Robotic Wood Workpiece Buffer Sorting for Precise Deposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
High personnel costs are incurred in wood-processing methods due to the manual handling and sorting of planar workpieces, which are often required to be fed to a buffer and then deposited in a predetermined order for quality control or picking.
Innovation Solution
A wood-processing system that incorporates a buffer and a depositing device, with at least one robot configured to remove and deposit workpieces from the buffer to a separate depositing device or within the buffer, allowing for precise and flexible orientation and handling of workpieces, reducing manual labor and increasing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual handling and sorting of workpieces is used, then flexibility in handling different workpiece types is maintained, but personnel costs and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system autonomously performs workpiece removal, orientation adjustment, and redeposition without human intervention. The control unit automatically determines optimal orientations and sequences operations based on workpiece characteristics and buffer state, enabling the system to serve itself rather than requiring manual operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system is designed to handle multiple workpiece types and perform various operations including removal, orientation adjustment, and redeposition in different locations. This multi-functional capability replaces multiple specialized manual operations with a single versatile automated system.
2Measurement precision
If workpieces are deposited in predetermined positions for quality control, then sorting accuracy is improved, but the time required for depositing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit pre-determines the optimal orientations and deposit positions for workpieces before actual deposition occurs. By calculating and preparing the deposition plan in advance based on workpiece characteristics and buffer state, the system achieves precise positioning without sacrificing deposition speed during execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system dynamically adjusts workpiece orientations and deposit positions based on real-time conditions such as buffer occupancy, workpiece characteristics, and quality control requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain high precision while optimizing for speed under different operational conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the buffer is designed to be movable for flexibility, then adaptability to different processing configurations is improved, but the complexity of controlling workpiece removal and orientation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit continuously monitors the buffer state, workpiece positions, and system configuration to dynamically adjust removal sequences and orientation settings. This feedback mechanism allows the system to adapt to movable buffer configurations automatically, managing complexity through real-time information processing rather than complex mechanical design.
4Productivity
If multiple workpieces are fed to the buffer simultaneously, then processing throughput is increased, but the difficulty of managing and sorting workpieces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit receives feedback information about multiple workpieces in the buffer, including their positions, orientations, and characteristics. Based on this feedback, the system automatically determines optimal removal sequences and orientation adjustments, managing multiple workpieces systematically without increasing operational difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system autonomously manages multiple workpieces in the buffer by independently determining removal sequences, orientation adjustments, and deposit positions for each workpiece. This self-service capability allows the system to handle increased throughput without proportionally increasing management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wood-processing system having a buffer, which receives and buffers planar workpieces of wood materials or wood substitute materials, and a deposit device, onto which workpieces removed from the buffer can be deposited. At least one robot is included to remove the workpieces from the buffer and to deposit said workpieces on a deposit element of the deposit device and/or at another deposit location in the buffer. The system can be operated continuously, with workpieces being loaded sequentially into the buffer, removed from the buffer by the robot, and sorted onto the deposit device.