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Title:
PANEL CUTTING APPARATUS
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/1988/001220
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
Panel cutting apparatus having a longitudinally extending frame (71) and a main carriage (81) reciprocably movable along the frame. The main carriage (81) has upper (100) and lower (114) secondary carriages mounted to it and the secondary carriages are movable longitudinally relative thereto. Each secondary carriage has two transversely spaced cutting assemblies for cutting notches in skins of the panel. The secondary carriages have respective tool carriers (155, 130) mounted for transverse movement for shearing through the skins of the panel.

Inventors:
SZOGI ANATOLY GEORGE (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU1987/000276
Publication Date:
February 25, 1988
Filing Date:
August 19, 1987
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
SZOGI ANATOLY GEORGE (AU)
International Classes:
B26D1/00; B26D1/04; B26D1/60; B26D3/14; B26D9/00; (IPC1-7): B26D1/10; B23D31/00; B26D1/11; B26D9/00
Foreign References:
US3620114A1971-11-16
EP0220646A21987-05-06
AU5597469A1971-03-11
AU7593781A1982-04-22
AU8918182A1983-04-14
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Claims:
THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:-
1. A panel cutting apparatus having a longitudinally extending frame, a main carriage reciprocably movable along the frame, an upper and a lower secondary carriage mounted to the main carriage for reciprocable longitudinal movement relative to the main carriage, two transversely spaced upper cutting assemblies mounted to the upper secondary carriage for cutting notches through a first skin of a panel, two transversely spaced lower cutting assemblies mounted to the lower secondary carriage for cutting notches in a second skin of the panel and an upper and lower tool carrier to each of which a shear cutting tool may be mounted, said upper tool carrier being mounted to the upper secondary carriage 'for reciprocal transverse movement relative to.the * apparatus " ήd the lower tool carrier being mounted to.the lower secondary carriage for reciprocal transverse movement relative to the apparatus.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said lower secondary carriage is mounted to a support carriage and said support carriage is carried by the main carriage and is longitudinally reciprocably movable relative thereto.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein said upper secondary carriage is mounted to an intermediate frame and said intermediate frame is vertically movable relative to the main carriage whereby the upper secondary carriage may be moved towards and away from the lower secondary carriage to adjust or alter the spacing therebetween.
4. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each. said cutting assembly includes a stationary cutting knife and a movable cutting knife, said stationary knife has a Vshaped cutting notch and the movable knife has a corresponding profile and when the knives cooperate and are moved into engagement a Vshaped notch may be cut from skins of the panel by shearing action.
5. , The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said upper secondary carriage is mounted relative to two transversely spaced rails of the intermediate frame and includes spaced side plates between which extends rails for carrying the upper tool carriage, said upper tool carriage having linear bearings which locate about said rails for carrying the upper tool carriage.
6. , The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said upper tool carriage is transversely movable by a rodless air cylinder extending between the side plates.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said upper cutting assemblies are carried by support rails extending between the side plates, said support rails include guide rails extending therealong, a cylinder assembly is coupled between each said side plate and a respective said cutting assembly for moving that said assembly along the guide rails.
8. The apparatus of any one of claims 5 to 7 including a cylinder assembly mounted between the upper secondary carriage and the intermediate frame for moving the upper carriage along the transversely spaced rails of the intermediate frame.
9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lower secondary carriage has two transversely spaced side plates each mounted to a respective support rail extending longitudinally of the apparatus and carried by the support carriage, a cylinder assembly extends between the lower carriage and the support carriage for moving the lower carriage along the support rails.
