FIELD

The invention relates to a method and a processing assembly for processing profile beam parts each extending along a longitudinal axis.

BACKGROUND

In order to reduce the processing time, commercial machining stations for processing profile beam parts are usually not fed by hand.

Typically such a machining station is connected to an in-feed transport system for transporting and in-feeding the profile beam parts along their longitudinal axes to the machining station, and an out-feed transport system for out-feeding the profile beam parts along their longitudinal axes away from the machining station.

A typical method for operating such a known machining station starts with in-feeding a first profile beam part together with a second profile beam part in the machining station. Take for example a single profile beam in mind which has to be sawn in two or more profile beam parts. Before the sawing, the single profile beam comprises the first profile beam part and the second profile beam part as one single integral profile beam. After said first in-feeding, at least the first profile beam part is machined, e.g. the first profile beam part is sawed off. Subsequently the machined or sawed off first profile beam part is out-feed from the machining station and transported to a discharge position by the out-feed transport system. When the first profile beam part reaches the discharge position it is discharged from the out-feed transport system to e.g. a storage buffer or to another transport system. After the first profile beam part is discharged from the out-feed transport system, the in-feed transport system in-feeds the second profile beam part to the machining station for machining and the method cycle restarts. KR 2011 0131332 A discloses a band saw machine having a saw band upstream of which the machine has a front clamp and downstream of which the machine has a rear clamp both for clamping a workpiece part.

The front clamp and the rear clamp are moveable in a longitudinal direction of the workpiece parts to transfer these workpiece parts so as to move the parts apart from each other away from the saw band. The front clamp is also used to move a subsequent workpiece part into a position in which a subsequent saw cut has to be made. It is disclosed that the second work piece part which has been separated from the first work piece part by the saw band is automatically removed. How this removal is effected and during which time period is not disclosed in KR’332.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a method for processing profile beam parts with a reduced processing time.

To that end, the invention provides a method according to claim 1 for processing profile beam parts each extending along a longitudinal axis. More particular, the method according to the invention comprises providing a machining station, and providing an in-feed transport system for transporting the profile beam parts along a transport direction axis to the machining station. The method further comprises providing an out-feed transport system for transporting the profile beam parts along the transport direction axis away from the machining station to a discharge position which is at a distance D from the machining station. The method further comprises in-feeding a first profile beam part simultaneously together with a second profile beam part to the machining station with the in-feed transport system. During the in-feeding, the profile beam parts are co- linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes. The longitudinal axes are parallel to the transport direction axis. Subsequently, the method comprises machining at least the first profile beam part in the machining station. Subsequently, the method comprises out-feeding the first profile beam part with the out-feed transport system from the machining station to an intermediate position which is between the discharge position and the machining station. A distance X between the intermediate position and the discharge position is variable. During out-feeding, the first profile beam part and the second profile beam part are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes wherein the longitudinal axes remain parallel to the transport direction axis. Finally, the method comprises subsequently in feeding the second profile beam part in the machining station with the in- feed transport system over a distance Y and simultaneously out-feeding the first profile beam part over the distance X from the intermediate position to the discharge position. During this simultaneous in-feeding and out-feeding the profile beam parts are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes and the longitudinal axes remain parallel to the transport direction axis.

In an embodiment, the distance Y is chosen such that the second profile beam part, after having been moved over distance Y is positioned relative to the machining station in a position in which a subsequent machining on the second profile beam part must be performed.

The known typical methods for processing profile beam parts wait for the first profile beam part to be discharged before in-feeding the second profile beam part. With the method according to the invention, the in feeding of the second profile beam part is done simultaneously to

transporting the first profile beam part along the out-feed transport from the intermediate position to the discharge position. In other words, the second profile beam part is already fed in when the first profile beam part is still traveling the last part along the out-feed transport system. During machining of the second profile beam part, the first profile beam part which is at the discharge position may be discharged from the out-feed transport system. Because the waiting time before in-feeding the second profile beam part is reduced with the method according to the invention, the total processing time will be reduced when compared to the known method described above in the background section. Thus the capacity of the machining station is more effectively used and the total cost price for the processing of a plurality of profile beam parts is reduced. It should be noted that upstream of the machining station, the first profile beam part and the second profile beam part may be an integral part, i.e. parts of a single profile beam.

The invention further provides a processing assembly according to claim 6 for processing profile beam parts each extending along a

longitudinal axis. More particular, the invention provides a processing assembly comprising a machining station configured to machine at least a first profile beam part. The processing assembly further comprises an in- feed transport system for transporting and in-feeding the profile beam parts along a transport direction axis to the machining station. The processing assembly additionally comprises an out-feed transport system for out- feeding the profile beam parts along their longitudinal axes in the transport direction away from the machining station. Finally, the processing assembly comprises a controller which is configured:

to control the in-feed transport system to in-feed a first profile beam part simultaneously together with a second profile beam part to the machining station with the in-feed transport system, wherein during in-feeding the profile beam parts are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes, wherein the longitudinal axes are parallel to the transport direction axis;

to control the machining station to subsequently machine at least the first profile beam part in the machining station;

