Automated Cable Harness Laying With Variant-Specific Path Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for automated cable harness manufacturing require manual programming and re-checking of laying paths for each variant, leading to inefficiencies and excess cable length.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a multi-axis robot, control device, and data storage to automate the manufacturing process by determining cable harness trajectories and optimizing laying paths based on individual component and cable forming board data, reducing manual intervention and optimizing cable length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual programming of laying paths is used for each cable harness variant, then the system can handle different variants, but the programming effort and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copies (3D CAD models) of cable harness variants and their components. Instead of manually programming each variant, the system imports digital models that contain all geometric and positional information, automatically generating laying paths from the model data without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical programming with an automated computer-based system. The control device automatically calculates laying paths by processing digital model data, substituting the manual mechanical programming process with automated computational geometry operations.
2Productivity
If traditional laying paths are used, then all variants can be manufactured, but excess cable length and waste increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the laying path parameters based on the specific variant being manufactured. By reading the digital model data for each variant, the system automatically adjusts cable routes, connection points, and laying parameters to match the exact requirements of that variant, eliminating the need for conservative over-length provisioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of the exact cable length and routing required for each specific variant before manufacturing begins. The control device processes the digital model data in advance to determine the precise laying path, ensuring that the cable length is optimized for that specific variant rather than using generic pre-programmed paths.
3Manufacturing precision
If manual specification of components is required, then all component details can be controlled, but the specification process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses digital copies (3D CAD models) of individual cable harness components that contain all geometric, positional, and identification data. The control device automatically reads this data from the digital models, eliminating manual component specification while maintaining complete control over all component details through the digital model information.
Data Source
AI summary
System for automated manufacturing of a predetermined cable harness from a plurality of individual components for cable harnesses has at least one handling device for laying the cable harness on a cable forming board, at least one control device for regulating and/or controlling the at least one handling device and at least one data storage,The data storage contains individual component data of the plurality of individual componentsThe control device determines a cable harness trajectory based on the predetermined cable harness and the individual components required for said cable harness based on the individual component dataThe handling device can be regulated and/or controlled by the control device for laying the predetermined cable harness in accordance with the determined cable harness trajectory and the required individual components.