WO2014106868A1

WO2014106868A1 - Panel cutting machine

Info

Publication number: WO2014106868A1
Application number: PCT/IT2013/000366
Authority: WO
Inventors: Valter Naldi
Original assignee: Valter Naldi
Priority date: 2013-01-02
Filing date: 2013-12-24
Publication date: 2014-07-10
Also published as: EP2941335A1; ITBO20130003A1

Abstract

A cutting machine (MS) for cutting panels ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) provided with a cutting device ((CM), (UT)). The cutting machine (MS) comprises, furthermore, a pusher equipment (S), which is provided with clamping devices ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)) to move the panels ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) from and to a cutting line (LT) and is also provided with its own driving device (MTT). The clamping devices ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)), in their lowered operating position on the working table, are suited to freely move forward and backward without an autonomous drive of their own and are provided with respective locking means ((DB1), (DB2), (DB3)), which are suited to cause them to be selectively integral to the pusher equipment (S), so as to be moved together with the pusher equipment (S), only and exclusively using the driving device (MTT) of the pusher equipment (S) itself".

Description

"PANEL CUTTING MACHINE"

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is relative to a panel cutting machine.

The furnishing and interior designing industry, in order to be competitive, must be able to count on an extremely wide choice of colours and shapes and on delivery times that keep getting shorter and shorter.

One of the problems directly deriving from this need is determined by the complexity of the panel cutting patterns, namely by the way in which the larger panels are cut, so as to obtain the different sub-formats needed to manufacture furniture or other objects in general. Unfortunately, the fact that the cutting patterns keep getting more and more complicated negatively affects the processing times, since, currently, the more economical cutting machines are generally designed so as to efficiently perform cutting patterns that are relatively simple. As a matter of fact, complex cutting patterns are carried out with very long processing times and, therefore, with high manufacturing costs.

PRIOR ART

In recent years, some patents or patent applications have dealt with the simultaneous execution of the so-called "differentiated" patterns, namely cutting patterns in which many strips are cut in a different manner in a transverse direction, which seems to be one of the main problems arising in this technical field.

For example, patent no. EP-Bl-0 963 270 (Giben) describes a cutting machine equipped with special clamping devices provided with expensive drives and suitable numerical controls; these clamping devices are mounted on the single panel positioning pusher available and feature the possibility to have a degree of motion along the pusher crossbeam, besides being able to move forward and backward relative to the pusher crossbeam itself, on which they are mounted.

The additional drives on the single clamping devices, besides the one on the main pusher, are suited to permit different positioning arrangements among the panels being processed, so as to simultaneously perform the transverse cutting of the panels themselves.

In other patents or patent applications, the problem of the differentiated cutting process is solved by adopting a second panel positioning pusher, which is completely independent of the main one, so as to simultaneously cut groups of strips comprising sizes that are differentiated in terms of length, without any restriction.

In this case, we are dealing again with very expensive solutions that can be hardly implemented in cutting machines used in small and medium-sized companies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present invention is to find an economical and flexible cutting machine, which can permit the simultaneous execution of cutting patterns with two or more groups of differentiated strips through the use of a single pusher equipment, which is provided with a single drive for the positioning of all the different panels and with a single electronic control device.

Hence, according to the present invention, a cutting machine is provided according to Claim 1 or to any of the Claims that directly or indirectly depend on Claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be best understood upon perusal of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment, which is provided by way of example and is not limiting, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows a plan view of a cutting machine according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a plan view of some enlarged details of the cutting machine of figure 1;

- figure 3 shows a longitudinal section (A-A) of the cutting machine shown in figures 1 and 2;

- figure 4 shows a plan view of a first differentiated cutting pattern for a panel or a stack of panels, which can be performed with the cutting machine as per figures 1, 2, and 3;

- figure 5 shows a plan view of a portion of the cutting machine according to figures 1, 2, and 3 in a first configuration, in which the machine carries out a first panel or panel stack positioning step according to the first differentiated cutting pattern shown in figure 4;

- figure 6 shows a plan view of a portion of the cutting machine according to figures 1, 2, and 3 in a second configuration, in which the machine carries out a second panel or panel stack positioning step according to the first differentiated cutting pattern shown in figure 4;