10. The apparatus of claim 2 or 9 including two cylinder assemblies arranged back to back and mounted to extend between the support carriage and the main carriage for moving the support carriage along transversely spaced rails of the main carriage.
11. The apparatus of.claim 9 including rails extending between the side plates along which the lower tool carriage may be moved by a rodless air cylinder.
12. The apparatus of claim 9 or 11 including support rails extending between the side plates and carrying guide rails along which the lower cutting assemblies may be moved.
13. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12 including a clamp movable into and out of engagement with the panel whereby , when the panel moves through the apparatus the main carriage may be clamped thereto and move therewith during a cutting operation.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said longitudinally extending frame includes longitudinally extending rails relative to which the main carriage may move and said apparatus includes a cylinder assembly extending between, the frame and the main carriage for returning the main carriage to a starting position after a cutting operation.
15. An apparatus substantially as herein described with reference to figures 7, 8, 9 and 10 of the drawings.
16. A cutting tool having a body portion, a concave cutting edge adjacent one edge of the body portion and a first pair of grooves each extending along an opposed face of the body portion from the cutting edge at said one edge to an opposed edge of the body portion.
17. The tool of claim 16 including a respective said cutting edge at opposed ends of the grooves. * _ .
18. ' The tool of claim 16 or 17 wherein said cutting edge is hollow ground and gradually merges into the grooves.
19. The tool of claim 16, 17 or 18 wherein the cutting edge is substantially Vshaped.
20. The tool of any one of claims 16 to 19 including a further pair of grooves in said body spaced from said first pair each said groove being in an opposed face of the body and said pair of grooves terminating in cutting edges of said one edge and said opposed edge of the body.
21. The tool of claim 20 wherein said further pair of grooves are parallel to said first pair. '.
22. A cutting tool substantially as herein described with reference to figures 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings.
23. A panel including a core, a first skin of metallic material located against and secured to one face of the core, a second skin of metallic material located against and secured to another face of the core opposed to the one face, the skins each having contoured edges forming male and female engaging profiles whereby adjacent panels may be connected together with the male profile of one said panel being received in a snap fitting relationship within the female profile of another said panel. 24.. The panel of claim 23 wherein said male profile comprises a projection extending along and outwardly of an edge of the panel, an outwardly extending portion, a nose and a return portion, said extending portion and said return portion defining a recess therebetween and said recess having a necked portion located inwardly of the nose and the.
24. edge of the panel.
25. The panel of claim 24 wherein said projection is not coplanar with the skin from it depends and is located recessed relative to the face of the panel.
26. The panel of any one of, claims 23 to 25 wherein said female profile is located in a rebate formed in the panel.
27. The panel of any one of claims 23 to 26 wherein said female profile includes a first inwardly directed portion substantially'parallel to the skin and inwardly spaced therefrom, an inwardly directed nose and an outwardly directed portion terminating in an outer edge, said first portion and said outwardly directed portion defining a recess having a necked or waisted portion intermediate the nose and the outer edge.
28. A panel substantially as herein described with reference to figures 1 to 3 of the drawings.
29. A method of cutting into discrete lengths a panel having a core, a first skin on one face thereof and a second skin on another face thereof as it exits from a continuous laminator machine, said method including clamping a panel cutting apparatus relative to the panel whereby the apparatus moves with the panel and is maintained stationary relative to the panel, cutting notches from opposed sides of both the first and second skins, traversing cutting tool from one side of the panel to the other side thereof, unclampiήg the apparatus and returning apparatus to a start ** <_ position.
Description:
WO 88/01220 7 PANEL CUTTING APPARATUS

