AU2019101030A4

AU2019101030A4 - A truss joint identification system

Info

Publication number: AU2019101030A4
Application number: AU2019101030A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Trent Taylor
Original assignee: MULTINAIL AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Current assignee: MULTINAIL AUSTRALIA Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-09-09
Filing date: 2019-09-09
Publication date: 2019-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-09

Abstract

A press device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber, the device including two press tools to fixedly press a pair of nail plates over joints between the 5 lengths of timber, a portal having at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam, one of the press tools being movably disposed on the at least one upper beam and the other of the press tool being movably disposed on the at least one lower beam, a support beam associated with the portal, and a scanner movably disposed on the support beam and adjustable reciprocally along the support beam 10 as the framework moves through the portal, the scanner adapted to scan the framework to identify joints between the lengths of timber, wherein the two press tools are adjustable reciprocally along the at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam between a collection position in which the two press tools receive a pair of nail plates, and a position over an identified joint for fixedly pressing one of the 15 pair of nail plates on an upper side and another of the pair of nail plates on an under side of the identified joint. c'a' -k U *1 j o-

Description

A TRUSS JOINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to a truss joint identification system. The 5 present invention has particular but not exclusive application for identifying joints of a frame structure that are to be joined together using nail plates. The patent specification describes this use but it is by way of example only and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wooden frame and truss structures typically use nail plates to join individual elements together. The manufacture of wooden frame and truss structures has been automated to a certain degree, with the individual elements being provisionally joined together, and the structure entering a press line where nail plates are pressed over the joints between individual elements by moving press tools, with one press tool pressing an upper nail plate over a joint from above and a second press tool pressing a lower nail plate over a joint from below..

A problem which exists is the accurate placing of nail plates over the joints. This problem has been addressed by the prior art by determining the location of the wooden frame and truss structures prior to moving these structures to the press tools. A problem with this method is that individual elements may be slightly warped, and the structures may move slightly as they move to the press tools. This can lead to the press tools pressing the nail plates in incorrect locations compared to the joints. This can lead to structural weakness of the wooden frame and truss structures.

One prior art solution uses a plurality of cameras to determine the location of joints, with a first camera observing the wooden frame and truss structures prior to the structures moving to the press tools, and another camera moving with one of the press tools to ensure that the nail plates are pressed in the correct locations. A problem with this type of system is that the speed of the system is restricted.

The prior art system works well, but could be improved.

-22019101030 09 Sep 2019

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate one or more of the above mentioned problems with identifying joints and/or provide the consumer with a useful or commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a press device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber, the device including:

two press tools to fixedly press a pair of nail plates over joints between the 10 lengths of timber;

a portal having, at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam, one of the press tools being movably disposed on the at least one upper beam and the other of the press tool being movably disposed on the at least one lower beam;

a support beam associated with the portal; and 15 a scanner movably disposed on the support beam and adjustable reciprocally along the support beam as the framework moves through the portal, the scanner adapted to scan the framework to identify joints between the lengths of timber, wherein the two press tools are adjustable reciprocally along the at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam between a collection position in which the two press tools receive a pair of nail plates, and a position over an identified joint for fixedly pressing one of the pair of nail plates on an upper side and another of the pair of nail plates on an under side of the identified joint.

Preferably, the scanner is a laser scanner. Preferably the scanner is a line scanner. More preferably the scanner is a laser line scanner. Preferably, the scanner is a 3d laser scanner.

Preferably the press device further includes a shuttle movable along the support beam. Preferably the scanner is attached to the shuttle. Preferably the shuttle includes a motor to move the shuttle along the support beam. Preferably a gear is attached to the motor, the gear engages with a toothed track associated with the support beam to move the shuttle along the support beam. In another embodiment, a gear is attached to the motor, the gear engages with a toothed track located parallel to the support beam to move the shuttle along the support beam.

Preferably the support beam is located above the at least one upper beam. Preferably the support beam is located offset from the at least one upper beam to

2019101030 09 Sep 2019

- 3 provide an unobstructed view of the framework as it moves through the portal. In one embodiment, the support beam is located adjacent the portal. Preferably the support beam is located parallel to an opening of the portal.

Preferably the framework moves through the portal above the at least one 5 lower beam, and below the at least one upper beam, such that one of the press tools disposed on the at least one upper beam presses one of the pair of nail plates on an upper side of the identified joint and the other of the press tools disposed on the at least one lower beam presses the other of the pair of nail plates on an under side of the identified joint.

