Machining Centre Measuring System for Accurate Manual Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machining centers face challenges with manual positioning of supporting bars and suction cups, lacking feedback on correct positioning, leading to potential errors and requiring costly, bulky measurement systems or large motors for automatic alignment.

Innovation Solution

A machining center with a measuring system using binary codes and optical sensors to provide precise positioning feedback to operators, allowing for manual, reliable, and cost-effective alignment of supporting bars and suction cups through a logic control unit and wireless communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If manual positioning of bars and suction cups is used, then device complexity is reduced, but positioning precision deteriorates due to lack of feedback

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning system complexityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism by equipping bars and suction cups with sensors that detect binary codes positioned on the work surface. This provides real-time positioning information to the control unit, enabling operators to verify correct positioning without complex automatic positioning systems. The feedback resolves the contradiction by maintaining simple manual positioning while achieving accurate placement through informational feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with an optical-information based system. Instead of using bulky motors and carriages for automatic positioning, the invention uses binary codes and optical sensors to provide positioning feedback, substituting mechanical complexity with a simpler optical detection mechanism.

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

2Measurement precision

If magnetic or magnetostrictive measuring systems are used, then positioning feedback is improved, but device complexity worsens due to bulky wiring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning feedback accuracyVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes magnetic and magnetostrictive measuring systems with an optical binary code system. The binary codes positioned on the work surface and read by optical sensors eliminate the need for complex wiring associated with magnetic systems, achieving positioning feedback through a simpler optical mechanism.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces binary codes as an intermediary medium for positioning information transmission. Instead of direct electrical connections between sensors and the control unit, the binary codes serve as a passive information carrier that can be read optically, eliminating bulky wiring while maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If automatic positioning with motors and carriages is used, then positioning precision is improved, but cost and device dimensions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost and dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the positioning feedback function from complex motorized systems. By separating the measurement function (binary code reading) from the positioning action (manual bar movement), the invention achieves accurate positioning without requiring expensive and space-consuming motors and carriages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces motor-driven automatic positioning with a manual positioning system aided by optical feedback. The binary code reading system substitutes for the mechanical complexity of motors and carriages, providing positioning accuracy through information feedback rather than automated mechanical movement.

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

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables accurate and efficient manual positioning of machining center elements with reduced costs and complexity, providing real-time feedback to operators for correct alignment.

Implementation Method 1

measuring system 4... binary codes and optical sensors to provide precise positioning feedback

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical detection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3696631B1Machining centre for machining wooden pieces, equipped with a measuring system
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 SCM GRP
  • EP3696631B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3696631B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3696631B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Described is a machining centre (C) for machining pieces made of wood, ceramic, plastic, glass, fibreglass, comprising a base (1) for supporting said machining centre (C), a work surface (2), coupled with said base (1), for supporting the pieces to be machined, in turn comprising a plurality of supporting bars (21a,b,...,k,...n), coupled in a slidable fashion and movable along said base (1), a plurality of movable elements (24a,b,...,k,...n) for fixing said pieces to be machined, coupled in a slidable fashion and movable along respective supporting bars (21a,b,...,k,...n), a logic control unit (U) for the operation of said machining centre (C), in which are stored configurations of said work surface (2) for machining said pieces, said measuring system (4) being coupled to said work surface (2) and being able to measure position values of said plurality of supporting bars (21a,b,...,k,...n) and of said plurality of movable elements (24a,b,...,k,....n) in a predetermined configuration of said work surface (2) and to send said position values to said logic control unit (U), and said logic control unit (U) makes a comparison between said configuration stored and said position values received and emits signals corresponding to said comparison. The invention also relates to a measuring system.