Method and apparatus for machining workpiece surfaces

Abstract

The invention relates to machining of surfaces of substantially flat workpieces by means of machining tools which can be driven in rotation, whereby the workpieces and tools are movable relative to one another. In order that a corresponding machining apparatus can be used with relatively low apparatus costs and with optimal machining results for very varied types of surface machining, the workpiece surfaces are machined in the same machining apparatus as required by means of a first tool unit containing a machining roller or (in exchange therefor) by means of a second tool unit containing a group of disc-type machining tools, whereby the machining roller can be positioned approximately in the radial direction and the disc-type machining tools can be positioned approximately in their axial direction against the workpiece surfaces.

1 . Method of machining surfaces of substantially flat workpieces in a machining apparatus, in which during machining of the surfaces machining tools which can be driven in rotation are positioned against the surfaces of the workpieces to be machined and the workpieces and tools are moved relative to one another, characterised in that the workpiece surfaces ( 2   a ) are machined in at least one machining zone of the same machining apparatus ( 1 ) as required by means of a first tool unit ( 5 ) containing at least one machining roller ( 6 ) or a second tool unit ( 30 ) containing a group of disc-type machining tools ( 25 ), whereby the machining roller ( 6 ) is positioned approximately in its radial direction and the disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) are positioned approximately in their axial direction against the workpiece surfaces ( 2   a ).  
     
     
         2 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that in each tool unit ( 5 ,  30 ) an oscillating movement (arrow  17 ) running substantially transversely with respect to the relative movement between workpieces ( 2 ) and tools ( 6 ,  25 ) is added as required to the rotating movement of the machining tools about their axes of rotation.  
     
     
         3 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) are all driven in rotation at the same, preferably adjustable speeds.  
     
     
         4 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) are at least in part driven in rotation at different, preferably infinitely adjustable speeds.  
     
     
         5 . Method as claimed in in  claim 1 , characterised in that the machining tools ( 6 ,  25 ) can be driven as required in one or the other direction of rotation.  
     
     
         6 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that all machining tools ( 6 ,  25 ) are driven by one common drive arrangement ( 23 ).  
     
     
         7 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that all machining tools ( 25 ) are driven and controlled individually or in groups.  
     
     
         8 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that for each tool unit ( 5 ,  30 ) a tool mounting frame ( 19 ,  19 ′) is used with at least in part the same external shape and each tool mounting frame can be installed so as to be quickly replaceable in the same receiving part-frame ( 14 ) of a main apparatus housing ( 8 ) or can be installed and removed.  
     
     
         9 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that during the machining of their surfaces ( 2   a ) the workpieces ( 2 ) are transported along beneath the machining tools ( 6 ,  25 ).  
     
     
         10 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that a brush roller ( 6 ) is used in the first tool unit ( 5 ) and circular brushes ( 25 ) which can be positioned against the front face of the workpiece surface ( 2   a ) as disc-type machining tools are used in the second tool unit ( 30 ).  
     
     
         11 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) are positioned individually, in groups or jointly against the workpiece surface ( 2   a ).  
     
