Machining Unit for Plate Workpieces with Integrated Glue Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current processing units for panel-shaped workpieces with applied edge material are inefficient in terms of time and quality, as they require separate steps for milling and post-processing, which can lead to impaired processing due to glue residues and difficulties in handling workpiece corners or small radii.

Innovation Solution

A processing unit with a milling device and a post-processing device, such as a glue joint knife, arranged in close proximity, allowing simultaneous machining and post-processing, where the post-processing device is positioned between the milling device and a scanning device, enabling immediate removal of glue residues and adapting to surface changes, thus eliminating the need for a separate post-processing step.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate milling and post-processing steps are used, then processing quality can be maintained, but processing time increases and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the milling device and post-processing device into a single integrated processing unit. The post-processing device is arranged between the scanning device and the milling device in the processing direction, allowing both operations to be performed in one continuous pass without separate steps, thereby improving productivity while maintaining quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If post-processing is performed after milling, then edge quality can be improved, but glue residues may impair subsequent processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveedge qualityVSAvoidglue residues
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The post-processing device is positioned to perform post-processing operations immediately after milling while the workpiece is still in the processing unit. This preliminary action removes glue residues and smooths the edge in sequence, preventing glue residues from interfering with subsequent processing steps and maintaining edge quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple separate processing devices are used, then processing quality can be maintained, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple processing functions into a single processing unit. The post-processing device is arranged between the scanning device and the milling device within the same processing unit, allowing both operations to be performed in one continuous pass without requiring separate processing stations, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining processing quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If post-processing device is positioned downstream of milling device, then processing sequence is simple, but separate post-processing step is required increasing time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing sequence simplicityVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the post-processing device between the scanning device and the milling device in the processing direction, creating an integrated processing sequence. This allows the post-processing to occur immediately after scanning and before milling in a continuous operation, eliminating the need for separate post-processing steps and increasing processing speed while maintaining sequence simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This integrated approach significantly reduces processing time, enhances quality by preventing glue residue impairment, and ensures precise handling of workpiece corners without additional actuators, as the post-processing device remains in contact with the workpiece surface, automatically removing residues during milling.

Implementation Method 1

the post-processing device is pressed elastically or spring-loaded onto the surface of the broad side of the workpiece

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3124191B1Machining unit for processing plate-like workpieces and method for machining a plate-like workpiece
Publication Date: 2017.12.13 HOMAG GMBH
  • EP3124191B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3124191B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3124191B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a machining unit for processing plate-shaped workpieces (9) with at least one narrow (10a) and one wide (10b) side, wherein the machining unit comprises a milling device (1) for machining the workpiece (9) in the region of an edge of the workpiece, a first probing device (2) for probing the wide side (10b) of the workpiece for positioning the milling device (1) relative to the wide side (10b) of the workpiece, and a finishing device (5) for finishing the workpiece in the region of the milled edge. According to the invention, the finishing device is arranged, at least sectionally, between the first probing device (2) and the milling device (1) in a view perpendicular to the wide side (10b) of the workpiece.