Multiple table routing machine with roller hold-down

Abstract

A routing machine including a plurality of worktables for supporting at least a first workpiece and a second workpiece, a hold down assembly, and a toolhead assembly for machining the first workpiece on one of the worktables and then machining the second workpiece on another of the worktables. The hold down assembly traverses the worktables with the toolhead assembly to retain the first workpiece on the one worktable and then retain the second workpiece on the other of the worktables such that the first workpiece on the one worktable can be removed and replaced with a new workpiece while the toolhead assembly machines the second workpiece on the other table. A method of machining parts with the routing machine is also disclosed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a three table router according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the three table router of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the three table router of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 shows a gantry of the three table router of FIG. 1 positioned for performing a routing operation at a second worktable.

Claims

1. A routing machine, comprising: (a) a plurality of worktables for supporting at least a first workpiece and a second workpiece;(b) a toolhead assembly for first machining the first workpiece on one of the worktables and then machining the second workpiece on another of the worktables; and(c) a hold down assembly for traversing the worktables with the toolhead assembly to retain the first workpiece on the one worktable and then retain the second workpiece on the other worktable such that the first workpiece on the one worktable can be removed and replaced with a new workpiece while the toolhead assembly machines the second workpiece on the other table.

2. The routing machine according to claim 1 wherein the hold down assembly comprises a roller for retaining a workpiece on the worktables.

3. The routing machine according to claim 2 wherein the roller is rotatably connected to actuation means for raising and lowering the roller.

4. The routing machine according to claim 3 wherein the hold down assembly is mounted on a platform connected to a leg section.

5. The routing machine according to claim 1 wherein the worktables are stationary tables.

6. The routing machine according to claim 5 further comprising a gantry including a beam supported on opposing sides by a pair of spaced-apart leg sections.

7. The routing machine according to claim 6 wherein the spaced-apart leg sections straddle a base member to cooperate with opposing trackways allowing the gantry to move along a longitudinal axis of the base member.

8. A routing machine, comprising: (a) a first, second, and third worktables disposed end to end on a base member for supporting a first, second, and third workpieces;(b) a gantry including a pair of spaced-apart leg sections straddling the base member and cooperating with a pair of opposing trackways for moving the gantry back and forth along a longitudinal axis of the base member to traverse the worktables, and a toolhead assembly carried by the gantry for machining the first workpiece on the first worktable, machining the second workpiece on the second worktable and then machining the third workpiece on the third worktable; and(c) a pair of opposing hold down assemblies, each including a pair of rollers rotatably connected to actuation means for raising and lowering the rollers with respect to the worktables to retain the workpieces on the worktables, the hold down assemblies for traversing the worktables with the toolhead assembly disposed between the pair to first retain the first workpiece on the first worktable and then retain the second workpiece on the second worktable such that the first workpiece can be removed from the first worktable and replaced with a different workpiece while the toolhead assembly machines the second workpiece on the second worktable.

9. The routing machine according to claim 8 wherein each hold down assembly comprises a roller for retaining a workpiece on the worktables.

10. The routing machine according to claim 9 wherein the roller is rotatably connected to actuation means for raising and lowering the roller.

11. The routing machine according to claim 10 wherein each hold down assembly is mounted on a platform.

12. The routing machine according to claim 11 wherein the worktables are stationary tables.

13. A method of machining parts comprising the steps of: (a) providing a routing machine, comprising: (i) a first, second, and third worktables disposed end to end on a base member for supporting a first, second, and third workpieces;(ii) a gantry including a pair of spaced-apart leg sections straddling the base member and cooperating with a pair of opposing trackways for moving the gantry back and forth along a longitudinal axis of the base member to traverse the worktables, and a toolhead assembly carried by the gantry for machining the first workpiece on the first worktable, machining the second workpiece on the second worktable and then machining the third workpiece on the third worktable; and(iii) a pair of opposing hold down assemblies, each including a pair of rollers rotatably connected to actuation means for raising and lowering the rollers with respect to the work tables to retain the workpieces on the worktables, the hold down assemblies for traversing the worktables with the toolhead assembly disposed between the pair to first retain the first workpiece on the first worktable and then retain the second workpiece on the second worktable such that the first workpiece can be removed from the first worktable and replaced with a different workpiece while the toolhead assembly machines the second workpiece on the second worktable;(b) retaining the first workpiece in position on the first worktable with the pair of hold down assemblies;(c) machining the first workpiece with the toolhead assembly;(d) retaining the second workpiece in position on the second worktable with the pair of hold down assemblies; and(e) machining the second workpiece with the toolhead assembly while replacing the first workpiece with a different workpiece.

14. The method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of machining the retaining the third workpiece in position on the third worktable with the hold down assemblies.

15. The method according to claim 14 further comprising the step of machining the third workpiece with the toolhead assembly while replacing the second workpiece with a different workpiece.

16. The method according to claim 15 further comprising the step of machining the different workpiece replacing the first workpiece with the toolhead assembly while replacing the third workpiece.