Return
Return panels for another pass
The manipulator can move a panel from reception to the return zone and orient it for the next edge-banding pass.
Doucet RETX
DOUCET MACHINERIES
RETYX Intelligent Panel Return Conveyor System
RETYX combines an articulated vacuum-grip manipulator with receiving and return conveyors to automate panel handling around an edgebander. The 3-axis system can re-orient panels for the next pass and route them to return, stacking or unstacking zones.
3-axis vacuum manipulator40" vertical travel120" horizontal travel-90° to +180° rotation200 lb panel limit12 return cycles/min max
Production problem
Panels leaving an edgebander need to be returned, re-oriented, stacked or fed forward without repetitive manual outfeed handling.
Machine mechanism
An articulated vacuum-grip manipulator moves panels between reception, return and stacking/unstacking zones.
Control value
The operator selects production type and number of passes; the system executes the planned operation at each stage.
3-axis handling
Vacuum grip
-90° to +180°
3"×8" to 36"×96"
12 return cycles/min max
7 stacking cycles/min max
Start with the production problem
Keep an edgebander fed while reducing the manual outfeed-return loop.
RETYX adds panel pick-up, orientation and destination logic to the edgebander return loop, reducing the need for repetitive manual outfeed handling.
Stacking
Stack completed work
The 3-axis system can place completed panels in a designated stacking zone.
Unstacking
Unstack incoming work
A designated zone can also be used to unstack panels into the production cell depending on operating mode.
Handling
Reduce repeated lifting
Vacuum handling reduces repeated lifting and repositioning around the edgebander.
Application fit
Best fit: repeat panel production around a high-use edgebander.
RETYX fits repeat panel production where one edgebander needs controlled return, orientation, stacking or unstacking across a defined pass sequence.
Strong fit
High-use edgebanding
Best where panels need multiple passes and controlled routing around one edgebander.
Strong fit
Broad panel envelope
Handles panels from 3 × 8 in up to 36 × 96 in within the specified thickness and weight limits.
Strong fit
Return + stacking
Useful where finished panels need to be stacked rather than continuously handed back to the operator.
Workflow
Variable pass count
The operator selects the number of passes before feeding and RETYX follows the sequence.
Workflow
Multi-destination handling
Useful when panels need to return, stack or unstack according to the selected production sequence.
Cell focus
Edgebander-centered automation
Best when the automation project is centered on panel handling around an edgebander.
Select the return system from the process backwards
Start with panel mix, edgebander geometry and final destinations.
Configure the return cell from the real pass pattern, panel envelope and available floor space.
Define the edgebander
Model, length, pass line, infeed/outfeed direction and interface geometry.
Define the panel envelope
Minimum/maximum length, width, thickness and weight across the real product mix.
Define pass logic
How many edges/passes and what orientation is required at each return.
Define destinations
Return, stack or unstack according to the required production flow.
Close the cell
Floor space, air-table positions, utilities, safety, data integration and downstream flow.
Machine architecture / work cycle
Receive → pick → translate → rotate → return, stack or unstack.
A 3-axis vacuum-grip manipulator works with receiving and return conveyors to route each panel through the selected sequence.
1
Reception
Six motorized belts on a 9-foot receiving conveyor accept panels from the edgebander through motorized infeed arms.
2
Vacuum pick
The manipulator grips the panel with vacuum tooling and lifts/translates it between operating zones.
3
Orient
A rotational axis re-orients the panel for the next pass where required.
4
Route
The programmed sequence sends the panel to return, stacking or unstacking logic based on the selected production pattern.
Manipulator motion
Manipulator motion: 40 inches vertical, 120 inches horizontal, with rotation from -90° to +180°.
These values describe manipulator travel, not overall machine dimensions or panel dimensions.
40"Vertical translation / stroke
120"Horizontal translation / stroke
-90°Lower rotation limit
+180°Upper rotation limit
3-axisManipulator configuration
Technical data
RETYX machine and workpiece data.
