Optical Tool Presetting for Precise Stone Edge Profile Machining
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the stone masonry industry, the manual presetting of machining tools for edge profiles on stone slabs is time-consuming, fault-prone, and lacks precision, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
An optical measuring and presetting method that uses an apparatus to automatically capture and align the profile coordinates of multiple machining tools, ensuring precise and efficient machining of stone slabs by optimizing the machining process and reducing downtimes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual presetting of machining tools is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but manufacturing precision and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical presetting operations with an optical measuring system that automatically captures tool contours and calculates presetting values. The optical device records the actual geometry of profile machining tools, and a computing unit processes this data to determine precise presetting parameters, eliminating manual measurement and calculation errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the machining process to automatically feed back tool wear information through repeated optical measurements. The control unit continuously updates presetting values based on measured tool geometry changes, creating a closed-loop system that self-corrects for tool wear without external intervention.
2Productivity
If manual presetting is used, then device complexity is low, but loss of time and productivity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by enabling tool measurements to be performed during machine downtime or between machining operations. The optical measuring system can capture tool contours without interrupting the overall production flow, and the computing unit processes data in real-time to prepare presetting values for the next machining operation, maximizing equipment utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by measuring and analyzing tool geometry before the tool is actually needed for machining. The optical device captures tool contours in advance, the computing unit calculates presetting values beforehand, and the control unit stores this data for immediate use when the machining operation begins, eliminating setup time during production.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual presetting is used, then device complexity is low, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces imprecise manual measurement methods with an optical measuring system that captures tool contours with high accuracy. The optical device records the actual geometry of profile machining tools non-contactly, and a computing unit processes this data to determine precise presetting parameters, eliminating manual measurement and calculation errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates an accurate digital copy of the physical tool geometry through optical measurement. The optical device captures the tool contour and stores it as profile coordinate data in the control unit's memory, allowing precise reproduction and analysis of the tool shape without physical contact or degradation of the original tool.
4Productivity
If automated optical measuring is implemented, then productivity improves, but loss of time for measurement setup may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous useful action by enabling tool measurements to be performed during machine downtime or between machining operations. The optical measuring system can capture tool contours without interrupting the overall production flow, and the computing unit processes data in real-time to prepare presetting values for the next machining operation, maximizing equipment utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces time-consuming manual presetting operations with an automated optical measuring system. The optical device rapidly captures tool contours, and the computing unit quickly calculates presetting values, significantly reducing the time required for tool preparation compared to manual methods while maintaining high precision.
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
The method achieves high precision and speed in stone slab machining, reduces tool wear, and lowers costs by enabling fully automated tool presetting and measuring, thereby improving the overall efficiency of the machining process.
Implementation Method 1
an optical work contour capturing device (76, camera) having a camera and a light source (80), in that the work contour (28) is captured with the camera (78) in a transmission light measuring arrangement
Data Source
AI summary
An optical measuring and/or presetting method for a combined measuring and/or presetting of a set of profile machining tools comprises a plurality of individual profile machining tools is proposed, wherein the individual profile machining tools of the set of profile machining tools are configured for a successive machining of side edges of stone slabs, with at least one tool presetting and/or tool measuring apparatus, by means of which in at least one first tool measuring step an at least partly and/or at least section-wise concave-curved work contour, in particular milling contour or polishing contour, of a first profile machining tool of the set of profile machining tools is optically captured in an at least semi-automated manner, wherein in a first tool presetting step profile coordinates are assigned to the work contour of the first profile machining tool captured in the first tool measuring step, said profile coordinates being stored in a memory unit of the tool presetting and/or tool measuring apparatus.