Shredder Feed Scanning for Unfit Material Exclusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shredding systems lack the ability to efficiently identify and exclude materials that are unfit for shredding, such as containers or high-density objects, which can cause damage to the shredder or pose safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a scanner that uses x-ray energy to generate images of objects on a conveyor, coupled with an image parser employing machine learning to identify unfit portions, and a controller to manage the shredding process, ensuring safe and efficient operation by adjusting conveyor and shredder operations based on the scanner's findings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional shredding systems process all materials without inspection, then productivity is maintained, but harmful factors increase due to damage risks from unfit materials
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary inspection of materials using X-ray scanning and image parsing before they enter the shredder. This advance detection identifies unfit materials (containers, high-density objects) and allows the system to adjust operations or exclude problematic items before shredding begins, preventing damage while maintaining continuous processing of suitable materials
Solution Approach 2:
An intermediary inspection system comprising X-ray scanners, image parsers, and controllers is introduced between material input and the shredder. This intermediary layer analyzes materials and provides real-time feedback to adjust shredder operations, enabling the system to safely process fit materials while excluding or pre-treating unfit materials
2Reliability
If a scanner system is added to inspect materials before shredding, then reliability improves by identifying unfit materials, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller serves multiple functions: it receives and processes images from the scanner, parses images to identify unfit materials, determines appropriate actions, and controls both the conveyor and shredder operations. This multi-functionality consolidates what could be separate complex systems into a single coordinated controller, managing reliability improvements while controlling overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the scanner continuously monitors materials, the image parser analyzes findings, and the controller adjusts conveyor speed or shredder operations based on real-time identification results. This automated feedback mechanism enables reliable material classification while using existing system components efficiently, reducing the need for additional complex hardware
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
Effectively identifies and prevents the shredding of unfit materials, reducing the risk of damage to the shredder and ensuring safe operation by allowing for the exclusion or further inspection of such objects.
Implementation Method 1
A system incorporating a scanner that uses x-ray energy to generate images of objects on a conveyor
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a shredder and a conveyor to transport a shred object to the shredder. The system may include a scanner upstream of the shredder to generate an image of the shred object on the conveyor. The system may include an image parser to generate an indication of a portion of the shred object as unfit for shredding by parsing the image of the shred object based on an identifier model trained on a sample training data set. The system may include a controller in communication with: the image parser to receive the indication from the image parser; and at least one of the shredder, the conveyor, or a removal tool to provide, in response to the indication of the unfit portion of the shred object, an operational command to reduce a likelihood that the unfit portion of the shred object is processed by the shredder.