Single End Tenoner Automatic Squaring and Sizing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single end tenoners (SETs) in woodworking machines are unable to produce doors that are sized to exact dimensions and completely square, as errors in size and squareness persist even after processing.
Innovation Solution
A SET system with a 17″ wide chain assembly, pop-up squaring bars, an automated sizing guide with sensors, and a controller for precise positioning and profiling of all four edges of a workpiece, ensuring accurate sizing and squaring through automated programming and sensor feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional SET processing is used, then production rate is maintained, but manufacturing precision of door dimensions and squareness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The SET system is divided into distinct functional modules: a stationary fence for one edge, a movable fence for the opposite edge, and pop-up squaring bars for the side edges. Each module can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing precise control over door dimensions and squareness while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
Sensors are integrated into the fence assemblies to detect the presence and position of doors during processing. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust fence positions and pop-up bar timing based on actual door dimensions, ensuring consistent manufacturing precision without requiring complex manual intervention.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated sizing and squaring is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary positioning of the stationary fence and initial setup of the movable fence range of motion before actual door processing begins. Pop-up squaring bars are pre-positioned and timed to activate at specific points during the door feed cycle. This preliminary configuration reduces the complexity of real-time control while maintaining high manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the sensors and the mechanical components (fences and pop-up bars). It processes sensor feedback and translates it into coordinated movements of multiple components, simplifying the overall system architecture by centralizing control logic rather than requiring complex direct mechanical linkages between all components.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple fences and pop-up bars are added, then manufacturing precision of all four edges improves, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates self-adjusting features where the movable fence automatically positions itself within its range of motion based on door width detection by sensors. Pop-up squaring bars automatically activate at the correct timing based on door position detection, eliminating the need for manual adjustment of each component during operation and maintaining ease of use despite multiple precision components.
Data Source
AI summary
A single end tenoner (SET) system and method that automatically sizes a workpiece (e.g. door or like panel) to a specified dimension, and automatically squares the edges of the workpiece, both while processing all four edges to the desires SET profile.