Method and system for assisting in distinguishing sheet metal workpieces

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assisting in distinguishing sheet metal workpieces (1), in which geometrical workpiece information (2) is present in each of a plurality of workpieces (1) in a memory (3), at least first workpiece information (21) of a first workpiece (11) is selected (110) and second workpiece information (22) of a second workpiece (12) is selected (120), the selected workpiece information (21, 22) being stored in the memory (3). The selected workpiece information (21, 22) is retrieved from the memory (3) by a computing unit (5) and compared (130) to each other, the computing unit (5) determines (140) at least one difference (6) between the selected workpiece information (21, 22), each containing a picture (4) of the respective workpiece (11, 12), or a picture (4) is created on the basis of the workpiece information (21, 22), and the selected workpiece information (21, 22) is graphically output (150) by means of an output unit (7). 22), and a difference (6) is highlighted in the output at least one picture (4).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to methods and systems for assisting in differentiating sheet metal workpieces.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a system for assisting in differentiating sheet metal workpieces. Background Art

[0003] From DE 10 2018 215 538 A1 a system for identifying an object is known. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present invention is based on the following object: to provide the aforementioned method and system which assist an operator in differentiating workpieces made of sheet metal.

[0005] In the method mentioned above, this object is achieved according to the invention in that for a plurality of workpieces there is geometrical workpiece information in a memory,

[0006] wherein at least one of first workpiece information of a first workpiece is selected and one of second workpiece information of a second workpiece is selected,

[0007] In this case, the selected workpiece information is retrieved from a memory by the computing unit and compared with one another.

[0008] wherein at least one difference between the selected workpiece information is determined by a computing unit,

[0009] The workpiece information each includes a picture of the corresponding workpiece, or a picture is created based on the workpiece information.

[0010] Therein, the representations of the selected workpiece information are output in graphical form via an output unit, and differences are highlighted in at least one of the representations.

[0011] The geometrical workpiece information is stored in a machine-readable form in the memory, which may be, for example, CAD data, NC data or a drawing.

[0012] The two or more pieces of artifact information may be selected in a variety of ways, which are discussed in more detail below.

[0013] The selected workpiece information is preferably compared based on a drawing. Thus, known graphical algorithms can be used. Alternatively, the workpiece information can be compared based on existing data such as CAD data or NC data.

[0014] If multiple differences are found during the comparison, only the differences that are easiest for the operator to identify are displayed.

[0015] The highlighting can be done in the drawing, for example, by arrows, circles, a colored background or the like.

[0016] Preferably, the differences are different sizes of the workpieces and the drawings are output in a uniform scale. Outputting in scale allows size differences to be directly seen.

[0017] Preferably, the difference is a different number and / or a different arrangement of the holes in the respective workpieces, and at least one hole is highlighted in the drawing. By highlighting the holes, the operator can directly see which hole he needs to pay attention to.

[0018] Preferably, the difference is a different outer contour of the workpiece, and the drawings are rotated and / or mirrored so that the overlap of the drawings has the greatest possible surface overlap / overlap area, and the drawings are output in this rotation and / or mirroring. Rotation and / or mirroring makes the comparison between the drawings particularly easy for the operator.

[0019] Preferably, the pictures are output in an overlapping or parallel manner.

[0020] Preferably, an image of the workpiece is produced / photographed and the first workpiece information is selected based on the image. When selecting the workpiece information based on the image, the operator can produce an image of the workpiece using a camera and select the associated workpiece information. This is a particularly simple method for selecting the workpiece information to which the current workpiece belongs.

[0021] Particularly preferably, the component information is generated from the image and the first component information is automatically selected, which is most similar to the component information. The component information is preferably at least partially in the same format as the component information. For example, the outer contour of the workpiece can be identified from the image and compared with the drawing created from the workpiece information. Optionally, the workpiece information with the second greatest similarity can be selected as the second workpiece information.

[0022] The similarity of the workpieces can be determined, for example, by artificial intelligence, in particular neural networks. An example of such artificial intelligence is described in DE 10 2018 215 538 A1.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment, the first workpiece information is selected by an operator, and the workpiece information most similar to the first workpiece information is automatically selected as the second workpiece information. The first workpiece information can be selected by the operator from a plurality of workpiece information, for example, via an operator interface. By automatically comparing the workpiece information, the workpiece information most similar to the first workpiece information selected by the operator is selected from the unselected workpiece information as the second workpiece information.

