Manufacturing Machine Control With Feature-Based Data Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current manufacturing data collection and storage methods are inefficient, as they primarily associate manufacturing data with part IDs, making it difficult to retrieve relevant data specific to individual features across different parts, limiting the availability and usability of information for designers and production managers.
Innovation Solution
A feature-based manufacturing data storage system where manufacturing data is associated with feature identifiers (FIDs) instead of part IDs, allowing for easier retrieval and organization of data related to specific features, enabling efficient storage and access of manufacturing data in a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manufacturing data is associated with part IDs, then data storage is simple and straightforward, but data retrieval for specific features across different parts becomes difficult and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments manufacturing data by feature identifiers (FIDs) rather than storing all data under part IDs. Each feature gets its own identifier and associated data structure, allowing independent access and retrieval of feature-specific manufacturing data across different parts. This segmentation enables efficient querying of particular features without needing to search through entire part datasets.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to data organization by adding feature identifiers as a primary access key alongside part identifiers. This creates a multi-dimensional data structure where data can be accessed through either part ID or feature ID, transforming the traditional single-dimension (part ID only) storage approach into a more flexible multi-access structure that improves retrieval efficiency.
2Loss of information
If manufacturing data is organized by part IDs, then data storage is straightforward, but information availability for designers and production managers is limited
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting data organization around feature identifiers, the system makes previously hidden feature-level information accessible. Designers and production managers can now retrieve specific feature data (such as inspection results, manufacturing parameters, quality metrics) without being constrained by part-level aggregation, thereby reducing information loss and improving decision-making capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The feature identifier system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it uniquely identifies features across different parts, enables feature-specific data retrieval, supports cross-part feature comparison, and provides a universal interface for various users (designers, production managers, quality inspectors). This multi-functionality increases information availability without requiring separate systems for different user needs.
3Productivity
If manufacturing data is stored with detailed feature associations, then data retrieval for specific features improves, but data storage and processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by creating discrete feature identifier records that link specific features to their manufacturing data. Each FID acts as an independent access point, allowing the system to retrieve only the necessary feature-specific data rather than processing entire part datasets. This segmentation improves productivity by reducing data access time and processing overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual copy or reference structure where feature identifiers point to manufacturing data without duplicating the entire data set. This copying approach allows efficient access to feature data through FIDs while avoiding the storage overhead of complete data duplication, thereby improving productivity without proportionally increasing storage complexity.
Data Source
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Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A method includes, at a controller (68), controlling a manufacturing machine (62) to perform a manufacturing process step (64) for a given feature of a plurality of features of a part, including executing instructions (66) causing the manufacturing machine (62) to perform the manufacturing process step (64), the instructions (66) comprising an identifier (58) of the given feature and a definition of the manufacturing process step (64) to be executed in relation to the given feature; at the controller (68), during the manufacturing process step (64), generating manufacturing data (50) from the manufacturing process step (64); and by the controller (68), associating the manufacturing data (50) to the identifier (58) of the given feature in a non-transitory memory.