Lumber Stack Marking Machine with Movable Applicator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lumber stack marking machines are inefficient and difficult to adapt to stacks of different sizes, often resulting in sloppy and unreadable markings due to interference from stickers and require reconfiguration, leading to reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

A lumber stack marking machine with a movable marking applicator assembly that applies vertical markings, allowing for precise application between stickers, and a controller to manage the movement and positioning of the applicator, enabling efficient marking on variously sized stacks without interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a known marking machine is used to apply horizontal markings, then markings can be applied to lumber stacks, but the machine is not easily adaptable to stacks of different sizes and requires reconfiguration, lowering throughput

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different stack sizesVSAvoidthroughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The marking machine employs a movable marking applicator assembly that can be dynamically repositioned along the length of the lumber stack. The applicator assembly moves from a rest position to a marking position between the stickers, allowing the machine to adapt to stacks of different sizes without reconfiguration, thereby maintaining high throughput while achieving versatility across varying stack dimensions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If a known marking machine is used, then markings can be applied, but stickers that extend too far interfere with the machine, causing misapplication or damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking application reliabilityVSAvoidsticker interference

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The marking applicator assembly is designed to move into a marking position that is specifically located between the stickers on the lumber stack. By positioning the applicator in the space between the stickers rather than having it contact the stickers directly, the invention eliminates sticker interference that would otherwise cause marking misapplication or damage to the machine, thereby improving reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If hand spray painting is used to mark lumber stacks, then markings can be applied, but it is time consuming and results in sloppy and possibly unreadable markings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemarking qualityVSAvoidmarking time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the manual hand spray painting process with an automated marking applicator assembly that applies markings vertically between the stickers on the lumber stack. This mechanical substitution eliminates the sloppiness and unreadability associated with hand painting while significantly reducing the time required for marking, thereby improving both marking quality and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11110732B2Lumber stack marking machine and methods of applying markings to lumber stacks

Publication Date: 2021.09.07 SIGNODE CANADA ULC

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide lumber stack marking machines and methods of applying marking sets to lumber stacks.