DE102022117072A1 - System for controlling processes in wood processing and wood processing and method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for controlling processes in wood processing and/or wood processing, characterized by: - a reading device (10, 14)) for reading in one or more codes, - an evaluation device (12) for the codes read in by the reading device, where the evaluation device uses the read codes to determine which woodworking and/or wood processing device these codes concern, and then causes these codes to be forwarded to this woodworking and/or wood processing device.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a system for controlling processes in woodworking and wood processing and a method therefor.

State of the art

In industrial wood processing, the materials used (such as wooden panels and edge banding) are often provided with barcodes. These can be read via scanners and are used to identify the materials. Likewise, scanners are also provided on the processing machines, such as edge gluing devices, through which these barcodes can be read. In addition, on machines that have several processing positions, which can be edge shafts in edge gluing devices, for example, the individual edge shafts are provided with barcodes. By first scanning the barcode of an edge band and then the associated edge shaft, it can be recorded in the system that a corresponding edge band is inserted in the designated shaft and can therefore be used by the gluing device.

The state of the art that describes the reading of codes in the field of wood processing is described in the EP 2 969 428 B1 described. The DE 10 2017 105 504 B1 describes a system for handling a coating material in the field of wood processing.

Presentation of the invention

The invention is based on the task of reducing the number of scanners required to read these codes. According to the state of the art, it is necessary to install two barcode scanners when covering edges in two different edge magazines, namely one for each magazine. If a production order then had to be scanned, a third scanner would be necessary.

The inventors have found that the number of scanners can be reduced, which would result in cost savings. The invention is therefore based on the object of reducing the number of scanners (or more generally: reading devices for codes).

A system for controlling processes in wood processing and woodworking according to the invention is defined in claim 1. A corresponding method according to the invention is defined in claim 12. Subclaims relate to specific embodiments.

A system according to the invention for controlling processes in wood processing and woodworking has a reading device for reading in a code. Such a system for controlling processes in wood processing and woodworking can, for example, be a system that records where, for example, materials such as edge banding or wood panels that are to be processed are located. It can also show the occupancy status of individual shafts in woodworking and/or wood processing machines (such as edge magazines). The system can also be used to control processing steps and thus ensure that wooden objects are processed using appropriate devices. Such processing can be done, for example, by applying edge bands, but also by milling or drilling holes. The reading device for reading a code is a reading device through which a code can be read. Such a code may be in the form of a barcode. However, it can also be provided in any other form that can be read optically, but this does not necessarily have to be the case. It is also conceivable that the code is provided in the form of a machine-readable non-optical data carrier (for example magnetic strip or RFID chip/NFC chip). Such codes can, for example, be provided on materials that are to be processed. However, the reading device can also read, for example, codes that are provided at individual positions of a processing device and which, for example, designate individual edge magazines of a coating device. Furthermore, such a code can also be printed on a data carrier that is not connected to another object, such as a sheet of paper, and can then give an instruction to the woodworking and/or wood processing device to process a specific workpiece.

According to the invention, the system has an evaluation device for the code read in by the reading device. This can be any device that is suitable for evaluating the codes. For example, such a device can be implemented in the form of a computer, which can also be designed, for example, as a distributed computer system. Such a computer can also be used on a mobile phone, in particular a smartphone, i.e. a mobile phone on which, in addition to the usual mobile phone functions such as making calls and sending SMS messages Programs installed by a user can be executed, or implemented on another type of portable device.

The evaluation device now determines which woodworking and/or wood processing device this code applies to and ensures that the one or more codes are forwarded to the corresponding woodworking and/or wood processing device. In embodiments in which the evaluation device is directly connected to a woodworking and/or wood processing device, it can first be checked whether this code relates to this woodworking and/or wood processing device. This could be the case, for example, if the code read relates to an edge magazine of the woodworking and/or wood processing device on which the reading device is provided. Otherwise, however, if the code affects another woodworking and/or wood processing device, the code is forwarded to the woodworking and/or wood processing device to which the code applies. This can be done, for example, using a cloud server. However, there are other ways to implement this. This means that it is no longer necessary to provide a reading device on this second woodworking and/or wood processing device. This makes it possible to reduce the number of reading devices. All types such as storage locations, materials, production orders and their unique identifiers (IDs) can be stored in the cloud.

The evaluation device preferably uses the codes to determine what type of object they are intended for. Accordingly, the codes contain a type identifier as part of their coded content, which can, for example, indicate whether it is an edge band or an edge shaft or a production order. This allows the system to determine more adequately which further steps are necessary and whether, for example, it is necessary to wait for a second code to be read in in order to then determine which further steps the system should carry out.

