Edge Banding Vision System Integration for Defect Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current quality control systems for edge banding machines lack precision due to inadequate communication between the machine and vision system, resulting in suboptimal defect detection and increased economic and time costs, as they fail to account for the specific phase of the edge banding process and peculiarities of the panel or edge being used.

Innovation Solution

A quality control process and communication system that integrates a vision group with the edge banding machine, allowing for data exchange to optimize the setup of the vision system, ensuring optimal field of view, resolution, and contrast, and enabling flexible operation at varying speeds, with adjustable camera positions and lighting configurations tailored to specific panel and edge characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a vision system is used for quality control without integrated communication with the edge banding machine, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and defect detection accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem integration complexityVSAvoiddefect detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vision system is integrated with the edge banding machine through direct communication between the machine's control unit and the vision system. This merging allows the vision system to receive process parameters and panel information from the machine, enabling precise defect detection tailored to specific edge banding phases and panel characteristics, thereby resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication system enables feedback loops where the vision system receives real-time process data from the edge banding machine and can adjust its inspection parameters accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to varying edge banding phases, panel types, and processing conditions, maintaining high measurement precision without requiring overly complex integrated hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If fixed camera positions and lighting conditions are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the measurement precision and field of view quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevision system configuration complexityVSAvoidimage resolution and contrast
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The vision system employs adjustable camera positions and variable lighting conditions that can be dynamically modified based on the specific inspection requirements. The system can adapt camera angles, distances, and lighting parameters to optimize the field of view and image quality for different panel sizes, edge banding phases, and defect types, thereby achieving high measurement precision without permanent complex configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows changing key parameters such as camera position, focal length, and lighting intensity to optimize image acquisition. By enabling parameter adjustments rather than fixed configurations, the system maintains flexibility and adaptability across different inspection scenarios while avoiding the need for overly complex hardware designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If a generic quality control routine is used without accounting for specific edge banding phases, then the ease of operation is improved, but the measurement precision and defect detection capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol routine simplicityVSAvoiddefect detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of the current edge banding phase and panel characteristics before initiating the inspection routine. By pre-determining the appropriate inspection parameters, camera positions, and detection algorithms based on the identified phase and panel type, the system achieves high measurement precision while maintaining simple operation through automated adaptive behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The vision system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various edge banding phases, panel types, and inspection requirements through a single integrated platform. The system can automatically adapt its inspection routine based on the detected phase and panel characteristics, providing universal applicability without requiring complex manual reconfiguration for different scenarios.

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

4Ease of manufacture

If external vision systems are used without integrated communication, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the productivity and time efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem installation simplicityVSAvoidquality control efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The communication system acts as an intermediary bridge between the edge banding machine and the vision system, enabling efficient data exchange without requiring direct physical integration. This intermediary layer facilitates rapid information transfer of process parameters, panel information, and inspection results, thereby maintaining high productivity while preserving the ease of manufacturing and installation through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3815864A1An edging quality control process and an edge banding machine
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 SCM GRP
  • EP3815864A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3815864A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3815864A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a quality control process of the edging of a panel (11), comprising the following steps: loading data relating to said panel (11) and relating to the process to be carried out; processing said data; arranging the vision group (10) as a function of the processed data; performing control operation by the vision group (10), based on the processed data, to acquire images; processing the image acquired to identify features of the panel (11), in particular, to identify defects. The invention also relates to an edge banding machine equipped with a vision group (10) and a communication system between the edge banding machine, vision group, and user which implements this quality control procedure.