Abstract: A machine for connecting elongate metal profiles with plastic strips includes an elongate support table for supporting a pair of the profiles to be connected and a horizontal elongate support beam extending along one side of this table. A support carriage is mounted for movement lengthwise along the beam. There is a drive system for moving the support carriage horizontally on the beam. The machine includes top and bottom tool heads each mounted on the carriage for vertical movement thereon. The top tool head is arranged above the table and the bottom tool head below the table. Further drive systems are able to move the tool heads vertically on the carriage. Strip pullers are provided on the carriage to engage and hold end sections of two plastic strips so that they can be pulled between the two profiles. Clamping rollers are mounted on the tool heads for engaging longitudinal connecting flanges extending along the profiles in order to connect the plastic strips.

Abstract: A production line for carrying out machining and cleaning operations on rectangular frameworks, is provided. Elongate plastic frame members are welded together in a welding machine, thereby forming two rectangular frameworks located one above the other. These are moved to a framework processing machine along separate predetermined paths with the first path being located above the second path. The paths are provided by horizontally extending guide arrangements on the machine which has a power tool for carrying out machining operations, this tool being supported by a transporting mechanism capable of moving the tool both horizontally and vertically. Machining steps are carried out on the two frame works while they are held one above the other. The frameworks are moved to a weld cleaning machine along respective upper and lower paths for further processing operations.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for moving frameworks such as window frames or sashes from a plastic frame welding machine to a work station for further processing of the frameworks are disclosed. Two tracks are mounted at an elevated position so they extend horizontally from the welding machine to the workstation and an arm assembly is mounted for movement along each track. Preferably each arm assembly has gripping devices arranged one above the other each capable of releasably engaging and gripping one of the frameworks. An actuator is provided to move each arm assembly along its track from a position where the arm assembly can engage the frameworks when they are in the welding machine and then move them to a position where the grippers can grip the frameworks at the workstation.

Abstract: A production line and a method for carrying out machining and cleaning operations on rectangular framework, such as window frames, is provided. Initially, elongate plastic frame members are welded together in a plastic frame welding machine, thereby forming two rectangular frameworks located one above the other. These are moved to a framework processing machine along separate predetermined paths where the first path being located above the second path. The paths are provided by horizontally extending guide arrangements on the machine which has at least one power tool for carrying out machining operations, this tool being supported by a transporting mechanism capable of moving the tool both horizontally and vertically. Machining steps are carried out on the two frame works while they are held one above the other in the processing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning welds on and machining rectangular plastic frames, such as sash frames, includes a supporting arrangement capable of rigidly supporting two plastic frames and holding them one above the other for cleaning and machining. Preferably, there are two tool mounting mechanisms each of which is equipped with two frame cleaning tools and at least one pair of machining tools. Each tool mounting mechanism is capable of moving its tools both horizontally and vertically and each is located adjacent a respective side of the supporting arrangement. The cleaning tools are mounted one above the other on each tool mounting mechanism as are the machining tools. The cleaning tools and the machining tools are capable of carrying out weld cleaning or machining on both plastic frames simultaneously.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for moving frameworks such as window frames or sashes from a plastic frame welding machine to a work station for further processing of the frameworks are disclosed. Two tracks are mounted at an elevated position so they extend horizontally from the welding machine to the workstation and an arm assembly is mounted for movement along each track. Preferably each arm assembly has gripping devices arranged one above the other each capable of releasably engaging and gripping one of the frameworks. An actuator is provided to move each arm assembly along its track from a position where the arm assembly can engage the frameworks when they are in the welding machine and then move them to a position where the grippers can grip the frameworks at the workstation.

Abstract: A post assembly for providing a selected tool member from a plurality of tool members and using the tool member in a machine operation is provided. The assembly includes a support post rotatable about its longitudinal axis and extending vertically during use from a bottom end to a top end thereof. Tool members each have a first end section and a second end section and each are pivotably attached at their first end section to the post in the vicinity of the top end. Each tool member is pivotable from a first position used for storage to a working position where the selected tool member extends radially outwardly from the support post. A linearly movable actuating member is able to selectively pivot any one of the tool members from the first position to the working position. A bearing arrangement supports the support post for rotation about its longitudinal axis and a power drive is operatively connected to a lower section of the post in order to rotate same about its longitudinal axis.