The system is advantageously designed to check, when reading in a code that designates a material to be processed, whether this material is booked elsewhere in the system and to write it out there. For example, a user who removes a material from a magazine for further processing can read the code that is applied to this material using the reading device. The system can then determine where this material is stored in the system and can delete the relevant entry so that the system now records that this material is no longer stored there.

According to another preferred embodiment, the system is designed, when reading in a code that designates a material to be processed, to link this material with a code read in directly before or after reading in the code that designates the material to be processed, which is a location and the material to be processed is recorded at this location in the system. For example, if first a location for processing a material (e.g. edge magazine) and then a material to be processed (e.g. edge band) is read in, or if the order is the other way around, the system knows that this material is to be booked at the corresponding location and will update the database in the system accordingly. This gives the user flexibility in the order in which the material is read and the posting location, which increases user-friendliness.

According to a preferred embodiment, the location denotes a warehouse for material. The system can therefore be used for warehousing.

Alternatively, it is preferred that the location designates a position within a processing device that is designed for processing the material to be processed. This allows the system to be informed that the material to be processed is placed in the processing device ready for processing.

In this context, it is preferred that the material to be processed is an edge band and/or the location is a magazine of an edge band gluing device. An edge band gluing device refers to a device that can be used to glue an edge band to a narrow side of a board.

In a preferred embodiment, the system is designed to initiate the production of a workpiece defined by this code after reading in a code that designates a production order. For example, the code itself can contain the necessary work instructions for the machines. However, it would also be conceivable that this code contains a reference to a location in the system's memory where the relevant instructions can be retrieved. In this respect, the system can not only be used to record objects, but can also be used to place production orders.

The code is preferably an optically readable code. Codes such as barcodes can be read easily and without contact. They can also be read optically using a comparatively simple reading device and do not require any specialized devices. The code is preferably a two-dimensionally coded, optically readable code. A two-dimensional coded code is a code in which information is recorded in two dimensions arranged perpendicular to one another. In comparison, a one-dimensional code such as a barcode only records information in one dimension. Using a two-dimensional code makes better use of the space provided on an object. The code is particularly preferably a QR code, which, in addition to the advantages mentioned with regard to two-dimensional codes, has the advantage that error correction is built in. In this context, the reading device has an optical reading device.

The reading device is preferably portable and more preferably implemented on a portable computer or mobile phone.

With an appropriate design, the reading device is easy to implement and can also be easily transported and carried by a user. Especially when implemented on a portable computer or mobile phone, it can be implemented as a program (app), which reduces the effort of installing scanners to read the codes.

In this context, it is preferred that the portable computer or mobile phone has an optical sensor (which can be formed, for example, by a built-in camera) and the reading device reads in the code using the optical sensor. This also makes it easier to implement the system, since such optical sensors are widely used in the form of cell phone cameras.

The code is preferably forwarded to the respective woodworking and/or wood processing devices using a distributed computer system, in particular a cloud computer system. This allows such forwarding to be easily configured without connecting specialized hardware.

The invention further relates to a method as defined in claim 12 and the associated dependent claims. This method, which in particular can be implemented at least partially on a computer, leads to the advantages and technical effects that were discussed in connection with the corresponding system claims.

Brief description of the drawings

• 1 Beispiele von Codes zur Verwendung in einem erfindungsgemäßen System,
• 2 den Ablauf des Scannens mit einer App auf einem Mobiltelefon,
• 3 den Ablauf für das Scannen mit einem HardwareScanner und
• 4 ein Komponentendiagramm eines Systems gemäß einer Ausführungsform.

Further features and advantages of the claimed system result from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Of these drawings shows:

• 1 Examples of codes for use in a system according to the invention,
• 2 the process of scanning with an app on a mobile phone,
• 3 the process for scanning with a hardware scanner and
• 4 a component diagram of a system according to an embodiment.

Description of embodiments

The same reference numbers listed in different figures designate identical, corresponding, or functionally similar elements.

1 shows what types of data can be encoded in a code to be read. The first example shown is an edge band. Here, the type parameter “t” indicates that it is an edge band. The field “c” designates the manufacturer (here Homag Group, “hg”) and the field “id” is the number of the edge band (which is unique) and therefore uniquely identifies the edge band.

The second example describes how a location, for example an edge shaft, can be coded. The meaning of the field “c” is identical to that of the edge band, while the field “id” uniquely identifies the edge shaft by specifying the identifier number of the edge shaft, which is unique. However, the type field “t” denotes an edge well, which is called a “channel” in English. The other fields “mid” designate the machine number, while the “mi” field designates the magazine name and the shaft.

