can be folded away for storage.
2. The automated saw according to claim one, wherein the supported work surface is constructed of a two piece aluminium extrusion and a group consisting of metal, plastic and rubber.
3. The automated saw according to claim one, wherein the central point between the two aluminium extrusions is hinged to allow the two aluminium extrusions to pivot through the hinge to a maximum of 180 degrees
4. The automated saw according to claim one through three wherein the central hinged point can be secured by means of a spring loaded locking device that secures the two aluminium extrusions in a horizontal position. * *s
5. The automated saw according to claim one through four wherein S...

the the two aluminium extrusions are supported on independent :. cast aluminium legs that can be locked in various poistions between * S..

the vertical and horizontal planes.
6. The automated saw according to claim one through five wherein the * .* independent cast aluminium legs support pivoting extension arms S....

made from aluminium.
7. The automated saw according to claim one through seven wherein the pivoting extension arms can rotate through 90 degrees and be locked in the required position
8. The automated saw according to claim one through eight wherein the pivoting extension arms locate clamp rails that can be used to prevent the workpiece from moving during the cutting operation. 4,-
9. The automated saw according to claim one, wherein the two aluminium extrusions form a cavity for the powered cutting unit to run on a tracked guide system allowing the powered cutting unit to cut the full length of the aluminium extrusions.
10. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the powered cutting unit runs on four geared wheels made from metal and plastic.
11. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the powered cutting unit is fitted with a collet style holder to allow cylindrical cutters to be inserted.
12. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the powered cutting unit can be fitted with a transfer plate to allow the drive to be transferred from a vertical direction to a horizontal direction.
13. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the powered cutting unit fitted with the transfer plate can be fitted with standard circular saws up to 10" diameter.

* **
14. The automated saw according to claim one thorugh thirteen :::: wherein the powered cutting unit is protected by a clear strong *S..

plastic guard during the cutting operation.
15. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the + powered cutting unit can be driven by air motors from a suitable air * * supply. I * * * S.
16. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the S....

powered cutting unit can be driven by an electrical motor of single phase supply.
17. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the powered cutting unit can be powered by an electrical motor of three phase supply.
18. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the control of the powered cutting unit is controlled from a control box fitted to one of the independent cast aluminium legs.
19. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the control of the powered cutting unit can be controlled from an independent control box connected to the main control box via remote control using infra red or bluetooth technology
20. The automated saw according to claim one through nineteen wherein the pivoting extension arms are fitted with a measuring guide to allow the workpiece to be clamped and cut in the correct place.
21. The automated saw according to claim one through twenty, wherein the two aluminium extrusions are enclosed by means of a quick release cap
22. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the power supply to the powered cutting head if air can be stopped at the depression of a system stop button
23. The automated saw according to claim nine, wherein the power supply to the powered cutting head if electric can be stopped at the depression of a system stop button. * I, * * *I*. S * *SS. ** * S * *S. *e*

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