Gantry Woodworking Machine for Bottom-Side Machining Without Overturning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece processing machines require complex operations and dead times for machining sides facing the conveyor, necessitating workpiece repositioning and overturning to access all sides.
Innovation Solution
A machine design with a processing head that can move along non-parallel axes and rotate around axes, allowing simultaneous machining on both exposed and conveyor-facing sides without overturning, using a gantry, conveyor, and crossbars with movable supports and positioning stops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the workpiece is overturned to machine the sides facing the conveyor, then all sides of the workpiece can be accessed, but the machining process requires repositioning operations and dead times
Solution Approach 1:
The processing head is equipped with multiple machining tools arranged in different spatial dimensions, allowing it to machine top, bottom, and side surfaces simultaneously without requiring the workpiece to be repositioned or overturned. This multi-dimensional tool arrangement enables all sides of the workpiece to be accessed from a single overhead position.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple machining operations that would traditionally require separate steps and workpiece repositioning are merged into a single simultaneous operation. The processing head combines multiple tools that can machine different surfaces of the workpiece at the same time, eliminating dead times and repositioning operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the workpiece is repositioned to machine different sides, then complete machining is achieved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of complex repositioning mechanisms that would be needed to rotate and reorient the workpiece, the solution moves the processing head into different spatial positions and orientations. The multi-axis movable processing head can approach the workpiece from multiple angles without requiring the workpiece itself to be repositioned, thereby simplifying the overall system complexity.
3Device complexity
If the processing head is fixed in position, then the machine structure is simpler, but it cannot machine all sides of the workpiece efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The processing head is designed with multi-axis movability, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position and orientation to machine different surfaces of the workpiece. This dynamic capability enables the processing head to reach top, bottom, and side surfaces without requiring complex workpiece repositioning, thereby maintaining structural relative simplicity while achieving high machining efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
Workpiece processing machine such as beams, slabs, panels, and the like, which machine comprise: - at least one machining station comprising at least one gantry (1) supporting at least one processing head (4); - a conveyor (2, 3) for feeding at least one workpiece (P) from a loading station to said machining station, which conveyor (2, 3) comprises devices for moving a workpiece (P) along a path in a processing direction towards and/or through and/or away from said gantry (1) and consists of a plurality of supporting crossbars (3) of said workpiece (P) which are distributed side by side along said path and which can be moved along guides (201) which extend in the forward direction, while said crossbars (3) comprise translation guides (301) along them of an processing head (5) that works the workpiece from below. The processing head (5) is parked in a parking station (50) laterally to the crossbars (3) and is loaded and unloaded onto and from the guide (301) associated with a crossbar (3) when this is brought into said parking station (50).