Adhesive Bead Modeling for Stable Robotic Dispensing Paths

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automated liquid adhesive dispensing systems face challenges in achieving a stable and controlled process, particularly in measuring and adjusting process parameters to achieve a desired adhesive bead shape, especially for complex dispensing paths.

Innovation Solution

The system uses a robot and a portable measuring device to dispense and measure liquid adhesive beads, accessing response surface profiles to compare the measured bead shape to a reference shape. Based on these comparisons, the system determines updated process parameters to adjust the dispensing process and achieve the desired bead shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If automated liquid adhesive dispensing systems use complex dispensing paths, then the ability to apply adhesive to complex geometries is improved, but the process stability and control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to apply adhesive to complex geometriesVSAvoidprocess stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the complex dispensing path into multiple linear path segments. Each segment is evaluated and optimized independently using linear modeling, which simplifies the control calculations and improves process stability while maintaining the ability to handle complex geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of linear path segments to predict adhesive bead shape characteristics before actual dispensing. This allows pre-calculation of optimal process parameters, enabling stable and controlled dispensing even for complex geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the system performs detailed measurement and adjustment of process parameters, then the bead shape control is improved, but the production time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebead shape controlVSAvoidproduction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of linear path segments to predict adhesive bead shape characteristics before actual dispensing. This pre-calculation allows the system to determine optimal process parameters in advance, achieving precise bead shape control without adding time during production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from measured bead shape characteristics to iteratively adjust process parameters. The feedback loop enables rapid convergence to optimal parameters, improving bead shape control while minimizing the number of iterations required and thus reducing overall production time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If the system uses traditional measurement and adjustment methods, then the process control is simplified, but the ability to achieve desired bead shape deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess control simplicityVSAvoidbead shape achievement
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary evaluation of linear path segments to predict adhesive bead shape characteristics before actual dispensing. This pre-calculation capability enables precise bead shape control without requiring complex real-time measurement and adjustment equipment during the dispensing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement and adjustment methods with computational modeling and optimization. By using linear modeling and mathematical optimization algorithms, the system achieves precise bead shape control through calculation rather than iterative mechanical adjustment, maintaining simplicity while improving precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4045987B1Automated liquid adhesive dispensing using linear modeling and optimization
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES CO
  • EP4045987B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP4045987B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP4045987B1 patent drawingFigure 1C

AI summary

A method includes dispensing, by a robot within a manufacturing environment using at least one process parameter, one or more linear beads of a liquid adhesive representative of a target complex dispense path onto a surface of a substrate, the linear beads extending along a longitudinal axis and having a bead shape transverse to the longitudinal axis based on the at least one process parameter; and measuring, via a one-dimensional scan by a measuring device positioned within the manufacturing environment, at a plurality of discrete positions along the longitudinal axis of the linear beads, at least one characteristic of the bead shape.