NZ272993A

NZ272993A - Panel edge trimming apparatus for profiling a panel involving mounting and guiding a rotary cutter

Info

Publication number: NZ272993A
Application number: NZ27299395A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Duncan Karl Such
Original assignee: Robertson & Sinclair Ltd
Priority date: 1995-09-12
Filing date: 1995-09-12
Publication date: 1998-01-26
Also published as: WO1997011812A2; AU6891596A; WO1997011812A3

Description

272993 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT, 1953 No: 272993 Date: 12 September 1995 N.Z. PATENT OFFICE 1 1 SEP 1996 RECEIVED COMPLETE SPECIFICATION "Form Trimming Apparatus'' We, ROBERTSON AND SINCLAIR LIMITED, a company duly incorporated under the laws of New Zealand of 33 Sale Street, Auckland, New Zealand, do hereby declare die invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 272993 The present invention relates to form trimming apparatus.

It is often required to have an edge of a panel or plank or the like finished for reasons of appearance and safely. This usually involves the guiding of a rotary cutter along the unfinished edge of a panel so as to provide a desirable finish to such an edge. A common way of guiding a cutter about an edge of a panel is by way of a slide system which ensures a radial of force is applied to the cutter in the direction of the panel. This involves the use of apparatus which are programmable and use for example servo motors to control die travel of the cutter about the region which is to be cut. This is very complex and expensive and requires the need to programme the controls for varying sized and shaped panels.

It is therefore an object of die present invention to provide a form trimming apparatus which will at least provide the public with a useful choice.

Accordingly the present invention in a first aspect consists in an apparatus for profiling a locus including or being an edge of a panel, said edge defined by the intersection of two side surfaces of said panel, said apparatus comprising: means to locate said edge of said panel at a predetermined position, means to mount ("mounting means") a rotary cutter to allow and cause in use movement of an appropriate said rotary cutter in a profiling manner about said locus of a panel when said panel is located at said predetermined position, said movement about said locus being not parallel to the rotational axis of such a rotary cutter, and means to bias the mounting means and said rotary cutter in use throughout the profiling movement towards the panel in a direction substantially radial to the rotational axis of said rotary cutter such that in use at least over said locus such a rotary cutter can profile said locus.

Preferably said mounting means includes a said rotary cutter.

Preferably said mounting means includes; a first member or assembly (hereafter "sun/earth member") rotatably mounted about a rotational axis (hereafter "solar axis") relative to said predetermined position from means fixed or reproducibly positionable in respect of said predetermined position, a second member (hereinafter "earth/moon member") rotatably mounted from said sun/earth member with its rotational axis ("earth axis") being at least substantially parallel to said solar axis, and means to engage or engaging the rotary cutter from said earth/moon member such that said axis of rotation of said cutter is spaced from said earth axis at least substantially parallel to said solar axis.

Preferably said earth axis is spaced from said solar axis. 272993 Preferably said mounting means is adapted to move said rotary cutter through the profiling movement substantially normal to said rotational axis of the rotary cutter.

Preferably said means to engage said rotaiy cutter includes a rotary means to provide, in use, at least during said profiling movement rotation of the cutter of said rotary cutter to profile said edge of said panel.

Preferably means to cam ("camming means") fixed or selectively positionable to said means to locate is provided to be engageable with cam following means of said mounting means and adapted provide movement of said cutter relative to said panel engaging and disengaging said cutter from said locus at the beginning and end of said movement about said locus respectively.

Preferably said cam following means is adopted to be in contact with said camming means at least during engaging or disengaging movement of said cutter.

Preferably two said camming means are secured from said means to locate between which said panel is able to locate each of said camming means presenting a surface angularly disposed to a plane normal of the rotational axis of said rotaiy cutter the first camming means positioned to proved axial movement of said rotary cutter to engage said cutter with the beginning of said locus at the start of said movement and the second camming means positioned to provide axial movement of said rotary cutter to disengage said cutter with the end of said locus and the end of said movement.