This invention relates to a panel construction, a panel cutting apparatus, a cutting tool and a method of cutting panels.

Insulating panels for cold rooms and the like are known. Such panels consist of a core, usually of foamed material such as polystyrene or polyurethane, and two outer skins or layers usually metallic in nature. Such sandwich panels have previously been made on a non-continuous basis in presses or on a continuous basis in either a vertical or horizontal laminator. Numerous arrangements have been proposed for joining adjacent panels in use. In one arrangement a connecting piece was imbedded in and bridged between edge faces of two adjacent panels and a joining strip was then used to.hide the abutting edges,of the panel. It was time consuming to produce such joints and it was also possible to readily separate the panels because the bridging piece did not resist separating forces.

Another attempt at producing sandwich panels which may be connected together provided panels having outer skins or layers formed into male and female interlocking profiles along facing edges of the panels. The panels so produced had the edges of the skins on one panel formed with male locating profiles and the edges of the skins on an adjacent panel provided with female locating profiles.. Thus, each panel had male profiles on the skins at one edge thereof and female profiles on the skins on the other edge thereof. By using panels with skins having edges shaped in this way

adjacent panels could be connected together by using a connecting piece extending outwardly from an edge of one panel cut into an edge of an adjacent panel and when the panels were brought together the mating female and male skin profiles would engage and it was not necessary to employ a joining strip. The mating skin profiles would provide a pleasing joint and would effectively seal the panels at the jo-±-nt:.. The panels joined in this way could however still eas ly be separated. Where panels either had mating skin profiles on edges of the skins or were simply left flat and unformed there was still a need to sometimes trim panels down to a desired size. This was particularly so where panels were made on a continuous basis in a laminator. For example, where 'panels were made on a continuous basis it was necessary to trim the continuous panel down into discrete lengths depending upon the end use to which the panels were to be put or the particular size of panel required. This meant that the skins would need to be severed and the foam core material cut or severed in some suitable way. The usual way in which this was achieved was either at the point of production of the panel or subsequently ay the installation site. It was usual to use a circular, power rotated cutter wheel or saw. This made considerable noise. Because of this, that cutting method was really only suitable for use at the point of production and during normal working hours since considerable noise was produced.

The degree of noise produced made that cutting technique unattractive for use at installation sites. This technique also produced waste material such as metal cuttings and loose foam material which then needed to be cleaned away. Cutting with a circular, power rotated cutter or wheel also produced a ragged edge finish on the skin material which made the resultant panels difficult to handle. It was not unusual for workmen to be severely cut by such edges and because of this it was necessary to employ a finishing operation to clean up the raw skin edge after cutting to make the panels safe for subsequent handling. Thus a further step was necessary in the production of the panels.

It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved panel construction. It is another object of the invention to provide a panel cutting apparatus which at least minimises some of the disadvantages mentioned above.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved cutting tool for use with the cutting apparatus of the invention.

According to an aspect the invention provided a panel including a core, a first skin of metallic material located against and secured to one face of the core, a second skin of metallic material located against and secured to another face of the core opposed to the one face, the skins each having contoured edges forming male and female engaging profiles whereby adjacent panels may be

connected together with the male profile of one said panel being received in a snap fitting relationship within the female profile of another said panel.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a cutting tool having a body portion, a concave cutting edge adjacent one edge of the body portion and a first pair of grooves each said groove of the pair extending along an opposed face of the body portion from the cutting edge at said one edge to an opposed edge of the body portion.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a panel cutting apparatus having a longitudinally extending frame, a main carriage reciprocably movable along the frame, an upper and a lower secondary carriage mounted for reciprocable longitudinal movement relative to the main carriage, two transversely spaced upper cutting assemblies for cutting notches through a first skin of a panel, two transversely spaced lower cutting assemblies for cutting notches in a second skin of the panel and an upper and a lower tool carrier to each of which a shear cutting tool may be mounted, said upper tool carrier being mounted to the upper secondary carriage for reciprocal transverse movement relative to the apparatus and the lower tool carrier being mounted to the lower socondary carriage for reciprocal transverse movement relative to the apparatus.

According to another aspect there is provided a

method of cutting into discrete lengths a panel having a core, a first skin on one face thereof and a second skin on another face thereof as it exits from a continuous laminator machine, said method including clamping a panel cutting apparatus relative to the panel whereby the apparatus moves with the panel and is maintained stationary relative to the panel, cutting notches from opposed sides of both the first and second skins, traversing cutting tool from one side of the panel to the other side thereof, unclamping the apparatus and returning apparatus to a start position.