In the 2 The process for scanning using a QR scanner app on a mobile phone is shown. An operator scans a QR code with a corresponding app using a cell phone camera installed on the cell phone. The app running on the mobile phone caches the QR code in memory and checks whether this code is alone, i.e. without anything else Codes that are capable of carrying out an action. This can be the case, for example, if a production order is to be scanned. Otherwise the system will wait for another code to be read. As soon as this is read, the QR codes are passed on to the cloud for use in barcode routing. In this cloud, the barcode routing step determines which unit or machine the QR codes must be forwarded to, for example because they are to be executed on this machine or because, for example, they designate an edge shaft on this machine. The QR codes are thus forwarded to this unit. The QR code action is then determined on this machine and a QR code action from the machine application is called, which then, as a final step, leads to the QR code action being carried out. This enables a comparatively simple design of the system, in which, among other things, it is not necessary to scan the QR codes in a fixed order, as was necessary with the barcodes according to the prior art.

3 shows a procedure according to an embodiment with a hardware scanner, in which the hardware scanner is permanently installed on a machine. Here too, a QR code is scanned and stored in a memory. If it is determined here that not enough QR codes have been read, the machine waits for further QR codes to be read until the required number has been reached.

It is then checked whether these QR codes affect your own machine. If this is the case, the QR code action that needs to be carried out is determined and a corresponding QR code action is carried out. If this is not the case, i.e. if the QR codes refer to another machine, they are passed on to the cloud, similar to what happens when using a scanner running on a mobile phone.

4 shows a structure of components of a device that can be used in a system according to the invention. Here, a barcode scanner 10 is provided with a first machine 12 as an example of a reading device. This machine has a software-based scanning processor that processes the read barcode and calls a second subfunction, if present, “machine executing app,” which carries out the action defined by the barcode(s). The scanning processor can, if necessary, forward barcodes to the cloud 16, where the barcodes can be forwarded via the barcode routing function, for example to the second machine 20, which in turn also has a scanning processor and a machine executing app, like this one first machine has 12. Within the cloud there is also a database for material management (“material data DB”) and a database (“location DB”) which store where the individual materials are located. These two databases are controlled and kept up to date by a subfunction of material management.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that individual features described in different embodiments can also be implemented in a single embodiment, as long as they are not structurally or functionally incompatible. Likewise, various features described within a single embodiment may also be provided on multiple embodiments individually or on any suitable subcombination.

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 2969428 B1 [0003]
• DE 102017105504 B1 [0003]

Claims (15)

System for controlling processes in woodworking and/or wood processing characterized by : - a reading device (10, 14)) for reading one or more codes, - an evaluation device (12) for the codes read by the reading device, the evaluation device being based on the The read codes determine which woodworking and/or wood processing device these codes concern, and then causes these codes to be forwarded to this woodworking and/or wood processing device. System after Claim 1 , whereby the evaluation device uses the codes to determine what type of object they are intended for. System after Claim 2 , whereby the system is designed to check, when reading in a code that designates a material to be processed, whether this material is otherwise accounted for in the system and to deregister it there. System after Claim 2 or 3 , wherein the system is designed to, when reading in a code that designates a material to be processed, link this material with a code that designates a location that is read in directly before or immediately after reading in the code that designates the material to be processed , and the material to be processed is posted to this location in the system. System after Claim 4 , where the location denotes a position on a processing device that is designed for processing the material to be processed. System after Claim 5 , where the material to be processed is an edge band and/or where the location is a magazine of an edge band gluing device. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system is designed to initiate the production of a workpiece defined by this code after reading in a code that designates a production order. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the code is an optically readable code, preferably a two-dimensionally coded optically readable code, more preferably a QR code, and the reading device has an optical reading device. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reading device is portable and is preferably implemented on a portable computer, in particular a tablet computer, or mobile phone. System after Claim 9 , if from Claim 8 dependent, wherein the portable computer or the mobile phone has an optical sensor, in particular a camera, and wherein the reading device reads the code using the optical sensor. System according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the code is forwarded using a distributed computer system (16), in particular a cloud computer system. Method for controlling processes in woodworking and/or wood processing, with the following steps: - reading one or more codes, - Evaluating the read codes, - Determine based on the read codes which woodworking and/or wood processing device these codes affect, and - Forwarding these codes to this woodworking and/or wood processing device, the method preferably being carried out using the system according to one of the preceding claims. Procedure according to Claim 12 , where the codes are used to determine what type of object they are intended for. Procedure according to Claim 13 , whereby when a code that designates a material to be processed is read in, it is checked whether this material is booked elsewhere and it is booked out there. Procedure according to one of the Claims 13 or 14 , wherein when reading a code that designates a material to be processed, this material is linked to a code that designates a location and the material to be processed that is read in directly before or immediately after the code that designates the material to be processed is posted to this location.

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