Method for processing a side edge of a panel and a device for carrying out the method
The invention relates to a method for processing a side edge of a panel, in particular a
floor panel, with a top and a bottom, which on at least two side edges lying opposite one
another has profiles corresponding to one another such that two identically embodied
panels can be joined and locked to one another in the horizontal and vertical direction by
an essentially vertical joining movement, wherein the locking in the vertical direction can
be produced by at least one tongue element formed in one piece from the core and
moveable in the horizontal direction, which tongue element during the joining movement
snaps in behind a locking edge extending essentially in the horizontal direction and the
tongue element is exposed by means of at least one essentially vertical slot with respect
to the core, and at least one of the slots is not embodied in a continuous manner over the
entire length of the side edge.
A panel of this type is described in German patent application 10 2007 041 024.9, the
disclosure of which is referenced herewith in its entirety.
Panels in which the locking is carried out via a plastic insert, are known, e.g., from EP 1
650 375 Al. The type of locking realized with this type of panels is preferably provided
on the transverse side of floor panels. However, it can also be provided on the
longitudinal side or on the longitudinal side as well as on the transverse side. The tongue
element is composed of plastic and is inserted in a groove running horizontally on one of
the side edges and beveled on the top. Similar to a door latch, by means of the bevel the
tongue element is pressed inwards into the groove by the panel to be newly set, when the
underside of this panel meets the bevel and is further lowered. When the panel to be
newly laid has been lowered completely to the subfloor, the tongue element snaps into a
groove inserted horizontally in the opposite side edge and locks the two panels in the
vertical direction. Special injection molds are necessary for the production of this tongue
element, so that the production is relatively expensive. Furthermore, a high quality plastic
must be used in order to provide adequate strength values, which makes the tongue
element even more expensive. If plastics are used with strength values that are too low,
this leads to relatively large dimensions of the tongue elements, since this is the only way
to ensure that corresponding forces can be generated or transmitted.

Additional expenses result because the locking element is embodied as a separate
component. The production of the locking element is carried out spatially separately from
the panels for technological reasons, so that an integration into the continuous production
process, in particular for floor panels, is likely to be impossible. Through the different
materials, wood material on the one hand and plastic on the other hand, the adjustment of
production tolerances from two separate production processes is complex and cost-
intensive. Since the locking in the vertical direction would be ineffective if the locking
element were missing, in addition, this must be secured from falling out of the groove
inserted in the side edge in the further production process and during transport. This
securing is also complex. Alternatively thereto, the locking element could be made
available to the consumer separately.
The floor panels under consideration are being laid with increasing frequency by do-it-
yourselfers, so that, in principle, it is possible, due to a lack of experience, for the
required number of locking elements to be initially miscalculated and not obtained in
sufficient quantity in order to be able to lay a room completely. Furthermore, it cannot be
ruled out that the do-it-yourselfer will make a mistake upon placing inserting the tongue
element, which means that precise locking is not possible and the bond separates over
time, which is then wrongly attributed by the consumer to the quality supplied by the
manufacturer.
Panels are known from DE 102 24 540 A1, which are profiled on two side edges lying
opposite one another such that hook-shaped connection elements are formed for locking
in the horizontal direction. For locking in the vertical direction, positive engagement
elements spaced apart from one another horizontally and vertically are provided on the
connection elements and undercuts corresponding thereto are provided with respectively
one horizontally aligned locking surface. The transverse extension of horizontally aligned
locking surfaces of this type is approx. 0.05 to 1.0 mm. The dimensioning must be so
small in order for the joining of two panels to remain possible at all. However, this
inevitably means that only low, vertically directed forces can be absorbed, so that
production must be carried out with extremely low tolerances in order to ensure that the
connection does not spring open with normal stress in the case of even slight
irregularities in the floor and/or soft subfloors.

