Dual Lumber Stacker with Segmented Crank and Cam Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lumber stacking machinery is complex, expensive, and operates at a slow pace, failing to keep up with other equipment in a lumber mill, and requires adjustments for different lumber sizes, making it inefficient and prone to downtime during maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A dual lumber stacker with independently actuatable stacker arms arranged out of phase but synchronized for alternating movement, using a conveyor system with elongate parallel arms connected to a rotatable crank and cam drive, allowing for high-speed operation and handling of various lumber sizes without adjustments, with a minimal number of simple and inexpensive parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional lumber stacking machinery is used, then the machine can stack lumber, but it operates at a slow pace and is complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking machine is divided into two independent stackers (first stacker and second stacker), each capable of operating separately. Each stacker has its own arms and drive mechanism, allowing them to function as independent units that can be maintained or repaired without shutting down the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second stackers operate in alternating cycles, with each stacker taking turns to stack lumber. This periodic operation allows one stacker to work while the other is being maintained, effectively doubling the overall productivity and eliminating downtime.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional lumber stacking machinery is used, then it can handle lumber, but it requires adjustments for different lumber sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The stacker arms are designed with universal capability to handle all conventional lumber sizes (6-24 feet) without requiring adjustments. The arms can engage lumber of varying lengths and the stackers can operate with different stack heights and configurations, making the machine adaptable to diverse lumber products.
Solution Approach 2:
The stacker arms are made dynamically adjustable in position and orientation to accommodate different lumber sizes. The arms can be positioned at various heights and angles to engage lumber of different dimensions, allowing the machine to adapt to varying product specifications without manual reconfiguration.
3Reliability
If conventional lumber stacking machinery is used, then it can form stacks, but it experiences downtime during maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The stacking system is segmented into two independent stackers that can operate separately. This segmentation allows one stacker to continue stacking lumber while the other undergoes maintenance, repair, or adjustment, eliminating complete system downtime and ensuring continuous production.
Solution Approach 2:
When one stacker requires maintenance, it is temporarily taken out of service (discarded from operation) while the other stacker continues to produce. The maintained stacker is then recovered and brought back into service, ensuring continuous overall production capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The dual stacker significantly increases operational speed, maintains efficiency during maintenance, and handles all conventional lumber sizes without adjustments, reducing complexity and cost while ensuring continuous operation.
Implementation Method 1
the rearward end of the arms being connected to a rotatable crank drive operable to move the arms in a first arm direction away from the conveyor end portion and a second arm direction towards the conveyor end portion
Implementation Method 2
the arms being connected to a rotatable cam drive operable to move the arms in an upward arm direction away from a top surface of the conveyor and a downward arm direction towards the top surface of the conveyor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a dual lumber stacker assembly having two stackers constructed to remove lumber from a conveyor and stack the lumber. The arms are moved forward and aft by associated crank drives. The arms are moved upwards and downwards by associated cam drives. Also provided is a method stacking lumber using the dual lumber stacker.