- figure 7 shows a plan view of a portion of the cutting machine according to figures 1, 2, and 3 in a third configuration, in which the machine carries out a third panel or panel stack positioning and cutting step according to the first differentiated cutting pattern shown in figure 4;

- figure 8 shows a plan view of a portion of the cutting machine according to figures 1, 2, and 3, in which the machine carries out a step of the panel or panel stack processing cycle according to a second differentiated cutting pattern;

- figure 9 shows a plan view of a portion of the cutting machine according to figures 1, 2, and 3, in which the machine carries out a step of the panel or panel stack processing cycle according to a third differentiated cutting pattern;

- figure 10 shows a plan view of a portion of the cutting machine according to figures 1, 2, and 3, in which the machine carries out a step of the panel or panel stack processing cycle according to a fourth differentiated cutting pattern; and

- figure 11 shows a plan view of a portion of the cutting machine according to figures 1, 2, and 3, in which the machine carries out a step of the panel or panel stack processing cycle according to a fifth differentiated cutting pattern.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In figure 1, the reference (MS) indicates, as a whole, a cutting machine according to the present invention.

The cutting machine (MS) is of the horizontal type and has a mobile carriage (CM) carrying the cutting tools (UT), which is able to slide along a guiding base (B) (figure 3) according to a direction identified by an axis (X) (figure 1).

More precisely, the mobile carriage (CM) is suited to move according to directions and paths that are defined by the arrows (Fl) and (F2) (figure 1), which are parallel to the above-mentioned axis (X). During the active cutting step, the cutting tools (UT) are raised above a base working surface (PB) along the base (B) (figure 3), whereas they are lowered during the step in which they 5 return to the cut starting position.

During the cutting step, the cutting tools (UT), which are generally two, namely a cutting tool and an incision tool, slide inside a cutting slit obtained on the base working surface (PB), whose middle line is generally defined as cutting line (LT) (figures 1, 3).

i o As shown in figures 1 and 3, an upper pressing device (PS), which is of the known type, is suited to firmly clamp the panels (P) during the cutting step by means of a vertical movement of the known type.

It should be pointed out that, during the panel (P) positioning step, the pressing device (PS) is always in a raised position.

15 In the embodiment shown in the appended drawings, the cutting machine is equipped with a single panel positioning pusher (S) (moved by a drive (MTT) of the known type (figure 1)), which slides, for example, on two lateral fixed beams (TGI), (TG2) and according to a single movement that is orthogonal to the cutting line (LT) in accordance with the direction defined by

20 the arrow (F3), when moving forward, and by the arrow (F4), when moving backward (figure 1).

As shown in figures 1 and 3, the working table (PL), the lateral fixed beams (TGI), (TG2), the support uprights (M T1), (M T2), (MNT3), (MNT4), the transverse beam (TT), and the base (B) are part of a more general frame

25 (TL) of the cutting machine (MS). The pusher (S) comprises, in the solution shown, a pusher crossbeam (TS), which has a useful length (LTS) that is approximately equal to the length (LLT) of the cutting line (LT), but, in other solutions that are not shown, could also have a smaller useful length. As shown in figure 1, the pusher crossbeam (TS) extends in a direction that is parallel to the above-mentioned axis (X) and to the above-mentioned cutting line (LT).

In the embodiment shown, on the pusher (S) and, in particular, on the pusher crossbeam (TS), there are rigidly fixed clamping and/or pushing devices, which hereinafter will be referred to as fixed clamps (PF), of the known type to clamp, transport and position to size the panels (P) to be cut, which can be manually loaded by operators onto front tables (PA) of the cutting machine (MS) or can be loaded from the rear or lateral side by means of automated systems of the known type.

These fixed clamps (PF), in a solution that is not shown, can be raised so as to reach a height that is equal to or greater than the height of the stack of panels (P) being processed and, therefore, can be removed from their operating position lowered on the working table (PL) by means of actuators of the known type. The panels (P) being processed are supported by the working table (PL).

To this regard, it should be pointed out that, in this specific case, working table (PL) means the assembly of a plurality of support bars (BS), of a base working surface (PB) (figure 3), and of the front tables (PA).

Furthermore, the bars (BS) are made of a ferrous material and are coated, in their upper part, with a layer of non scratching material.

These bars (BS) are provided with suitable grooves to house the lower fingers of the clamps used to clamp the panels (P).

