Autonomous Tool Geometry Measurement Using AI Image Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for measuring tools require operator intervention and are not fully autonomous, leading to complex and inefficient processes.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous measurement system using Artificial Intelligence-based image processing to identify and measure tool geometries, generate digital twins, and perform collision checks without human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automatic tool measurement is used, then measurement efficiency is improved, but operator independence is not achieved due to complex sub-processes requiring manual input
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement system autonomously performs all measurement tasks without operator intervention. The control unit automatically controls the measurement device to measure different measurement targets based on measurement information obtained from the tool itself, eliminating the need for manual programming and input of measurement sequences.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual operator actions with an autonomous control system that uses measurement information from the tool to automatically generate and execute measurement sequences. This substitution transforms a semi-automatic process into a fully autonomous one by using the tool's own data to drive the measurement process.
2Measurement precision
If manual operator input is required for measurement programming, then measurement accuracy can be controlled, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tool provides its own measurement information that the control unit uses to autonomously determine the measurement sequence. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex manual programming while maintaining measurement precision, as the system uses data inherent to the tool itself to guide the measurement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system obtains measurement information from the tool in advance, before the actual measurement process begins. This preliminary action allows the control unit to automatically plan and execute the measurement sequence without requiring complex real-time operator decisions, thereby reducing process complexity while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, an apparatus and a processing center for autonomously measuring a tool or a complete tool, include a tool holder and a tool clamped in the tool holder. The autonomous measurement involves a type of the tool first being autonomously determined, a point on the tool that distinguishes the tool then being autonomously determined according to the type of the tool, functional geometries of the tool being autonomously measured starting from this point, and subsequently a cumulative geometry being autonomously ascertained for the tool from the measured functional geometries.