Vision systems for the furniture and woodworking industries

The timber and furniture industry is a rapidly growing sector both in Poland and worldwide. The products it manufactures are essential to everyday life, which means there is fierce competition in the market and high quality standards. In this type of product, precision in workmanship and aesthetic appeal are crucial, whilst ensuring the efficient use of raw materials. The use of modern technical solutions, such as vision systems, can significantly improve production efficiency and support the work of employees in the timber industry. They can be used at almost every stage of the production process – from accurately checking the placement of holes in boards and optimising timber cutting to verifying the correct assembly of furniture.

The first stage of production – quality control of wooden products

One of the many applications of vision systems in the timber industry is the assessment of quality and measurement of logs in the sawmill industry. Devices using laser triangulation scanners are used for this purpose. In this solution, laser radiation passes through a lens system located in the scanner head and projects an image onto the raw material in the form of spots or lines, which is captured by a camera. On this basis, the system scans the log and creates a point cloud, from which images of successive cross-sections of the logs are generated. This provides data on the structure, dimensions and impurities in the material. This method also allows the shape of bark-covered wood to be reconstructed based on images of log profiles, as well as the identification of knots and damage.

Wood quality control – scanning raw materials, i.e. measuring timber products

In the next stage of production, saws cut the tree trunks in an arc, thereby producing sawn timber. The optimal tool movement profile can also be determined using data from a laser scanner. Based on the information obtained earlier, the system optimises the cutting of the log to minimise waste. In addition, a vision system can analyse the boards emerging from the saw or edger by scanning their profile. The scanner then provides data on the optimal cutting length and can also detect boards that are undersized. Based on the profile data, the saws are adjusted to achieve optimal board widths

Process control using vision system sensors

2D and 3D imaging can also be used to optimise production in a furniture factory, where the assembly process is lengthy and complex. The vision system continuously monitors the manufacturing process of a given piece of furniture in real time. It works by monitoring the entire process and reporting any errors detected. For example, it can be used to correct the position of a board in the gripper of the robot assembling a particular piece of furniture. Incorrect positioning can lead to components being joined incorrectly, which will prevent the assembly of the next segment and halt production. Machine vision can also assist assembly workers by identifying a specific furniture part, comparing it with a template, and then indicating the correct assembly location. The use of this solution helps to avoid costly errors resulting from mistakes made by workers when assembling often complex and similar components.

Defect detection – real-time analysis

To ensure the final product is assembled correctly, each component must be properly fitted together, for example using screws. A vision camera also assists with this, as it can detect drilled holes in furniture panels, measure their diameter and assess their position with a very high degree of accuracy. The system is also capable of checking for the presence of all types of joints and metal staples used in furniture without the need to halt the production line.

Modern technologies in the timber industry

In addition to the furniture and sawmill sectors, vision systems can support operations in areas such as the production of paper products and wooden packaging through product quality control. Thanks to their ability to scan and read barcodes and QR codes, they are also useful in the distribution of timber and all timber products.

Vision systems are characterised by high measurement precision. Their implementation helps to reduce production time and minimise raw material waste. By eliminating human errors caused by fatigue or distraction, the final product complies with quality standards, which ensures greater confidence during audits. Another undoubted advantage is that vision systems can operate both in cleanrooms and in machining processes characterised by harsh working conditions. They are resistant to dust from the wood being processed and to the harmful fumes of varnishes commonly used in the woodworking and furniture industries.