Cutting System Workpiece Verification Controller

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cutting systems for ceramic or resin materials often interrupt the cutting process when a workpiece intended by the machining program is not present in the holder, leading to incomplete cutting operations.

Innovation Solution

A cutting system comprising a workpiece container, a conveyor, and a controller with an error notification processor that checks for the presence of target workpieces before starting the cutting process, preventing interruptions by alerting the user if a required workpiece is missing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the cutting apparatus automatically executes the machining program without pre-checking workpiece presence, then the automation level and productivity are improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential cutting interruptions when target workpieces are missing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic execution of machining programVSAvoidcutting process continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by reading and checking the presence of target workpieces in the holder before the cutting process begins. The controller reads the identification code from each workpiece and verifies it matches the target code specified in the machining program, ensuring all required workpieces are present and correctly positioned before automatic cutting execution starts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the system checks for workpiece presence before cutting, then the reliability of cutting operations is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional reading and verification mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting process continuityVSAvoidreading and verification system
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each workpiece carries its own identification code that enables self-identification when placed in the holder. The reading device automatically reads this code without requiring manual intervention, and the controller automatically compares it with the target code from the machining program, making the verification process autonomous and minimizing additional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the system provides detailed error notifications for missing workpieces, then the ease of operation is improved by helping users quickly identify problems, but the device complexity increases due to additional error processing functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror identification for usersVSAvoiderror notification system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides immediate feedback to the user through error notifications when target workpieces are missing or incorrectly positioned. The controller compares the read identification codes with the target codes and outputs error signals that inform users of specific issues, enabling quick correction and resumption of the cutting process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3361340B1Cutting system
Publication Date: 2019.10.30 ROLAND DG CORP
  • EP3361340B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3361340B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3361340B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cutting system includes a controller. The controller includes: a storage processor storing a target list that is a list of target identifiers designated by a machining program; a reading processor configured to read, before cutting is performed, identifiers of workpieces held in a holder; an identifier determination processor configured to determine whether the target identifiers are included in the identifiers read by the reading processor; a cutting control processor configured to control cutting upon determination by the identifier determination processor that the target identifiers are included in the identifiers read by the reading processor; and an error notification processor configured to provide an error notification upon determination by the identifier determination processor that at least one of the target identifiers is not included in the identifiers read by the reading processor.