Preferably said means to bias provides a torque to said earth/moon member about said earth axis in a direction to said solar axis.

Preferably said means to bias is a ram located between a first order lever pivotable about said solar axis and said sun/earth member to control the angular displacement therebetween, said first order lever linked by a linking means to said earth/moon member to communicate said angular displacement to said earth/moon member.

Preferably said first order lever extends through and on either side of said solar axis, said linking means engaged to a first distal end of said lever being at other than the side to which said ram is secured.

Preferably said movement about said locus by said rotary cutter on a plane normal to the said rotational axis of said rotary cutter is defined by the profile of said panel on or parallel to said plane.

Preferably said movement about said locus by said rotary cutter is guided by a rotary cutter cam follower able to follow said profile of said panel.

Preferably said rotary cutter cam follower is a wheel.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention will 27 2 9 9 3 suggest themselves without departing from the scope of the invention as-defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

The invention consists in the foregoing and also envisages constructions of which the following gives examples.

The preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a panel 1 and strips of clashing 3; Figure 2 is an assembled perspective view of the panel 1 showing the clashing attached to the sides 2 of the panel; Figure 3 is a plan view of Figure 2; Figure 4 illustrates a panel having an edge other than a square edge; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a path followed by a rotary cutter of the present inventiou; Figure 6 shows a rotary cutter and its parts; Figure 7 illustrates an alternative path followed by an alternative to the present invention; Figure 8 illustrates the apparatus for profiling a locus; Figure 9 is an end view of the apparatus; Figure 10 is an end view of a path followed by a rotary cutter; Figure 11 is a side view of a panel, rotary cutter, cam/cam followers and other elements; Figure 12 is a side view of a panel, rotary cutter, cam/cam followers and other elements; Figures 13 - 18 illustrate a sequence of a path followed by elements of the apparatus; Figures 19 - 24 illustrate a sequence of a path followed by elements of the apparatus including a illustration of the forces/moments associated; Figure 25 and 26 show the members of the preferred form of the present invention from one end; Figure 27 illustrates an alternative means of camming the rotary cutter from the panel; Figure 28 is a perspective view of the motor, rotary cutter, panel, cams and suitable clamping means plus other elements; Figure 29 is an end view of the panel showing the preferred location of the solar 272993 axis through a panel; — Figure 30 illustrates how in the most preferred form of the present invention the solar/earth member is of equal length to the earth/moon member; Figure 31 illustrates an improvement to the camming means which are adjustable to allow asymmetric panels to be reversed and the cams moved automatically to compensate for the geometry change; Figure 32 illustrates such an asymmetric panel and a sensor which activates rams controlling the upper and lower cams; and Figure 33 illustrates such an asymmetric panel and a sensor which activates rams controlling the upper and lower cams.

Finishing of panels (such as for example kitchen cupboard doors, bench tops etc.) is often required after the basic cutting of the panels has been done. Such panels as kitchen cupboard doors also often carry a clashing, flashing, trimming or the like to provide a hardwearing and covered edge to such at panel. The edge of a panel after assembly or cutting often needs chamfering, profiling or trimming. As used herein, the term "edge" refers to an intersection of two sides irrespective of whether or not they are at right angles or running square from die upper or lower major surfaces of the panel. Illustrated herein however, the intersection of the edges are at right angles some which run square from die upper and lower surfaces, and some which are asymmetric. Also in . 'her preferred forms of die present invention irrespective of whether or not the intersection at the two sides is a right angle, one or both of the sides may cany a clashing, flashing, trimming or the the like of wood or plastic material where such a clashing or flashing or the like has other than a flat outer configuration.

An example of a panel having such a clashing is illustrated in Fig 1-3. After the application of the clashing 3 to the panel 1 by well know techniques, the ends will more often than not protrude beyond the edge E as shown in Fig 2. The apparatus of present invention is able to provide a profile to the edge E to improve appearances of the panel and to provide a smoother finish. Figure 4 shows a panel having another but square sides.