Return and stacking rates are operating-mode maxima; conveyor and air-table dimensions describe separate machine zones.
| Field | RETYX value |
|---|---|
| Model | RETYX — Intelligent Panel Return Conveyor System |
| Primary application | Edgebander panel handling and return |
| Manipulator | 3-axis articulated vacuum-grip manipulator |
| Vertical travel | 40" |
| Horizontal travel | 120" |
| Rotation | -90° to +180° |
| Receiving conveyor | 6 motorized belts, 9' long, with motorized infeed arms |
| Return conveyor | 36" wide belt conveyor; length adjusted according to edgebander |
| Receiving air table | 60" × 36", pneumatic up/down |
| Feeding air table | 24" × 36", fixed height |
| Panel minimum | 3" wide × 8" long |
| Panel maximum | 36" wide × 96" long |
| Thickness | 1/2" to 2-1/4" |
| Maximum panel weight | 200 lb |
| Return-mode rate | 12 cycles/minute maximum |
| Stacking-mode rate | 7 cycles/minute maximum |
12 cycles/min is the maximum return-mode rate. 7 cycles/min is the maximum stacking-mode rate. Neither value should be treated as a finished-parts-per-minute guarantee.
Panel capacity
Panel capacity covers a broad cabinet and furniture workpiece range.
Panel capacity spans 3 × 8 in minimum to 36 × 96 in maximum, with 1/2 to 2-1/4 in thickness and a 200 lb maximum panel weight.
3"Minimum width
8"Minimum length
36"Maximum width
96"Maximum length
200 lbMaximum panel weight
Receiving / return architecture
RETYX is built around the edgebander rather than sold as one fixed-length conveyor footprint.
The 36-inch-wide return conveyor is sized in length to match the host edgebander.
Receiving
9' receiving zone
Six motorized belts form the receiving conveyor.
Interface
Motorized infeed arms
The receiving side includes motorized arms to interface with the edgebander.
Return
36" return conveyor
The return belt is 36 inches wide.
Configuration
Length follows edgebander
Return-conveyor length is adjusted to the host edgebander rather than treated as one fixed RETYX dimension.
Control / operator workflow
The operator chooses production type and pass count; RETYX executes the planned route.
The operator selects the production type and number of passes. Recipe-based HMI control then runs the planned sequence.
Standard operations can use pre-programmed recipes, and recipes can be configured through the HMI. The system can operate autonomously without an ERP connection.
Recipe-based HMI control supports repeat production sequences.
Standard operations can use pre-programmed recipes, recipes can be configured through the HMI, and RETYX can operate autonomously without an ERP connection.
Barcode/RFID adaptation and a database bridge are integration options when the production system requires them.
Vacuum-grip architecture
Panel handling is performed through the articulated manipulator's vacuum head.
The articulated vacuum head handles panels up to the 200 lb workpiece limit. Final vacuum tooling should be matched to the actual panel surface, dimensions and weight.
Vacuum handling is the workholding method used by the manipulator throughout the panel-routing cycle.
The vacuum tool picks the panel for translation, rotation and routing.
Vacuum handling should be qualified to the panel surface, geometry and weight used in the production cell.
Qualify the vacuum tooling against the actual panel surfaces, dimensions and weight in the configured cell.
Cycle-rate framework
Return and stacking rates serve different operating modes.
Use these values as motion-cycle maxima and model finished output from the actual edgebander speed and pass mix.
Return mode
12 cycles/min max
Maximum operating rate in return mode.
Stacking mode
7 cycles/min max
Maximum operating rate in stacking mode.
Production basis
Pass count matters
A panel needing multiple edge passes consumes multiple return operations before its final destination.
Configured output
Measure the complete cell
Finished output depends on edgebander speed, panel size, number of passes, orientation and destination logic.
Stacking / unstacking
RETYX can use designated zones for both finished-panel stacking and incoming-panel unstacking.
The 3-axis handling system supports both finished-panel stacking and incoming-panel unstacking.
