Systems for processing workpieces

• US 7,171,738 B2
• Filed: 10/12/2004
• Issued: 02/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Precision Automation Incorporated
• Inventors: Dick, Spencer B., Lee, David, Aldrich, Stuart, Morgan, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ross; Dana
• Application Number:
  US10/964,553
• Publication Number:
  US 20050115375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 295/63, 29/33.P, 295/64, 29/26.A, 295/646, 295/648, 294/070.9, 295/58, 144/356, 144/357, 144/360, 144/387, 144/388, 144/392, 144/397, 144/426, 144/3.1, 144/35.1, 144/1.1, 408/4, 408/12, 83/755, 834/68, 832/21, 836/00
• US Class Current: 29/563
• CPC Class Codes: B27M 1/08 by multi-step processes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5124 with means to feed work intermittently from one tool station to another
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/5136 Separate tool stations for selective or successive operation on work
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 408/10 with interlock between machine elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/505 Operation controlled by means responsive to product
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 83/531 With plural work-sensing means

Abstract

Systems, including method and apparatus, for processing workpieces driven automatically along a linear path to a plurality of positions disposed substantially along the linear path. In some embodiments, a workpiece may be processed at one or more of the positions using two or more processing stations, such as a first processing station that cuts the workpiece into segments and a second processing station that performs another processing operation on the workpiece.

Claims

1. A method of processing a workpiece, comprising

providing a supply of wood workpieces for processing into suitable dimensions specified in a cut list for carrying out one or more construction projects, an apparatus configured to cut and drill workpieces from the supply, and a computer connected to the apparatus, the apparatus having a pusher for engaging a trailing end of a workpiece and driving the workpiece down a linear processing path, and a plurality of processing stations arranged along the processing path, at least one of the stations including a saw for cutting, and at least one of the stations including a drill for boring,

programming the computer with an optimization program configured to calculate an optimum processing plan for a workpiece based on a starting length of the workpiece, location of one or more defects in the workpiece, and current requirements specified in a cut list stored in the computer,

entering a cut list into the computer, the cut list specifying length dimensions of pieces required for one or more construction projects, the number of each length dimension required, and drill list data corresponding to positions on workpieces where holes should be drilled,

selecting a work piece from the supply,

inputting data into the computer including the length of the workpiece, and the location of one or more defects including knots, cracks, or discoloration within the workpiece,

automatically calculating an optimum plan for processing the workpiece to satisfy current cut list requirements, and removing the one or more defects,

automatically driving the pusher to push the trailing end of the workpiece down the processing path toward the processing stations, and

automatically cutting and drilling the workpiece at the processing stations according to the optimum plan determined in the calculating step.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising

automatically printing a label indicating information about the workpiece.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising

applying a hard copy label to the workpiece.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the label is printed directly on the workpiece.

5. A method of processing a workpiece, comprising

providing a supply of workpieces for processing into suitable dimensions specified in a cut list for carrying out one or more construction projects, an apparatus configured to cut and drill workpieces from the supply, and a computer connected to the apparatus, the apparatus having a pusher for engaging a trailing end of a workpiece and driving the workpiece down a linear processing path, and a plurality of processing stations arranged along the processing path, at least one of the stations including a saw for cutting, and at least one of the stations including a drill for boring,

programming the computer with an optimization program configured to calculate an optimum processing plan for a workpiece based on a starting length of the workpiece, location of one or more defects in the workpiece, and current requirements specified in a cut list stored in the computer,

entering a cut list into the computer, the cut list specifying length dimensions of pieces required for one or more construction projects, the number of each length dimension required, and drill list data corresponding to positions on workpieces where holes should be drilled,

selecting a workpiece from the supply,

inputting data into the computer including the length of the workpiece, and the location of one or more defects within the workpiece,

automatically calculating an optimum plan for processing the workpiece to satisfy current cut list requirements, and removing the one or more defects,

automatically driving the pusher to push the trailing end of the workpiece down the processing path toward the processing stations,

automatically cutting and drilling the workpiece at the processing stations according to the optimum plan determined in the calculating step, and

automatically executing a remainder management program to determine how to use or further process material excluded from the workpiece according to the optimum plan.

6. A method of processing a workpiece, comprising

providing a supply of workpieces for processing into suitable dimensions specified in a cut list for carrying out one or more construction projects, an apparatus configured to cut and drill workpieces from the supply, and a computer connected to the apparatus, the apparatus having a pusher for engaging a trailing end of a workpiece and driving the workpiece down a linear processing path, and a plurality of processing stations arranged along the processing path, at least one of the stations including a saw for cutting, and at least one of the stations including a drill for boring,

programming the computer with an optimization program configured to calculate an optimum processing plan for a workpiece based on a starting length of the workpiece, location of one or more defects in the workpiece, and current requirements specified in a cut list stored in the computer,

entering a cut list into the computer, the cut list specifying length dimensions of pieces required for one or more construction projects, the number of each length dimension required, and drill list data corresponding to positions on workpieces where holes should be drilled,

selecting a workpiece from the supply,

inputting data into the computer including the length of the work piece, and marking the location of one or more defects within the workpiece,

automatically calculating an optimum plan for processing the workpiece to satisfy current cut list requirements, and removing the one or more defects,

automatically driving the pusher to push the trailing end of the workpiece down the processing path toward the processing stations, and

automatically cutting and drilling the workpiece at the processing stations according to the optimum plan determined in the calculating step.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the marking step is performed virtually.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising

operating an optical measuring device to input location of a defect.

9. A method of processing a workpiece, comprising

providing a supply of workpieces for processing into suitable dimensions specified in a cut list for carrying out one or more construction projects, an apparatus configured to cut and drill workpieces from the supply, and a computer connected to the apparatus, the apparatus having a pusher for engaging a trailing end of a workpiece and driving the workpiece down a linear processing path, and a plurality of processing stations arranged along the processing path, at least one of the stations including a saw for cutting, and at least one of the stations including a drill for boring,

programming the computer with an optimization program configured to calculate an optimum processing plan for a workpiece based on a starting length of the workpiece, location of one or more defects in the workpiece, and current requirements specified in a cut list stored in the computer,

entering a cut list into the computer, the cut list specifying length dimensions of pieces required for one or more construction projects, the number of each length dimension required, and drill list data corresponding to positions on workpieces where holes should be drilled,

selecting a workpiece from the supply,

inputting data into the computer including the length of the workpiece, and the location of one or more defects within the workpiece,

automatically calculating an optimum plan for processing the workpiece to satisfy current cut list requirements, and removing the one or more defects,

automatically driving the pusher to push the trailing end of the workpiece down the processing path toward the processing stations, automatically cutting and drilling the workpiece at the processing stations according to the optimum plan determined in the calculating step, and

automatically placing a spacer element into a cavity at a processing station according to the optimum plan.