The pusher (S) is also provided with at least one mobile clamping and/or pushing device, which hereinafter will be referred to as mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) and is suited to clamp, transport and position to size the panels (P) as well.

Each mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) is fixed, in this particular case, to the pusher crossbeam (TS) by means of a support and guiding system, which respectively consists of sliding blocks (PG1), (PG2), (PG3) (figures 2, 3), which are integral to the pusher crossbeam (TS) itself, and of a respective guide (Gl), (G2), (G3), which is integral to a respective carriage (CR1), (CR2), (CR3) of each respective mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) (figures 2, 3).

Therefore, as explained more in detail below, each mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) can be moved in its operating position on the working table (PL) along a straight path having a stroke-start point (IC) (figure 3) and a stroke- end point (FC), which determine a total useful stroke on the respective guide (Gl), (G2), (G3); this straight path is parallel to an axis (Y) that is perpendicular to the above-mentioned axis (X) (figure 1) and, thus, is also parallel to the working table (PL) and perpendicular to the pusher crossbeam (TS).

Furthermore, it should be pointed out that each mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) is not provided with an autonomous drive of its own and, therefore, it is freely mobile along the above-mentioned straight path relative to the pusher (S) on which it is mounted.

It is interesting to see how the support and guiding system of each mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) is arranged within the useful length (LTS) of the pusher crossbeam (TS) of the pusher (S) and how this support and guiding system is substantially centred relative to the mobile clamp (PM1), (PM2), (PM3), thus permitting an optimal guiding condition without torsional effects and guaranteeing, furthermore, the best sliding movement possible of each mobile clamp (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) relative to the pusher (S) itself.

Therefore, this support and guiding system is the best solution to allow each mobile clamp (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) to freely slide, in its operating position lowered on the working table (PL) and therefore during the positioning phase of the panel (P), forward (F3) and backward (F4) in relation to the pusher itself (S) on which the mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) are mounted, according to a movement that is orthogonal to the cutting line {IT).

In a solution that is not shown, these mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3), similarly to the fixed clamps (PF), can be raised and removed, by being raised, from their operating position lowered on the working table (PL) by means of actuators of the known type.

Furthermore, the support and guiding systems of the mobile clamps

(PM1), (PM2), (PM3) are each provided with a relative locking device, (DB1), (DB2), (DB3) respectively (figures 2, 3), of the known type, which acts upon a respective guide (Gl), (G2), (G3), so that each mobile clamp (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) can be caused to be integral with the pusher (S) and, in particular, with the pusher crossbeam (TS) in any desired point of its useful working stroke along said respective guide (Gl), (G2), (G3).

In this case, it should be pointed out again that the locking device is centred relative to load to which the mobile clamp (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) is subject, thus allowing a greater effectiveness of the locking action.

In given situations, it could be useful to provide each single mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) with respective and further locking systems (SB11), (SB12), (SB13) (figures 2, 3), which, in particular, are fixed to the pusher crossbeam (TS) and, by means of respective centering pins (CP) acting upon respective seats (not shown) provided on the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3), cause the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) to be further integral to the pusher crossbeam (TS), when the mobile clamp/s (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) itself/themselves is/are perfectly aligned relative to the other fixed clamps (PF) mounted on the same pusher crossbeam (TS). This allows the machine to carry out cutting patterns that involve the use of one or more mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) together - or aligned - with the fixed clamps (PF) (see below).

The cutting machine (MS) is also equipped, in the are above the cutting line (LT), with a selective locking system, respectively (SB31), (SB32), (SB33) to selectively firmly clamp the panels (P) against the base working surface (PB) lying underneath, so as to perfectly hold them in position while a specific working cycle of the pusher (S) is being performed.

The locking systems (SB31), (SB32), (SB33) can be mounted on a fixed beam, which is arranged in the upper part close to the cutting line (LT) and is part of the frame (TL), or they can be directly mounted on the upper pressing device (PS), remaining anyway independent, from a functional point of view, of the upper pressing device (PS) itself.