Stack
Stack finished panels
Final-pass parts can be routed to a stacking zone instead of returned to the operator.
Unstack
Unstack incoming panels
A zone can be used to feed incoming panels into the cell depending on operating mode.
Orient
Orientation logic
The rotational axis can present returned panels in the orientation required for the next pass.
Production-cell integration
RETYX belongs around the actual edgebander, pass pattern and floor layout.
Return-conveyor length follows the host edgebander, so the cell is laid out around the actual machine, pass pattern and available floor space.
Edgebander outfeed
Motorized receiving belts accept the processed panel.
Manipulator pick
Vacuum grip secures and translates the part.
Orientation
Rotation prepares the next required edge where needed.
Destination
Return, stack or unstack according to the programmed flow.
Next cycle
Operator feeds the next part while RETYX completes the selected flow.
Ownership / service / resilience
Plan the cell so production has a defined fallback and changeover method.
Manual bypass provides a defined fallback when the manipulator is unavailable, while recipes and workholding condition support repeatable operation.
Fallback
Manual bypass
Parts can still be received through the cell when the manipulator is unavailable.
Ownership
Recipe management
Document the approved recipes/pass patterns for the actual product families.
Workholding
Vacuum tooling condition
Treat the vacuum grip as a key workholding element and maintain it to the machine service requirements.
Safety
Qualified service
Servo, vacuum, pneumatic, guarding and electrical work should be handled by qualified personnel using the installed machine procedures.
Business-case framework
Measure handling labor and edgebander utilization to build the RETYX business case.
Build the project case from actual handling labor, edgebander waiting time, pass mix and configured cycle rates.
Baseline
Current outfeed labor
Measure the actual time spent receiving, rotating, returning and stacking panels.
Flow
Edgebander waiting
Record idle time caused by operator travel or outfeed handling.
Production basis
Pass mix
Count average passes per panel and final destinations.
Business case
Configured RETYX case
Use real panel mix and confirmed return/stack cycle data to model the project.
Application data package
Send the edgebander, panel mix and desired return/stack flow.
This information closes the cell layout, panel-handling requirements and RETYX configuration.
Host machine
Edgebander
Manufacturer/model, length, pass line, infeed/outfeed and current conveyor geometry.
Workpiece
Panel envelope
Min/max length, width, thickness, weight, surface and representative part mix.
Sequence
Pass pattern
Edges per part, pass order, orientation, final destination and stack/unstack needs.
Integration
Cell requirements
Available floor space, operator side, pallet/stack zones, electrical and air service, and any data-system requirements.
RETYX FAQ
Qualification questions for an intelligent edgebander return cell.
Core qualification points for an intelligent edgebander return cell.
What is RETYX?
Doucet's RETYX is an intelligent panel return conveyor system using an articulated vacuum-grip manipulator with receiving and return conveyors around an edgebander.
How many axes does the RETYX manipulator use?
RETYX uses a 3-axis vacuum-grip manipulator.
What panel sizes can RETYX handle?
Panel capacity is 3 inches wide × 8 inches long minimum and 36 inches wide × 96 inches long maximum, with 1/2 to 2-1/4 inch thickness.
What is the maximum panel weight?
Maximum panel weight is 200 lb.
What is the return rate?
Maximum return-mode rate is 12 cycles per minute. This is not a finished-parts-per-minute guarantee.
What is the stacking rate?
Maximum stacking-mode rate is 7 cycles per minute.
Can RETYX rotate panels?
Yes. Manipulator rotation ranges from -90 degrees to +180 degrees.
Can RETYX stack and unstack?
Yes. The 3-axis handling system supports designated stacking and unstacking zones.
Does RETYX require ERP integration?
No. RETYX can operate autonomously; barcode/RFID and database connectivity can be added when the production system requires them.
What does the HMI do?
The HMI supports pre-programmed standard operations and configurable production recipes.
RETYX application review
Map the return cell around your edgebander.
Send the host machine, panel envelope, pass pattern, stacking requirements and available floor space.