Centralized Supply Device for Processing Machines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional processing machines have limited space for storing materials and tools, restricting the number of different materials and tools that can be stored, and require high production-logistic efforts due to individual material and tool stores for each machine.

Innovation Solution

A centralized supply device with a storage facility and transfer devices allows for efficient storage and distribution of multiple material and processing units, enabling a wide variety of materials and tools to be used across machines with reduced logistical effort, featuring movable transfer devices and receiving devices for independent storage and machine loading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If material stores and tool stores are arranged directly on each processing machine, then each machine can access its required materials and tools, but the space available for storing material is limited and production-logistic effort increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to materials and toolsVSAvoidstorage space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The material store and tool store are extracted from the processing machines and consolidated into a centralized storage facility. This extraction resolves the space limitation on individual machines while maintaining material availability through automated transfer systems that deliver materials and tools to machines as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized storage facility acts as an intermediary between material sources and processing machines. This intermediary consolidates storage capacity while automated transfer devices mediate the delivery of materials and tools to individual machines, eliminating the need for each machine to have its own dedicated storage space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If each processing machine is individually equipped with a material store and tool store, then each machine has independent access to required materials and tools, but production-logistic effort increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent machine operationVSAvoidproduction-logistic effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual material stores and tool stores on separate machines are merged into a single centralized storage facility. This consolidation reduces production-logistic effort by eliminating redundant storage systems while automated transfer devices ensure each machine receives its required materials and tools independently when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The centralized storage facility serves multiple processing machines simultaneously, providing universal access to materials and tools. The automated transfer devices are designed to serve multiple machines with a single system, reducing overall complexity while maintaining the ability to equip each machine with specific materials and tools as required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Volume of stationary object

If a centralized storage facility is implemented, then storage space is optimized and production-logistic effort is reduced, but transfer mechanisms are required to supply machines

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidtransfer device system
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated transfer devices enable the centralized storage facility to serve itself and the processing machines automatically without manual intervention. The system self-regulates material and tool distribution based on machine requirements, reducing the need for complex manual logistics while optimizing storage space utilization through centralized management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP1977869B1Supply device for processing machines
Publication Date: 2009.12.16 HOMAG HOLZBEARBEITUNGSSYST
  • EP1977869B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1977869B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The stationary machine has a holding device (2) in the form of console arrangement for holding plate shaped work pieces (1). A connecting unit is guided along the respective plate shaped workpiece for introducing, applying and pressing of edge materials (12) at the respective plate shaped work piece. A stationary cartridge magazine (13) is arranged at the machine for providing a number of cartridges (14). A delivery device and the cartridges are provided to the cartridge magazine and are docked directly at the connecting unit for removing edge material.