These locking systems (SB31), (SB32), (SB33), thanks to their functionality, efficacy and general cost-effectiveness, are definitely a great solution to directly and selectively lock the panel (P) and/or strips (SI), (S2), (S3) (see below) in its/their final position/s at the end of a positioning to size operation. As an alternative to - or in combination with - the panel direct locking system (SB31), (SB32), (SB33), it is possible to provide, for each mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3), a respective further locking system (SB21), (SB22), (SB23) (figures 2, 3) of the known type, for example of the electromagnetic type, to lock the mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) to the working table (PL) or to cause it to be integral to the working table (PL); said further locking system (SB21), (SB22), (SB23) acting upon a respective material support bar (BS) (figures 1, 2, 3) or, if necessary, upon another similar bar (not shown) used to fulfil this function.

This further locking system (SB21), (SB22), (SB23) of each mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) fulfils a function corresponding to the one described above with reference to the possibility to directly lock the panel (P), or the stacks of panels, or the above-mentioned strips (SI), (S2), (S3) on the working table (PL), once the desired position/s has/have been reached.

In other words, in this context, one should consider as technical equivalents the action of locking the panels (P) or the like (see above) in position either directly by using the selective locking systems (SB31), (SB32), (SB33) or indirectly by using the locking systems (SB21), (SB22), (SB23) on the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3).

Now we would like to examine the execution of a differentiated cutting pattern with three groups of differentiated strips (SI), (S2), (S3), namely groups of strips that include different panel or cutting sizes, such as, for example, the one shown in figure 4.

This cutting pattern is generally performed, first of all, by cutting, in the right hand area of the cutting machine (MS) shown in figure 1, the three strips (SI), (S2), (S3), using, for the different positioning to size operations, the fixed clamps (PF) of the pusher (S).

Incidentally, it should be pointed out that, in the explanation of the cycle below, the execution of front and rear trimming cuts on the strips (SI), (S2), (S3) will not be taken into account, since they do not substantially change the operating logic described below.

Once the strips (SI), (S2), (S3) have been made, the operators - or automated transport systems in more complex machines - arrange them one next to the other, aligning them against a square fence (SQ) (figures 1, 3), if necessary with the help of a mechanical actuator (not shown), and up against the clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3), (PF), which provide the firm clamping necessary for the various positioning to size operation (figure 5).

The mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3), during this step, are integral to the pusher crossbeam (TS) by means of the respective locking devices (DB1), (DB2), (DB3) (figures 2, 3) or, if necessary, by means of the locking systems (SB11), (SB12), (SB13) that guarantee a perfect alignment of the mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) with the fixed clamps (PF).

Incidentally, the alignment of the mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) with the fixed clamps (PF) can also be obtained by means of predetermined stops (not shown), against which the different mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) can be positioned, in order to be then locked in position by means of the respective locking devices (DB1), (DB2), (DB3).

In the case shown in figure 5, the mobile clamp (PM1) is suited to position the strip (SI), the mobile clamps (PM2) and (PM3) are suited to position the strip (S2), whereas the fixed clamps (PF) are suited to position the strip (S3).

At the end of this preliminary step, the pusher (S), with all the strips (SI), (S2), and (S3) firmly clamped by the respective clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3), (PF), will perform the first positioning to size operation, by positioning the cut (Cll) of the strip (SI) on the cutting line (LT), as shown in figure 5.

As soon as the desired position of the strip (SI) has been reached, the respective locking system (SB31) acting upon the strip (SI) is activated, so as to firmly lock the latter on the working table (PL) and relative to the cutting line (LT).

As an alternative thereto - or in combination therewith, the mobile clamp

(PM1) is caused to be integral to the working table (PL) by means of the corresponding locking system (SB21), since, as already discussed above, this would lead to the same result of indirectly locking the strip (SI) relative to the cutting line (LT).

Now the locking device (DB1) on the guide (Gl) or, if necessary, the locking system (SB11) are released, thus causing the mobile clamp (PM1) to freely move relative to the pusher (S).

In the following step shown in figure 6, the pusher (S), in this specific case, will move backward, thus causing both the strip (S2) and the strip (S3) to move backward, as well, until the correct positioning of the cut (C21) of the strip (S2) on the cutting line (LT) is reached.

Obviously, during this step, the strip (SI) will remain in the previous position arranged on the cut (Cll).

Similarly to what described for the previous step, once the desired position of the strip (S2) has been reached, the respective locking systems (SB32), (SB33) (figure 3) are activated, which, in this specific case, both act upon the same strip (S2), so as to firmly lock it on the working table (PL) and relative to the cutting line (LT).