The cutting of the panel is preferably achieved by a rotary cutter 6 such as shown in Fig 6 which is engagable to die apparatus of the present invention.. The rotary cutter 6 illustrated has a cutter or cutters 7 (at least one) in the shape of an arc with an axis of revolution about axis 5. Other shaped cutters can equally as well be used in the profiling of the edge E and may include a bevelled edge cutter or any other profiled cutter to produce the desired profiling of the edge. The profile of die edge E will be in the shape of at least part of the profile of the cutter shape used. Most preferably the rotary cutter will usually have the same features as a router bit, however a person skilled in the art will 27^993 realise that other tool may be just a suitable for use in the apparatus of this invention. The shaft 8 is for mounting in a chuck connected directly or indirectly to rotaiy device preferably a motor (electric or air driven or the like). To provide in use a rotaiy motion to the rotaiy cutter about axis 5, at die end of die rotaiy cutter is located a wheel 4 (rotaiy cutter cam follower) having a common axis 5 as the axis of rotation of the rotary cutter to provide a means of following along a defined surface(2). In the most preferred form of the invention, the wheel is a roller ball bearing free to rotate relative to the rotary cutter, whoever a person skilled in the art will realise that any other form of bearing will be suitable. The rotary cutter camming means need not necessarily be part of the rotaiy cutter but may instead be part of the mounting means positioned appropriately to allow the tracking of the surface of the panel or extension(s) thereof.

Figure 5 illustrates part of one form of die present invention in use, tracking the wheel 4 through positions a-g about the three surfaces of panel 1.

Illustrated is die wheel 4, travelling from position a-c the cutter(s) 7 is not cutting the panel because it is axially displaced from die panel. From position c to d the rotary cutter displaces axially to bring the cutter(s) 7 into contact with the panel. At substantially point d the rotaiy cutter has reached its limit of movement towards die panel from where the cutter follows a locus along die edge of the panel and the cutter has commenced profiling of the edge E as it travels down the side 2 towards point f. Once the rotaiy cutter reaches point f at the end of die locus and has profiled down edge E, the rotary cutter/cutter(s) 7 is retracted from the panel and edge E has been profiled to the shape of at least part of the cutter(s) 7.

A person skilled in die art will realise that appropriate adaptation of die apparatus can achieve a cutting of the edges adjacent of die edge E by having the movement from c to d in Fig 5 occur further along (ie at a or even continuously about four edges).

An alternative to bringing an removing the cutter in and out of contact with the edge E of die panel in an axial direction (to the axis of the rotary cutter) is shown in Fig 7. Fig 7 is a side view of die panel showing the cutter being brought in from a point away of the panel. Likewise the cutter is removed from the panel by movement to a point away from the panel. In this form of the invention the path followed by the rotaiy cutter preferably remains in a plane (ie there is preferably no movement in an axial direction into the panel).

Figure 6 illustrates the mounting shaft 8 of the rotary cutter 6. Most preferably the rotary cutter is secured at the mounting shaft 8 to a motor 9 which is able to provide a rotaiy motion to the cutter about axis 5. Alternatively the rotary cutter may be indirectly attached to such a motor by way of belt/chain drives or the like. -7 272993 The rotaiy cutter 6 is controlled through the movement by a mounting means 50 as shown in figure 8. The mounting means 50 guides the rotary cutter in a profiling maimer about at least the locus.

In the most preferred form as illustrated in Fig 8 the mounting means consists of the motor 9 connected to a earth/moon member 14 which is able to rotate about an earth axis 19. Such rotation results in the axis of the rotary cutter following an arc of centre at the earth axis 19. Along the earth axis is an earth axle supported by the sun/earth member 15 which also forms part of the mounting means.

