Indoor Workpiece Tracking via Mobile Locating Unit Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the metal and sheet metal processing industry, the complex and error-prone paper-based monitoring and control processes become labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially during unpredictable events like machine failures or faulty production, due to the difficulty in determining the status and location of processing workpieces or groups.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method that uses an indoor location system to intelligently assign a mobile locating unit to a processing plan within a production control system, where position data from the mobile unit is matched with workpiece positions derived from a separation plan, enabling quick and accurate assignment and display of workpieces to processing plans, thereby simplifying the sorting and processing of workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If paper-based monitoring and control processes are used to track workpieces through processing steps, then the system can handle complex production scenarios with multiple workpiece shapes and processing steps, but the process becomes labor-intensive, time-consuming, and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual paper-based monitoring and control processes with an automated indoor location system that uses electronic devices to track workpieces. The system automatically determines positions of workpieces and mobile devices, matches them with separation plans, and provides real-time information without manual intervention, thereby eliminating labor-intensive paperwork while maintaining adaptability to complex production scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an indoor location system as an intermediary between the physical workpieces and the production control system. This intermediary automatically captures position data, processes it through matching algorithms, and delivers information to the control system, replacing direct manual tracking and reducing human involvement in the monitoring process
2Reliability
If manual determination of workpiece status and location is performed during unpredictable events like machine failure, then the system can respond to specific situations, but the replanning process becomes extremely time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous automatic tracking of workpiece positions and statuses through the indoor location system. Rather than performing manual assessments only when events occur, the system continuously monitors and maintains up-to-date information about all workpieces, enabling immediate response to unpredictable events without time-consuming manual replanning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary automatic determination of workpiece positions and statuses continuously before unpredictable events occur. The indoor location system maintains ready-to-use position data and separation plan information, so when machine failures or other events occur, the system can immediately retrieve and process the necessary information without starting manual assessment from scratch
3Productivity
If an indoor location system is implemented to automatically track workpieces, then productivity and response time improve, but the device complexity and integration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs mobile devices that serve multiple functions: they act as location sensors for workpiece tracking, provide user interfaces for operators, and communicate with the production control system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each task, thereby managing system complexity while maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables workpieces to be tracked automatically without requiring separate manual tracking devices for each workpiece. The mobile devices and indoor location system self-manage the tracking process, automatically determining positions and matching them with separation plans, thereby reducing the operational complexity despite the advanced technology involved
4Measurement precision
If position data matching is performed to assign mobile locating units to workpieces, then assignment accuracy improves, but the processing complexity and computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs position data matching at appropriate granularities, such as matching mobile device positions to workpiece groups or specific workpieces based on the separation plan. The system applies matching only where necessary and at the appropriate level of detail, avoiding unnecessary full-system processing while maintaining sufficient accuracy for production requirements
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 solution enhances process reliability, optimizes throughput times, and reduces costs by providing a reliable and efficient integration of indoor localization into production processes, ensuring process safety and simplifying the assignment of workpieces to processing plans.
Implementation Method 1
The transceiver units and the mobile locating unit are configured to generate, transmit, receive, and process electromagnetic signals
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, devices, and systems for assigning mobile locating units to digital processing plans for industrial processing of workpiece groups each including at least one workpiece are provided. In one aspect, a method includes: maintaining one or more processing plans including order information for industrial processing of one or more workpiece groups each associated with a corresponding processing plan, the one or more workpiece groups being separated according to a separation plan with a machine tool, matching position data of a mobile locating unit acquired with an indoor location system with position data of the one or more workpiece groups or workpieces derived from the separation plan, assigning the mobile locating unit to a workpiece group or a workpiece based on a result of the matching, and assigning the mobile locating unit to a processing plan associated with the workpiece group or the workpiece assigned to the mobile locating unit.