The tongue element is embodied in one piece from the core so that the adjustment of the
tolerances of different components is omitted and in addition it is ensured that no
components are missing with the end user.
In order to make it possible to connect the tongue element to the core and at the same
time to be able to realize an elasticity of the elements, it is necessary to carry out milling
cuts that are not continuous, but are discontinuous. If this is achieved in terms of milling
technology, the panel must not be moved during the milling operation, since otherwise
continuous cuts would be made with the existing high throughput speeds. A milling
operation would thus be very slow with the braking of the panel to a halt, dipping and
moving the milling unit and the subsequent acceleration of the finished panel for further
transport.
One possibility for producing corresponding millings with tools is to mount the tools on a
traversing unit that transports the tools in the feed direction (transport direction) of the
panels. The time in which the insert millings are produced is considerably increased
thereby, whereby commercially available motor spindles can also perform corresponding
movements of the tools in order to carry out the referenced millings.
However, the disadvantage of this production variant is, on the one hand, the high
expenditure in terms of equipment and, on the other hand, the large space requirement,
which results from the moveability of the tools in the feed direction of the panels.
However, this additional space requirement is too large for already existing installations,
into which a further processing position is to be integrated, and thus only useful for newly
designed installations.
Since formations of this type cannot be produced on one-piece panels with conventional
milling units in a continuous pass, it is necessary to separate the panels to be processed
and to process them in a stationary manner. This is very time-intensive and therefore also
cost-intensive.
The production of a panel of this type is complex in particular when a plurality of tongue
elements is provided and also a corresponding number of locking edges is to be provided
to this end in the groove, because then travelling tools must then be provided on both side
edges. In some cases there is no room for this in conventional milling stations, so that

different clampings are necessary on different machines, which increases the production
time and requires correspondingly generous tolerances.
A method for inserting a locking groove by means of a milling tool is known from DE 10
2005 026 554 Al, which contains a drive, a milling head and a transmission device for
transmitting the rotation as well as a mounting for the milling head. Because of the
mounting, the milling head has a free radius on the mounting side, which makes it
possible for it to be located completely in the part of the connection groove surrounded
by groove flanks on both sides during the insertion of the locking groove.
To solve the problem it is provided that the at least one non-continuous slot is produced
by a tool preferably guided on a circular path such that the panel is conveyed in a
transport device under the tool, the tool dips into the core of the panel by means of a
swivel motion and. is lifted out again in the opposite direction before the panel has been
completely conveyed past under the tool.
Through this embodiment it is possible to embody the previously rigid vertical locking
means in a flexible manner and to produce geometries that do not extend over the entire
length of a panel. The space requirement necessary is very small due to the swivel motion
of the tool, so that a convention double-ended profiler can be used, at the end of which an
additional processing station for the production of the at least one non-continuous slot is
flange-mounted.
To expose the tongue element with respect to the core, preferably additionally at least one
essentially horizontal slot can be provided.
Preferably several non-continuous slots are produced in that a plurality of tools spaced
apart from one another is provided in the transport direction of the panels, which tools dip
into the core of the panel simultaneously.
A device for carrying out the method is characterized in that at least one milling tool, a
laser tool, a water-jet or sandblasting device or a plasma arc torch is attached to a swivel-
mounted carrier, which can be actuated via a servo motor or a telescopic cylinder.

In order to be able to produce several slots at the same time, it is in particular
advantageous if several tools are arranged one behind the other on the carrier based on
the transport direction of the panel. It is also conceivable that the slots are punched.
In order to keep the space requirement as small as possible, in addition to the at least one
tool, preferably the drive thereof, which comprises a motor and a transmission, is also
arranged on the carrier. Each tool can be operated by a separate motor. However, a motor
can also be provided for the drive of several tools.
An exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is described in more
detail below with the aid of a drawing. They show:
Fig. 1 The plan view of the side edge I of a panel;
Fig. 2 The plan view of the opposite side edge II of the same panel;
Fig. 3 The view according to sight arrow III according to Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 The view of the panel according to sight arrow IV according to Fig. 2;
Fig. 5 The plan view of a diagrammatically represented profiling apparatus;
Fig. 6 The section along the line VI - VI according to Fig. 5;
Fig. 7 The bottom view of a milled panel;
Fig. 8 The representation of two panels connected to one another of a first
embodiment in section at the joint;
Fig. 9 The representation of two panels connected to one another of a second
embodiment in section at the joint;
Fig. 10 The diagrammatic plan view of a double-ended profiler;
Fig. 11 The diagrammatic plan view of a processing station;
Fig. 12a The section along the line XII - XII according to Fig. 11 in the lifted
position of the tool;
Fig. 12b The section along the line XII - XII according to Fig. 11 in the lowered
position of the tool;

