Weighing System for Workpiece Quality Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manufacturing devices and processes for producing workpieces from fiber material face challenges in ensuring a defined quality, especially at high production outputs.

Innovation Solution

A weighing system integrated into a manufacturing device, featuring an electronically evaluable scale with support elements for positioning workpieces or workpiece stacks, and an evaluation unit to detect total weight and horizontal weight distribution, enabling precise quality control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high production output is pursued, then productivity increases, but quality control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction outputVSAvoidquality control
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual quality inspection with an automated optical measurement system that uses cameras and image processing to detect workpiece dimensions and quality characteristics. This substitution enables continuous quality monitoring at high production speeds without manual intervention, resolving the contradiction between productivity and quality control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements real-time feedback by continuously measuring workpiece quality parameters during production and using this information to adjust manufacturing parameters dynamically. This closed-loop control ensures quality consistency even at high production outputs, as deviations are detected and corrected immediately rather than through post-production inspection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If complex quality control measures are implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a multi-functional measurement system where a single integrated setup performs multiple quality control functions including dimensional measurement, surface defect detection, and positional verification. By combining these functions into one universal system rather than separate dedicated devices, the patent achieves high manufacturing precision while limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates automated image processing and analysis algorithms that enable the measurement system to self-evaluate workpiece quality without external intervention. The system automatically compares measured parameters against target values and generates quality assessments, reducing the need for additional complex control infrastructure and simplifying the overall system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The system allows for improved adjustability and control of workpiece quality by accurately measuring weight distribution, facilitating real-time adjustments and enhancing overall manufacturing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The scale, in cooperation with the evaluation unit, is designed to detect the total weight and the horizontal weight distribution of at least one workpiece or workpiece stack placed on the support element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4343286B1Weighing system, manufacturing device and method for operating a manufacturing device for workpieces
Publication Date: 2025.06.04 KIEFEL GMBH
  • EP4343286B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4343286B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4343286B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a weighing system for a manufacturing device for products, comprising at least one electronically evaluable scale, comprising at least one support element for positioning at least one workpiece or stack of workpieces, in particular a group of horizontally adjacent workpieces and/or stacks of workpieces, and an evaluation unit connected to the scale for receiving and processing the recorded weighing data, wherein the scale, in conjunction with the evaluation unit, is configured to record the total weight and the horizontal weight distribution of at least one workpiece or stack of workpieces placed on the support element. The invention further comprises a manufacturing system and an associated method.