Abstract: Apparatus for automatically stacking differently sized packs of panels (P), or may be differently sized panels, formed by a dividing apparatus, on respective lifting platforms, such that packs of panels (P) of a same size will be stacked on one and the same lifting platform. The rows (H) of packs of panels (P) moved out of a cutting machine in the dividing apparatus, are shifted in a parallel direction to the final cutting line (Z) in the dividing apparatus. The rows (H) consisting of a plurality of successive packs of panels (P) having a same length but an even differentiated width, are fed to at least one transport runway (12) arranged at right angles thereto. The single packs of panels (P), or the single panels, composing a panel row (H), are then individually transferred to the transport runway (12) so as to be mutually set in line thereon in the same way.

Abstract: Apparatus for turning by 90.degree. a panel or a panel stack (P) on a cutting machine worktable (Q) comprises a withdrawable gripper means (1) rotatable about a vertical axis (2), which upon control clamps a panel stack (P) close to one of its rear corners. The gripper (1) is associated with a carriage (7) for causing the gripper (1) to perform in a programmable precise manner a rectilinear movement (3) near to, and away from the cutting line (Z) of the longitudinally cutting machine, such that the panel stack (P) will be turned in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending whether it is clamped at its left-hand or right-hand corner. A withdrawable push roller (4) acts on the panel stack (P) concurrently with the gripper by being moved parallel to the longitudinally cutting machine in a programmable precise manner, so that it assists in the desired turning of the panel stack (P).

Abstract: A plant for the automatic stacking and orderly arrangement of different sized panels. The plant causes the packs of panels coming from the dividing machine to reach a first transport runway, arranged either side by side or in end-to-end sequence depending upon their size and stacking requirements. Ranged on a line beside the runway are lifting platforms to which the packs are supplied and onto which are stacked packs of panels of the same size. The stacks are then transferred to stations adjacent the lifting platforms, where they are arranged in order either end to end or, if desired, side by side to form parallelepiped assemblies which are then transferred to a discharge station after being, optionally, arranged on a pallet or other support.

Abstract: A sawing machine for cutting workpieces such as panels or packs of panels (P) comprises a horizontal workpiece support table (A) having a straight longitudinal slot (L) defining a cutting line, a sawing tool (S) movable along the cutting line and a longitudinal pressure device arranged above the workpiece support table and extending along the entire length of the cutting line. The pressure device consists of two pressure beams (1, 1') arranged at both sides of the cutting line, parallel thereto. Each beam can be raised and lowered independently of the other in relation to the workpiece support table in order to clamp thereon the workpiece to be sawed or to contact the surface of the support table.

Abstract: The pressure beam is adapted to be used in sawing machines for cutting workpieces such as panels or packs of panels (P), of the type comprising a workpiece support table (L) having a straight longitudinal slot defining a cutting line and a sawing tool (Z) movable along the cutting line. The pressure beam is arranged above the workpiece support table (L), extends along the whole length of the cutting line and consists of two pressure elemments (R, R') arranged at both sides of the cutting line, parallelly thereto. Each pressure element (R, R') can be raised and lowered independently of the other and laterally moved by slides to vary the distance of the pressure elements (R, R') with respect to the cutting line located between them.

Abstract: Apparatus for gripping panels or stacks of panels during cutting thereof, comprising a series of identical mechanical grippers grouped side by side in battery formation. The grippers are each formed by two vertically superposed levers (1, 6) acting along a vertical plane, interconnected at a common fulcrum point (7) and urged in the closing direction by a spring (9) and in the opening direction by a centralized mechanical system comprising a shaft (10) which cooperates transversely with the upper levers (6), which is supported by the same structure as the grippers and which may be selectively raised and lowered by one central motion unit (13).

Abstract: A method of cutting panels with or stacks of panels a circular cutting saw to effect extremely neat and rapid cuts with no splintering. The saw cuts a panel in two steps, first by acting thereon through a portion of its thickness during a horizontal stroke, and then through the remaining portion of its thickness during the reverse stroke, while the direction of rotation of the saw remains unchanged and is such that the teeth thereof act successively on the two faces of the panel and press them inwardly of said panel. The saw is precisely adjustable both horizontally and vertically. Before being positioned for the first cutting step, it is displaced both vertically and horizontally to effect on the side of the panel where the cutting stroke is initiated and terminated one or more incisions compressing the panel material inwardly thereby, avoiding splintering during the subsequent cutting operations.

Abstract: A lifting platform for feeding stacks of panels to a machining line, in synchronism with the operation of a composite pusher (12) which skims the top side of a stack on the platform, and has transverse beams (5-5') for locally lifting the stack. The pusher has fingers in the same vertical ideal planes as the transverse beams. Above the stack are dimension feelers (14), one for each beam and vertically aligned therewith. At the beginning of each feeding cycle, the lifting platform is in its lowest position, the feelers (14) are completely lowered and the platform is then lifted by a predetermined amount (X) which is detected and evaluated by the feeler(s) first engaging the top of the stack, whereupon the feeler(s) causes the platform to stop. Thereafter, the feelers that had not reached the predetermined dimension are also raised to the same plane by selectively actuating the underlying beams (5-5') which lift the interposed portion of stack by an appropriate amount.