Panel Machining Gripper Guides for Flexible Multi-Station Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for processing wood panels and sheets face challenges in adapting to varying workpiece shapes, operations, and handling, particularly in configuring gripping members and handling multiple machining stations simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The machine features movable gripping members with actuators, longitudinal guides, and support heads that can adjust to accommodate different workpiece dimensions and shapes, allowing for simultaneous machining at multiple stations along a path, with suction-type support heads to maintain planarity and prevent bulging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If gripping members are made fixed and simple in structure, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different workpiece shapes and sizes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping members are designed with motorized actuators that enable them to move along longitudinal guides and adjust their positions dynamically. This allows the gripping members to adapt to different workpiece shapes and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple base structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping members are designed to perform multiple functions: they can grip workpieces at different positions, accommodate various workpiece shapes through longitudinal movement, and work in coordination with multiple machining stations. This multi-functionality allows a single gripping member design to handle diverse machining tasks without requiring complex specialized structures for each workpiece type.
2Productivity
If multiple machining stations are operated simultaneously, then productivity increases, but coordination and positioning precision become more difficult to maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a control unit that receives feedback from position sensors monitoring the locations of gripping members and machining tools. This feedback enables the control unit to coordinate the operations of multiple machining stations simultaneously while maintaining precise positioning, allowing productivity to increase without sacrificing manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping members and longitudinal guides are designed to work across multiple machining stations simultaneously. The same gripping member structure and control mechanism can manage positioning for several stations, enabling coordinated multi-station operation while maintaining precision through the universal design.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If gripping members are positioned far from workpiece edges for safety, then workpiece protection improves, but gripping effectiveness and positioning accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping members can dynamically adjust their longitudinal positions along the guides based on the specific workpiece being processed. This allows them to position themselves optimally for gripping accuracy when needed, while still maintaining safe operational distances when protection is the priority, resolving the contradiction between protection and precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
Machine for processing panels, sheets or the like, in particular made of wood or materials made of wood or comprising wood, comprising at least one machining station with at least one machining tool and at least one worktable and positioning/feeding table for a work panel, which worktable passing for at least part of its extension, in the workstation in such a position that a work panel is accessible on at least one side by the machining tool and said worktable being provided with a plurality of gripping members of a work panel which can be controlled alternately in an active gripping condition or in an inactive condition in which said at least one work panel is free from said gripping members. According to the invention, each gripping member consists of a gripper comprising at least one jaw movable against a stationary jaw and a cart or a translation slide along a longitudinal guide, at least two longitudinal guides being provided and at least one of said guides longitudinal extensions can be translated transversely to its longitudinal extension and can be temporarily locked in a translational position, by means of at least one pair of carts or slides.