The cutting tool preferably has a cutting edge at each end of the grooves in the body portion. It is preferred that the or each cutting edge by substantially U or V shaped or arcuate when the body portion is viewed from one of its opposed faces. The body portion is preferably planar although it need not be. In one embodiment the body portion may be substantially square or rectangular when viewed from one of the opposed faces. Preferably two sets of opposed grooves extend along the body portion whth each set terminating at a cutting edge at edges of the body portion. Preferably, the sets of grooves are parallel to one another although they need not be. Thus a cutting tool according to such an embodiment may have four cutting edges. If desired further sets of grooves terminating in cutting edges may extend along the body portion. The grooves of the tool may be of any suitable profile but it is preferred that they be curved or arcuate. The opposed faces

of the body portion are preferably parallel. The body portion preferably has a thickness substantially less than the length or width of the body portion. Thus, the body portion may be plate-like in configuration. The cutting edge or edges may be hollow ground or have a hollow ground profile.

The tool may be provided with one or more fixing means to enable it to be mounted to the panel cutting apparatus. For example the tool may be adapted to be releasably fixed to the apparatus. The tool may be clamped to the apparatus or the fixing means may consist of one or more fasteners. Preferably, the fixing means comprises one or more fixing apertures. The fixing apertures may include one fixing aperture about which the tool may pivot if desired and at least one aperture through which a fixing fastener may pass. By removing the fixing fastener the tool may be rotated to present an alternative cutting edge and then refixed. In this way once a cutting edge wears the tool need not be removed but may simply be rotated to present a new cutting edge. This reduces down time for the cutting apparatus. Preferably, the cutting tool has mirror symmetry about a longitudinal axis. Thus, with such a tool only rotation of the tool is necessary in order to present a fresh cutting edge and no vertical or other re-positioning of the tool is necessary.

The tool may be made completely of tool steel. Alternatively the tool may be provided with one or more tool

steel inserts to form the or each set of grooves and/or each cutting edge. Preferably the tool is made entirely of tool steel.

The panel, as mentioned previously, has a core and 5 two skins arranged on opposed faces of the core. Such panels are usually made in a continuous laminator. In such a laminator progressive roll forming of longitudinally extending, edges of the skins may be performed. According to the-, invention the longitudinal edges of the skins are formed 10. " into snap fitting male and female profiles. These profiles may comprise a longitudinal projection formed along one edge of the skin on one edge of a panel and a longitudinal recess formed along an opposite edge of the panel such that two panels of this type may be joined together. As each 5 longitudinal edge of the panel has two skin edges spaced apart by the thickness of the core both of these edges may be formed into either two longitudinally extending projections, one longitudinal projection and one longitudinal recess or two longitudinally extending 0 recesses. Where one edge has two longitudinal projections the other longitudinal edge of the panel may have two longitudinally extending recesses or vice versa.

Where one edge of the panel has a recess and a projection so. does the other edge. By having panels formed 5 with such snap fitting projections and recesses adjacent panels may be fixed together in edge abutting relationship without the need for a connecting piece.

The longitudinal projections may include a nose portion and a waisted- or enlarged central portion. The nose portion forms an extremity of the projection whilst the central portion is located between the nose portion and an edge of the core. To form such a projection an edge of a skin is folded back upon itself. Thus the projection is formed by an edge of a skin which projects beyond the core and has a return flange extending back towards the core. Preferably the nose portion is rounded. It is preferred that the projection extending outwardly from the panel but is located inwardly of the face of the panel formed by the skin.

Where a longitudinal recess is provided on an edge of a panel it is preferred that the edge of the panel be rebated to receive the recess. The recess preferably is preferably formed so that the edge of the skin includes a first portion forming a substantially planar extension to the skin and a second portion for receiving a respective longitudinal projection of another panel. The second portion has an inner end for receiving the nose portion of a projection and a waisted or enlarged portion outwardly spaced therefrom for receiving the waisted or enlarged portion respectively of a longitudinal projection. The projection and the recess are resilient such that were they both have waisted portions, the nose of the projection first resiliently expands or opens the recess slightly to enable the projection to be inserted and then resiliently returns

to enable the projection and recess to mate and resist being separated.

It is preferred that the second portion of the skin which may form the recess is inwardly spaced from the surface or face of the panel and that the first portion be substantially co-planar with the surface or face. As mentioned, the projection in a preferred form is inwardly spaced of the face of the panel and when two adjacent panels of this configuration are connected together the first portion of the skin of the adjacent panel substantially conceals the connection thus eliminating the need for bridging sealing strips or the like at a joint between panels.

