Variable-Hardness Sanding Roller With Replaceable Coating Sleeve

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional sanding machines require multiple operator rollers with different hardness values for various machining tasks, leading to increased management complexity, cost, and mechanical stress during roller replacements, resulting in prolonged downtimes and reduced efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sanding machine with a working unit featuring a metal core and interchangeable coating sleeve for the operator roller, allowing easy replacement and adjustment of hardness without significant mechanical stress or downtime, facilitated by a supporting frame and adjustment system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operator rollers with different hardness values are provided for various machining tasks, then the machine can handle different panel materials and grain sizes, but the management complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different panel materials and grain sizesVSAvoidmanagement complexity of multiple rollers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The operator roller is divided into two independent parts: a metal core and a rubberized coating that can be removed and replaced separately. This segmentation allows the coating to be changed without replacing the entire roller, reducing management complexity while maintaining adaptability to different machining requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A single metal core roller is designed to support multiple different rubberized coatings with varying hardness values. This universal design allows one roller body to perform multiple functions by simply changing the coating, eliminating the need to store and manage multiple complete rollers

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operator rollers with different hardness values are provided for various machining tasks, then the machine can handle different panel materials and grain sizes, but the cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different panel materials and grain sizesVSAvoidcost of providing multiple rollers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the roller into a reusable metal core and replaceable rubberized coatings, the cost of providing multiple rollers is reduced. Instead of purchasing multiple complete rollers, only the cheaper rubberized coatings need to be replaced, while the expensive metal core is reused across multiple coatings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rubberized coating is designed as a consumable component that can be removed and replaced when worn or when a different hardness is needed. The metal core is recovered and reused for multiple coatings, reducing overall material costs while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If the entire operator roller is replaced to change hardness, then the correct hardness is achieved, but the downtime and mechanical stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrect hardness for machiningVSAvoiddowntime for roller replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The segmentation of the roller into a permanent metal core and replaceable rubberized coating allows only the necessary component (coating) to be replaced. This reduces replacement time significantly compared to replacing the entire roller, while ensuring the correct hardness is achieved through selecting the appropriate coating

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rubberized coating is extracted as a separate removable component from the metal core. This extraction allows the coating to be quickly removed and replaced without disturbing the metal core or other parts of the roller assembly, minimizing downtime while maintaining the correct hardness specification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If the entire operator roller is replaced to change hardness, then the correct hardness is achieved, but mechanical stress on the operator and machine frame increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecorrect hardness for machiningVSAvoidmechanical stress during replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Segmenting the roller into a heavy metal core and a lighter rubberized coating reduces the weight that must be handled during replacement. Only the lighter coating needs to be removed and installed, significantly reducing mechanical stress on the operator and machine frame compared to replacing the entire roller

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rubberized coating is extracted as a separate component that can be removed without handling the heavy metal core. This extraction reduces the force required for replacement operations, minimizing mechanical stress on both the operator and the machine frame support structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4129570B1Sanding machine provided with a variabile hardness roller
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 SCM GRP
  • EP4129570B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4129570B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4129570B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The present invention relates to a processing unit 100; 100 'and a sanding machine M for sanding at least one panel P. The sanding machine M comprises an inlet station 1 for the inlet of a panel P to be machined and a station output 2 for the output of the processed panel P; a work table 3, for transporting the panel P to be processed, and at least one processing unit 100 of the panel P comprising an operator roller 60, 60 'rotatable around a rotation axis AA, capable of smoothing the panel P in machining, and a support frame 70 configured to support the operator roller 60; 60 ', in particular above the work surface 3. The support frame 70 comprises a first 71 upright element and a second 72 upright element capable of contain a translation of the operating roller 60; 60 'along the axis of rotation AA, in which at least one of the upright elements can be opened and configured to assume both a closed position facing the operating roller 60; 60' to contain a translation of the roller operator 60; 60 'along the rotation axis AA, is an opening position, spaced from the operating roller 60; 60', to allow translation of at least a portion of the operating roller 60; 60 'along the rotation axis AA .