Conveyor-Synchronous Robot Positioning via Scanner Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In industrial robotics, synchronized manufacturing methods lead to inefficiencies and increased costs due to the need for synchronization with multiple processing stations, and existing conveyor-synchronous processing methods are ill-suited for automated robotic operations, resulting in suboptimal use of faster stations and the requirement for elaborate coupling devices to maintain position exactness.
Innovation Solution
An industrial robot is moved along a parallel guide with a workpiece on a conveying device, using a scanner tool to measure and adjust for position tolerances, allowing for rigid coupling with a workpiece carrier and decoupling from the guide's movement, enabling efficient conveyor-synchronous processing with reduced wear and no active drive for the robot's movement, thus allowing for flexible tool exchange and precise positioning without strict initial alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If synchronized manufacturing is used with multiple work stations, then workpieces can be processed at each station, but the production line efficiency decreases because the overall speed is limited by the slowest station and workpiece stores are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous conveyor-synchronous processing where the industrial robot moves continuously along with the workpiece on the conveying device, eliminating the need for workpieces to stop at each processing station. This allows the conveying device to maintain constant motion and full productivity throughout the entire manufacturing line, with multiple robots processing different workpieces simultaneously at different positions along the conveyor path.
2Manufacturing precision
If elaborate coupling devices are used to balance position inexactnesses, then position exactness between the industrial robot and workpiece is ensured, but the device complexity increases and tolerances are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a self-measuring and self-correcting system where the industrial robot uses its own measuring device to detect position deviations between itself and the workpiece carrier, then automatically compensates for these deviations through its control system. This eliminates the need for separate elaborate coupling devices or external measuring equipment, as the robot serves its own positioning needs through onboard measurement and active compensation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical coupling devices with an electronic control system that uses measuring device data to calculate and execute position corrections. Instead of relying on mechanical precision through elaborate coupling mechanisms, the system substitutes mechanical adjustment with electronic control signals that guide the industrial robot's movements to achieve the required position exactness.
3Manufacturing precision
If the industrial robot is rigidly coupled to the workpiece carrier, then position exactness is maintained during common run-through, but the robot cannot adapt to guide tolerances and wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic coupling system where the industrial robot is rigidly coupled to the workpiece carrier during the common run-through to maintain position exactness, but the coupling allows for controlled adjustments through the control system. The robot can actively adapt its position within the rigid coupling framework by receiving correction signals from the measuring device, combining the stability of rigid coupling with the flexibility needed to accommodate guide tolerances and reduce wear.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a device for carrying out a work operation, on a workpiece continually moving forward on a conveying device, by an industrial robot moving along with the workpiece during a common run though a work path are provided. The industrial robot is displaceable along a separate longitudinal guide next to the conveying device. During the common run a base part of the industrial robot is rigidly coupled to a workpiece carrier, and the base part floats relative to a bogie running in the longitudinal guide. The industrial robot includes an exchangeable tool which, at the beginning of the common run through the working path, is a scanner tool connected to a working arm of the industrial robot. A relative position between the work piece and the workpiece carrier is determined from the reference coordinate system of the industrial robot.