In order to describe the apparatus it may be best to define * an upstream end and downstream end. A panel making machine may be located adjacent the upstream end or a completed length of panel is introduced to the apparatus and progresses to the downstream end through the cutting apparatus. The frame may extend from the upstream to the downstream end of the apparatus. The frame may comprise a base or bed upon which the main carriage may move. The frame may comprise a base having two longitudinally extending rails upon which the main carriage may be mounted for reciprocal movement along a longitudinal direction extending along a direction between the upstream and downstream ends. The rails are preferably spaced and

located on opposite sides of a panel which passes through the apparatus from a panel making machine. The main carriage may have guides or bearings for movement relative to the rails. Preferably rollers or wheels are employed.

5 ' The main carriage preferably straddles the panel passing through it. If desired the main carriage may support the panel as it progresses through it. For example, the. main, carriage may have one or more support guides. The support guide(s) may comprise a transversely extending

1 " 0_. roller. Preferably one roller is located at the upstream end and the other at the downstream end. The lower secondary carriage extends transversely of the apparatus and is able to move longitudinally of the main carriage. The lower carriage is preferably mounted to a support carriage.

15. The mounting enables the lower secondary carriage to move not only longitudinally relative to the main carriage but also to the support carriage. The support carriage may be longitudinally movable relative to the main carriage whereby the support carriage may be moved to selectively position

20 the lower secondary carriage at a desired longitudinal location along the main carriage. Preferably the support carriage is mounted relative to longitudinally extending guides or slides. Movement along the guides may be achieved by driving the support carriage. The drive may comprise a

25 rack and pinion drive. Alternatively a chain drive may be used. Preferably one or more hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders are employed. Preferably a set of two single

acting cylinder assemblies are arranged back to back at two transversely spaced locations at either side of the apparatus. The cylinder assemblies may be arranged such that the cylinder of each assembly is fixed to the support carriage and the rods fixed to the main carriage.

The upper secondary carriage is mounted for longitudinal reciprocal movement relative to the main carriage. Preferably the upper carriage is mounted to an intermediate frame which may be adjustably secured to the main carriage whereby the height of the intermediate frame above the apparatus frame may be varied to alter the height of the upper carriage above the lower secondary carriage. The upper carriage is movable along guides or slides mounted to the intermediate frame. I'n one embodiment movement is achieved by a cylinder assembly extending between the upper carriage and a fixed location. The cylinder assembly may be either a hydraulic or pneumatic assembly. The cylinder assembly may have a cylinder mounted to the upper carriage and a rod mounted to a fixed location. The fixed location may be a point on the intermediate frame.

The apparatus may include means for transporting the main carriage reciprocably along the frame. Preferably a first means enables the main carriage to travel with a panel as it progresses from a panel forming machine whilst a second means returns the main carriage to a start position after a cutting operation. The first transportion means may comprise a clamp for clamping onto the panel to thereby move

WO 88/01220 "I 2 " PCT/AU87/00276

the main carriage with the panel as the panel moves downstream. The clamp may comprise one or more hydraulically or pneumatically operable clamps fixed to the stationary relative main carriage. Preferably two such clamps are present and disposed at transversely spaced locations relative to the apparatus. Two pneumatically operable cylinder assemblies each with a clamping pad may be useefc.

As- mentioned above, the upper and lower secondary - carriages include two transversely spaced cutting assemblies. Each cutting assembly is preferably transversely reciprocably movable to enable ' a cutting operation to be effected and of course moves reciprocably longitudinally when the respective secondary carriage moves- longitudinally. Each cutting assembly may include a movable cutter and a stationary cutter. The cutters may be cutting tools or knives for cutting notches in the skins of a panel adjacent longitudinal edges thereof to remove a portion of the skin so that the cutting tool may then be used to shear through the remainder of the skin transversely across the panel without having a shear through the male and female mating profiles along the longitudinal edges of the panel. The notches cut by the cutting knives are preferably triangular and extend inwardly from the edges of the panels to just past the mating profiles. The cutting knives of each assembly may include a triangular movable cutting knife and a stationary knife with a corresponding triangular

shearing notch. The lower cutting assemblies are arranged with the movable knife located above the stationary knife and cutting action is achieved by moving the movable knife downwardly into co-operation with the stationary knife. The upper cutting assemblies are arranged with the movable knife below the stationary knife and cutting action is achieved by moving the movable knife upwardly into co-operation with the stationary knife.