to control the out-feed transport system to subsequently out-feed the first profile beam part with the out-feed transport system from the machining station to an intermediate position which is between the discharge position and the machining station, wherein a distance X between the intermediate position and the discharge position is variable, wherein during out-feeding the first profile beam part and the second profile beam part are co-linearly aligned along their

longitudinal axes, wherein the longitudinal axes remain parallel to the transport direction axis; and

to control the in-feed transport system and the out-feed transport system to subsequently in-feed the second profile beam part in the machining station with the in-feed transport system over a distance Y and simultaneously out-feed and transport the first profile beam part over the distance X from the intermediate position to the discharge position, wherein during this simultaneous in-feeding and out-feeding the profile beam parts are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes, and wherein the longitudinal axes remain parallel to the transport direction axis.

The effects and the advantages of the processing assembly according to the invention are the same as the effects and advantages of the method according to the invention.

The present invention will be further elucidated with reference to figures of an example in which various embodiments of the invention are incorporated. The embodiments may be combined or may be applied separately from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 shows a schematic top view of a processing assembly according to the invention with the first and second profile beam parts still forming an integral profile beam in the machining station.

Fig. 2 shows a schematic top view of the processing assembly of Fig. 1 with the first profile beam part in the intermediate position and the second profile beam part in front of the machining station. Fig. 3 shows a schematic top view of the processing assembly of Fig. 1 with the first profile beam part in the discharge position and the second profile beam part fed in into the machining station over distance Y.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In this application similar or corresponding features are denoted by similar or corresponding reference signs. The description of the various embodiments is not limited to the example shown in the figures and the reference numbers used in the detailed description and the claims are not intended to limit the description of the embodiments, but are included to elucidate the embodiments by referring to the example shown in the figures.

In the most general terms, the invention relates to a method for processing profile beam parts 22, 24 each extending along a longitudinal axis. The method comprises providing a machining station 12, and providing an in-feed transport system 14 for transporting the profile beam parts 22, 24 along a transport direction axis to the machining station 12. The method further comprises providing an out-feed transport system 16 for

transporting the profile beam parts 22, 24 along the transport direction axis away from the machining station 12 to a discharge position 18 which is at a distance D from the machining station 12. The method further comprises:

in-feeding a first profile beam part 22 simultaneously together with a second profile beam part 24 to the machining station 12 with the in- feed transport system 14, wherein during the in-feeding, the profile beam parts 22, 24 are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes, wherein the longitudinal axes are parallel to the transport direction axis;

subsequently, machining at least the first profile beam part 22 in the machining station 12;

subsequently, out-feeding the first profile beam part 22 with the out-feed transport system 16 from the machining station 12 to an

intermediate position 20 which is between the discharge position 18 and the machining station 12, wherein a distance X between the intermediate position 20 and the discharge position 18 is variable, wherein during out- feeding, the first profile beam part 22 and the second profile beam part 24 are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes, wherein the

longitudinal axes remain parallel to the transport direction axis; and

subsequently, in-feeding the second profile beam part 24 in the machining station 12 with the in-feed transport system 14 over a distance Y and simultaneously out-feeding the first profile beam part 22 over the distance X from the intermediate position 20 to the discharge position 18, wherein during this simultaneous in-feeding and out-feeding the profile beam parts 22, 24 are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes, and wherein the longitudinal axes remain parallel to the transport direction axis.

The effects and advantages of the method for processing profile beam parts 22, 24 each extending along a longitudinal axis have been described in the summary section and these effects and advantages are incorporated here by reference. It should be noted that upstream of the machining station 12, the first profile beam part 22 and the second profile beam part 24 may be an integral part, i.e. parts of a single profile beam.

In an embodiment, an in-feed transport speed of the in-feed transport system 14 is the same as an out-feed transport speed of the out- feed transport system 16. In that case, the out-feeding of the first profile beam part 22 is executed such that distance X equals to the distance Y. An advantage of having the same in-feed transport speed as out-feed transport speed is that the control of the in-feed transport system 14 and the out-feed transport system 15 can be easily be coordinated. The chance of collision of subsequently fed profile beam parts is minimized.

In an embodiment the method further comprises discharging the first profile beam part 22 from the discharge position 18 and simultaneously machining the second profile beam part 24 in the machining station 12. By not waiting for the first profile beam part 22 to be discharged in order to machine the second profile beam part 24, additional processing time can be saved. The discharging may, for example, be done in a discharge direction which is perpendicular to the transport direction axis and also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the profile beam part 22, 24 which is discharged.

In an embodiment, the machining at least the first profile beam part 22 in the machining station may comprise sawing, drilling, milling, marking, scribing, thread tapping, counter sinking, and/or cutting.

In an embodiment the first profile beam part 22 together with the second profile beam part 24 constitute a single integral profile beam prior to the machining. The machining comprises sawing the integral profile beam into the first profile beam part 22 and the second profile beam part 24 which is distinct from the first profile beam part 22.

