Floorboard Tongue and Groove Profile Quality Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing quality control processes for tongue and groove profiles on wood floorboards are unreliable due to subjective visual inspections and variations in measurement techniques, leading to inconsistent production and potential vertical offsets between boards.
Innovation Solution
Using the undersurface of floorboards as a reference plane to measure the depth of the groove and tongue profiles with a conventional depth gauge or electronic distance-measuring device, ensuring precise adjustment of cutter heads to prevent vertical offsets by comparing measurements on both sides of the board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual visual inspection and vernier measurement are used for quality control, then the inspection process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision and reliability are low due to subjective human judgment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and vernier measurement with electronic distance-measuring devices such as lasers. This substitution eliminates subjective human judgment and significantly improves measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through automated electronic measurement systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reference plane (the undersurface of the floorboard) as an intermediary element for measurements. By measuring the depth of groove and tongue profiles relative to this fixed reference plane, the system achieves consistent and reliable measurements without depending on operator skill or subjective visual assessment.
2Manufacturing precision
If thickness of the top or bottom lip of the groove profile is measured, then the measurement process is straightforward, but the manufacturing precision is insufficient to guarantee perfect matching of tongue and groove profiles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of measuring the thickness of the groove profile lips (the traditional approach), the patent inverts the measurement approach by measuring the depth of the groove and tongue profiles from the undersurface reference plane. This inverted measurement method provides a more reliable indicator of profile positioning and ensures better manufacturing precision for tongue and groove matching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the undersurface of the floorboard as an intermediary reference plane for depth measurements. This reference plane provides a stable and consistent baseline that enables precise detection of groove and tongue profile positions, overcoming the limitations of direct thickness measurements.
3Reliability
If the relative vertical position of groove and tongue cutters is not precisely adjusted, then the cutter adjustment process is simple and quick, but the production reliability deteriorates due to vertical offsets between adjacent boards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where electronic distance-measuring devices measure the depth of groove and tongue profiles relative to the undersurface reference plane. These measurements provide feedback on the relative vertical positioning of the cutters, enabling precise adjustment to eliminate vertical offsets between adjacent boards and ensure consistent production quality.
Data Source
AI summary
The undersurface (22) of the floorboards (10) is used as a main reference for taking measurements in a tongue and groove floorboard quality control process. The process comprises measuring at least one distance (X, Y) between the undersurface (22) and a downwardly facing surface of at least one of a tongue and a groove profile of selected ones of the floorboards (10). Measurements can be taken from the undersurface (22) of the selected boards (10) on both sides thereof to vertically adjust the relative position of groove cutter head (18) and the tongue cutter head (16) of the molding machine (M) used to manufacture the boards (10). A depth gage (G) can be used to take the measurements.