Veneer Lathe with Movable Spindles for Seamless Peeling Transitions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing veneer production methods require separate machinery for spindle and spindleless peeling, leading to reduced capacity and increased wear on equipment, as well as inefficiencies in block handling and peeling transitions.
Innovation Solution
A versatile veneer lathe with movable spindles, a centering device, transfer arms, and a support system that allows for seamless transitions between spindle and spindleless peeling, using electrically driven actuators for precise control and efficient block handling, enabling the selection of optimal peeling methods based on block dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate rounding machine is used for rounding blocks before peeling, then the lathe knife is saved from wear and rounding quality is improved, but the production capacity is reduced due to additional handling and positioning steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rounding function and peeling function into a single lathe unit. The lathe is equipped with both a rounding knife and a peeling knife, allowing blocks to be rounded and peeled continuously without transfer to a separate machine. This integration eliminates the need for separate rounding machinery while maintaining knife protection through proper sequencing of operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The lathe is designed as a multi-functional device that can perform both rounding and peeling operations. The single lathe unit serves multiple purposes: it can round blocks of various sizes, peel veneer from rounded blocks, and switch between different peeling methods (spindle and spindleless). This universality increases production capacity by eliminating intermediate handling steps.
2Productivity
If the same knife is used for both rounding and peeling, then the lathe capacity is increased by eliminating separate machinery, but the knife wear increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting tool system is segmented into separate rounding knife and peeling knife components. Each knife is optimized for its specific function and can be independently replaced or maintained. The rounding knife is used first to prepare the block, then the peeling knife performs the veneer cutting. This segmentation allows each knife to be designed for its specific task, reducing overall wear on individual knives while maintaining high capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lathe employs dynamic knife selection and positioning capabilities. The system can switch between different knives based on the operation required (rounding or peeling). The knife assembly is designed to be movable and adjustable, allowing optimal positioning for each operation type. This dynamic approach enables the lathe to maintain high capacity while managing knife wear through proper operational sequencing.
3Ease of operation
If spindle peeling is used for all block sizes, then the block handling is simplified, but the adaptability to different block dimensions is reduced and waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lathe employs dynamic configuration capabilities that allow switching between spindle peeling and spindleless peeling modes based on block dimensions. The spindle assembly is designed to be movable and adjustable, enabling transition between different peeling methods. For larger blocks, spindle peeling provides simple handling, while for smaller blocks, the system can switch to spindleless peeling to reduce waste and improve adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lathe system changes operational parameters based on block characteristics. The control system monitors block dimensions and automatically selects the appropriate peeling method (spindle or spindleless) and adjusts related parameters such as rotation speed, knife position, and support roll configuration. This parameter adaptation allows the lathe to maintain ease of operation for large blocks while achieving versatility and waste reduction for smaller blocks.
4Device complexity
If the rotation center of the block is not kept stationary during peeling, then the peeling process becomes more complex, but the equipment complexity is reduced by eliminating additional torque transmission means
Solution Approach 1:
The lathe separates the functions of block engagement and torque transmission. In spindle peeling mode, dedicated spindles engage the block ends to maintain stationary rotation center, while additional torque can be applied through separate means engaged with the outer perimeter. In spindleless mode, the system uses only outer perimeter engagement for both rotation and torque. This segmentation allows flexible selection of complexity levels based on block size and peeling requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The veneer lathe comprises rotatable spindles for engaging the ends of a block, a centering device for measuring dimensions of the block for determining optimal centering of the block, the centering device comprising centering spindles for engaging each end of the block, transfer arms moveable in the axial direction of the spindles for engaging the ends of the block and in a direction that is perpendicular to the axial direction for transferring the block from the centering device to a peeling position, a knife assembly comprising a knife and a nose bar, which is in the form of a rotatable roll, and a support device comprising a lower roll and an upper roll at a distance from the lower roll for supporting the block during peeling.