Log Feeding Control With Centering Spindles for Stable Fast Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing log feeding apparatuses face challenges in increasing productivity by shortening log transport time without increasing workload or decreasing stability, as higher operation speeds lead to instability and potential log misalignment during transport.
Innovation Solution
The log feeding apparatus incorporates a centering unit, log feeding unit, transport unit, and controller to manage the movement and alignment of logs between cutting spindles, allowing for efficient log delivery and preparation of new logs without increasing workload or stability issues, by using centering spindles, clamping arms, and a controller that calculates safe distances and positions for log placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the operation speed of shaft bearing housings and handling device is increased to shorten log transport time, then productivity is improved, but workload on actuators increases and stability during log transport deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The log transport system is divided into multiple independent units: log feeding unit with shaft bearing housings, centering unit with centering spindles, and handling device with transporting claws. Each unit operates semi-independently, allowing optimized speed control for each segment to maintain stability while improving overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering unit performs preliminary centering action on the log before it reaches the handling device. By pre-aligning the log between centering spindles, the system ensures stable transport without requiring excessive speed reduction, thus maintaining productivity while improving reliability.
2Productivity
If the operation speed of shaft bearing housings and handling device is increased to shorten log transport time, then productivity is improved, but workload on actuators increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transport system is segmented into multiple units that share the workload. The log feeding unit, centering unit, and handling device each perform specific functions at optimized speeds, distributing the power requirements across multiple actuators rather than requiring one high-power actuator to move the entire log quickly.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic speed control where different units operate at different speeds based on their specific functions. The centering unit operates at a speed optimized for precise alignment, while the handling device operates at a speed optimized for transport, allowing each actuator to work within its optimal power range.
3Productivity
If log transport speed is increased to feed more logs per unit time, then productivity is improved, but log alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The centering unit performs preliminary centering of the log between centering spindles before the log is transferred to the handling device. This pre-alignment ensures that even at higher transport speeds, the log maintains proper alignment with the cutting spindles, preserving manufacturing precision while enabling increased productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering spindles act as an intermediary mechanism between the log feeding unit and the handling device. They provide a stable reference frame for log alignment, allowing the log to be accurately positioned and then transferred at higher speeds without sacrificing alignment precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A log feeding apparatus for feeding a log to first and second cutting spindles is provided, in which a log is fed to a second receiving position when centering spindles have reached a second delivery position that is away from the second receiving position downstream in the direction of log transport by a distance equal to or greater than an assumed maximum diameter of the log. That is, a new log is transported to the second receiving position by placing sections when the log held between the centering spindles reaches a position that will avoid contact with the new log. As a result, the time can be reduced for transporting the log to the cutting spindles.