Fig. 13a A schematic sketch of an alternative device for moving a processing tool
in the functionless position;
Fig. 13b A schematic sketch of an alternative device for moving a processing tool
in the functional position;
Fig. 14a A schematic sketch of an alternative device for moving a processing tool
in the functionless position;
Fig. 14b A schematic sketch of an alternative device for moving a processing tool
in the functional position;
Fig. 15a A schematic sketch of an alternative device for moving a processing tool
in the functionless position;
Fig. 15b A schematic sketch of an alternative device for moving a processing tool
in the functional position.
The panels 1, 2 are embodied identically. They comprise a core 17 of a wood material or
a wood material/plastic mixture. The panels 1, 2 are profiled on their side edges I, II lying
opposite one another, wherein the side edge I was milled from the top 18 and the side
edge II was milled from the bottom 19. The tongue element is embodied on the side edge
II, which was produced by milling free the core 17, in that a horizontal slot 11 and a slot
10 essentially running vertically were milled. The side edges I, II have the length L. In
the longitudinal direction of the side edge II, the tongue element 3 is connected at its ends
3a, 3b to the core material. The exposure of the tongue element 3 from the core 17 is
carried out exclusively through the slots 10, 11. The outer edge 3c of the tongue element
3 is tilted at an angle a with respect to the top 18 of the panel 2. The vertical surfaces of
the side edges I, II are machined such that contact surfaces 15, 16 are formed in the area
of the top 18.
On the side edge I lying opposite the tongue element 3, the panel I is provided with a
locking lug 22 extending essentially in the horizontal direction H, the lower side wall of
which forms a locking edge 4 running essentially horizontally. The locking lug 22
projects laterally over the contact surface 16 of the panel 1. Below the locking lug 22 a
groove 9 is embodied, which accommodates a part of the tongue element 3 for locking

two panels 1, 2 in the vertical direction V. As shown in Fig. 2, the groove bottom 9a of
groove 9 runs parallel to the outer edge 3c of the tongue element 3, which facilitates the
production of the groove 9, but it could also be embodied strictly in the vertical direction
V or at an angle deviating from the angle a . The locking lug 22 is short compared to the
length of the hook element 20. Between the top of the locking lug 22 and the contact
surface 16 a dust pocket 23 is formed from the material of the core 17 on the side edge I
of the panel 1.
The locking of the two panels 1, 2 in the horizontal direction H is carried out via the hook
elements 20, 21 produced by milling through a stepped profile and in the vertical
direction V via the tongue element 3 in connection with the locking edge 4 on the locking
lug 22. An at least partially planar top surface 12 is embodied on the shoulder 5,
extending downwards, of the hook element 21, which top surface interacts with a contact
surface 13 embodied on the hook element 20 on the opposite side edge I, which contact
surface projects back behind the projection 6. The top surface 12 and the contact surface
13 end in the same horizontal plane E, so that the panels 1, 2 connected to one another are
supported on one another. The surface 24 of the hook element 21 facing towards the core
17 runs tilted with respect to the vertical and together with the correspondingly tilted
surface 25 facing towards the core 17 forms a locking edge of two connected panels 1, 2
on the shoulder. The profiling of the hook elements 20, 21 is selected such that a
preloading is produced in the joint and the vertical contact surfaces 15, 16 of the panels 1,
2 are pressed towards one another, so that no visible gap results on the top 18 of two
panels 1, 2 connected to one another. In order to make it easier to join the panels, 1, 2, the
shoulder 6, projecting upwards, of the hook element 20 and the shoulder 5, projecting
downwards, of the hook element 21 are beveled or blunted on their edges. In order to
simplify the production to embody the tongue element 3, either the slots 11 running
horizontally (Figs. 2, 4) or the slot 10 running essentially vertically (Figs. 6, 8) can be
continuous, that is extend over the full length L of the side edge II.
The panel 2 is connected to the panel I already lying on the subfloor, in that the panel 2 is
placed against the side edge I of the panel 1 and lowered in the direction of the subfloor
by an essentially vertical joining connection. When the lower edge 3d of the tongue
element 3 comes into contact with the top 18 of the panel 1, it is pressed in the direction

