Timber Handling Device Flow Optimization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing timber handling systems in sawmills face limitations in optimizing timber flow, leading to reduced capacity and increased stoppages due to inefficient control of mixed dimension timber pieces.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a measuring system and control system to monitor and control timber pieces on a conveyor belt, allowing for early analysis of incoming timber dimensions, enabling optimal control of the timber handling device, such as a single piece feeder, to improve efficiency and capacity by detecting operating faults and defective pieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only one timber piece is measured at a time, then the measurement system is simple, but the control system cannot optimize the timber handling device in advance, reducing system capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system measures multiple timber pieces (at least two) simultaneously or in advance before they reach the handling device. This preliminary measurement provides the control system with information about upcoming timber dimensions, allowing it to optimize the handling device operation beforehand, thus increasing system capacity without requiring overly complex real-time measurement mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from measuring one timber piece at a time (single dimension in time) to measuring multiple timber pieces simultaneously (adding temporal dimension). This dimensional change allows the control system to plan operations for multiple pieces ahead, improving overall throughput while maintaining manageable measuring system complexity
2Productivity
If the control system waits for timber pieces to reach the handling device before measuring, then the measuring system is simpler, but the control response time is delayed, reducing efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring system is positioned to measure timber pieces before they reach the handling device, performing the measurement action in advance. This allows the control system to receive measurement data early and prepare optimal control parameters beforehand, eliminating delays and improving handling efficiency without requiring complex real-time measurement systems
3Productivity
If the timber handling device operates without advance information about incoming timber dimensions, then the system is simpler, but the device cannot be optimized for each timber piece, reducing capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The control system receives measurement data from the measuring system about incoming timber pieces and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust control parameters of the handling device. This feedback loop enables the device to be optimized for each timber piece's specific dimensions, increasing handling capacity while maintaining reasonable control system complexity through systematic parameter adjustment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method of flow optimisation of a timber flow with mixed dimensions in a system for handling timber pieces, said system comprising a timber handling device (7) and, arranged in connection with the timber handling device (7), a first conveyor belt (5) which supplies the timber pieces (15) to the timber handling device (7) so that the timber pieces being supplied to the timber handling device are in contact with each other, a measuring system (11) and a control system. The method is characterised by the measurement of at least two timber pieces (27, 29, 31) entering the timber handling device (7) which are in contact with each other, and control, based on the results of measuring said at least two timber pieces (27, 29, 31), of at least one first control parameter in the control system of the timber handling device. The present invention also relates to a system (1) for handling timber pieces (15).