[0024] Preferably, at least one workpiece information is selected by artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence can be preferably used for the above-mentioned selection based on similarity.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment, the first workpiece is automatically identified at least with respect to its position in the metal sheet and the first workpiece information belonging to the workpiece is selected. Identifying the position in the metal sheet is particularly advantageous when a plurality of workpieces have been separated from the metal sheet by a machine tool, in particular a laser cutting machine tool, and a metal sheet remnant is present together with the workpieces. Such identification is disclosed, for example, in WO 2018 / 073418 A1.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a system for assisting in distinguishing workpieces, the system comprising a memory, a computing unit and an output unit, wherein a plurality of geometric workpiece information is present in the memory, wherein the workpiece information each contains a drawing of the corresponding workpiece, or the computing unit is capable of creating a drawing based on the workpiece information, wherein the computing unit is arranged and configured to: retrieve at least first workpiece information of a first workpiece and second workpiece information of a second workpiece from the memory, determine at least one difference between the workpiece information, and output a drawing of the selected workpiece information in a graphical form via the output unit and thereby highlight the difference in at least one of the output drawings.

[0027] The system assists an operator in differentiating between workpieces by outputting images of the workpieces and thereby highlighting differences in at least one of the images.

[0028] Preferably, the system comprises a camera for creating an image, and the computing unit is arranged and configured to select at least first workpiece information based on the image. For example, an image of a workpiece can be captured by the camera, and workpiece information belonging to the workpiece can be selected based on the image. Alternatively, an image of a metal plate having a plurality of workpieces can be captured by the camera, and the position of a workpiece in the metal plate can be identified and workpiece information belonging to the workpiece can be selected.

[0029] Preferably, a trained model of the artificial intelligence is present in the memory, and the computing unit is arranged and configured to use the model to select at least one workpiece information. In particular, the artificial intelligence can determine similarities between workpiece information.

[0030] Preferably, the system has an input unit, and the computing unit is provided and configured to receive a selection of the first workpiece information from the operator via the input unit. Particularly preferably, the computing unit is provided and configured to display the selectable workpiece information to the operator via the output unit.

[0031] Preferably, the system is arranged and configured to perform the method as described above.

[0032] The following description of the preferred embodiments is intended to explain the present invention in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Figure 1 A flow chart of the method is shown;

[0034] Figure 2 A diagram showing a method for selecting workpiece information using an image of a sheet metal workpiece;

[0035] Figure 3 A diagram for selecting artifact information using an artifact list is shown;

[0036] Figure 4 A diagram for selecting workpiece information using identification of a workpiece location is shown;

[0037] Figure 5 The output of multiple artifact information is shown;

[0038] Figure 6 shows the output of artifact information on a standardized scale;

[0039] Figure 7 The output of workpiece information with different holes is shown;

[0040] Figure 8 The output of workpiece information with different outer contours is shown.

[0041] In all embodiments, elements that are identical or have equivalent functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 An embodiment of the flowchart 100 is shown. In the first step 110, first workpiece information is selected. In the second step 120, second workpiece information is selected. Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 A number of possibilities for selecting a first workpiece information and a second workpiece information are described. The workpiece information each contains a drawing, or a drawing can be created based on the workpiece information. In a third step 130, the selected workpiece information is compared. For this purpose, it can be advantageous to convert the workpiece information into the same format. In particular, it can be advantageous to create drawings of the corresponding workpieces based on the workpiece information. In a fourth step 140, at least one difference between the selected workpiece information is determined. In a fifth step 150, the drawings are output. Differences are highlighted in at least one drawing.

[0043] Figure 2A schematic diagram for selecting workpiece information by means of an image of a sheet metal workpiece 1 is shown. A first workpiece 11 is held by an operator 8 within the field of view of a camera 9. Here, the camera 9 can be attached to a machine tool, such as a laser cutting machine. Preferably, the camera 9 is part of a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone. The camera 9 captures an image 91 of the first workpiece 11 and transmits the image 91 to a computing unit 5. The computing unit 5 is connected to a memory 3. In the memory 3, there is geometrical workpiece information for a plurality of workpieces 1, respectively. The computing unit 5 selects the workpiece information that matches the image 91 as the first workpiece information. The selection can be made, for example, via the similarity of the workpiece information to the image. The similarity can be determined, for example, using artificial intelligence, in particular a neural network. The corresponding artificial intelligence can be stored in the memory 3 and executed by the computing unit 5 to determine the similarity. The second workpiece information can be selected in the same way by creating an image 91 of the second workpiece. Alternatively, the workpiece information that is the second most similar to the image 91 is selected as the second workpiece information. The computing unit 5 compares the selected workpiece information and determines at least one difference 6 between the selected workpiece information. The computing unit 5 is connected to an output unit 7, here a monitor, and outputs a graphic representation of the workpiece information via the output unit 7. In the output, the differences 6 are highlighted here by circling the different drill holes.

