3D Assembly Workstation With Automated Robot Workflow Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 3D printing and assembly tasks in industrial environments require expert robotic programming, making them time-consuming, costly, and labor-intensive, necessitating a more efficient and user-friendly alternative for repetitive tasks.
Innovation Solution
A 3D design, fabrication, and assembly system that includes a modeling component with a user interface, a robotic assembly workstation, and a workflow configuration module, enabling users to design volumetric models, generate 3D print bills of materials, and automate robot control schemes for multi-axis robots to perform printing and assembly tasks without requiring expert programming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If expert robotic programming is used for 3D printing and assembly tasks, then manufacturing precision and reliability are improved, but device complexity and labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary software layer that sits between the user and the robotic system. This software automatically generates robot control code from 3D models and assembly instructions, eliminating the need for users to directly program robots while maintaining manufacturing precision. The intermediary handles the complexity of robotic programming internally.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing users to perform 3D printing and assembly tasks through intuitive interfaces without requiring expert programming knowledge. The automated code generation and workflow management allow the system to serve itself, reducing dependency on specialized personnel.
2Manufacturing precision
If expert robotic programming is used for 3D printing and assembly tasks, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring robot control schemes, toolpaths, and assembly sequences automatically during the design phase. This preliminary automation eliminates the time-consuming manual programming step while ensuring manufacturing precision is maintained through pre-validated workflows.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual robot programming with an automated software system that generates control code algorithmically. This substitution eliminates the time loss associated with expert programming while maintaining or improving precision through consistent automated processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual robot programming is used for assembly tasks, then adaptability to complex tasks is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal platform that handles multiple 3D printing and assembly tasks through a single integrated system. The automated software generates adaptable robot control schemes for various operations, providing versatility without requiring users to learn different programming approaches for each task.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains adaptability by allowing users to modify parameters such as material properties, assembly tolerances, and robot motion parameters through the interface, while the underlying complex control logic remains automated. This enables flexibility in task parameters without compromising ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for designing a volumetric model of a construct at a user interface through use of a 3-D design, fabrication and assembly system comprising a modeling component, a robotic assembly workstation component, and a workflow configuration module to generate, through the workflow configuration module, a 3-D print bill of materials for a rendered volumetric model; generate a workflow configuration model based on the 3-D print bill of materials, the model including an automated robot control scheme of a series of assembly order instructions to direct a multi-axis robot of the robotic assembly workstation component to print and/or assemble a construct; transmit the workflow configuration model to the robotic assembly workstation component with a print and/or assembly command in accordance with the automated robot control scheme; and print and/or assemble the construct with the multi-axis robot in accordance with the print and/or assembly command.