3D CAD Path Teaching Data from Connected Spline Curves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional path teaching data creation for robots in three-dimensional CAD data is burdensome due to the need to manually designate multiple connected spline curves, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A path teaching data creation device and method that automatically selects and connects curves based on tangent directions and angles to create a continuous path from three-dimensional CAD data, reducing user intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If three-dimensional CAD data with multiple connected spline curves is used for robot path teaching, then the design capability and path accuracy are improved, but the user burden and operation complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath accuracyVSAvoiduser burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing the robot to automatically select and connect spline curves based on its own position and orientation data. The robot independently determines the appropriate curve to follow without requiring manual user input for each curve selection, thereby reducing user burden while maintaining path accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the robot's position and orientation relative to the spline curves. Based on this feedback information, the system automatically adjusts curve selection and connection decisions, enabling the robot to autonomously navigate complex three-dimensional paths with multiple connected curves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of manufacture

If manual designation of each curve is required for path creation, then path teaching can be performed with simple CAD data, but productivity and time efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath creation capabilityVSAvoidpath creation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing position and orientation data for multiple spline curves before robot operation. This pre-computation enables the robot to quickly determine the correct curve to follow during operation, eliminating the need for manual curve designation and significantly improving path creation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual mechanical process of curve designation with an automated computational system. The robot uses its sensors and processors to automatically identify and select curves based on its current state, substituting human manual operations with automated mechanical and computational processes, thereby大幅提高 productivity.

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

3Loss of time

If automated curve selection is implemented, then user burden and time consumption are reduced, but the system complexity and computational requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepath creation timeVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves universality by designing a multi-functional automated curve selection mechanism that handles various curve types and configurations through a single integrated process. The robot's position and orientation data serve multiple purposes: determining current location, identifying candidate curves, and selecting the appropriate curve to follow, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the automated functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4094902B1Path teaching data creation device, path teaching data creation method, and program
Publication Date: 2025.07.09 JANOME CORP
  • EP4094902B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4094902B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4094902B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object is to reduce user burden. A path teaching data creation device 1 includes: a selection unit 24 configured to select, as a connection target curve, at least one further curve connected to an end point of a connection source curve that is a curve from which a connection is started, determine the selected further curve as the next connection source curve, and sequentially select a curve to be the connection target curve; and a path creation unit 25 configured to create the path teaching data based on the curves selected by the selection unit 24. When a plurality of further curves connected to the end point of the connection source curve are present, the selection unit 24 selects one of the further curves as the connection target curve based on a final tangent direction of the connection source curve and respective start tangent directions of the further curves.