Image-Guided Manufacturing Assistance for Automatic Process Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In manufacturing processes, such as aircraft assembly, the efficiency of operations decreases when workers need to frequently switch between different operation processes, as they must manually change the displayed content on a display, disrupting the workflow and increasing the likelihood of errors.
Innovation Solution
A manufacturing assistance apparatus that uses a combination of an imaging device, a projector, and a projection controller to project operation-specific images onto a workpiece, allowing workers to visualize the necessary information directly on the workpiece, thereby reducing the need for manual content switching and improving workflow continuity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If workers manually switch displayed content on a display during manufacturing operations, then they can access different operation processes, but workflow continuity is disrupted and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects the current operation process through the imaging device and projector, and switches displayed content without worker intervention. The apparatus serves itself by monitoring the workpiece state and autonomously updating the projection content, eliminating the need for manual switching operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device continuously captures images of the workpiece and feeds this information back to the control system. Based on this feedback, the system automatically determines which operation process is currently being performed and adjusts the projected guidance content accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that adapts to real-time manufacturing conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If workers frequently switch between different operation processes, then they can complete various manufacturing tasks, but the likelihood of errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically identifies the current operation process and provides appropriate guidance without requiring worker intervention for switching. This self-service mechanism eliminates human error associated with manual process switching while maintaining the ability to handle multiple different operation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device and projector act as an intermediary between the workpiece and the worker. Instead of workers directly managing process switches, the intermediary system detects the current state and provides targeted guidance, reducing the cognitive load and error potential for workers while maintaining versatility across different operations.
3Ease of operation
If manual content switching is required on displays, then workers can access operation information, but workflow smoothness is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically provides operation information through the projector based on detected workpiece state, eliminating manual switching requirements. Workers simply follow the projected guidance without needing to interact with display switching, maintaining ease of information access while ensuring workflow smoothness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical interaction of manually switching display content with an automated optical projection system. The imaging device and projector substitute for manual display switching mechanisms, providing continuous, context-appropriate guidance that maintains workflow smoothness while preserving ease of accessing operation information.
Data Source
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AI summary
A manufacturing assistance apparatus (100) includes a display (120), an imaging device (110), a completion determining unit (164), and a display controller (166). The display (120) is configured to display operation information that is related to any of operation processes of a workpiece (W). The imaging device (110) is configured to perform imaging of the workpiece (W), and output image data obtained by the imaging. The completion determining unit (164) is configured to determine whether current one of the operation processes is completed, on a basis of the image data output from the imaging device (110). The display controller (166) is configured to cause, when the current one of the operation processes is determined by the completion determining unit (164) as being completed, the display (120) to display the operation information that is related to subsequent one of the operation processes.