The upper and lower secondary carriages each have a slidably mounted tool carriage mounted thereto. The tool carriage, in use, has a shear cutting tool fixed thereto so , that the cutting tool may be moved reciprocably transversely across the apparatus. The tool carriage is mounted for movement along guides or slides extending across and forming part of the secondary carriage. Preferably slide rods or linear bearings are used for this purpose. It is preferred that for the tool carriage mounted relative to the upper carriage the cutting tool is mounted adjacent a lower edge of the tool carriage. It is preferred that for the other tool carriage (the one mounted to the lower secondary carriage) the cutting tool is mounted adjacent an upper edge of the tool carriage.

The tool carriage is preferably driven for transverse movement. Any suitable drive may be used. In one embodiment a cylinder assembly is employed.

Particular preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in

which : -

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of two adjacent panels;

Figure 2 shows an exploded end view of two panels 5 " according to a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3 shows the panels of figure 2 connected together;

Figure 4 is a front view of cutting tool according to an- embodiment of the invention; l> Figure 5 is an end vide of the tool of figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial isometric view of the tool of figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side view of a panel cutting apparatus according to an .embodiment of the invention; 15 " Figure 8 is a plan view of the apparatus of figure

7;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a lower part of the apparatus of figure 7;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of an upper part of 20 the apparatus of figure 7 with parts omitted for clarity; and,

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a panel useful in understanding the operation of the apparatus of figure 7.

As shown in figure 1 a panel 20 has a core 21 and 25 two skins 22, 23 secured or bonded by adhesive to opposed faces of the core. The panel has two longitudinally extending edges 24, 25. Edge 24 is provided with two

rebates 26, 27 for receiving a first portion 28 which forms an extension to an edge of skin 22. This first portion has a planar portion coterminus with the skin, a nose 29 and a return portion 30. A longitudinally extending recess 31 is formed by return portion 30 which has an inner end or inner nose 32 and an outer edge 33.

The opposed edge 25 is provided with longitudinally extending projections 40. Each projection is located inwardly of the plane of the skins 22, 23 and has a nose portion 41 and a return portion 42.

Figure 2 shows two adjacent panels about to be connected together and the resilient or snap fitting connection can be seen. Return portion 42 is waisted at 43 ' and the recess 31 is correspondingly waisted at 44. The projections are inwardly spaced from the plane of skins 22, 23 as are recesses 31. However, portions 28 have a planar portion co-terminus with the plane of the skins and substantially conceals the resultant join as shown in figure 3. Thus, portion 28 together with an adjacent edge of an adjacent panel form a small slot 45 when two panels are locked together.

A cutting tool 50 is shown in figures 4, 5 and 6. The tool is substantially planar and has a top edge 51, a bottom edge 52 and two side edges 53, 54 as well as two opposed faces 56, 57. The tool has two sets of arcuate grooves consisting of grooves 58, 59 and 60, 61. The grooves terminate in cutting edges 62, 3, 64 and 65 which

are substantially V shaped. Holes 66, 67 and 68 extend through the tool. Hole 67 receives a pivot pin whilst wholes 66, 68 may receive fasteners for securing the tool to the cutting apparatus. As the tool is drawn across a panel skin the skin engages the edge 64 just above the apex 69 to shear the skin. The resultant raw edges then pass in to the grooves and are deformed and have imparted to them an edge profile like the arcuate profile of the groove through which the edge passes. Thus, the raw edges are curled over and do not present a danger during subsequent handling of the panels. Should one of the cutting edges become worn, the fasteners in holes 66, 68 may be released and the tool rotated through 180 degrees to present fresh cutting edges. As can * be seen in figure 6 the V shaped or concave cutting edges are hollow ground and gradually lead into the grooves 60, 61. This assists in the curling over of the raw edges of the skin.

