Conductive Track Printing on 3D Surfaces Without Object Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for printing conductive tracks on 3D objects are not well-suited for industrial production lines, require stopping the line for object changes, and are limited by robot handling capabilities, leading to inefficiencies in design-to-manufacturing time and positioning accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method using a multi-degree-of-freedom robot arm with integrated scanning, CAD modeling, and conductive ink printing, allowing flexible, modular, and precise printing of conductive tracks directly on the object's surface, compatible with existing production lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a robot is used to grip and move an object for printing conductive tracks, then positioning accuracy of conductive tracks is improved, but the system is not suited for production lines and requires stoppage of the production line
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the object with a robot to achieve positioning accuracy, the invention inverts the approach by keeping the object stationary on the production line and using a robot with a print head to move along a predetermined spatial path. This allows both positioning accuracy and production line continuity to be maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the printing function from the object handling function. The robot carries only the print head and moves independently along a predetermined path, while the object remains stationary on the production line. This segmentation allows the printing operation to be performed without stopping the production line.
2Manufacturing precision
If a robot is used to handle objects for printing, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the system is limited to objects compatible with robot handling capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional approach by not using the robot to handle and move the object. Instead, the object remains stationary on the production line, and only the lightweight print head is moved by the robot along a predetermined path. This eliminates handling limitations while maintaining positioning accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If the object is moved along a predetermined spatial path relative to the print head, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases due to the need for precise robot gripping information
Solution Approach 1:
The invention simplifies the system by inverting the movement relationship: instead of moving the heavy object and requiring precise gripping information, the lightweight print head moves along a predetermined spatial path while the object remains stationary. This eliminates the need for complex gripping information while maintaining positioning accuracy through the predetermined path.
4Productivity
If existing printing methods are used on production lines, then productivity is maintained, but design-to-manufacturing time for prototypes is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be dynamic and adaptable, allowing the same robot-print head configuration to serve both production line printing and prototype functionalization. The print head can be quickly reprogrammed with different predetermined spatial paths and conductive track designs, enabling rapid transition from production to prototyping without extended lead times.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to method 100 for printing at least one conductive track on the surface of an object, using at least one arm robot and at least one conductive ink printhead, the object being arranged in a working area of the robot, the method comprising: - taking 110 a 3D scan of the object using a scanner mounted on the arm of the robot which controls the movement relative to the object, - constructing 120 a digital model of the scanned portion of the surface of the object, - drawing 130, digitally, on the previously constructed digital model, a conductive track 10, - generating 140, depending on the drawing of the conductive track, a path for the printhead 3, and - printing 150 the conductive track using the printhead mounted on the arm of the robot which controls the movement relative to the object, by following the previously generated path.