Log Positioning System Using Optical Mark Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional log turners in sawmills face inaccuracies in positioning logs due to surface irregularities, leading to reduced lumber recovery and value, as they struggle to maintain precise rotation and positioning at high speeds.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a marking device to place a reference mark on the log, cameras to identify the mark's orientation, and a processor-controlled turning mechanism to adjust the log's position in real-time, ensuring accurate alignment with the optimized cutting solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional spiked rolls are used to rotate logs at high speed, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to surface irregularities affecting contact
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses optical sensors to detect the position of marks on logs and provides real-time feedback to the control system. This feedback loop allows the system to monitor and adjust log position dynamically, maintaining high positioning accuracy even at high turning speeds where conventional systems would lose precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces reliance on mechanical contact between spiked rolls and log surface with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical feedback from roll-log contact, the system uses optical sensors to detect mark positions and electronically controls roll positioning, eliminating the precision loss caused by surface irregularities.
2Ease of operation
If spiked rolls contact the log surface for turning, then the log can be rotated, but surface irregularities such as knots and indentations inhibit proper contact and rotation accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces marks as intermediary reference objects attached to the log surface. These marks serve as mediators between the optical detection system and the log itself, allowing precise position detection without relying on direct mechanical contact between rolls and irregular log surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes mechanical contact-based position detection with optical detection of marks. Instead of relying on the mechanical interaction between spiked rolls and log surface irregularities, the system uses non-contact optical sensing to accurately determine log position and control rotation.
3Productivity
If the transport conveyor moves the workpiece at high speed, then productivity increases, but maintaining the workpiece in the optimized position becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors mark position on moving logs using optical sensors and provides real-time feedback to the control system. This enables dynamic adjustment of log position during high-speed conveyor operation, maintaining positioning accuracy despite the increased challenges of high-speed movement.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for positioning a workpiece in an optimized position. In one embodiment a marking device places a mark on the workpiece prior to the workpiece passing through a scanner cooperating with an optimizer. The optimizer determines the optimized position of the workpiece. The orientation of the workpiece is identified by a first camera. The mark may be used as a point of reference such that the workpiece may be positioned in the optimized position by rotating the workpiece relative to the orientation of the mark. A turning mechanism rotates the workpiece to position it in the optimized position. A further camera identifies the orientation of the mark while the workpiece is being rotated. A processor compares in real time the orientation of the workpiece with the optimized position to determine if the workpiece is in the optimized position.