Autonomous Measuring Robots for Flexible In-Process Workpiece Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing production processes require human interaction for collecting and measuring workpieces, which can be hazardous and error-prone, and existing mobile measuring solutions lack accuracy and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A system of autonomous mobile robots with spatial localization, navigation, and wireless communication, capable of identifying, collecting, and measuring workpieces, and a computation and storage system for real-time task management and data analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators collect and measure workpieces manually, then measurement tasks can be performed with flexibility, but human safety is compromised and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables autonomous self-service through mobile robots that independently navigate production facilities, identify workpieces using sensor setups, collect samples, transport them to measurement tables, and perform measurements without human intervention. The robots autonomously manage the entire measurement workflow from sampling to data recording, eliminating the need for human operators to physically interact with production environments.
2Measurement precision
If stationary coordinate measuring machines are used, then measurement precision is high, but system flexibility and adaptability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static measuring machines to dynamic mobile robots that can move autonomously throughout the production environment. The mobile measuring robots navigate to different production facilities, adapt to various workpiece locations, and perform measurements in situ or transport samples to measurement tables. This dynamic capability provides both high measurement precision through coordinated measuring machines and flexible adaptability to different production scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile robot system serves multiple functions: navigating production facilities, identifying workpieces using sensor setups, collecting samples with end effectors, transporting workpieces to measurement tables, and coordinating with measuring robots or stationary measuring machines. This multi-functional design replaces multiple specialized devices with a single versatile autonomous system that adapts to various measurement tasks across different production facilities.
3Manufacturing precision
If specialized trained personnel are deployed for sample collection and measurement, then measurement quality is maintained, but operational complexity and training requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces human operators with autonomous mobile robots equipped with sensor setups for workpiece identification, end effectors for sample collection, and navigation systems for autonomous movement. The robots autonomously perform tasks previously requiring trained personnel, including navigating to production facilities, identifying and collecting workpieces, transporting them to measurement tables, and coordinating with measuring systems. This substitution eliminates training requirements while maintaining measurement quality through automated precision control.
4Stability of the object's composition
If fixed measurement protocols at predetermined stations are used, then measurement consistency is ensured, but productivity and inspection speed are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts measurement protocols by allowing mobile robots to navigate directly to production facilities where workpieces are located, rather than transporting all samples to fixed predetermined stations. The robots can perform measurements in situ or collect samples and bring them to measurement tables on-demand. This dynamic approach maintains measurement consistency through standardized measurement procedures while significantly reducing inspection time by eliminating unnecessary transport steps and enabling parallel measurement operations across multiple facilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for autonomously measuring workpieces, the system comprising one or more mobile robots, configured to move autonomously in a production environment with a plurality of production facilities that produce a plurality of different workpieces, each of the mobile robots comprising a spatial localization system for deriving a location of the mobile robot in the production environment, an autonomous navigation and propulsion unit configured for providing mobility of the mobile robot in the production environment, a wireless communication interface providing a data link to at least one other mobile robot and/or to computation and storage system, wherein a first mobile robot comprises a sensor setup comprising one or more sensors and is configured to use one or more of the sensors for identifying a workpiece to be measured and for determining an at least rough position of the workpiece that allows collecting or measuring the workpiece.