Centralized Operator Identification for Manufacturing Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operator identification systems in manufacturing cells face challenges such as high introduction costs, complexity in managing operator authentication across multiple machines, and difficulty in integrating and analyzing operation history information, particularly due to network failures and the need for individual certification for each machine.
Innovation Solution
A centralized operator identification system that includes a cell controller and manufacturing machines with units for acquiring and storing operator identification information and operation permissions, allowing for repeated authentication under various conditions and enabling centralized management of operation history.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fingerprint reading unit is provided for each production machine for operator authentication, then operator identification accuracy is improved, but introduction cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the operator authentication function from individual machines into a centralized server. The server stores operator information and handles authentication for multiple machines, eliminating the need for separate fingerprint reading units in each machine while maintaining authentication accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized server provides universal authentication service to multiple production machines. A single server handles authentication for all machines in the system, making the authentication capability multi-functional and reducing overall system complexity and cost.
2Reliability
If individual machines store operation history information locally, then data availability is improved, but integration and verification of operation history across multiple machines becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges operation history storage from distributed local storage to centralized storage on the server. The server collects and stores operation history from multiple machines in one location, enabling easy integration and verification while maintaining data availability through centralized management.
3Ease of operation
If operation level settings are stored in the authentication server for each production machine, then operator permission management is improved, but setting complexity increases when one operator operates multiple machines
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized server provides universal permission management for operators across multiple machines. Operator profiles and permission settings are stored once on the server and automatically applied to all machines, eliminating the need to replicate settings for each machine and reducing configuration complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The operator identification system is capable of managing the information required for authentication of operators centrally with high operation rate. The operator identification system includes a manufacturing cell including a manufacturing machine and a cell controller that can communicate with the manufacturing machine. The cell controller includes a first operator identification information acquisition unit for acquiring operator identification information, a first operation permission/inhibition information storage unit for storing operation permission/inhibition information of the operator on the manufacturing machine, and a first operator identification unit for determining an operation executable by the operator on the manufacturing machine based on the operator identification information and the operation permission/inhibition information. The manufacturing machine includes a second operator identification information acquisition unit, a second operation permission/inhibition information storage unit, a second operator identification unit, and an operation unit for accepting the operation by the operator. The operation unit executes the operation determined to be executable by the first operator identification unit or the second operator identification unit.