Preferably die sun/earth member 15 consists of two parts or sections, the first part being preferably a hollow shaft which carries the earth axle by a bearing(s) means or whether it simply receives the axle in a close tolerance configuration. This first part extends preferably substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the rotaiy cutter and motor rotational axis. The other part of the sun/earth member 15 is a member which extends substantially radially from and between the first part of the sun/earth member 15 and a solar axis 16. The solar axis preferably consist of a solar axis axle which is either part of the sun/earth member or about which the sun/earth member is able to rotate with appropriate bearing means. The solar axis axle is preferably supported by part of an embodiment which preferably supports the axle by appropriate means (either fixed of using suitable bearing means) on either side of the sun/earth member.

The earth axis is in the preferred form of the invention spaced and parallel to the solar axis. Similarly the rotational axis of the cutter is displaced by the earth/moon member from the earth axis, and preferably in a direction towards the solar axis.

The first part of the sun/earth member displaces the earth/moon member axially from the sun/earth member, a distance sufficient for the motor to clear the sun/earth member during rotation. A person skilled in the art will realise that the invention will be able to be performed with different geometric arrangements of the parts of the mounting means. For example the earth/moon member and/or sun/earth member need not necessarily extend radially from said earth axis. The earth axle co-extending along the earth axis 19 and the sun/earth member 15 are made of a suitable rigid material such as a steel, plastic or fibre reinforced plastic, alloy or any other suitable material. Again the solar axis axle as well as the earth axis axle may be made of a suitable rigid material such as a steel, alloy or plastic or the like.

The solar axis axle is most preferably supported by an embodiment or casing or the like, by bearings or any other suitable supporting means which will allow rotation of the axle.

The sun/earth member 15 is itself rotatable about a solar axis 16, the solar axis fixed, in use, relative to the panel 1. Preferably rotation along the solar axis is physically achieved by a solar axis axle 16 fixed to the sun/earth member to which a rotating force can be applied to rotate the sun/earth member IS. Such a force may be applied by an appropriate motor (electric, hydraulic, pneumatic or the like) connected directly or indirectly to the axle of the solar axis axle 16 via for example a wheel, pulley, gear 22 or die like. The rotation of Ihe sun/earth member induces the movement of the rotary cutter about at least the locus.

Figures 13 to 18 illustrate some of the positions the sun/earth member, earth/moon member and the rotaiy cutter irove through.

From a position as shown in Figure 13, the rotaiy cutter is in contact with the panel, ie. the wheel 4 (rotaiy cutter camming means) is on the upper surface of the panel 1 but the rotaiy cutter has not displaced axially (along the rotaiy cutter axis) towards the panel so as to bring die cutter 7 in contact with the panel. As the rotating force is applied to the sun/earth member 15 the rotaiy cutter travels towards the side 2 of the panel 1. At substantially the position as shown in Figure 14 the rotaiy cutter is displaced (axially along the axis of the rotary cutter) towards the panel so as to bring the cutter 7 in contact with the panel at which stage the edged panel starts to be cut by the cutter 7. Further rotation of the sun/earth member 15, allows the rotaiy cutter 6 to travel down the side 2 of the panel to cut the profile on edge E of the panel 1. This continues through to a position substantially as shown in Figure 18 wherein the rotaiy cutter has travelled onto the bottom surface of the panel at which stage the rotary cutter is axially retracted from the panel so as to disengage the cutter 7 from the panel 1. Preferably throughout the movement of locus along the edge 2, die rotaiy cutter is rotating. The direction of rotation is preferably so as to provide a cutting action by the cutter(s) in a direction of movement of the rotary cutter.

To ensure that the wheel 4 remains in contact with the surface of the panel throughout the path traced by the rotaiy cutter, a moment/force is applied to the earth/moon member in a direction towards the panel which is achieved regardless of the disposition of the panel and the rotaiy cutter. In die most preferred form of the present invention, this moment/force is applied to the earth/moon member 14 by a torque on the axle of the earth axis 19. This torque is preferably provided by a torque applying member such as a hydraulic/pneumatic ram, spring, solenoid 23 or the like (herein referred to as "ram") acting on a first order lever system pivoted about the solar axis 16 as shown in Figures 8,9,25 and 26.