As an alternative thereto - or in combination therewith, the mobile clamps (PM2) and (PM3) are caused to be integral to the working table (PL) by means of the corresponding locking systems (SB22), (SB23), since, as already discussed above, this would lead to the same result of indirectly locking the strip (S2) relative to the cutting line (LT).

Now the locking devices (DB2) and (DB3) on the respective guides (G2) and (G3) or, if necessary, the locking systems (SB12) and (SB13) respectively associated with the mobile clamps (PM2) and (PM3) are released, thus causing the mobile clamps (PM2) and (PM3) to be idle and freely move relative to the pusher (S).

When the pusher (S) has to position the panels for the cut (C21) on the cutting line (LT), as already described above, it is sufficient for the numerical control of the cutting machine (MS) to exactly calculate the difference between the size of the panel to be obtained with the cut (Cll) on the strip (SI) and the size of the panel to be obtained with the cut (C21) on the strip (S2), so as to cause the pusher (S) to move backward by the same measure.

All the positioning operations of the different mobile clamps (PM1),

(PM2), (PM3), both the absolute ones relative to the cutting line (LT) and the ones relative to the pusher (S), are calculated by an electronic control unit and actuated by means of the single drive (MTT) and of the known positioning system of the single pusher (S).

In other words, in the present invention, the mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) are devices that do not need a specific drive of their own; this means that all the positions of the mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3), both the absolute ones relative to the cutting line (LT) and the ones relative to the pusher (S), can be obtained only by means of the drive (MTT) of the pusher (S) on which the mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) are mounted.

In the further step shown in figure 7, the pusher (S), in this specific case, will move backward, thus causing the strip (S3) to move backward, until it reaches its correct positioning on the cut (C31) provided.

Obviously, during this step, the strip (SI) and the strip (S2) will remain in the previous positions arranged on the cut (Cll) and on the cut (C21), respectively.

Now, as shown in figure 7, the three cuts (Cll), (C21) and (C31) are aligned on the cutting line (LT) according to the cutting pattern of figure 4 and, therefore, the simultaneous cutting operation can be performed by lowering the pressing device (PS) (figure 3) onto the panels (P) and by activating the cutting stroke of the saw carriage (CM) (figure 3) with the cutting tools (UT) in a raised position.

During the cutting action, all the mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) will be caused to be integral to the pusher (S) by acting upon the respective locking devices (DBl), (DB2), (DB3), and, obviously, all the other locking elements that caused the panels (P) and the mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) to be integral to the working table (PL) will be released.

In the following positioning steps to carry out the cuts (C12), (C22) and (C32) on the strips (SI), (S2), (S3), respectively, the operations described above will be repeated in an analogous manner. Obviously, in some situations, the operating logic can be subject to changes, since the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) necessarily have a limited and predefined stroke that cannot cover all the possible cases.

Therefore, in some cases, a step might be provided, in which a mobile clamp, for example the clamp (PMl) is locked in a cutting position, whereas the other clamps (PM2), (PM3) and (PF) perform the positioning to size steps.

As soon as the difference in the number of cuts or the difference in the length of the panels to be obtained will be compatible with the stroke of the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3), the cutting procedure described above will be able to be actuated again.

In other words, positioning and cutting steps can be performed only on some strips of the cutting pattern, keeping the others locked. This does not lead to any delay in the total cutting cycle, since it is the strip with the highest number of cuts that determines the global time of the cutting cycle.

In particular situations, such as the one shown in figure 8, the fixed clamps (PF) can be positioned in front of the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) relative to the cutting line (LT).

This feature permits the execution of cutting patterns in which the length of the panels to be obtained by means of the fixed clamps (PF) is greater than the length of the panels to be obtained on the strip or on the strips positioned by means of the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3). This is possible due to the fact that the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) are designed so that the front reference face for the panels of the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) themselves can be moved backward relative to the same front reference face for the panels of the fixed clamps (PF). Nevertheless, even without this possibility, namely with the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) simply overhanging the fixed clamps (PF), the type of cycle described above is still possible, even though with a smaller degree of flexibility.

Figure 9 shows a differentiated cutting pattern with two differentiated strips, in which the mobile clamps (PM2) and (PM3) are integral to the pusher crossbeam (TS) and are aligned with the fixed clamps (PF) for the entire cutting cycle, since only the mobile clamp (PMl) is involved in the execution of the single differentiated strip close to the square fence (SQ).