Preferably the scanner identifies joints between the lengths of timber in combination with a controller. Preferably the controller receives signals from the scanner and processes the signals to identify the joints. Preferably the controller controls the two press tools based on the received signals, to position the press tools over the identified joints.

Preferably the scanner moves independently of the press tools.

Preferably each of the press tools includes a bolster which uses magnetic force to retain one of the pair of nail plates. In one embodiment, each bolster includes one or more electromagnets to create a magnetic force to retain one of the pair of nail plates. In another embodiment, each bolster includes one or more magnets to create a magnetic force to retain one of the pair of nail plates.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a press device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber, the device including:

two press tools to fixedly press a pair of nail plates over joints between the lengths of timber;

a portal having at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam, one of the press tools being movably disposed on the at least one upper beam and the other of the press tool being movably disposed on the at least one lower beam;

a support beam associated with the portal; and a sensor movably disposed on the support beam and adjustable reciprocally along the support beam as the framework moves through the portal, the sensor adapted to identify joints between the lengths of timber, wherein the two press tools are adjustable reciprocally along the at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam between a collection position in which the two press tools receive a pair of nail plates, and a position over an identified joint for

-42019101030 09 Sep 2019 fixedly pressing one of the pair of nail plates on an upper side and another of the pair of nail plates on an under side of the identified joint.

Preferably the sensor is a scanner. More preferably the sensor is a laser scanner. In one embodiment, the sensor is a line scanner type sensor. In another embodiment, the sensor is a 3d scanning sensor. In a less desirable embodiment, the sensor is a camera.

Preferably the sensor identifies joints between the lengths of timber in combination with a controller. Preferably the controller receives signals from the sensor and processes the signals to identify the joints. Preferably the controller controls the two press tools based on the received signals, to position the press tools over the identified joints.

In a further aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a method of identifying joints in a framework of lengths of timber, including the steps of moving the framework through a portal, with a support beam located above 15 the framework;

reciprocally moving a scanner along the support beam to scan the framework as it moves through the portal; and using a controller to identify joints between the lengths of timber based on data received from the scanner.

Preferably the joints are identified by detecting adjacent lengths of timber that are transverse to each other.

Preferably the method further includes the step of controlling two press tools to fixedly press a pair of nail plates over identified joints. Preferably the two press tools move independently of the scanner.

Preferably the two press tools return to a collection point to collect another pair of nail plates after pressing a pair of nail plates over an identified joint.

In another aspect, the present invention broadly resides in a press device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber by pressing at least one nail plate over joints between the lengths of timber, the device including:

a portal;

a support beam associated with the portal; and a scanner movably disposed on the support beam and adjustable reciprocally along the support beam as the framework moves through the portal, the scanner adapted to scan the framework to identify joints between the lengths of timber.

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- 5 Preferably the press device further includes one or more press tools to fixedly press one or more nail plates over joints between the length of timber. Preferably the one or more press tools are two press tools. Preferably the at least one nail plate is a pair of nail plates. Preferably the press device further includes at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam, one of the press tools being movably disposed on the at least one upper beam and the other of the press tool being movably disposed on the at least one lower beam.

Preferably the two press tools are adjustable reciprocally along the at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam between a collection position in which the two press tools receive the pair of nail plates, and a position over an identified joint for fixedly pressing one of the pair of nail plates on an upper side and another of the pair of nail plates on an under side of the identified joint.

In one embodiment, the one or more press tools are one to four press tools. The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 is a sectioned side view of a press device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a sectioned perspective view of the press device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectioned perspective view of the press device of Figure 1; and Figure 4 is a sectioned perspective view of the press device of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figures 1-4, there is shown a press device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The press device 10 defines a portal 12 through which a framework of lengths of timbers (not shown) can pass. The press device 10 includes a support beam 14, at least one upper beam in the form of upper

- 62019101030 09 Sep 2019 beams 16 (only one shown) and at least one lower beam in the form of lower beams 18 (only one shown).

Two press tools 20,22 are movably disposed on the upper beams 16 and the lower beams 18. The two press tools 20,22 are adapted to fixedly press a pair of nail plates (not shown) over joints between lengths of timber (not shown).

A shuttle 24 is movably disposed on the support beam 14. the shuttle 24 accommodates a scanner in the form of a laser scanner 26. The shuttle 24 also includes a motor 28 to move the shuttle 24 reciprocally along the support beam 14. A gear 30 is attached to the motor 28. The gear 30 engages with a toothed track 32, which is located parallel to the support beam 14, to move the shuttle 24 reciprocally along the support beam 14.