Referring to Figure 9, the lever 18 is preferably pivotable about the solar axis 16 and extends there though to present distal ends on either side of the solar axis. A ram 272993 -9- ~ 23 controls the rotation of the lever 18 relative to the solar/earth member 15. Contraction of the ram 23 causes a relative angular displacement between the lever 18 and solar/earth member 15. On one side of said solar axis, the ram 23 is preferably connected to the lever 18, by a suitable connection means 24. Preferably such a connecting means 24 is made of a suitable rigid material to or through or onto which die ram 23 may be bolted, screwed or pinned or in any other way suitably fixed to.

The lever 18 preferably extends through the solar axis 16 to present its distal ends on either side thereof and on the opposite side of the lever 18 to where the ram is connected a linking member 21 connects to the earth axis axle to communicate the displacement of die leva* and sun/earth member to the earth/moon member. Preferably the lever arm connects to an earth axis member 20 which extends radially from the earth axis 19 axle and is securely affixed thereto to be able to induce a positive rotation of the earth axle.

A contraction of the torsion ram 23 induces a force on the lever 18 which in turn through the second connection member 21 provides a force to the earth axis member 20 which in turn provides a moment M to the earth/moon member 14 (pulling the lever towards the sun/earth member and pulling the earth/moon member towards die solar axis). Shown in Figures 19 to 23, is the moment M acting on the earth/moon member through several stages of rotation of die sun/earth member and earth/moon member which is directed to maintain the rotary cutter camming means in contact with the surface of the panel. Also illustrated is the resultant force F of the rotary cutter, shown to be acting towards the panel through all positions of rotation.

Preferably the lever is made of a rigid material such as a steel or alloy or a suitable pi astics material. Preferably the pivoting of the lever about the solar axis 16 is achieved by a suitable pivoting means such as a bearing, bush or other pivoting means known to a person skilled in the art.

Figures 25 and 26 illustrate a simplified end view of the apparatus and die interrelationship of the sun/earth member 15, earth/moon member 15 torsion ram 23 and other linkages. In Figures 25 and 26 the earth axis member 20 has not been included but instead the second linking member 21 has been illustrated be connected direct to the earth/moon member.

The apparatus has been provided in 1he most preferred form with a counterweight 17 located most preferably on the lever 18 and most preferably at the distal end thereof. -Such a counterweight provides a counter weighting action to the mass of the motor 9 and various other linkages and members. Preferably the counterweight is made of a rigid material having a substantial mass such as a steel or lead or the like. Alternatively it may 272993 be a hollow container which is able to be filled for use with water or the like. The lever 18 provides a suitable location for such a counterweight 17 to be located It may however not essential that such a counterweight be present at all in the present invention.

In the most preferred form of the present invention the cutter 7 is engaged with the panel by way of an axial movement of the rotary cutter towards the panel 1 (alternatively the panel 1 may be displaced in a direction parallel to the axis of the rotaiy cutter). The timing of such axial displacement and rate of movement is controlled by a cam/cam follower arrangement or series of cam/cam follower arrangements as the rotary cutter moves about the panel.

Figure 12 is a side view of the panel, rotary cutter and motor wherein the rotary cutter is in such a position where the cutter 7 is not in contact with the panel. In figure 12 a cam follower 12 is in a positionable on a cam 10 which prevents the cutter 7 from engaging with the panel 1. As the rotary motion is applied to the sun/earth member 15 the rotary cutter 6 and motor 9 travel to a location such that the cam follower travels along a path of the cam which allows the cutter 7 to engage with the panel. Figure 11 shows how such relative movement of the cam follower to the cam allows disengagement thereof and engagement of the cutter with the panel. In the preferred form the cams have a surface angularly disposed to die normal sur&cs of the axis of rotation of the rotary cutter, positioned so as to bring the cutter into contact at the start and out of contact at the end of the locus movement of the cutter.