of the core 17 with the further joining movement due to its outer side edge 3c running at
an angle a upon contact with the contact surface 16, so that it deflects in the direction H.
The panel 2 is lowered further downwards. Once the tongue element 3 reaches a position
with respect to the groove 9, it is springs out due to the restoring forces inherent in the
material and then snaps into the groove 9, where it bears against the locking edge 4 with
its top 3e running essentially horizontally. At the same time, the hook elements 20, 21
engage until the top surface 12 is supported on the contact surface 13. The panels 1, 2 are
then connected and locked to one another. The inner wall 10a of the slot 10 serves as
limit of the deflection path of the tongue element 3 in order to prevent the connection of
the tongue element 3 at its ends 3a, 3b with the core 17 from being torn out due to a
dipping movement too far. The surface, i.e., the height and the width, to which the ends
3a, 3b are connected to the core 17, determine the spring rate of the tongue element 3. As
Fig. 2 shows, three tongue elements 3 can be embodied over the length L of the side edge
II and three locking lugs 22 can be formed on the opposite side edge I. It is also definitely
conceivable to embody the tongue elements 3 to be shorter and to provide five, six or
even seven or more tongue elements 3 and corresponding locking lugs 22.
When the vertical slot 10 is embodied to be narrow enough, it is possible to keep the
tongue element 3 connected to the core 17 only at one of its ends 3a or 3b. An
embodiment of this type has the advantage that the tongue element 3 can also expand in
the direction of the length L of the side edge II. The then free end 3a or 3b is then
supported on the inner wall 10a of the slot 10. Fig. 2 shows that vertical slots 10 are
provided over the length L of the panel 3. Fig. 6 shows a panel with three slots 11
running horizontally.
Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of the panels 1', 2' in which the tongue element 3 is
exposed with respect to the core 17 only by one or more vertical slots 10. In this
embodiment, the tongue element 3' is provided on the hook element 20' forming a lower
lip. The locking is carried out per se analogously to the previously described exemplary
embodiment.

The locking is releasable in all of the exemplary embodiments, in that the panels 1, 1', 2,
2' are displaced relative to one another along the side edges I, II or in that an unlocking
pin (not shown) is inserted laterally into the joint.
The panels 1, 2 are usually provided on their top 18 with a pattern that can be printed
directly onto the top 18. The pattern is usually covered by a wear-resistant layer, into
which a structure corresponding to the pattern can be embossed.
This type of locking described above is preferably provided on the transverse side of
panels 1, 2, which on their longitudinal side can be connected to one another through
angling in and pivoting down onto the subfloor, as is described in DE 102 24 540 A1.
However, it is also conceivable to embody this profiling on the longitudinal sides as well
as on the transverse sides, so that the panels can be connected and locked to one another
on all side edges by a purely vertical joining movement.
The processing station according to the invention, which is shown diagrammatically in
Figs. 5 and 6, comprises a double-ended profiler known from the prior art, such as is sold,
for example, by Homag under the name "Powerline," with processing stations
additionally flange-mounted thereto.
The double-ended profiler 30 fundamentally comprises two profiling machines 36 that
are largely identical but structured in a mirror-inverted manner, wherein one of the
profiling machines 36 is firmly anchored to the subfloor and the other is arranged on slide
rails that make it possible for it to move in the y direction.
The profiling machines 36 in turn each comprises two parts. A chain conveyor 31, which
has a chain with chain links mounted on roller bearings and a so-called top pressure. The
top pressure essentially comprises a flexible belt and is spring-mounted. The chain
conveyor 31 as well as the top pressure (not shown here) of both profiling machines 36
are connected to one another with the aid of long shafts and driven by the same motors.
Both machine parts of a profiling machine can be displaced with respect to one another in
the z direction, wherein the chain conveyor 30 located below is connected fixedly to the
subfloor in the vertical direction. Usually, the top pressure located above is lowered to the
chain conveyor 31 until the spring-mounted belt comes into contact with the conveyor

