Importance

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Abstract

The problem to be addressed is that implementing optimization in a machine center such as a simple gang, according to conventional methods, can be expensive and time-consuming, with associated downtime increasing the overall expense of the upgrade. The gist of the solution is a computer-readable medium that can be programmed with instructions operable, upon execution by a processor, to determine an actual position of a workpiece on a transport based on data from a sensor positioned to detect the workpiece on the transport. The instruction may be further operable to compare the actual position to a cut solution or a desired position that corresponds to the cut solution, and generate one or more commands configured to cause the workpiece to be moved relative to the transport to the desired position. The one or more commands may be configured to cause a positioning device to skew and/or slew the workpiece to the desired position, or to cause an output device to output visual or auditory instructions to guide a human operator in skewing and/or slewing the workpiece to the desired position. Likewise, a dynamically directed workpiece positioning system may include a transport, a sensor positioned to detect a workpiece on the transport, a cutting member positioned along or downstream of the transport, and a computer system with the afore-mentioned programming. The sensor may scan the workpiece as the workpiece is moved relative to the transport by a human operator or a positioning device. Based on the scan data, the computer system may generate commands to guide the human operator or positioning device in moving the workpiece to a desired position corresponding to a cut solution for the workpiece. Optionally, the computer system may cause the cutting member to be repositioned while the workpiece is being moved relative to the transport. Once the workpiece is in the desired position, the transport may be used to move the workpiece toward the cutting member. Corresponding methods and apparatuses are also disclosed.

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First Claim

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