In figure 10, the first two mobile clamps (PMl) and (PM2) work together for the execution of the first differentiated strip, whereas the mobile clamp (PM3) is caused to be integral to the pusher crossbeam (TS) for the entire cycle and, therefore, always remains aligned with the fixed clamps (PF).

In figure 11, all the mobile clamps (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) work on the same differentiated strip close to the square fence (SQ).

In a further solution, which is not shown, in order to carry out a cutting pattern with four differentiated strips, each mobile clamp (PMl), (PM2), (PM3) acts upon a single strip, whereas the fixed clamps (PF) act upon the fourth differentiated strip.

Therefore, it is clear that the more mobile clamps are mounted on the same pusher or pusher crossbeam, the more differentiated strips can be cut simultaneously.

In other words, the number of differentiated strips ((SI), (S2), (S3)) that can be cut at the same time depends on the number of mobile clamps ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)) initially installed on the pusher (S). The solutions shown and described prove how the mobile clamp system suggested automatically adjusts not only to the length of the panels to be obtained, but also to their width.

The mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3) can be selectively grouped in single clamping and transporting groups that can vary as a function of the sizes of the panels to be obtained and/or of the cutting operations to be performed and, in particular, also as a function of the width of the strips (SI), (S2), (S3) and of the panels (P) to be cut.

As a matter of fact, it should be pointed out that, in order to carry out the wide variety of cutting patterns necessary for the business, one must be able to cut very narrow strips and very large strips, which require a large support in order to be able to be cut with precision; as already discussed above, the system for the variable management of the number of clamps as a function of the number and of the width of the panels or of the strips to be cut permits the quick cutting of a wide variety of differentiated cutting patterns with a high precision and flexibility.

In a solution that is not shown, the single mobile clamps (PM1), (PM2), (PM3), as well as the fixed clamps (PF), in particular if they are provided with the upward and downward movement, can also be individually excluded from the working cycle, namely they can be excluded from the clamping and the positioning of the panels, as a function both of the working cycle to be performed itself and of the width of the panels (P) or of the strips (SI), (S2), (S3) to be cut.

In a further solution that is not shown, at least one of all the different clamps mounted on the pusher (S) can be caused to be laterally mobile along the pusher crossbeam (TS) according to the direction (X), so as to align or centre it with the panels (P) or with the strips (SI), (S2), (S3) to be cut.

In a further possible embodiment, it could be possible to adopt a solution (not shown) with two or more pushers next to one another, which operate on 5 the same cutting line, at least one of these pushers being provided with mobile clamps as described above.

All the solutions described above prove the great flexibility of the cutting machine suggested and of the present cutting system, which is also very economical.

o This system, indeed, needs a single control system, a single drive, and a single reading and positioning system applied to the pusher, and is able to permit the simultaneous cutting of differentiated cutting patterns with two or more groups of differentiated strips as a function of the number of mobile damps mounted on the pusher crossbeam.

5 Furthermore, the easiness with which the mobile clamps are selectively adjusted and grouped based on the different cutting patterns, namely based on the width of the single strips contained therein, makes the cutting machine according to the present invention extremely flexible and highly productive with remarkably reduced costs.

o

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A cutting machine (MS) for cutting panels ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) along a cutting line (LT) along a first direction (X); said cutting machine (MS) comprising a working table (PL) and a pusher equipment (S) for transporting and positioning said panels ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) from and/or to said cutting line (LT) along a second direction (Y), which is substantially perpendicular to said first direction (X), said pusher equipment (S) being provided with driving means (MTT); said pusher equipment (S) being provided, furthermore, with at least one clamping device ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)), which is mobile with respect to the pusher equipment (S) itself according to two ways ((F3), (F )) along said second direction (Y);

the cutting machine (MS) being characterised in that on said pusher equipment (S) is mounted said at least one mobile clamping device ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)), which is not provided with an autonomous drive of its own and is suited to freely move in its operating position on the working table (PL), forward (F3) or backward (F4) in respect to same pusher equipment (S) along said second direction (Y); said at least one mobile clamping device ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)) being freely movable on respective support and guiding means ((PG1, (PG2), (PG3)), which are mounted onto said pusher equipment (S) itself; and

in that it comprises locking means ((DB1), (DB2), (DB3)), which are suited to cause said at least one mobile clamping device ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)) itself to be selectively integral to said pusher equipment (S) in any point of its working stroke along a respective guide ((Gl), (G2), (G3)); said at least one mobile clamping device ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)) being moved together with said pusher device (S) along said second direction (Y) by always and exclusively using said driving means (MTT) of said pusher equipment (S) itself.

