Conveyor Workpiece Pre-Inspection Before Vehicle Body Production

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing manufacturing plants face inefficiencies in workpiece inspection, as it often disrupts production processes and requires resources within the production area, limiting flexibility and increasing costs.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a test station between the setup and production areas for pre-inspection of workpieces using a conveyor device with load handling devices, equipped with advanced detection technology for type, position, and completeness (TLV) verification, allowing for centralized and efficient testing before workpieces enter the production area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If workpiece inspection is performed within the production area, then production processes can be monitored in real-time, but the production area becomes congested and cycle time is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveworkpiece inspection qualityVSAvoidproduction cycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection function is segmented from the production area and placed in a separate setup area. The test station operates independently from production stations, allowing inspection activities to be performed without interfering with production processes. This spatial segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling quality control while maintaining production flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Workpiece inspection is performed in advance during the setup phase before workpieces enter the production area. The test station checks workpieces for type, position, and completeness (TLV) before they are loaded onto conveyors for production. This preliminary inspection ensures quality without disrupting production cycle time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If multiple test stations are distributed throughout the production area, then inspection coverage is improved, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection coverageVSAvoidnumber of test stations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection function is extracted from the production area and consolidated into a single centralized test station in the setup area. This eliminates the need for multiple distributed test stations while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage through the preliminary inspection of all workpieces before production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple inspection functions (type verification, position checking, completeness verification) are merged into a single integrated test station. The test device combines multiple sensing and evaluation capabilities in one location, reducing device complexity while maintaining comprehensive inspection coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Productivity

If test stations are integrated into production stations, then inspection and production are synchronized, but production stations lose flexibility for different workpiece types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinspection-production synchronizationVSAvoidproduction station flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection function is segmented from production stations and placed in a separate test station. This allows production stations to maintain their flexibility for handling different workpiece types while the test station provides synchronized inspection through preliminary checking and digital communication of inspection results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The test station provides feedback to production stations through digital communication systems. Inspection results (workpiece type, position, completeness) are transmitted to production stations, enabling synchronized operation without physical integration. This feedback mechanism maintains productivity synchronization while preserving production station flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3445526B1Production plant and production method
Publication Date: 2023.02.22 KUKA SYSTEMS GMBH
  • EP3445526B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3445526B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a production plant and a production method for workpieces (9, 10, 11), in particular vehicle body components, wherein the production plant (1) has a preparation region (2) and a production region (3) for workpieces (9, 10, 11) and a conveying device (4) for conveying the workpieces (9, 10, 11) from the preparation region (2) to the production region (3), wherein the preparation region (2) has a loading region (29) for loading the conveying device (4) with workpieces (9, 10, 11). The conveyed workpieces (9, 10, 11) are checked in a checking station (6) which is situated between the preparation region (2), in particular the loading region (29), and the production region (3).