Automated Concrete Cube Testing With Robotic Transfer and 3D Measurement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing concrete cube testing processes are manual, leading to potential human errors and inefficiencies, particularly in curing, measurement, and compression testing.
Innovation Solution
An automated concrete cube processing system comprising a curing stage, drying stage, measurement stage, and compression stage, utilizing a transportation module with robotic arms and anchoring heads, along with a deep-learning based failure checking module, to automate the entire process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual operation is used for concrete cube testing, then operational flexibility is maintained, but human errors occur and efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm performs curing, measurement, and compression testing operations that were previously done manually, eliminating human errors while maintaining operational flexibility through programmable control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the robotic arm independently performs all testing operations without human intervention. The automated system manages its own operations through integrated control, performing curing, measurement, and compression testing autonomously.
2Productivity
If manual operation is used for concrete cube testing, then operational simplicity is maintained, but throughput is low and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm is designed as a multi-functional system that performs multiple operations including curing, measurement, and compression testing. This universal design increases throughput by eliminating the need for separate specialized equipment for each operation, while the integrated control manages the complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple testing operations into a single automated workflow. The robotic arm integrates curing, measurement, and compression testing functions into one continuous process, improving throughput by eliminating transitions between separate manual operations.
3Measurement precision
If automated robotic arm is used, then human intervention is reduced and precision is enhanced, but initial system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual measurement operations with automated optical measurement systems controlled by the robotic arm. This substitution enhances measurement precision by eliminating human error in dimensional measurements, while the programmable control manages the complexity of coordinating multiple precision operations.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated concrete cube processing system. The system comprises a curing stage including a water tank arranged to facilitate curing of a plurality of concrete cubes for a predetermined period of time; a drying stage arranged to facilitate drying of the plurality of concrete cubes upon completion of curing process; a measurement stage arranged to facilitate measuring of dimensions and a weight of each of the plurality of concrete cubes; a compression stage arranged to facilitate undertaking of a compressive strength test on each of the plurality of concrete cubes; and a transportation module arranged to transfer the plurality of concrete cubes among different stages.