As shown in figures 7 and 8 the panel cutting apparatus 70 includes a frame 71. The frame 71 is substantially rectangular (see figure 8) and has longitudinally extending base rails 72, 72 and two transverse frame members 74, 75. Member 74 is at the upstream end 76 of the apparatus whilst member 75 is at the downstream end 77. The frame has four feet 78, 79 (only two of which are visible). An upstanding buffer 80 projects rom the upstream end of rail 73.

The apparatus has a main carriage 81 consisting of

a cage substantially prismatic in shape. The cage has a pair of upper longitudinal members 82, a pair of upper transverse members 83 and four downwardly extending members 84. Each member 84 terminates in a roller 85 which engages a respective one of rail 72 or 73 to enable the carriage 81 to move reciprocably along the rails. Return cylinder assembly 86 has a cylinder 87 fixed relative to the frame 71 and. a. rod 88 fixed to an extension 89 to the downstream leg 84.. A continuous sandwich panel having a core 90 and an upper and a lower metallic skin 91, 92 is shown extending into the apparatus. The panel may be supported for projection and/or movement through the apparatus by one or more transverse rollers 93 (only one is shown).

The apparatus has an upper secondary carriage 100 supported by an intermediate frame 101. Intermediate frame 101 is in turn supported by four screw threaded shafts 102 (only two are visible in figure 7) to enable the carriage to be moved vertically if desired to enable the apparatus to accommodate panels 90 of varying thicknesses. Gearing and control shafts 103 are employed to rotate shafts 102 in unison to cause travellers 104 to move along the shafts 102. Carriage 100 is movable along guide rails 105 which passes through linear bearings 106. Movement is effected by cylinder assembly 107. Arranged at transversely spaced locations are two clamps 108 consisting of a cylinder and a clamping member 109 fixed to rod 110. Operation of the cylinder causes

WO 88/01220 "IS- PCT/AU87/00276

member 109 to clamp against panel 90 to lock the main carriage to the panel for longitudinal movement therewith. Such movement extends rod 88. After suitable movement the clamps may be released and return cylinder 86 actuated to return the main carriage 81 substantially to the position shown in figure 7. Carriage 100 has two plates 111 between which guide rods 112, 113 (figure 10) extend.

The apparatus has a lower secondary carriage 114 longitudinally reciprocably mounted to support carriage - 115. Carriage 115 is longitudinally reciprocably mounted to the main carriage 81. Carriage 115 is movable relative to guide rod 116 (one either side of the apparatus) which supports linear bearings 117. Cylinders 118, 119 arranged back to back enable the carriage 115 to be moved along rod

» «_ 116. Carriage 115 has a transverse frame member 120 (figure 9). Lower secondary carriage 114 is supported by guide rods 121 (one either side) and moves relative to the rod 121 on linear bearings 122 under the action of cylinder 123.

Figures 9 and 10 show further details of the upper and lower tool carriages and of the upper and lower seocndary carriages. As shown in figure 9 one side of the lower secondary carriage is shown. This carriage has a plate 124 to which bearings 122 are mounted. A similar plate is located transversely opposite the apparatus. Between these plates guide rods 125, 126 extend and along these rods lower tool carriage 127 moves reciprocably on linear bearings 128. A rodless air cylinder 129 causes this

movement. A cutting tool 130 is mounted to an upper edge of carriage 127.

An upper tool carriage 131 is mounted relative to upper secondary carriage 100. Carriage 131 is adapted for reciprocable movement along rods 112, 113 on linear bearings 132. This reciprocable movement is achieved by rodless air cylinder 133.

