Movable Beam-Machining Barriers for Large Timber Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing CNC-type carpentry machines are not adaptable to machine beams larger than 16 meters, requiring additional space and adaptations that increase machine dimensions and compromise stability and precision.

Innovation Solution

A CNC carpentry machine with movable barriers and lateral walls that adjust to the beam's dimensions, using sensors and a control logic unit to expand or reduce the loading/unloading area, ensuring stability and precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the machine is designed to accommodate larger beams (greater than 16 meters), then the adaptability of the machine improves, but the overall dimensions of the machine increase and stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to beam sizeVSAvoidmachine stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the protective lateral walls movable rather than fixed. The walls can be repositioned along the main direction of the work center using a positioning system, allowing the machine to adapt its configuration for different beam sizes while maintaining a compact base structure. This dynamic adjustment enables the machine to accommodate beams larger than 16 meters without permanently increasing its overall dimensions, thereby preserving stability while improving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If additional roller conveyor is added to increase machine dimensions for large beams, then the adaptability improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to beam sizeVSAvoidmachine complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the protective structure into separate movable lateral walls that can be independently positioned. Instead of adding a complex additional roller conveyor system, the invention segments the protective enclosure into adjustable components that can be reconfigured for different beam sizes. This reduces device complexity while maintaining adaptability, as the segmented walls can be moved to accommodate various beam dimensions without requiring an entirely separate conveyor system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If the machine base is fixed directly to the ground, then the manufacturing precision improves, but the adaptability to different beam sizes decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining precisionVSAvoidadaptability to beam size
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains a fixed base connected to the ground for stability and precision, while applying dynamics to the protective lateral walls that can move along the main direction of the work center. This allows the machine to maintain high machining precision through its fixed base connection while simultaneously adapting to different beam sizes through the movable walls. The fixed-base movable-wall combination resolves the contradiction between precision and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4596171A1Machine for machining beams having a protection system, and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 SCM GRP
  • EP4596171A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4596171A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4596171A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention concerns a machine (M) for machining wooden beams or the like comprising a loading platform (1) to load a beam (b) to be machined, an unloading platform of said machined beam (b), a work cabin (2), in which said beam (b) is machined, placed between said loading plane (1) and said unloading plane (3), at least one protective lateral wall (4, 6) arranged near said loading platform (1) and/or said unloading platform (3), and at least one barrier (5, 7) arranged not parallel to said at least one lateral wall (4, 6), wherein said machine (M) is characterized in that it comprises a system (S) for positioning said at least one barrier (5, 7), wherein said positioning system (S) is capable of moving said at least one barrier (5, 7) so that it can assume an close position, wherein said at least one barrier (5, 7) is arranged at a predefined distance from said work cabin (2), and one or more distant positions, wherein said at least one barrier (5, 7) is further distanced from said work cabin (2). The present invention also concerns an operating method of said machine (M).