chain of the chain conveyor 31, whereby the panels 1, 2 to be transported are pressed
onto the conveyor chain and fixed there.
The chain conveyor 31 is fixedly connected to a machine frame, which in addition to
ducts for chip suctioning and some electronic components also contains motor mounts
with milling motors respectively attached thereto. These motor mounts render possible a
free infeed of the motors in an established area in the y and z direction and a rotation
about the x axis when the installation is at rest. Through these adjustment options it is
possible to adjust the side milling cutters flange-mounted to the engines such that the
panels 2 conveyed past in the transport direction T can be machined. The motors, and
thus the individual processing stations 32, 32a, 33, 33a, 34, 34a, 35, 35a, are arranged
oppositely in pairs one behind the other in an alignment based on the transport direction
T. The milling cutters not shown in detail here have a structure such that by covering all
essentially four to five processing stations 32, 33, 34, 35; 32a, 33a, 34a, 35a half of a
commercially conventional glueless connection profile can be produced on each side
edge I, II.
In order to prevent inaccuracies or looseness in the bearing of the chain links from being
transferred to the panels 2 to be processed, which would make an exact milling of the
profiles impossible, the profiling machines 36 have precisely defined datum planes. In the
case of these profiling machines, these datum planes are realized in the form of so-called
supports, which are firmly fixed to the chain conveyors 36 and on the top thereof have a
polished hard metal plate 37, which represents the datum plane. The panels 2 to be
profiled slide over this plate 37 during the processing. In order to ensure that a removal of
the panels 2 from these plates 37 does not occur, they are pressed by so-called pressure
shoes 38 onto the hard metal plate 37. The pressure shoes 38 are moved by pneumatic
cylinders in the direction of the hard metal plate 37, which renders possible a free
adjustability of the spring force to be applied.
This double-ended profiler structured in this manner and known per se is supplemented
according to the invention by a further processing station 40 which differs fundamentally
from the processing stations described above. In the processing station 40 the
construction permits a controlled movement of the milling tools 41 during the processing,

whereby the production of non-continuous slots is possible. The system of the processing
station 40 is fundamentally identical on both machine sides in principle, wherein the
installations differ, however, in that on the one machine side the milling tools 41 can be
moved dynamically essentially in the z direction and on the other machine side the
milling tools 41 can be moved dynamically essentially in the y direction.
Several smaller milling tools 41 with a diameter of 30 to 50 mm are arranged one behind
the other in the transport direction T. The number of the milling tools 41 per processing
station 40 corresponds to the contours to be produced. Usually two to four milling tools
41 are used. These milling tools 41 are flange-mounted to an auxiliary gearbox 42 that is
driven by a motor 43. The motor 43 can be firmly connected to the gearbox 42. However,
the power transmission can also be carried out flexibly via a toothed belt or a flexible
shaft. The gearbox 42 and the milling tools 41 and optionally also the motor 43 are
attached at one end of a swivel-mounted carrier 44. The carrier 44 is swivel-mounted via
joint 45 between its end points similar to a rocker. On the end of the carrier 44 lying
opposite the milling tools 41, a servo motor 46 is attached with a displacement spindle
47, which can move the carrier 44 and thus the milling tools 41 attached to the other end
on a circular track (arrow P) around the joint 45. A telescopic cylinder can be used
instead of a servo motor 46. Instead of a displacement spindle 47, the servo motor 46 can
also interact with a radial cam, a crankshaft drive or a system with similar mode of
operation.
Alternatively, a system can be used that has only a milling tool 41, which is attached
directly to the milling motor. The motor and milling tool 41 are firmly connected to a
highly dynamic linear motor (not shown) which, together with a balancing spring element
(not shown), renders possible very rapid movements of the motor and milling tool 41 in
the z direction or y direction. With a system of this type, cycle times of approx. 100 to
200 panels 2 per minute are possible, because it has higher dynamics than the system
previously described with which 50 to 100 panels 2 per minute can be milled.
The panels 2 are fed into the double ended profiler 30. The separation of the panels 2
inserted into a loader is thereby carried out by the movement of the chain conveyor 31,
wherein cams (not shown) installed on individual chain links respectively draw one panel

