Lumber Retrieval System Using Piercing Tool and Laser Scanning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lumber handling systems face challenges in efficiently retrieving and delivering individual pieces of lumber of varying sizes and shapes, particularly when dealing with tilted or bowed boards and knotholes, as they often fail to securely grip and lift such boards for processing.
Innovation Solution
A lumber handling system incorporating a track and track follower, a piercing tool coupled to a structural beam, and a tool carrier with actuators, which allows for precise movement and penetration of the piercing tool into the lumber, along with a laser scanning system to identify and select the appropriate boards, ensuring successful retrieval and delivery even for boards that are tilted or have imperfections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional lumber handling systems are used, then simple boards can be retrieved, but tilted or bowed boards with knotholes cannot be securely gripped and lifted
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing tool is designed to dynamically adjust its piercing depth and angle based on real-time feedback from sensors detecting board conditions. The actuator system modifies the tool's position and penetration depth during operation, allowing reliable gripping of tilted or bowed boards with knotholes that static systems cannot handle
Solution Approach 2:
A feedback control system uses sensors to detect board characteristics (tilt angle, bow curvature, knothole location) and automatically adjusts the piercing tool's operation parameters. This closed-loop control ensures the tool penetrates at the optimal location and depth to securely grip challenging board types while maintaining reliability across diverse board conditions
2Reliability
If multiple attempts are made to retrieve difficult boards, then retrieval success increases, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary scanning and assessment of each board using laser scanners and sensors before the piercing attempt. This preliminary action identifies the optimal piercing location and depth in advance, ensuring successful retrieval on the first attempt and eliminating the need for multiple retry attempts that would reduce productivity
3Adaptability or versatility
If a simple retrieval mechanism is used, then device complexity is low, but it cannot handle boards with varying sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The piercing tool system is designed as a universal mechanism that can handle boards of varying sizes and shapes through programmable control. The same actuator and piercing tool configuration adapts to different board types by adjusting operational parameters, avoiding the need for multiple specialized mechanisms and thereby managing complexity while maintaining high adaptability
Data Source
AI summary
An automated lumber handling method laser-scans the top profile of multiple stacks of lumber, each of which contain boards of a unique size. Based on the scanned profiles, the method determines the order in which individual boards from a chosen stack should be transferred to a numerically controlled saw. The saw cuts the boards to size and in proper sequence to facilitate orderly assembly of a roof truss or prefabricated wall. In some examples, the method lifts individual boards by driving two retractable screws, or some other piercing tool, down into the upward facing surface of the board. A track mounted cantilever, holding the screws and a laser unit, translates over the lumber stacks to retrieve and deliver individual boards and, while doing so, the laser repeatedly scans the stacked lumber profiles on-the-fly to continuously update the profiles. The open cantilever design facilitates replenishing the stacks of lumber.