The laser scanner 26 is adapted to scan the framework (not shown) as it moves through the portal 12 to identify joints between the lengths of timber. The laser scanner 26 identifies the joints in combination with a controller (not shown).

The controller receives signals from the laser scanner 26 and processes the signals to identify the joints.

The two press tools 20,22 are adjustable reciprocally along the upper beams 16 and the lower beams 18 between a collection position (shown) in which the two press tools can receive a pair of nail plates (not shown), and a position over an identified joint for fixedly pressing one of the pair of nail plates on an upper side and another of the pair of nail plates on an under side of an identified joint.

The shuttle 24, and thus the laser scanner 26 moves independently of the two press tools 20,22.

In use, with reference to Figures 1-4, the shuttle 24 moves reciprocally along 25 the support beam 14 as a framework of lengths of timbers (not shown) moves through the portal 12, the scanner 26 located on the shuttle 24 is moved to the vicinity of a joint based on truss data received from design software, the scanner 26 scans the lengths of timbers, as the shuttle 24 is moving reciprocally along the support beam 14, to identify joints between the length of timbers. The laser scanner

26 identifies joints between the lengths of timber in combination with a controller.

The controller receives signals from the laser scanner and processes the signals to identify the joints.

The controller controls the two press tools 20,22 based on the received signals, to position the press tools 20,22 over the identified joints, and press nail

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- 7plates over the identified joints. After pressing a pair of nail plates over a joint, the press tools 20,22 are returned to the collection position to receive another pair of nail plates.

Moving the shuttle 24, and thus the laser scanner 26 independently of the two 5 press tools 20,22, allows for a faster work flow compared to a system where a scanner or sensor is associated with one of the two press tools 20,22.

ADVANTAGES

An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the press device includes the 10 ability to move the scanner/sensor independently of the press tools. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the press device includes only requiring a single scanner/sensor for the press device and press line. A further advantage of the preferred embodiment of the press device includes using a laser scanner to provide a 3d scan of joints between the lengths of timber. Another advantage of the preferred embodiment of the press device includes obtaining higher accuracy scanning data by using a laser scanner compared to data obtained using a camera and computer vision. A further advantage of preferred embodiment of the press device includes not requiring additional illumination when using a laser scanner compared to using a camera.

VARIATIONS

While the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims

1. A press device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber, the device including:

5 two press tools to fixedly press a pair of nail plates over joints between the lengths of timber;

10 a support beam associated with the portal; and a scanner movably disposed on the support beam and adjustable reciprocally along the support beam as the framework moves through the portal, the scanner adapted to scan the framework to identify joints between the lengths of timber, wherein the two press tools are adjustable reciprocally along the at least one 15 upper beam and at least one lower beam between a collection position in which the two press tools receive a pair of nail plates, and a position over an identified joint for fixedly pressing one of the pair of nail plates on an upper side and another of the pair of nail plates on an under side of the identified joint.

20

2. A press device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the scanner is a laser scanner.

3. A press device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber, the device including:

two press tools to fixedly press a pair of nail plates over joints between the 25 lengths of timber;

a support beam associated with the portal; and 30 a sensor movably disposed on the support beam and adjustable reciprocally along the support beam as the framework moves through the portal, the sensor adapted to identify joints between the lengths of timber, wherein the two press tools are adjustable reciprocally along the at least one upper beam and at least one lower beam between a collection position in which the

- 92019101030 09 Sep 2019 two press tools receive a pair of nail plates, and a position over an identified joint for fixedly pressing one of the pair of nail plates on an upper side and another of the pair of nail plates on an under side of the identified joint.

5 4. A press device for connecting a framework of lengths of timber by pressing at least one nail plate over joints between the lengths of timber, the device including:

a portal;

a support beam associated with the portal; and a scanner movably disposed on the support beam and adjustable reciprocally along

10 the support beam as the framework moves through the portal, the scanner adapted to scan the framework to identify joints between the lengths of timber.

5. A method of identifying joints in a framework of lengths of timber, including the steps of

15 moving the framework through a portal, with a support beam located above the framework;

reciprocally moving a scanner along the support beam to scan the framework as it moves through the portal; and using a controller to identify joints between the lengths of timber based on 20 data received from the scanner.