Transcript Versatile Automated Component Saw

Versatile Automated Component
Saw
Introduction….needs lots of work!
Requirements
•Bevel to 45 degrees in both directions
•Miter to 45 degrees in both directions
•Be accurate to within the industry tolerances
•Be cost competitive with any other saws or factory set ups
•Meet productivity requirements for the industry
•Operate on all sizes of wood as outlined below
Size
Application
Length
1” x 6”
Trims, Window Sills
8’ – 10’
2” x 4”
Interior Walls
8’ – 10’
2” x 6”
Exterior Walls
8’ – 10’
2” x 10”
Trusses, Floor Joices
12’ – 20’
2” x 12”
Floor, Trusses, Decks, etc.
12’ – 20’
Market Options
•Chop miter saws are versatile in that they can bevel and miter cuts usually to about 45 degrees. Their weakness is that the size of
wood that they can cut is dictated by their blade diameter.
•Radial arm saws radial arm saws are as versatile as chop saws, but do not have their limitations. The cutting head can also be
rotated 90 degrees so that is acts as an over-cutting table saw. These saws are more expensive as a result.
•Pendulum saws also require large blades to cut through wider timber due to the path they take. The biggest problem with these
saws for this application though is that they cannot bevel a cut, only miter.
•Automated optimizing saws do not generally offer much in terms of versatility. These machines are developed for specific tasks
and act very efficiently, but as of yet cannot offer a solution to the problem posed.
•Log home building machines are at the other end of the spectrum. These machines are equipped with saws, but mostly utilize 5
axis milling cutters. These are over designed for the industry and as such the cost of these machines is too great.
•Dual saw assemblies such dual chop miter saw or dual radial arm saws offer a twin blade solution to the problem posed, but these
machines require that the cutting be done by hand. Only the set up of the saw is automated giving less productivity than is
desirable.
OMGA RADIAL 1100/7
Source: OMGA
Saw Types
Saws can be roughly divided into circular saws and band saws. Band saws are more suited to artistic and metal work though they
are also seen in primary lumber conversion and occasionally in secondary conversion. Their strength is in high speed and smaller
kerf. Circular saws are used mostly in primary and secondary lumber breakdown. The strength of circular saws is in their stability.
For these reasons, the choice to use a circular saw was already made by the industry. The difference between over-cutting or undercutting is less clear as can be seen by the common use of both table saws and radial arm saws for ripping wood.
Design Consideration
Under-cutting Saw (Table Saw)
Over-cutting Saw (Chop Saw)
Safety
High risk of kickback and operator injury
Lower risk of kickback
Motor Placement
Complex due to space constraints
Simpler due to more space
Cutter Head Design
Complex and constrained by space
More complex but no space constraints
Structure Design
Complex as the entire structure must
move together
Simpler as individual parts can move
independently
Table design
Complex as cutting and clamping must
not interfere with each other
Complex but cutting and clamping
systems can be designed independently
Maintenance
Complex as the components are harder to
access
Simpler as the components are not
enclosed in a table
Saw Dust
Can potentially go into the table and
damage the mechanism
Less likely to damage the mechanism
Blade Change
Complex as with maintenance
Simple as blade is more accessible
From the comparison above, it becomes apparent that an over-cutting saw is a simpler design and that it will be easier to operate
once completed.