intelliGuide – The First Intelligent Panel Saw Operator Assistance System

With intelliGuide, saws are now able to respond to the machine operators and display operating instructions in their immediate field of view so that operators no longer need to look at a monitor. How does it work and what are the system's capabilities?

With the full version, intelliGuide professional, machine operators benefit from all-round visual support. An LED strip at the cutting line lights up in different colors and lengths, allowing the machine operator to see the next action that must be performed. By employing a camera system, intelliGuide professional also detects where each workpiece is, then uses this information to tell the operator which workpiece needs to be inserted in the saw and in what way. If something runs out of sequence at this point, then the saw adjusts the processes or, if this is not possible, the system provides operating instructions via the LED strip or laser projection system, which is also included in intelliGuide professional. This system projects symbols directly onto the workpieces. The operator can then see what action needs to be performed, such as rotating, inserting or destacking a part, or placing it in intermediate storage. An example: If the machine operator positions a part incorrectly, the laser projects an arrow symbol onto the part, showing the required direction of rotation. Only after the machine operator has rotated the part correctly will the symbol disappear and cutting begin.

In addition to the full version, intelliGuide professional, HOMAG offers the new operator assistance system in two additional versions. intelliGuide advanced operates without a laser projection system but includes an LED strip and camera. intelliGuide basic guides the operator using only the LED strip at the cutting line. This means every customer can find exactly the right solution.