Adjustable Milling Head for Variable Double-Step Log Profiling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sawmill systems face inefficiencies due to the need for multiple milling machines and fixed step distances, leading to increased system length, reduced throughput, and limited flexibility in producing side boards of varying dimensions, which affects wood yield and requires retooling for different cutting solutions.
Innovation Solution
A milling head with two rotating machining tools having parallel axes of rotation, adjustable independently, allows for variable double steps and synchronized rotary drives, enabling production of side boards with adjustable thicknesses and widths without retooling, and is compact in design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If two milling machines are arranged one behind the other to produce two side boards per side, then the system can process multiple side boards, but the system length increases and lateral deflection of milling heads must be larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two milling heads into a single integrated unit with independently adjustable positions. Each milling head can be positioned at different distances from the log center, allowing both to operate simultaneously on the same log to create stepped corner sections for two side boards per side, eliminating the need for sequential processing by separate machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces independent adjustment of milling head positions along the radial direction (distance from log center) while maintaining simultaneous operation. This dimensional freedom allows optimization of both productivity and system compactness by adjusting the radial positions of the two milling heads rather than arranging them sequentially along the log length.
2Device complexity
If fixed distance stepped milling heads are used, then the structure is simplified, but flexibility in producing side boards of varying dimensions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability of the milling head positions along the radial direction. Each milling head can be independently positioned at different distances from the log center, allowing the system to adapt to various side board thickness requirements. This dynamic adjustment capability maintains structural simplicity while providing the flexibility to produce side boards of varying dimensions without retooling.
3Adaptability or versatility
If larger adjustment ranges are provided for corner milling heads, then the system can accommodate different log curvatures, but the structural complexity increases and adjustment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides dynamic adjustment capability for each milling head's radial position, allowing independent optimization for different log curvatures and sizes. The adjustment mechanisms are designed to be straightforward, enabling quick repositioning without complex procedures, thus balancing adaptability with ease of adjustment.
4Productivity
If fixed step distance milling heads are used, then throughput is increased, but wood yield is reduced due to inability to optimize cutting solution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of each milling head's radial position, allowing optimization of the cutting solution for each log based on its specific dimensions and curvature. This ensures maximum wood yield by precisely matching the milling parameters to the log characteristics, while maintaining high throughput through simultaneous operation of both milling heads.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A milling head for profiling tree trunks has two rotating processing tools whose axes of rotation are parallel to each other, except for any differing angles of inclination. Each processing tool is designed to create a circumferential and an end-face processing surface. The position of the circumferential processing surfaces of the two tools relative to the tree trunk being processed can be adjusted independently of the other tool. With such an adjustable milling head, a variable double step can be created on each side of the trunk for subsequent cutting of two side boards, which can be optimized independently based on the trunk's contour.