Alignment Portion for Wood Workpiece Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for processing plate-shaped workpieces, such as those made of wood or wood substitutes, face inefficiencies due to the need for re-alignment and re-positioning of workpieces at downstream machining stations, which increases process time and reduces speed, especially in batch size 1 production.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing an alignment portion with a reference drilled hole to each isolated workpiece during the isolation process, allowing for precise engagement and alignment by gripping elements, thereby eliminating the need for re-alignment at downstream stations and optimizing material flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workpieces are isolated and then transferred to downstream machining stations, then the production process can proceed through multiple stages, but the workpieces must be re-aligned and re-positioned at each station, increasing process time and reducing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment portion with reference drilled holes is created during the isolation process itself, before the workpiece reaches downstream machining stations. This preliminary alignment action eliminates the need for re-alignment at subsequent stations, directly reducing process time and increasing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment portion acts as an intermediary element between the isolation station and downstream machining stations. It provides a standardized interface (reference drilled holes) that enables direct engagement with gripping elements, facilitating seamless transfer without re-alignment operations
2Extent of automation
If workpieces are manually aligned and deposited at downstream stations, then flexibility in handling different workpiece types is maintained, but the process speed decreases and automation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The workpiece itself carries the alignment portion with reference drilled holes, making it self-sufficient for alignment purposes. This eliminates the need for external alignment operations at downstream stations, enabling automated handling and increasing both automation level and process speed
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of workpiece orientation control from external manipulation to intrinsic feature-based control. By incorporating reference drilled holes directly into the workpiece, the system transitions from manual alignment to automated feature-based positioning, enhancing both automation and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A method for processing plate-shaped workpieces made of wood or wood substitute materials, having the following steps: providing a large-format plate made of wood or wood substitute materials, and supplying the large-format plate to an isolation station; isolating plate-shaped workpieces by dividing the provided large-format plate in the isolation station such that cuts are made in the large-format plate by at least one isolation unit; supplying the isolated workpieces to at least one downstream machining station, in order to finish the isolated workpieces. At least a portion of each isolated workpiece receives, from the isolation unit, an alignment portion having at least one reference drilled hole for engagement of gripping elements. The isolated workpiece provided with the alignment portion is received by means of a gripping element, an engagement element or an acquisition element engaging on the alignment portion, following the separation of the isolated workpiece.