The cam 10 may be a single continuous cam or may comprise of individual cams as shown in figure 28 which ccmf ;ol the various axial positions of the rotaiy cutter. Preferably the cam(s) and cam followers) are made of a suitably rigid material. Preferably such a material is TEFLON or similar.

To ensure that a contact is maintained between die cam and cam follower, a biasing means is provided biasing the rotary cutter in a direction towards the panel. In the most preferred form of the present invention the biasing means is a helical spring 26 located between the sun/earth member and earth/moon member as shown in Figure 8. However alternatively such a biasing means may be located at any other suitable location in the apparatus which can provide an axial bias of the rotaiy cutter towards the panel 1. Alternatively the biasing means may be a hydraulic or pneumatic ram or a combination.

Figure 28 illustrates a partial view of the apparatus and panel, wherein there are located two cams 10 located from the location means or extension thereof and two cam followers 12 and 27 located from the motor. The first cam follower 12 limits the movement of die rotaiy cutter so as to ensure there is no engagement of the cutter 7 with the panel 1 when in positions A, B and C of Figure 5 and corresponding positions on the bottom side of the panel.

The cam follower 27, when the cam follower 12 has disengaged with the cams 10 (due to the rotation of the sun/earth member about the solar axis) limits the axial movement of Ihe rotaiy cutter towards the panel so as to avoid the cutter cutting too deep into the panel.

As an alternative a person skilled in the art will appreciate that a single continuous cam (relacing cams 10 of figure 28) may be utilised to provide a surface or surfaces for the cam follower 12 to follow as the cutter travels the path from disengagement to engagement and disengagement sequentially. The cams are preferably secured (whether adjustable or not) relative to the panel when the apparatus of the present invention is in use. To this extent the cams and associated securing means are attached to an embodiment or casing of the present invention. Figures 28 does not illustrate die embodiment but a person skilled in the art will appreciate that a suitable and simple embodiment is able to be designed for the apparatus of the present invention as shown in the figures.

The panel 1 is most preferably secured by a means to locate which is preferably a clamping means 28 which provides a downward force onto a bottom clamping member (not shown) located on die bottom side of die panel 1. Again a person skilled in the art will appreciate that a simple support structure can include a means for securing the clamping member. To ensure that consecutive panels to be trimmed are located in identical positions, a suitable jig or the like may form part of die apparatus.

The cams 10 of the preferred form of the invention are adjustable by adjusting slides 29 (as shown in Figure 28) so as the apparatus can be adapted for use with different sized panels, cutters or other variables.

To ensure that the force F shown in Figures 19 to 24 of the rotary cutter is always onto the panel, the location of the panel relative to the solar axis 16 is important The solar axis must extend through the panel if such force F is always to be maintained in a direction towards the panel 1.

Figure 29 illustrates the most preferred location of die solar axis through the panel, wherein the position is such that an imaginary square can be drawn of equal sides between the solar axis 16 and the sides of the panel.

In the most preferred form iie distance between the solar axis 16 and the earth axis 19 is equal to the distance between the earth axis 19 and the rotary cutter axis 5.

An alternative to disengaging the cutter 7 with the panel 1 is shown in Figures 7 and 27. In this alternative, the rotary cutter is displaced from the surface of the panel at locations where a disengagement of die cutter 7 with the panel is required. In this 272993 272983 alternative preferred form of the invention the path of the rotary cutter remains in a single plane, and there is no presence of cam/cam follower systems 10, 11, 12 and 13 or the equivalent Instead a lifting cam 25 (and an equivalent dropping cam) are present which act on die earth/moon member or motor, lifting the cutter 7 from the panel 1 at appropriate instances.

