Image-Based Processing Plan Assignment for Indoor Mobile Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the metal processing industry, particularly in steel and sheet metal processing, manual methods for monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes lead to errors and inefficiencies due to the complexity of managing diverse workpieces and processing steps, resulting in incorrect part assignment and delayed evaluations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an indoor location system with mobile units and image acquisition to assign processing plans to workpieces, enabling precise tracking and control of workpieces through electromagnetic signals and image data comparison, reducing manual intervention and enhancing process reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used for monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes, then operational flexibility is maintained, but error rates increase and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical monitoring and control methods with an automated system comprising mobile units, image acquisition devices, and electromagnetic signal transmission. The system automatically captures images of workpieces, compares them with reference images, determines positions via electromagnetic signals, and assigns processing plans without manual intervention, thereby improving both reliability and efficiency simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service automation where the manufacturing control system autonomously performs workpiece identification, position determination, and processing plan assignment. The mobile units and image acquisition devices automatically capture and process data without requiring manual operation, allowing the system to serve itself in monitoring and controlling manufacturing processes
2Reliability
If diverse workpieces are processed manually, then adaptability is maintained, but assignment errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual comparison and part assignment with an automated image recognition system. Mobile units equipped with image acquisition devices capture workpiece images, which are then automatically compared with reference images stored in the system. The system determines workpiece positions using electromagnetic signals and automatically assigns processing plans, eliminating manual assignment errors while maintaining the ability to handle diverse workpiece varieties
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of workpieces through image acquisition and stores reference images for comparison. By capturing visual representations of diverse workpieces and comparing them against stored references, the system accurately identifies and assigns each workpiece without manual intervention, handling high diversity of parts reliably
3Measurement precision
If real-time tracking is implemented, then position accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile units serve multiple functions: they acquire images of workpieces, determine positions through electromagnetic signal reception, and transmit data to the manufacturing control system. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve real-time position tracking with high accuracy while avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems for each function, thereby managing complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces errors and increases efficiency by providing real-time, accurate positioning and assignment of workpieces, facilitating flexible and fast manufacturing processes, and optimizing production workflows.
Implementation Method 1
The transceiver units and the at least one mobile unit are configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals, and the analysis unit is configured for determining runtimes of the electromagnetic signals between the transceiver units and the at least one mobile unit and for determining the position of the at least one mobile unit in the manufacturing hall from the runtimes of the electromagnetic signals
Implementation Method 2
providing an image acquisition unit for acquiring image data, acquiring image data of a processing plan-specific object with the image acquisition unit to identify with the manufacturing control system the processing plan to be assigned
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assigning a processing plan to a mobile unit data set of a mobile unit of an indoor location system of a manufacturing hall is provided. The method includes: providing a manufacturing control system for industrial processing of workpieces with a machine tool in accordance with workpiece-specific processing plans, each processing plan storing order information for a workpiece to be processed, providing a mobile unit with an image acquisition unit for acquiring image data, mobile unit data set belonging to the mobile unit and position data of the mobile unit acquired with the indoor location system being stored in the manufacturing control system, acquiring image data of a processing plan-specific object for identifying the processing plan to be assigned with the manufacturing control system, and assigning the identified processing plan to the mobile unit data set of the mobile unit in the manufacturing control system.