     
         12 . Method as claimed in  claim 1 , characterised in that the machining tools ( 6 ,  25 ) installed in each case in the main apparatus frame ( 8 ) can be adjusted on at least two adjustment paths vertically with respect to the workpiece surfaces ( 2   a ), of which the first adjustment path forms the general positioning or adjusting facility and the second adjustment path forms a predeterminable stroke distance by which the machining tools are lifted off from the workpiece surfaces into an inactive disengaged position.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for machining surfaces ( 2   a ) of substantially flat workpieces ( 2 ), with machining tools ( 6 ,  25 ) which can be driven in rotation and are disposed in a main apparatus housing ( 8 ) and can be positioned against the surfaces ( 2   a ) of the workpieces ( 2 ) to be machined, the workpieces and tools being movable relative to one another, characterised in that a first tool unit ( 5 ) containing at least one machining roller ( 6 ) and a second tool unit ( 30 ) containing at least one group of disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) are provided for at least one machining zone of this apparatus ( 1 ), and these tool units ( 5 ,  30 ) can be operated as required for machining the workpiece surfaces ( 2   a ), whereby the machining roller ( 6 ) can be positioned with its outer circumferential surface approximately in the radial direction ( 7 ) and the disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) can be positioned with their outer end faces approximately in the axial direction ( 7 ) against the workpiece surfaces ( 2   a ).  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , characterised in that each tool unit ( 5 ,  30 ) has its own tool mounting frame ( 19 ,  19 ′) for the arrangement and retention of the machining tools ( 6 ,  25 ), and that a quick-change device is provided for reciprocal exchange of the various tool units ( 5 ,  30 ) as required, each tool mounting frame ( 19 ,  19 ′) being of similar design as regards its shape and its external dimensions so that it can be installed with a precise fit in the same receiving part-frame ( 14 ) of the main apparatus housing ( 8 ) so that it is fixed but replaceable.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , characterised in that the receiving part-frame which firmly receives a tool mounting frame ( 19 ,  19 ′) is constructed in the form of a swing frame ( 14 ) with which an oscillating drive ( 18 ) is associated for reciprocating relative movement ( 17 ) between workpieces and tools in an approximately transverse direction with respect to the workpiece.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , characterised in that in the operating state each tool unit ( 5 ,  30 ) is firmly screwed via its tool mounting frame ( 19 ,  19 ′) to the receiving part-frame (swing frame  14 ) and in the released installation and removal state is supported and guided on slide rails ( 14   a ) of this receiving part-frame in such a way that it can be quickly installed and removed from one long side of the apparatus ( 1 ).  
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , characterised in that for driving the machining roller ( 6 ) of the first tool unit ( 5 ) in rotation and for driving the disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) of the second tool unit ( 30 ) in rotation a drive arrangement ( 23 ) is mounted stationary in the main apparatus housing ( 8 ), being the same drive arrangement which is connected for drive purposes by a drive connection, preferably a belt drive ( 24 ), to a similar driving wheel ( 21 ) of the respective tool unit installed in the receiving part-frame  14 .  
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , characterised in that a separate drive motor ( 34 ) is co-ordinated with each disc-type machining tool ( 25 ) or each group of disc-type machining tools, and preferably each drive motor is equipped with a separate speed control.  
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as claimed in claim  17 ; characterised in that all machining tools ( 6 ,  25 ) can be driven at a variable speed and preferably with a reversible direction of rotation.  
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , characterised in that the disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) are rotatably mounted via their rotary shafts ( 26 ) individually in the appertaining tool mounting frame ( 19 ′) and each pair of rotary shafts ( 26 ) which are adjacent to one another are connected to one another for drive purposes at their shaft ends ( 26   a ) opposite the machining tools by a drive connection ( 31 ,  33 ), a miter gear ( 32 ) being disposed in the tool mounting frame ( 19 ′) between the appertaining driving wheel ( 21 ) and a first tool drive connection.  
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , characterised in that each drive connection is formed by a belt drive, preferably a toothed belt drive ( 31 ).  
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 20 , characterised in that each drive connection is formed by a toothed-wheel gear ( 33 ) with spur wheels ( 33   a ) fixed in each case on two tool shafts ( 26 ) which are adjacent to one another and at least one reversing spur wheel ( 33   b ) disposed therebetween.  
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , characterised in that for driving the machining roller ( 6 ) of the first tool unit ( 5 ) in rotation and for driving the disc-type machining tools ( 25 ) of the second tool unit ( 30 ) in rotation in each case a driving belt pulley ( 21 ), preferably a V-belt pulley, is disposed in the same structural arrangement in the appertaining tool mounting frame ( 19 ,  19 ′).  
     
     
         24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , characterised in that the swing frame ( 14 ) together with the respective installed tool mounting frame ( 19 ,  19 ′) is disposed in the main apparatus housing ( 8 ) so as to be adjustable—preferably infinitely adjustable—in the vertical direction ( 7 ).  
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , characterised in that during the surface machining the workpieces ( 2 ) are placed sufficiently stationary on a transport arrangement ( 3 ), and with this transport arrangement ( 3 ) they can be transported along continuously, intermittently or reversibly relative to the machining tools ( 6 ,  25 ) and beneath these tools.  
     
     
         26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , characterised in that the machining roller of the first tool unit ( 5 ) is constructed in the form of a brush roller ( 6 ) with a bristle stock ( 6   c ) mounted at least on its outer circumferential shell, whilst the disc-type machining tools of the second tool unit ( 30 ) are constructed in the form of circular brushes ( 25 ) which have a bristle stock ( 25   a ) at least on their outer end faces directed against the workpiece surfaces ( 2   a ) to be machined.  
     
     
         27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 13 , characterised in that the circular brushes ( 25 ) combined in at least one group—when considered in plan view—are disposed staggered with respect to one another and that they overlap one another at least with respect to the workpiece transport direction ( 4 ).