2 out of the loader. The respective panels 2 are moved via the chain conveyor 31 in the
transport direction T (x direction). After a short conveyor path, each panel 2 arrives under
the top pressure belt and is pressed firmly thereby onto the chain conveyor 31. With
further conveyance of the panel 2 in the transport direction T, this panel enters the first
processing station 32. It initially runs thereby onto the support 37 present at each
processing station 32, 33, 34, 35 and is pressed thereon by the pressure shoe 38 likewise
present. When approximately the center of the support 37 has been reached, the milling
cutter set in rotation by a motor catches into the panel 2 and begins the machining. The
processing in the individual stations 32, 33, 34, 35 is structured such that the first milling
tool 41 takes over the rough preliminary chip removal and the breaking of the hard
decorative layer, the tool of the second station 33 and that of the last processing station
35 mill the actual holding profile into the panels 2, which in this case is a hook profile
with rigid locking surfaces for vertical locking.
The tool of the third processing station 34 is essentially responsible for the production of
a clean closing edge and/or for the production of a bevel on the decorative side 18 of the
panel 2. Once the panel 2 has passed this processing station 34, it has a complete hook
profile with rigid vertical locking.
If the panel 2 runs into the processing station 40 according to the invention additionally
flange-mounted to the double ended profiler 30, a control signal is triggered by a sensor
48 (cf. Fig. 10), which control signal activates the servo motor 46, whereby the carrier 44
is swiveled about the joint 45 and the milling tools 41 dip from the underside 19 of the
panel 2 into the core 17 and mill in the slots 10. At the same time a number of slots 10 are
produced, which corresponds to the number of the milling tools 41 in the processing
station 40. Before the panel 2 has completely passed through the processing station 40,
the carrier 44 is swiveled back and the milling tools 41 are drawn out of the core 17 of
the panel 2 so that slots 10 are produced which do not extend over the full length L of the
side edge (here the transverse side).
The dipping of the milling tools 41 is carried out while the panel 2 is being transported.
Fig. 2 shows the intake 10b and outlet 10c of the milling tool 41, with which the vertical
slot 10 is milled. Fig. 6 shows the intake 1 lb and the outlet 11c of the milling tool 41,

with which the horizontal slot 11 was milled. The intakes 10b, 11b and the outlets 10c,
11c are arched, wherein the radius depends on the feed rate of the panel 2. Figs. 10, 12
show a panel 2 in which three vertical slots 10 as well as three horizontal slots 11 with
the corresponding intakes 10b, 11b and outlets 10c. 11e.
The alternative processing system with only one milling tool 41 can likewise produce a
non-continuous contour with the aid of corresponding movement of the linear motor.
However, since only one milling tool 41 is used, this system must perform several infeed
motions accordingly to produce the same number of contours.
In order to render possible an exact movement control with both variants, furthermore
data, such as control signals of the doubled ended profile 30 and sensor data (for example
from rotary encoders) are used to the light barriers used.
The processing station 40, with which the vertical slots 10 are produced has been
described. If the horizontal slots 11 are to be milled, the processing station 40 can be
arranged at the same location. The carrier 44 is arranged rotated by 90° accordingly so
that the milling tool 41 then on a circular track dips into the core 17 which runs
tangentially to the top 18 of the panel 2 and not to the side edge.
Figs. 11 and 12a, 12b show a device with which respectively one milling tool 41 of a
processing station 40 can be swiveled from an inactive position into the processing
position. The motor 43 and the transmission 42 are respectively attached to the bottom of
the carrier 44. An actuator 50 is attached by one end with a joint 51 to the housing 49 of
the processing station 40 and by the other end on a joint 52 to the carrier 44. When the
actuator rod 54 is retracted and extended the carrier 44 and thus the milling tool 41 moves
around the shaft 53. To this end the carrier 44 is attached to the shaft 53 via a bearing
block 39.
Figs. 13, 14 and 15 show basic alternatives to the actuator 50 in order to bring the milling
tool 41 into its operating position. The carrier 44 on which the milling tool 41 is attached,
can be moved into a guide 62 via a cam 60 driven in a rotary manner. The cam 60 presses
the carrier 44 in the direction of the panel 1. The restoring force is generated by the
springs 61 (Figs. 13). With the principle explained in Figs. 14, the carrier 44 can be
displaced in the transport direction T as well as in a direction perpendicular thereto, that

