Tool Arrangement for Wood Panel Side Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for processing the side surfaces of wood-based panels require alignment with a target structure, necessitating reconfiguration for each panel, which is inefficient and interrupts production.

Innovation Solution

A tool arrangement that uses a carrier with adjustable components to detect panel thickness and center the tool, allowing for self-adjustment based on the panel's thickness, eliminating the need for reconfiguration and enabling consistent processing across different panel dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a scanning device detects the actual structure of the side surface and adapts it to a desired structure, then the processing quality is improved, but the device complexity and reconfiguration time increase for each new panel

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex scanning and target structure recording system from the processing device. Instead of using a scanning device to detect and adapt to desired structures, the invention uses a simple mechanical centering system with feeler rollers that automatically position the milling tool based on the panel's actual dimensions, eliminating the need for complex detection and programming systems while maintaining processing quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The milling device is designed to self-adjust to each panel through mechanical centering. The feeler rollers automatically measure the panel thickness and the tool positioning system self-adjusts the tool position based on these measurements, eliminating the need for external scanning devices and programmed target structures. The system serves itself by using the panel's own dimensions to determine the correct tool position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If a new target structure is recorded and stored for each new panel, then the processing accuracy is improved, but the productivity decreases due to reconfiguration time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing accuracyVSAvoidproductivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the need for preliminary recording and storage of target structures by implementing immediate mechanical centering. As each panel enters the processing position, the feeler rollers instantly measure the panel thickness and the tool positioning system immediately adjusts the tool position accordingly, without any delay for data recording, processing, or programming

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the electronic control system (scanning devices, target structure recording, and programmed adaptation) with a purely mechanical centering system. The feeler rollers mechanically measure the panel dimensions and mechanically position the tool through linkages and adjustments, eliminating the need for electronic data processing and programming operations that cause reconfiguration delays

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

3Manufacturing precision

If milling tools are realigned for each given panel, then the processing precision is improved, but the ease of operation and time consumption worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing precisionVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The milling device performs self-alignment through its mechanical centering system. The feeler rollers automatically measure the panel thickness and the tool positioning mechanism self-adjusts the tool position based on these measurements, eliminating the need for operator intervention in the alignment process. The system aligns itself without requiring skilled operation or manual adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic tool positioning system that automatically adapts to each panel's dimensions. The feeler rollers and tool positioning linkages create a mechanically dynamic system that continuously adjusts the tool position in response to varying panel thicknesses, providing automatic adaptation without requiring static pre-programming or manual reconfiguration for each panel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables efficient and reliable processing of wood-based panels of varying thicknesses without the need for reconfiguration, ensuring precise engagement of the tool with the panel edges, thereby maintaining production continuity and quality.

Implementation Method 1

a means for pressing the carrier (4) against the wood-based panel to be processed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

Means for detecting the thickness of the wood-based panel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDimensional Measurement:

Implementation Method 3

a first and a second carrier element (4a, 4b) which are connected by a joint (8)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Articulation: Hinge

Data Source

PatentEP3106273B1Tool assembly for machining wooden panels
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 SWISS KRONO TEC AG
  • EP3106273B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3106273B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3106273B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a tool arrangement (2) and a method for machining the side surface of a wood-based panel. To propose a tool arrangement and a method that operate without comparison to a target structure, it is provided that a tool arrangement is equipped with a carrier (4) and with means for pressing the carrier against the wood-based panel to be machined, wherein the carrier has a first (4a) and a second (4b) carrier element which are connected by a joint (8) and wherein the second carrier element (4b) has means (10) for detecting the thickness of the wood-based panel, a tool (12) and means (14) for centering the tool.