Grip-and-carry assembly for wood panel cutting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wood panel cutting machines are either overly complex and expensive or lack versatility in handling panels of varying sizes, with grip-and-carry assemblies either being too bulky or unable to properly support wider panels.
Innovation Solution
A machine design featuring a horizontal bed with parallel gantry structures and a feed device comprising multiple grip-and-carry assemblies with adjustable grip members, allowing for variable width and configuration to accommodate different panel sizes and shapes, supported by electric drive motors and mechanical coupling devices for precise movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a first grip-and-carry assembly extends between two lateral guide members and a second grip-and-carry assembly is movable between a rest position and a work position, then the feed unit can handle panels, but the structure becomes complicated, bulky, and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate grip-and-carry assemblies into a single integrated assembly that can perform the functions of both. The merged assembly includes a first grip member extending between lateral guide members and a second grip member that can move between rest and work positions, eliminating the need for separate assemblies while maintaining panel handling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single grip-and-carry assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it can grip panels at different positions, accommodate panels of varying widths, and operate in both rest and work positions. This multi-functional design replaces the need for specialized separate assemblies for different panel sizes and positions.
2Device complexity
If two grip-and-carry assemblies are arranged side by side between lateral members and a central member, then the structure is simpler, but panels wider than the distance between central member and lateral member cannot be correctly gripped
Solution Approach 1:
The second grip member is designed to be movable between a rest position (where it is located beneath the table or outwards of one of the lateral members) and a work position (where it projects above the table and between the lateral members). This dynamic positioning allows the assembly to accommodate panels of varying widths, including wider panels that cannot be handled by fixed grip assemblies.
3Productivity
If grip-and-carry assemblies are positioned to handle standard panels, then cutting operations are efficient, but the machine cannot handle panels of varying sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The movable second grip member allows the feed unit to dynamically adjust its configuration based on panel dimensions. For standard panels, the assembly operates in a configured position for efficient cutting, while for varying panel sizes, the grip member can be repositioned to maintain proper support and gripping, thus preserving productivity across different panel types.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
A machine for cutting panels (2) of wood or similar has a first grip-and-carry assembly (17; 30) and a second grip-and-carry assembly (22) movable independently of each other to move relative panels (2) through a cutting station (12); and a third grip-and-carry assembly (25; 30, 33) having at least one grip-and-carry member (26; 31, 34) connectable selectively to the first (17; 30) or second (22) grip-and-carry assembly to move with the same law of motion as the first (17; 30) or second (22) grip-and-carry assembly.