Machining Unit Positioning with Controlled Sensing Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Machining devices experience vibration due to shock impulses when a workpiece contacts a sensing roller, impairing machining quality, particularly at the beginning of the process.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that positions a machining unit relative to a workpiece by bringing a sensing element into contact with the workpiece surface without transmitting significant impact impulses, using controlled movements and positioning paths of less than 2.0 mm, preferably 1.0 mm, to minimize vibration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the workpiece contacts the sensing roller to position the machining unit, then the sensing operation is achieved, but shock impulses are generated causing vibration that impairs machining quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing precisionVSAvoidvibration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The machining unit is pre-positioned in a ready position where the sensing element is arranged above or below the imaginary workpiece plane before contact occurs. The actuating device is prepared in advance to control the sensing element's movement into the sensing position, ensuring the positioning action is performed preliminarily and controlled rather than through uncontrolled impact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a cushioning effect by controlling the actuating device to move the sensing element into the sensing position along a controlled path of about 2.0 mm or shorter. This controlled movement acts as a cushioning mechanism that prevents direct impact and shock impulse transmission to the machining unit while still achieving accurate sensing contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the workpiece moves against the sensing roller to bring it into contact, then positioning is achieved, but the machining unit is set into vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning easeVSAvoidmachining unit stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing the workpiece to move against the sensing roller (conventional approach), the patent inverts the approach by using an actuating device to actively move the sensing element into position. This reverses the direction of the positioning action from workpiece-driven to tool-driven, eliminating the harmful impact while maintaining positioning ease

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely mechanical impact-based positioning system with a controlled actuating device that can precisely control the sensing element's movement. This substitution of uncontrolled mechanical impact with controlled actuated movement maintains ease of operation while preserving machining unit stability

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

Data Source

PatentEP3960407B1Machining device and method for positioning a machining unit to a workpiece to be machined
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 HOMAG GMBH
  • EP3960407B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3960407B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP3960407B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for positioning a machining unit (12) to a workpiece (11) to be machined, wherein the machining unit (12) is arranged in a ready position (31) before contact with the workpiece (11), in which at least one sensing element (18, 19) of the sensing device (17) is arranged above or below an imaginary workpiece plane (32) which lies in the workpiece surface (22) to be scanned with respect to the workpiece (11), and the at least one sensing element (18, 19) is moved into the sensing position (33) or an intermediate position (37) by means of an actuating device (26) which controls an actuating movement of the machining unit (12) directed towards the workpiece surface (22), and a machining device (10) for machining workpieces (11).