Handheld Workpiece Machining With Marker-Based Coordinate Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machining systems for workpieces lack sufficient precision due to inaccuracies in aligning mechanical or optical references with workpiece markings, leading to suboptimal machining performance.

Innovation Solution

A system that positions a mechanical or optical reference directly next to the workpiece marking, using adjustable and mobile references, and employs coordinate transmitters and detection devices to establish a precise spatial coincidence between the reference and the marking, allowing for accurate conversion between local and global coordinate systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an optical system is used to image the workpiece marking and place a virtual reference, then the system is easier to operate, but the machining precision deteriorates due to alignment inaccuracies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidmachining precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an optical system with a camera to capture an image of the workpiece marking and creates a digital copy (virtual reference) of the marking coordinates. This virtual reference is then used for machining operations, eliminating the need for physical mechanical references while maintaining ease of operation. The camera captures the marking position, and the control unit processes these coordinates to guide the machining tool, thus solving the contradiction by using a digital copy instead of a physical intermediary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If a mechanical reference is positioned on the workpiece marking, then the machining precision is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional positioning mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachining precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical reference positioning systems with an optical detection system. Instead of using mechanical devices to physically position and align references on the workpiece, the system uses a camera to optically detect the marking coordinates and a control unit to process this information. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical positioning mechanisms while achieving high machining precision through digital coordinate processing and control.

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

3Productivity

If the workpiece is moved during processing, then the productivity is improved, but the machining precision deteriorates due to position changes

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidmachining precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the camera continuously or periodically detects the workpiece marking position, and the control unit processes these coordinates to adjust and correct the machining tool's position. This closed-loop feedback system allows the workpiece to be moved during processing while maintaining machining precision, as any position changes are detected and compensated for in real-time through coordinate transformation and tool path adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3704553B1Method for machining a workpiece
Publication Date: 2023.07.26 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP3704553B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3704553B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3704553B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a system for machining a workpiece (W), comprising: a hand-held power tool (20) having a drive motor (22), a tool holder (24), that can be driven by the drive motor (22), for a working tool (25) for machining the workpiece (W), and a guide element (30) with a guide surface (31) for guiding the hand-held power tool (20) on the workpiece (W); and a marker detection device (70) for detecting coordinate data (KD1, KD2) of at least one workpiece marker (M1, M2) of the workpiece (W); wherein the hand-held power tool (20) has guide means (65) for guiding the working tool (25) along the workpiece (W) according to the coordinate data (KD1, KD2) of the at least one workpiece marker (M1, M2). According the the invention, the marker detection device (70) has an optical and/or mechanical reference (71) which can be positioned on and/or directly next to the at least one workpiece marker (M1, M2), the marker detection device (70) is configured for determining the coordinate data (KD1, KD2) of the at least one workpiece marker (M1, M2) relative to an at least two-dimensional coordinates system (KR2, KR3) which is independent from the workpiece marker (M1, M2), and the guide means (65) of the hand-held power tool (20) are configured for guiding the working tool (25) according to the at least two-dimensional coordinates system (KR2, KR3) in a working area (AB), which is geometrically defined by working area data (AD), which is in turn determined based on the coordinate data (KD1, KD2) of the at least one workpiece marker (M1, M2).