[0044] Figure 3 A schematic diagram for selecting workpiece information via a workpiece list is shown. A plurality of geometrical workpiece information is stored in the memory 3. A computing unit 5 is connected to the memory 3 and to an output unit 7, here a monitor. The computing unit downloads a plurality of workpiece information from the memory 3 and outputs it via the output unit 7. In this example, the workpiece information is output as a drawing, but the information can also be output as text, for example as a component number or an order number. The operator 8 now selects a first workpiece information from the output workpiece information. In this example, the selection is made via a touch screen present in the output unit. The second workpiece information can be selected in the same way. Alternatively, the workpiece information that is most similar to the first workpiece information is selected as the second workpiece information. For this purpose, the workpiece information can be compared using artificial intelligence. The computing unit 5 compares the selected workpiece information and determines at least one difference 6 between the selected workpiece information. The computing unit 5 outputs a drawing of the workpiece information via the output unit 7. The difference 6 is highlighted in the output.

[0045] Figure 4A schematic diagram for selecting workpiece information by identifying the position of the workpiece is shown. A machine tool 200, which is a laser cutting machine here, produces a sheet metal workpiece 1 from a sheet metal. The sheet metal workpiece 1 is output from the machine tool 200 to a pallet 201 together with the remaining portion of the sheet metal. The operator 8 removes the sheet metal workpiece 1 from the remaining portion of the sheet metal and sorts the sheet metal workpiece 1 onto a transport vehicle 202. The camera 9 is aligned with the pallet 201 and creates an image of the sheet metal workpiece 1 and the remaining portion of the sheet metal. The computing unit 5 is connected to the camera 9 and the memory 3. The memory 3 stores workpiece information and information about the corresponding position of the workpiece 1 in the remaining portion of the sheet metal. The computing unit 5 compares the image from the camera 9 with the information about the corresponding position of the workpiece 1, and thereby determines which workpiece 1 the operator 8 has removed. The workpiece information belonging to the removed workpiece 1 is selected as the first workpiece information. The second workpiece information can be selected for the second workpiece removed in the same way. Alternatively, the workpiece information most similar to the first workpiece information is selected as the second workpiece information. To this end, artificial intelligence can be used to compare the workpiece information. The computing unit 5 compares the selected workpiece information and determines at least one difference 6 between the selected workpiece information. The computing unit 5 outputs a representation of the workpiece information via an output unit 7. The differences 6 are highlighted in the output.

[0046] Figure 5 The output of multiple workpiece information is shown. Such a diagram can be output to a Figure 4 The operator of the machine tool shown. On the right are shown a plurality of drawings 4 from the workpiece information. In this case, in this example, the surfaces provided for displaying the individual drawings are of equal size. This makes it possible to recognize details when workpieces of different sizes are displayed simultaneously. For each drawing, it is indicated how often the corresponding component has been produced from the metal sheet and how many have been removed. In this example, each row shows the workpieces of a customer. In the middle, each customer is assigned a color, shown here as a hatching. On the left are shown the drawings and their corresponding positions in the remainder of the metal sheet. The illustration on the left allows the operator to see which workpieces are located at which position on the pallet. The colors or hatching help to assign the workpieces to the customers so that the components can be sorted customer-specifically if necessary. The operator can then select the workpiece information by removing the workpieces, such as in combination with Figure 4 Just as described.

[0047] Figure 6 The output of workpiece information 21, 22 in a standardized scale is shown. The workpiece information 21, 22 selected in this example describe the same geometric shape, which has the same aspect ratio, but has different absolute dimensions. On the left are pictures 4 from the workpiece information, which have different absolute side lengths, as in Figure 6. For the two selected workpiece information 21, 22, the computing unit recognizes different absolute dimensions as differences. For better differentiation, the drawings 4 are output in the same scale via the output unit 7. In addition, the drawings 4 are rotated so that the overlap of these drawings 4 has the greatest possible surface overlap. In order to highlight the difference 6, the length mark is marked here by circling it.

[0048] Figure 7 The output of workpiece information 21, 22 with different holes 61 is shown. The workpiece information 21, 22 selected in this example describe the same geometry with different holes. For the two selected workpiece information, the computing unit recognizes the different holes as differences. For the output, the drawings are rotated so that the overlap of the drawings has the greatest possible surface overlap. In order to highlight the differences 6, the holes are marked here by being circled.