Although we have described die present invention with the presence of a wheel 4 which acts as a rotary cutter cam follower over die surface of the panel alternatively a cam/cam following system may be present in another location of the apparatus providing a limit to the movement of the cutter 7 into the panel 1.

The cam followers are also adjustable to adapt the apparatus to be used with different sized cutters, panels and other variables.

Activation of the rotation of the sun/earth member about the solar axis is controlled by a suitable controlling means such as a switch or the like. Similarly die clamping mechanism to clamp die panel between the clamps 28 may be a hydraulic or pneumatic ram activated remotely or directly with valves, switches or the like. The sequence of inserting a panel between the cams 12 to locate between the means to locate, clamping thereof in a fixed condition relative to the mounting means, the activation of the rotation of die rotaiy cutter, the rotation of the sun/earth member about the solar axis and control of the biasing means (also herein referred to as "ram 23") and removal of the panel upon the completion of profile of the locus may be achieved automatically by suitable control means, to provide a fully automated form trimming apparatus for the present invention.

A further improvement has been made to the present invention to allow the apparatus to be easily adapted for the trimming of asymmetric panels as shown in Figures 32 and 33 regardless of the orientation of the panel (whether upside down or right way up). The adjustment of the preferred form of die cams 10 for different orientations of asymmetric panels is achieved by rams (preferably pneumatic rams) 31. The two rams are most preferably present in the improved version, each to control the position of one of the cams 10 of the present invention. Control aims extending from the pneumatic rams 31 preferably connect to die adjusting slides 29 as shown in Figure 31.

A sensor switch 34 switches between two conditions depending on the orientation of the asymmetric panel as shown in Figures 32 and 33. When the panel 1 is received in an upside down condition as shown in Figure 34 the centre switch activates the solenoid 34 and controls the pneumatic valve 38 such that the top cam 10' displaces towards the right (in the orientation of Figure 31) and the bottom most cam 10'' displaces towards the left so as to adjust the points of engagement and disengagement of the cutter(s) 7 with the locus of the panel 1. Similarly when the asymmetric panel is received in an upright 272y93 condition as shown in Figure 33 the census switch activates the solenoid to control the pneumatic valve so as to displace the upper cam 10' to die left and lower cam 10"' to the right to again adjust the engagement and disengagement positions of die rotary cutter(s) 7 relative to the asymmetric panel. Stops 30 are provided in the control arms 40 extending between die pneumatic ram and the adjusting slides 29 which sets the limits of movement of each of die cams. The stops 30 engage with die stop block 30 as the limits of each of the movements. A person skilled in die art will appreciate that several other ways of pneumatic control : < . msoring may achieve die same effect

Claims

WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. An apparatus for profiling a locus including or being an edge of a panel, said edge defined by the intersection of two side surfaces of said panel, said apparatus comprising: means to locate said edge of said panel at a predetermined position, means to mount ("mounting means") a rotary cutter to allow and cause in use movement of an appropriate said rotary cutter in a profiling manner about said locus of a panel when said panel is located at said predetermined position, said movement about said locus being not parallel to the rotational axis of such a rotary cutter, and means to bias the mounting means and said rotary cutter in use throughout the profiling movement towards the panel in a direction substantially radial to the rotational axis of said rotary cutter such that in use at least over said locus such a rotary cutter can profile said locus.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a said rotary cutter.

3. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said mounting means includes; a first member or assembly (hereafter "sun/earth member") rotatably mounted about a rotational axis (hereafter "solar axis") relative to said predetermined position from means fixed or reproducibly positionable in respect of said predetermined position, a second member (hereinafter "earth/moon member") rotatably mounted from said sun/earth member with its rotational axis ("earth axis") being at least substantially parallel to said solar axis, and means to engage or engaging die rotary cutter from said earth/moon member such that said axis of rotation of said cutter is spaced from said earth axis at least substantially parallel to said solar axis.

4. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said earth axis is spaced from said solar axis.

5. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said mounting means is adapted to move said rotary cutter through the profiling movement substantially normal to said rotational axis of die rotaiy cutter.

6. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said sun/earth member extends substantially radially from said solar axis.

7. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said earth axis is at the distal end of said sun/earth member from said solar axis.

8. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein said earth/moon member extends substantially radially from said earth axis. 272993 27 29 9

9. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein saiameans to engage said rotary cutter is at die distal end of said earth/moon member from said earth axis.

10. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said rotary cutter has at least one cutter adapted to, in use, during said profiling movement allow said profiling of said edge of said panel.

11. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims lto 10 wherein said means to engage said rotary cutter includes a rotary means to provide, in use, at least during said profiling movement rotation of the cutter of said rotary cutter to profile said edge of said panel.

12. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said rotation of said cutter about said rotational axis is in a rotational direction to provide cutting action of said edge by said at least one cutter in the direction of said movement.

13. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein means to cam ("camming means") fixed or selectively positionable to said means to locate is provided to be engageable with cam following means of said mounting means and adapted provide movement of said cutter relative to said panel engaging and disengaging said cutter from said locus at the beginning and end of said movement about said locus respectively.

14. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein said camming means is selectively secured to said means to locate or an extension thereof.

15. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 wherein said cam following means is adopted to be in contact with said camming means at least during engaging or disengaging movement of said cutter.

16. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein said cam following means is further adapted to follow said camming means during said movement of said rotary cutter about said locus to provide a limit of movement of said rotary cutter in a direction of said rotary cutter axis towards said panel during said movement about said locus.

17. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein two said camming means are secured from said means to locate between which said panel is able to locate each of said camming means presenting a surface angularly disposed to a plane normal of the rotational axis of said rotary cutter the first camming means positioned to proved axial movement of said rotary cutter to engage said cutter with the beginning of said locus at the start of said movement and the second camming means positioned to provide axial movement of said rotaiy cutter to disengage said cutter with the end of said locus and the end of said movement.

18. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein said means to bias provides a torque to said earth/moon member about said earth axis in a direction to said 272993

19. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein said means to bias is a ram located between a first order lever pivotable about said solar axis and said sun/earth member to control the angular displacement therebetween, said first order lever linked by a linking means to said earth/moon member to communicate said angular displacement to said earth/moon member.

20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 wherein said first order lever extends through and on either side of said solar axis, said linking means engaged to a first distal end of said lever being at other than the side to which said ram is secured.

21. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein said sun/earth member further includes a solar axle at said solar axis to allow said rotation of said sun/earth member.

22. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein said earth/moon member carries an earth axle along said earth axis to allow rotation of said earth/moon member about said earth axis.

23. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein a counter weight is provided at the other distal end of said lever.

24. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 wherein said sun/earth member is rotatable about said solar axis by a suitable driving means.

25. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 24 wherein said driving means drives said solar axle.

26. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 wherein said driving means is a motor coupled to said solar axle.

27. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 26 wherein said counter: weight provides a mass to balance the mass of said apparatus about said solar axis.

28. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 wherein said movement about said locus by said rotary cutter on a plane normal to the said rotational axis of said rotary cutter is defined by the profile of said panel on or parallel to said plane.

29. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28 wherein said movement about said locus by said rotary cutter is guided by a rotary cutter cam follower able to follow said profile of said panel.

30. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29 wherein said rotaiy cutter cam follower is a wheel.

31. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 30 wherein said wheel is mounted on said rotary cutter and is coaxial with said rotary cutter axis.

32. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31 wherein said earth/moon -17- 272M93 member is biased towards said panel by a biasing means. —

33. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 32 wherein said biasing means is a spring.

34. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33 wherein said means to locate is adapted to in use secure said panel such that solar axis extends through said panel and is parallel to the major upper and lower surfaces of said panel, and normal to one of said sides of said panel. DATED THIS DAYOFSepfey END OF CLAIMS