Image-Guided Woodworking Machine for Decorative Tool Trajectories

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machines for sanding and gouging wooden pieces have rigid operating logics, limiting their ability to perform highly variable machining operations, especially for decorative and artistic purposes, as they cannot accurately reproduce specific manual effects or graphic decorations from external images.

Innovation Solution

A machine equipped with an image acquisition and processing program that extracts the necessary tool profiles and trajectories from input data to reproduce the desired machining patterns on wooden or other materials, allowing for the use of multiple working groups and tools to create complex, non-predefined machining operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional rigid operating logic is used in machining machines, then the machine structure and control system remain simple, but the machine cannot reproduce complex manual effects or graphic decorations from external images

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to reproduce manual effects and graphic decorationsVSAvoidmachine control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses image acquisition devices to capture target images and processing algorithms to extract machining trajectories, effectively copying the visual information from external images into machine-executable motion paths. This allows the machine to reproduce manual effects and graphic decorations by translating visual data into precise tool movements, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical control systems with a computer vision-based control system. Instead of relying on predefined mechanical profiles or manual programming, the system uses image processing algorithms to automatically generate machining trajectories, substituting mechanical rigidity with computational flexibility to achieve complex decorative patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple working groups and tools are used to create complex machining patterns, then the machining versatility improves, but the machine structure and operation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining pattern complexityVSAvoidmachine operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service operation by enabling the machine to automatically acquire target images, process the visual data, extract machining trajectories, and execute the machining operations without extensive manual intervention. The system serves itself by converting image data into actionable machining instructions, simplifying operation despite the complexity of multiple working groups and tools.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary image acquisition and processing before the actual machining operation. By pre-extracting the machining trajectories from the target image and preparing the control data in advance, the system simplifies the operational process during execution, allowing complex patterns to be reproduced without increasing operational complexity during the machining phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If image acquisition and processing programs are added to extract tool profiles and trajectories, then the ability to reproduce specific machining patterns improves, but the device complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining pattern accuracyVSAvoidimage processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs image acquisition and processing as a preliminary step before machining. By extracting tool profiles and machining trajectories in advance from the target image, the system prepares all necessary control data beforehand, ensuring high machining precision while allowing the actual machining process to proceed efficiently without time-consuming processing delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If image processing algorithms are used to extract machining trajectories, then the ability to reproduce non-predefined patterns improves, but the computational requirements and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepattern variabilityVSAvoidcontrol program complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes complex mechanical control systems with image processing-based computational control. By using algorithms to extract machining trajectories from images, the system achieves high pattern variability and adaptability while replacing rigid mechanical programming with flexible visual data processing, effectively managing the complexity through software rather than hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3944926A1Machine for working wooden workpieces and the like, provided with a program for acquiring and processing images, and operating method thereof
Publication Date: 2022.02.02 SCM GRP
  • EP3944926A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3944926A1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3944926A1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a machine (M) for working workpieces (P) made of wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, fiberglass for carrying out a working on said workpiece (P) reproducing an input data (I), as an image or a sample, comprising: at least one working group (2) provided with at least one working tool (21) having a specific shape and capable of carrying out the working on said workpiece (P) according to specific trajectories, said working tool (21) moved according to specific laws of motion; a working table (1) for supporting and moving said workpiece (P) to be worked, according to a forward direction (A), during the working process; a logic control unit (U) provided with storage means in which links between said at least one working group (2) and the respective working operation that it can carry out on said workpiece (P) are stored; said machine being characterized in that said logic control unit (U) is provided with a program for acquiring and processing said specific input data (I) capable of acquiring said input data (I); processing said input data (I) for extracting output data such as the law of motion that said at least one working group (2) has to follow for working said workpiece (P), so as to reproduce said input data (I) on said workpiece (P), and carrying out the working of said workpiece (P). The present invention also relates to an operating method of said machine (M).