2. A cutting machine (MS) according to Claim 1, characterised in that it comprises, furthermore, selective locking means ((SB21), (SB22), (SB23); (SB31), (SB32), (SB33)) for locking at least one panel ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) on the working table (PL) and with respect to the cutting line (LT).

3. A cutting machine (MS) according to Claim 2, characterised in that said selective locking means ((SB21), (SB22), (SB23)) are suited to cause said at least one mobile clamping device ((PMl), (PM2), (PM3)) to be selectively integral to a portion of the frame (TL) of the cutting machine (MS) itself, so as to indirectly lock said at least one panel ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) on the working table (PL) and with respect to the cutting line (LT).

4. A cutting machine (MS) according to Claim 2 or to Claim 3, characterised in that said selective locking means ((SB31), (SB32), (SB33)) are mounted on a portion of the frame (TL) close to the cutting line (LT), so as to directly lock said at least one panel ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) on the working table (PL) and with respect to the cutting line (LT).

5. A cutting machine (MS) according to Claim 2 or to Claim 3, characterised in that said selective locking means ((SB31), (SB32), (SB33)) are mounted on an upper pressing device (PS), so as to directly lock said at least one panel ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) on the working table (PL) and with respect to the cutting line (LT).

6. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the Claims from 2 to 5, characterised in that at least one portion of said locking means ((DB1), (DB2), (DB3)) and at least one portion of said locking means ((SB21), (SB22), (SB23); (SB31), (SB32), (SB33)) are coordinated with one another in such a way that, when said at least one portion of locking means ((DBl), (DB2), (DB3)) are engaged, said at least one portion of said locking means ((SB21), (SB22), (SB23); (SB31), (SB32), (SB33)) are disengaged and vice versa.

7. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that it comprises at least one fixed clamping device (PF), which is integral to said pusher equipment (S).

8. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that said pusher equipment (S) comprises a pusher crossbeam (TS), on which said at least one mobile clamping device ((PM1), (PM2), (PM3)) is mounted, said pusher crossbeam (TS) presenting a length (LTS) that is substantially equal to that of the cutting line (LLT).

9. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the Claims from 1 to 7, characterised in that said pusher equipment (S) comprises a pusher crossbeam (TS), on which said at least one mobile clamping device ((PM1), (PM2), (PM3)) is mounted, said pusher crossbeam (TS) presenting a length (LTS) that is shorter than that of the cutting line (LLT).

10. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the positioning of said at least one mobile clamping device ((PM1), (PM2), (PM3)) with respect to the cutting line (LT) and the relative positioning of the same mobile clamping device ((PM1), (PM2), (PM3)) with respect to the pusher equipment (S) on which it is mounted are obtained by means of the same drive (MTT) of the pusher equipment (S) itself.

11. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of mobile clamping devices ((PM1), (PM2), (PM3)), which can be selectively combined with one another during the working cycle both as a function of the cutting sizes to be performed on the panels ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) to be sized and as a function of their widths.

12. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the Claims from 7 to 10, characterised in that it comprises said at least one of mobile clamping device ((PM1), (PM2), (PM3)) and at least one fixed clamping device (PF), which can be selectively combined with one another during the working cycle both as a function of the cutting sizes to be performed on the panels ((P); (SI), (S2), (S3)) to be sized and as a function of their widths.

13. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the preceding Claims, characterised in that the number of differentiated strips ((SI), (S2), (S3)) that can be simultaneously sized depends on the number of mobile clamping devices ((PM1), (PM2), (PM3)) installed on the pusher equipment (S).

14. A cutting machine (MS) according to any of the Claims from 2 to 13, characterised in that it comprises, furthermore, an electronic control unit, which is programmed so as to control, as a function of the cutting sizes to be performed on at least two panels ((P), (SI), (S2), (S3)), a single driving assembly (MTT) of the pusher equipment (S) in combination with said locking means ((DB1), (DB2), (DB3)) and/or in combination with said locking means ((SB21), (SB22), (SB23); (SB31), (SB32), (SB33)).