[0049] Figure 8 The output of workpiece information with different outer contours is shown. The workpiece information selected in this example describes an approximately circular workpiece. However, the corresponding outer contour of the workpiece has notches of different sizes. For the two selected workpiece information, the computing unit recognizes the different notches as differences. For the output, the drawings are rotated so that the overlap of these drawings has the greatest possible surface overlap. In order to highlight the difference 6, the notches are marked here by being circled.

[0050] List of attached pictures

[0051] 1Metal sheet workpiece

[0052] 11The first workpiece

[0053] 12 Second Workpiece

[0054] 2Workpiece Information

[0055] 21First workpiece information

[0056] 22 Second workpiece information

[0057] 3 Memory

[0058] 4 Pictures

[0059] 5 computing units

[0060] 6 Differences

[0061] 61 holes

[0062] 7 output units

[0063] 8 Operator

[0064] 9 Camera Device

[0065] 91 images

[0066] 100 Flowchart

[0067] 110 first step 120 second step 130 third step 140 fourth step 150 fifth step 200 machine tool

[0068] 201 Pallet

[0069] 202 Transporter

Claims

1. A method for assisting in the differentiation of sheet metal workpieces (1), in, For a plurality of workpieces (1), geometric workpiece information (2) is stored in a memory (3). wherein at least first workpiece information (21) of the first workpiece (11) is selected (110) and second workpiece information (22) of the second workpiece (12) is selected (120), In this case, the selected workpiece information (21, 22) is retrieved from the memory (3) by the computing unit (5) and compared with one another (130), wherein at least one difference (6) between the selected workpiece information (21, 22) is determined (140) by the computing unit (5), The workpiece information (21, 22) each contains a drawing (4) of the corresponding workpiece (11, 12), or the drawing (4) is created from the workpiece information (21, 22), Therein, a representation (4) of the selected workpiece information (21, 22) is output (150) in graphical form via an output unit (7), and the difference (6) is highlighted in at least one of the outputted representations (4).

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The difference (6) is the different sizes of the workpieces (21, 22), and the drawing (4) is output in a uniform scale.

3. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The difference (6) is a different number and / or a different arrangement of holes (61) in the respective workpieces (21, 22), and at least one hole (61) is highlighted in the drawing (4).

4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The difference (6) is a different outer contour of the workpieces (21, 22), and the drawings are rotated and / or mirrored so that the overlap of the drawings (4) has the greatest possible surface overlap, and the drawings (4) are output in the rotation.

5. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: The pictures (4) are output in an overlapping or parallel manner.

6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: An image (91) of a workpiece (1) is produced, and the first workpiece information (21, 22) is selected based on the image (91).

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein: Component information is generated from the image (91), and first workpiece information (21) that is most similar to the component information is automatically selected.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: First workpiece information (21) is selected by an operator (8), and workpiece information most similar to the first workpiece information (21) is automatically selected as second workpiece information (22).

9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least one workpiece information (21, 22) is selected by artificial intelligence.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: A first workpiece is automatically identified at least with respect to its position in the metal sheet and first workpiece information (21, 22) associated with the workpiece is selected.

11. A system for assisting in differentiating sheet metal workpieces (1), comprising a memory (3), a computing unit (5) and an output unit (7), in, A plurality of geometrical workpiece information is stored in the memory. wherein the workpiece information each contains a drawing (4) of the corresponding workpiece (1), or the computing unit (5) is capable of creating a drawing (4) from the workpiece information, The computing unit (5) is configured and arranged to: retrieve at least first workpiece information of a first workpiece and second workpiece information of a second workpiece from the memory; determine at least one difference (6) between the workpiece information; and output a picture (4) of the selected workpiece information (21, 22) in graphical form via an output unit (7) and highlight the difference (6) in at least one of the output pictures (4).

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein: The system comprises a camera device (9) for creating an image (91), and the computing unit (5) is arranged and configured to select at least first workpiece information based on the image (91).

13. A system according to any one of claims 11 to 12, wherein: A trained model of artificial intelligence is present in the memory (3), and the computing unit (5) is set up and configured to use the model to select at least one workpiece information.

14. A system according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein: The system has an input unit, and the computing unit (5) is arranged and configured to receive a selection of first workpiece information (21) by an operator (8) via the input unit.

15. A system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein: The system is arranged and configured to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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