Drag-and-Drop Automation Interface for Compatible Code Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Designing industrial automation systems is inefficient due to the lack of compatibility checks between components, manual troubleshooting, and the need for manual naming convention updates, leading to resource-intensive and error-prone processes.
Innovation Solution
Implementing AI and machine learning to enforce design rules, suggest compatible component interactions, automate troubleshooting, and manage naming conventions, while providing a light engineering client for minor adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If designers manually write code for each component and manually update naming conventions, then design flexibility and control are maintained, but design time and productivity are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically generating code templates and naming conventions before the designer needs them. When components are selected from the library, the system proactively creates the associated code structures and applies naming rules, eliminating the need for manual code writing and subsequent naming updates throughout the design process.
Solution Approach 2:
The design system serves itself by automatically generating code, applying naming conventions, and maintaining consistency across components without requiring designer intervention. The system self-manages the code generation process, automatically updates names according to conventions, and ensures compatibility checks are performed, freeing the designer from these repetitive tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If designers are free to use any objects and connections without restrictions, then design flexibility and adaptability are maximized, but system reliability and error prevention deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback mechanisms that continuously monitor component selections and connections against compatibility rules. When a designer attempts to use incompatible objects or create invalid connections, the system provides immediate feedback through warnings and error messages, guiding the designer toward reliable design choices while preserving the ability to achieve design goals through alternative valid configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by preventing incompatible component combinations and invalid connections before they can be implemented in the design. Compatibility rules and constraints are enforced in advance during the design process, blocking erroneous actions before they compromise system reliability, while still allowing designers full freedom to explore valid design alternatives.
3Manufacturing precision
If comprehensive code review and troubleshooting are performed manually, then design accuracy and problem detection are improved, but time consumption and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis and self-correction by automatically detecting code errors, compatibility issues, and design problems through integrated validation rules. The system continuously checks the design for errors and provides automated troubleshooting guidance, eliminating the need for extensive manual code review while maintaining high design accuracy through systematic error detection and correction.
4Reliability
If highly trained designers are used to ensure quality design, then design reliability is improved, but cost and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The design system serves as an expert assistant, embedding knowledge of best practices, compatibility rules, and design patterns directly into the software. The system automatically applies expert-level validation and guidance, enabling less experienced designers to achieve professional-quality results without requiring extensive training or hiring highly specialized personnel.
Data Source
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AI summary
A system is configured to receive a first selection of a first object corresponding to a first portion of computer code that defines a first operation of a first industrial automation device from a library, , receive a second selection of a second object corresponding to a second portion of computer code that defines a second operation of a second industrial automation device from the library, and generate an industrial automation project code file. Generating the industrial automation project code file includes modifying the first portion of computer code to enable the first industrial automation device to operate in conjunction with the second industrial automation device, modifying the second portion of computer code to enable the second industrial automation device to operate in conjunction with the first industrial automation device, and combining the modified first portion of computer code and the modified second portion of computer code.