is in the horizontal direction H or the vertical direction V. Through the rotary motion of
the crank disk 70 by means of the connecting rod 71 the displacement parallel to the
transport direction T is initiated. With this movement the carrier 44 passes a cam 73, via
which then the movement is initiated in a direction V or H perpendicular to the transport
direction T. The carrier 44 then slides in guide 72 in the direction of the panel 1 so that
the milling tool 41 can be brought into contact with the panel 1. In the drive principle
shown in the Figs. 15, the carrier 44 is connected to the crank disk 80 directly so that via
the crank disk 80 a movement is simultaneously initiated in the transport direction T and
in a direction V or H that is perpendicular thereto.

WE-CLAIM
1. Method for processing a side edge of a panel, in particular a floor panel (1,2),
with a core (17) which on at least two side edges (I, II) lying opposite one
another has profiles corresponding to one another such that two identically
embodied panels (1, 2) can be joined and locked to one another in the
horizontal (H) and vertical (V) direction by an essentially vertical joining
movement, wherein the locking in the vertical direction (V) can be produced
by at least one tongue element (3) formed in one piece from the core (17) and
moveable in the horizontal direction (H), which tongue element during the
joining movement snaps in behind a locking edge (4) extending essentially in
the horizontal direction (H) and the tongue element is exposed by means of at
least one essentially vertical slot (10) with respect to the core (17) , and at
least one of the slots (10,11) is not embodied in a continuous manner over the
entire length (L) of the side edge (II), characterized in that the at least one
non-continuous slot (10) is produced by at least one tool (41) such that the
panel (2) is conveyed in a transport direction (T) under the tool (41), the tool
(41) dips into the core (17) of the panel (2) by means of a swivel motion and
is lifted out again in the opposite direction before the panel (2) has been
completely conveyed past under the tool (41).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the tool is guided on a
circular track (P).
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the machining is
carried out in a chip removing manner.
4. Method according to claim 1,2, or 3, characterized in that to produce several
non-continuous slots (10) a plurality of tools (41) spaced apart from one
another is provided in the transport direction (T) , which tools dip into the
core (17) of the panel (2) simultaneously.
5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that
additionally at least one essentially horizontal slot (11) is provided to expose
the tongue element (3).

The invention relates to a method for processing a side edge of a panel (2), in particular a
floor panel, with a top (18) and a bottom (19), which on at least two side edges lying
opposite one another has profiles corresponding to one another such that two identically
embodied panels (2) can be joined and locked to one another in the horizontal and
vertical direction by an essentially vertical joining movement, wherein the locking in the
vertical direction can be produced by at least one tongue element formed in one piece
from the core and moveable in the horizontal direction, which tongue element during the
joining movement snaps in behind a locking edge extending essentially in the horizontal
direction and the tongue element is exposed by means of at least one essentially vertical
slot with respect to the core, and at least one of the slots is not embodied in a continuous
manner over the entire length of the side edge, wherein the at least one non-continuous
slot is produced by at least one guided tool (41) such that the panel (2) is conveyed in a
transport direction (x) under the tool (41), the tool (41) dips into the core of the panel (2)
by means of a swivel motion and is lifted out again in the opposite direction before the
panel (2) has been completely conveyed past under the tool (41).