Panel Saw Feeding Carriage With Suction Locking Against Panel Rotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Panel saw machines face issues with panels rotating during movement due to inadequate rear support, leading to squaring errors and ineffective feeding, especially when panels have geometrical imperfections or are wider than the distance between the contact surface and rear support unit.

Innovation Solution

A feeding device for panel saw machines equipped with a carriage and a locking device featuring a suction unit that stabilizes panels by maintaining contact through a fluid-dynamic communication system, ensuring panels remain parallel to the shoulder during both forward and backward movements, preventing rotation and squaring errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a rear support unit is used to provide rear support during feeding, then panels of smaller width can be fed stably, but panels with geometrical imperfections or wider panels cannot be effectively supported, allowing rotation during movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel stability during feedingVSAvoidadaptability to different panel conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The feeding device is divided into multiple independent gripping devices distributed parallel to the cutting direction. Each gripping device can independently contact and support the panel, allowing the system to adapt to various panel widths and conditions while maintaining stability during feeding movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A suction unit is introduced as an intermediary element between the gripping device and the panel. This suction unit creates a fluid-dynamic connection that provides stable contact and support for the panel during feeding, effectively handling panels with geometrical imperfections or varying widths without causing rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If panels are moved backwards to position them correctly after cutting, then cutting position accuracy is improved, but heavier panels rotate with respect to the carriage generating squaring errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecutting position accuracyVSAvoidpanel orientation stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical gripping system is supplemented with a suction unit that uses fluid-dynamic forces instead of purely mechanical contact. This substitution allows for stable panel retention during backward movement and positioning operations, preventing rotation and maintaining cutting position accuracy without generating squaring errors.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The suction unit provides dynamic adaptation to panel characteristics, automatically adjusting its holding force and contact point. This dynamic capability ensures that panels of varying weights and dimensions remain stable during backward movement and positioning, maintaining orientation accuracy throughout the feeding cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple gripping devices are distributed parallel to the cutting direction, then panel grip is optimized during positioning, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepanel positioning accuracyVSAvoidfeeding device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Each gripping device in the distributed array is designed with multi-functionality, incorporating both mechanical gripping capabilities and suction unit integration. This universal design allows the same structural element to perform multiple functions (gripping, positioning, and stabilizing), reducing overall device complexity despite the distributed configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The suction unit serves as a merging element that combines the functions of multiple gripping devices into a single integrated system. By distributing the suction capability across multiple contact points parallel to the cutting direction, the system achieves optimized panel positioning accuracy while avoiding the complexity of entirely separate gripping mechanisms.

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

The solution effectively prevents panel rotation and ensures accurate cutting by maintaining constant panel alignment with the shoulder, eliminating the need for repeated setup and reducing squaring errors, thus enhancing the panel saw machine's operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

said locking device carries a suction unit in fluid-dynamic communication with a suction device through a supply conduit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3831562B1Feeding device and machine
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SCM GRP
  • EP3831562B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3831562B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3831562B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5c

AI summary

Described is a feeding device (20) for a panel saw machine (1) for cutting flat panels (CP), each of which has a straight side (F), a rear edge (PB) transversal to the side (F) and a substantially flat upper face (PF); the machine being provided with a frame (10) provided with a plane (12) of support for the panels (CP); a carriage (22)(22')(22") being equipped with at least one gripping device (60)(62) designed to grip at least one panel (CP) on the side of the edge (PB) transversely to the respective face (PF); the carriage (22)(22')(22") carrying a retaining device (30) positioned laterally to each gripping device (60)(62) and comprising a locking device (32), facing the plane (12) to stably retain a panel (CP) carried by the plane (12) at the respective face (PF).