Automated Workpiece Coating Control Using Integrated Property Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing variety of workpieces and coating materials in the furniture industry poses challenges for operators, leading to high reject rates and device disruptions due to the need for complex and operator-dependent adjustments during the coating process.

Innovation Solution

A device equipped with workpiece and coating material measuring devices provides a clear information basis for the control system to automatically adjust processing parameters, minimizing operator intervention and ensuring compatible workpiece-tool and workpiece-coating material combinations, using a combination of mechanical, optical, acoustic, and electronic measuring elements to determine critical properties like geometry, color, and material quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment and operator qualification are used to handle workpiece and coating material variety, then operational flexibility is maintained, but reject rates increase and device disruptions occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle workpiece and coating material varietyVSAvoiddevice operation stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses measuring devices to detect workpiece properties (color, material quality, surface quality, geometry, orientation) and coating material properties, then feeds this information back to the control device. The control device automatically adjusts processing parameters based on this feedback, eliminating the need for manual operator adjustment while maintaining adaptability to different workpiece and coating material variants.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The device performs self-adjustment through automated measurement and control. The measuring devices and control system enable the device to automatically adapt to different workpiece and coating material combinations without requiring operator intervention, thereby improving reliability while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If operator intervention is required for parameter adjustment, then process adaptability is achieved, but operation complexity increases and ease of use decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocess adaptabilityVSAvoidoperator effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device automatically measures workpiece and coating material properties and adjusts processing parameters without operator intervention. The measuring devices detect relevant properties, the control device processes this information, and the system self-adjusts, making operation simple while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual operator adjustment is replaced by an automated measurement and control system. The mechanical action of operator intervention is substituted by electronic measuring devices and control algorithms that automatically determine and apply appropriate processing parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive measuring devices are installed to detect all workpiece and coating material properties, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproperty detection accuracyVSAvoidmeasuring and control system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The measuring devices are designed to detect multiple properties (color, material quality, surface quality, geometry, orientation) using integrated measurement systems. This multi-functional approach achieves comprehensive measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate measuring devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines measuring devices for detecting multiple workpiece and coating material properties into an integrated measurement and control system. By merging these measurement functions, the system achieves comprehensive property detection while reducing overall device complexity compared to separate independent measuring systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3429818B1Device for machining and/or coating a workpiece and process

Publication Date: 2022.05.18 HOMAG GMBH

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AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for machining a workpiece (2) and/or for coating the workpiece (2) with a coating material (4), comprising: a machining system (30, 40) for machining the workpiece (2), a conveyor system (20) for causing a relative movement between the workpiece (2) and the machining system (30, 40), and a control system for controlling the conveyor system (20) and the machining system (30, 40). The device (1) also has a workpiece measuring system (22) which is designed to measure a characteristic of the workpiece (2).