Sheet Metal Feeding via Optical Skew Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for feeding sheet metal panels to processing units, such as printing or coating machines, often result in damage to thinner panels due to high-speed collisions with mechanical stops, leading to inaccurate positioning and edge damage, especially at increased production speeds.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing two transport devices for precise positioning of sheet metal panels without mechanical stops, where the first device corrects the inclined position transversely to the transport direction, and the second device aligns the lateral position, using circulating transport means and independent vacuum areas to ensure friction-free and slip-free movement, allowing for variable width handling and rapid alignment adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If mechanical alignment stops or guide marks are used to position sheet metal panels, then positioning accuracy is improved, but edge damage occurs due to high-speed collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical alignment stops and guide marks with a non-contact optical measurement and control system. Sensors detect panel position and orientation optically, and actuators adjust the panel without mechanical contact, eliminating the harmful collisions that cause edge damage while maintaining positioning accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary control system consisting of sensors and actuators that mediates between the panel and the alignment process. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the system uses optical detection and controlled actuation to achieve positioning, preventing direct impact damage to the panel edges.
2Productivity
If production speed is increased to meet demand, then productivity is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to panel damage and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system where sensors continuously monitor panel position and orientation during high-speed transport. The control system processes this information in real-time and adjusts actuators to correct positioning deviations, maintaining accuracy even at increased production speeds through closed-loop control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary alignment adjustments during the transport phase before the panel reaches the processing unit. By detecting and correcting position and orientation deviations early in the transport process, the system ensures accurate positioning is achieved without requiring slow-down or manual intervention at higher speeds.
3Loss of substance
If thinner sheet metal panels are used to save material, then material savings are improved, but panel strength and resistance to damage deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces all mechanical contact-based alignment and positioning systems with non-contact optical measurement and controlled actuation. This eliminates the mechanical stresses and impact forces that thinner panels cannot withstand, enabling the use of thinner, lighter panels without compromising their structural integrity or resistance to damage.
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
This solution enables high-accuracy feeding of sheet metal panels at high speeds without damaging the edges, maintaining precise positioning and reducing unwanted displacement, while allowing for flexible handling of different panel widths and rapid alignment movements.
Implementation Method 1
circulating transport means and independent vacuum areas to ensure friction-free and slip-free movement
Implementation Method 2
independent vacuum areas to ensure friction-free and slip-free movement
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the precise positioning of sheet metal panels to a printing or coating unit of a sheet metal coating machine, wherein the sheet metal panels are transported in a horizontal position in a sequential arrangement and are aligned during transport, wherein, for skew correction, the skew of the respective sheet metal panel is sensed and a first transport device (10) is rotated about an axis perpendicular to the transport plane and displaced transversely to the transport direction (06) during the transport of the sheet metal panel held by the first transport device (10), depending on the sensed skew, and, for lateral correction, the lateral position of the respective sheet metal panel is sensed and a second transport device (20) is displaced transversely to the transport direction (06) during the transport of the sheet metal panel held by the second transport device (20).wherein the first transport device (10) is displaced by a path transverse to the transport direction (06) which corresponds to the displacement of the respective planar sheet metal panel transverse to the transport direction (06) resulting from the rotation of the first transport device (10) during the transport of a respective planar sheet metal panel.