The invention also relates to a processing assembly 10 for processing profile beam parts 22, 24 each extending along a longitudinal axis. The processing assembly 10 comprises a machining station 12 configured to machine at least a first profile beam part 24. The processing assembly 10 also comprises an in-feed transport system 14 for transporting and in-feeding the profile beam parts 22, 24 along a transport direction axis to the machining station 12. Further, the processing assembly 10 comprises an out-feed transport system 16 for out-feeding the profile beam parts 22, 24 along their longitudinal axes in the transport direction away from the machining station 12. Finally, the processing assembly comprises a controller which is configured:

to control the in-feed transport system 14 to in-feed a first profile beam part 22 simultaneously together with a second profile beam part 24 to the machining station 12 with the in-feed transport system 14, wherein during in-feeding, the profile beam parts 22, 24 are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes, wherein the longitudinal axes are parallel to the transport direction axis;

to control the machining station 12 to subsequently machine at least the first profile beam part 22 in the machining station 12;

to control the out-feed transport system 16 to subsequently out- feed the first profile beam part 22 with the out-feed transport system 16 from the machining station 12 to an intermediate position 20 which is between the discharge position 18 and the machining station 12, wherein a distance X between the intermediate position 20 and the discharge position 18 is variable, wherein during out-feeding, the first profile beam part 22 and the second profile beam part 24 are co-linearly aligned along their

longitudinal axes, wherein the longitudinal axes remain parallel to the transport direction axis; and

to control the in-feed transport system 14 and the out-feed transport system 16 to subsequently in-feed the second profile beam part 24 in the machining station 12 with the in-feed transport system 14 over a distance Y and simultaneously out-feed and transport the first profile beam part 22 over the distance X from the intermediate position 20 to the discharge position 18, wherein during this simultaneous in-feeding and out- feeding the profile beam parts 22, 24 are co-linearly aligned along their longitudinal axes, and wherein the longitudinal axes remain parallel to the transport direction axis.

The effects and advantages of the processing assembly for processing profile beam parts 22, 24 each extending along a longitudinal axis have been described in the summary section and these effects and advantages are inserted here by reference.

In an embodiment, an in-feed transport speed of the in-feed transport system 14 is the same as an out-feed transport speed of the out- feed transport system 16. In that situation, the distance X equals to the distance Y. The advantages of this embodiment have been mentioned in the context of the corresponding method embodiment and include that the control of the in-feed transport system 14 and the out-feed transport system 15 can be easily be coordinated. The chance of collision of subsequently fed profile beam parts is minimized.

In an embodiment the machining station 12 may comprise an intermediate transport system which is configured to transport the first and the second profile beam parts 22, 24 through the machining station 12 from the in-feed transport system 14 to the out-feed transport system 16. The intermediate transport system has the advantage of providing support to the profile beam parts 22, 24 while being machined and while being received from the in-feed transport system 12 or while being supplied to the out-feed transport system 16. The intermediate transport system may comprise a clamping system which, in operation, clamps the profile beam parts 22, 24 in the machining station 12 during machining. The clamping system may thus fixate at least the first profile beam part 22 or the second profile beam part 24 during machining.

In an embodiment the in-feed transport system 14 may comprise a gripper truck which, in operation, engages the profile beams parts 22, 24 and transports and in-feeds the profile beam parts 22, 24 to the machining station. The out-feed transport system 16 may comprise a roller conveyor comprising a plurality of transport rollers. The roller conveyor may comprise a motor which, in operation, drives at least one of the transport rollers. The roller conveyor may out-feed and transport the profile beam parts 22, 24 away from the machining station 12 to the discharge position 18. In alternative embodiments, it is possible to use a gripper truck with the out- feed transport system 16 and/or a driven roller conveyor for the in-feed transport system 14. It is also possible to combine both transportation mechanisms to from one combined transport mechanism for both the in-feed transport system 14 and the out-feed transport system 16. This combined transport mechanism may also be combined with an intermediate transport system, to form one continuous transport system throughout the processing assembly 10. It should be noted however, that the drives of the in-feed transport system 14, the optional intermediate transport system, and the out-feed transport system 16 should be independently controllable. It is possible to use a single drive for these transport systems, however, then at least a couple/decouple-mechanism should be provided between the drive and the in-feed transport system as well as between the drive and the out- feed transport system. If the intermediate transport system should also be drivable, more particular drivable with the same drive, then also a couple/decouple-mechanism should be provided between the drive and the intermediate transport system.

In an embodiment the machining done by the machining station 12 comprises sawing, drilling, milling, marking, scribing, thread tapping, counter sinking, and/or cutting.

The various embodiments which are described above may be implemented independently from one another and may be combined with one another in various ways. The reference numbers used in the detailed description and the claims do not limit the description of the embodiments nor do they limit the claims. The reference numbers are solely used to clarify by referring to the non-limiting example in the figures.

Legend

10 - processing assembly

12— machining station

14— in-feed transport system

16— out-feed transport system

18 - discharge position

20— intermediate position

22— first profile beam part

24— second profile beam part

D— distance between discharge position and machining station X— distance between intermediate position and discharge position Y— distance whereover the second profile beam part is in-feeded