Apparatus and methods for double ended processing

• US 7,080,431 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2003
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Lee, David, Morgan, David A., Sawyer, Philip P.
• Primary Examiner(s): CADUGAN, ERICA E
• Application Number:
  US10/645,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20040231122A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,070 Days
• Field of Search: 29/26.A, 295/63, 295/64, 29/565, 29/33.P, 144356-357, 144/360, 144/387, 144/388, 144/392, 144/397, 144/426, 144/3.1, 144/35.1, 144/1.1, 144/367, 408/4, 408/12, 408 43- 44, 83/755, 834/68, 832/21, 836/00
• US Class Current: 29/26.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 47/04 of devices for feeding, positioning, clamping, or rotating work
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/001 Measuring or control devices, e.g. for automatic control of work feed pressure on band saw blade measuring in general G01; controlling in general G05
• CPC Class Codes: B23D 59/008 comprising computers
• CPC Class Codes: B27B 31/00 Arrangements for conveying, loading, turning, adjusting, or discharging the log or timber, specially designed for saw mills or sawing machines B27B29/00 takes precedence ; arrangements for raising or lowering the feed rollers of gang saw mills B27B3/14; driving mechanisms for the feed rollers of gang saw mills B27B3/16
• CPC Class Codes: B27C 9/04 with a plurality of working spindles
• CPC Class Codes: B27M 1/08 by multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49778 with aligning, guiding, or instruction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5107 Drilling and other
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5124 with means to feed work intermittently from one tool station to another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5136 Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5146 Common reciprocating support for spaced tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5148 including severing means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/10 with interlock between machine elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/173 Responsive to work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/3809 Successively acting on workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/155 Optimizing product from unique workpiece
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/4491 Interlock between tool actuating and work feed means

Abstract

System, including apparatus and method, involves processing materials in opposite directions between two machines along a processing path.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing material into multiple workpiece portions comprising

a linear processing path,

a cutting machine positioned along the processing path,

a drilling machine positioned along the processing path,

a pusher, positioned along the processing path, between the cutting and drilling machines, and operable to feed material in opposite directions, alternately, toward the cutting and drilling machines, and

at least one digital controller programmed to operate movement of the pusher along the processing path.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each machine is equipped with an interlock device that prevents the respective machine from operating when the pusher is moving.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each machine has a controller including a keypad for controlling operation of the respective machine with the pusher.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cutting machine includes a saw.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cutting machine is designed for performing sawing or cutting, and the drilling machine is designed for performing cutting, boring, or drilling.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller includes a computer programmed to optimize cutting of stock material to satisfy a cut list.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each machine has a dedicated controller for controlling movement of the pusher.