Both secondary carriages 100, 114 have mounted thereto two transversley spaced cutting assemblies 140, 141. Assembly 140 is one of the lower cutting assemblies whilst 141 is one of the upper cutting assembly. Each assembl has a movable cutting knife 142, 143 and a stationary knife 144 (the stationary knife of the assembly in figure 10 has been omitted for clarity). With reference to figure 9, knife 142 is mounted on guide 145 for vertical reciprocable movement. Stationary knife 144 is mounted to plates 146 of the assembly 140. The vertical movement of knife 142 is achieved by a cylinder like clyinder 161 in figure 10 but obscured by the plates 146 in figure 9. The whole of assembly 140 is transversely movable relative to guide rods 148 fixed to transverse rails 149 of the lower carriage 114. Linear bearings 150 move relative to rods 148. Movement of the assembly 140 along rods 148 is achieved by cylinder 151. Arm 152 extends from plate 153 of assembly 140 and through an aperture in plate 124 and has a stop 154 for limiting the transverse movement of assembly 140.

As shown in figure 10 the upper tool carriage has cutting tool 155 mounted to a lower edge. The upper cutting assembly 141 is substantially identical to assembly 140 in construction and -mounting to carriage 111. Assembly 141 is

5 mounted by linear bearings 156 to rods 157. Rods 157 are mounted to rails 158. Assembly 141 is moved along rods 157 by cylinder 159. Arm 160 controls the extent of this movement.. Cylinder 161 is linked to arm 162 which pivots abrout shaft 163. An end of arm 162 is coupled to knife 143

10 by links 164. Extension and retraction of cylinder 161 moves knife 143 along guide 165.

It should be appreciated that figures 9 and 10 only show one of .each of the upper and lower cutting assemblies and only half.of each of the upper and lower secondary

15 carriages. The parts not shown are identical in construction and operation to those described and illustrated.

The operation of the apparatus will be described with reference to arrows 1 to 9 in figures 9 and 10 and

20. figure 11 of the drawings.

Clamping member 109 is caused to move in the direction of arrow 1 to clamp the main * carriage 81 to the panel 90 so that it moves downstream with the panel. As the clamping cylinder 108 reaches the bottom of its stroke a

25 limit switch may be triggered to actuate cylinders 159, 151 to move in the direction of arrow 2 to place the cutting knives in their proper positions. At an appropriate

position of cylinders 151, 159 knives 142, 143 are moved along direction 3 into engagement with the associated stationary knives to cut notches 170 into the panel (see figure 11). Return movement 4 of knives 142, 143 occurs. Cylinders 151, 159 then cause the assemblies 140, 141 to move in direction 5 to return these assemblies to their original positions. On return, carriages 100, 114 are moved in direction 6 to place the cutting tools 130, 155 in line with notches 170 on one side of the panel and once in this position, tool carriages 127, 131 are cause to traverse from one side of the apparatus to the other to enable the tools to shear through skins 91, 92 to sever the skin and simultaneously roll over raw edges of the skins at 172. The tool's then remain at the opposite side of the apparatus until the net' shearing operation during which they then return to their initial position. Once tools 130, 155 have cut through the skins carriages 100, 114 are moved in direction 8 to bring the cutting assemblies 140, 141 back into position for the next notching operation. After this clamping cylinder 108 moves in direction 9 to release the main carriage from the panel. Return cylinder assembly 86 (figure 7) is then activated to return the main carriage towards the upstream end for the next cutting operation.

During panel forming a continous panel is produced by the panel making machine and this may be cut into discrete lengths while the machine continues its operations. As the panel passes through the apparatus of

the invention it may be measured to trigger operation of the apparatus. This can be achieved with photoelectric sensing, manually by switching or by micro switches or the like.

The panels with their snap fitting edge profiles may be secured together without the need for connecting members or the like. In addition, because of the way in which the profiles mate a sealing strip is not necessary.

The shearing cutting tool does not make undue noise during its operation and nor is any waste metal produced. The raw edges are automatically rolled over to reduce accidents during subsequent handling of the panel. To enable this shearing action the folds of metal which enable interlocking snap fit of panels are notched out by the -cutting assemblies and thus the cutting tools do not need to shear through multiple thickness of metal.

The cutting tool, when worn may be rotated to present two fresh cutting edges for each traverse of the cutting tool carriage.