Panel Cutting Unit With Integrated Imaging for Cut Surface Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cutting units fail to effectively control the quality of cuts on the surface of panels, particularly in nesting operations, and cannot verify the surface quality of multiple panels simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A cutting unit equipped with an image capturing device that integrates with the support and moves with the cutting tool to capture images of the cut surfaces, allowing immediate quality control and adjustment, using cameras or contact image sensors for comprehensive surface inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a video camera is associated with the cutting unit to capture images for alignment checking, then the alignment between scoring blade and cutting blade can be verified, but the surface quality of the cut panels cannot be controlled
Solution Approach 1:
A light source is introduced as an intermediary element to illuminate the cut surface, enabling the image capture device to detect surface quality. The light source projects light onto the cut surface, and the image capture device captures the reflected light to generate images for quality assessment, thus bridging the gap between alignment verification and surface quality control.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical alignment checking method is replaced by an optical detection system. Instead of relying solely on mechanical measurement tools, the patent uses a light source combined with an image capture device to optically detect both alignment and surface quality, providing a more comprehensive and precise measurement approach.
2Device complexity
If the image capture device is fixed on the support structure separate from the cutting tool, then the structure is simpler, but the device cannot follow the cutting tool to capture images of cut surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture device is merged with the cutting tool assembly, forming an integrated unit. This combination allows the image capture device to move together with the cutting tool, enabling real-time capture of cut surface images while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The image capture device is made dynamic by coupling it to the movable cutting tool assembly. As the cutting tool moves along the panel to perform cutting operations, the image capture device dynamically follows and captures images of the freshly cut surfaces, enabling real-time quality monitoring throughout the cutting process.
3Device complexity
If only the lower part of the panel is captured for alignment checking, then the device complexity is reduced, but the surface quality of the entire panel cannot be inspected
Solution Approach 1:
The image capture device is designed with multi-functionality, serving both alignment verification and comprehensive surface quality inspection. By capturing images of the entire cut surface rather than just the lower part, the device performs multiple quality assessment functions simultaneously, including alignment checking, surface finish evaluation, and defect detection.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a cutting unit for a panel processing machine, comprising a support (2); at least one cutting tool (3) associated with said support (2) and configured to perform at least one cut on at least one panel or a stack of panels (P), so as to separate at least a first portion (P1) of said panel or stack of panels (P) from the remaining part (P2) of the panel or stack of panels (P), creating a space (S) between said first portion (P1) and the remaining part (P2) of the panel or stack of panels (P), said support (2) and said panel or stack of panels (P) being movable relative to each other; and an image acquisition device (4; 41) configured to be associated with said support (2) and comprising at least one detection element (5; 51) configured to be inserted into the space (S) created between said first portion (P1) and the remaining part (P2) of the panel or stack of panels (P), said detection element (5; 51) being configured to detect at least one area (6) of the surface of the first portion (P1) facing said space (S) and/or at least one area (7) of the surface of the remaining part (P2) of the panel or stack of panels (P) facing said space (S).