Drill Control System Adapting Parameters for Material Transitions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for controlling device systems during core drilling of workpieces with multiple materials, such as concrete and steel, face challenges in adapting machining parameters automatically, particularly for inexperienced operators who struggle to recognize the presence of rebars and adjust settings accordingly, leading to inefficient use of power and increased tool wear.

Innovation Solution

The method involves initially processing the workpiece with stored parameters for the surface material, measuring the drilling progress to differentiate between materials, and switching between operating modes based on predefined limit values to optimize speed and power settings, ensuring efficient machining and minimizing wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the operator manually adapts machining parameters to different materials, then the machining quality can be optimized, but the system requires high operator expertise and is difficult to operate for inexperienced users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining qualityVSAvoidoperator expertise requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit automatically detects material transitions during drilling and adjusts machining parameters without operator intervention. The system monitors drilling progress, identifies when rebars are encountered, and autonomously changes speed and power settings, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for operator expertise in parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors drilling progress and uses this feedback to detect material transitions. By comparing actual drilling progress with expected progress, the control unit identifies when the drill encounters rebars and automatically adjusts parameters, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal machining quality without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the entire device system is controlled exclusively based on engine power, then the control logic is simplified, but the feed rate determination becomes inaccurate when material transitions occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol logic complexityVSAvoidfeed rate accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system segments the machining process into different phases based on material detection. Instead of using a single control logic for all materials, the system divides the drilling process into concrete drilling phases and rebar drilling phases, applying appropriate control strategies for each segment to maintain both simplicity and accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The control system dynamically adapts the control logic based on detected material conditions. When material transitions are detected through drilling progress monitoring, the system automatically switches between different control modes appropriate for concrete versus rebar, making the control logic flexible and accurate across varying conditions while maintaining overall system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the machining parameters are kept constant throughout the drilling process, then the operation is simple to control, but power is wasted and tool wear increases when drilling into rebars

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol simplicityVSAvoidpower waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses real-time monitoring of drilling progress as feedback to detect when the drill encounters rebars. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically reduces power and adjusts speed parameters, preventing energy waste and excessive tool wear while maintaining simple operation. The system only changes parameters when necessary, keeping control simple while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Loss of energy

If the machining parameters are frequently adjusted during drilling, then energy efficiency is improved, but the control system becomes more complex and harder to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidoperator skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs automatic parameter adjustment based on autonomous detection of material transitions. The system monitors drilling progress, identifies rebar encounters, and adjusts parameters without operator intervention, achieving energy efficiency while eliminating the need for operator skill in parameter management. The self-service capability handles the complexity internally, presenting a simple interface to the operator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3084537B1Method for controlling an apparatus including a tool device and a motorised feeding device
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 HILTI AG
  • EP3084537B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3084537B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3084537B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a device system (10), which comprises a tool device (12) and a motorized advancing apparatus (25), during the machining of a workpiece composed of a first material and a second material different from the first material, wherein the workpiece is first machined by the device (10) in a first operating mode with first machining parameters that are stored for the first material. After the start of the machining of the workpiece in the first operating mode, a first machining progress is measured and is stored as a reference value. During the machining in the first operating mode, a current machining progress is regularly measured and compared with a preset first limit value.