3D PMI Inspection Method Selection for Molded Product Quality

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users unfamiliar with inspection methods struggle to select appropriate methods for product manufacturing information (PMI) in three-dimensional model data, leading to inconsistent results and time-consuming manual decision-making.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that automatically decides inspection methods based on product manufacturing information extracted from three-dimensional model data, setting appropriate measurement points and numbers according to the characteristics of the inspection target site, using decision criteria to determine the most suitable inspection tools and methods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual inspection method selection is performed by users, then flexibility in choosing inspection methods is maintained, but time consumption and inconsistency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveManual inspection method selectionVSAvoidTime for manual decision-making
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection method selection process is automated to perform self-service, where the system automatically determines appropriate inspection methods based on PMI data without requiring manual user input. The processor extracts PMI information and autonomously selects inspection methods according to predefined criteria, eliminating the time-consuming manual decision-making process while maintaining consistent and accurate selections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual inspection method selection is performed by users, then adaptability to different inspection scenarios is maintained, but reliability and consistency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAdaptability to inspection scenariosVSAvoidConsistency of inspection method selection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes parameter changes in PMI data (such as tolerance values, dimension types, and geometric characteristics) to automatically determine appropriate inspection methods. By analyzing these parameters objectively, the system maintains high reliability and consistency in inspection method selection across different scenarios, eliminating the variability introduced by manual user decisions while preserving adaptability through comprehensive parameter analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If automated inspection method selection is implemented, then time efficiency and consistency improve, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInspection decision efficiencyVSAvoidAutomation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary processing layer that automatically analyzes PMI data and maps it to appropriate inspection methods using predefined decision criteria. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of automated decision-making internally, providing simple and efficient inspection method recommendations to users without requiring them to understand the underlying complex analysis processes, thus improving productivity while managing system complexity through abstraction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS12510875B2Information processing apparatus and method to decide inspection method for manufactured product, and non-transitory computer readable medium storing program
Publication Date: 2025.12.30 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP
  • US12510875B2 patent drawing
  • US12510875B2 patent drawing
  • US12510875B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to: extract, as an inspection target item, product manufacturing information needed for inspection from three-dimensional model data including the product manufacturing information needed when a molded product is manufactured; and decide an inspection method to be used for inspection as to the product manufacturing information as the inspection target item according to information related to the extracted product manufacturing information.