In-Line Production Monitoring for Deviation-Adjusted Manufacturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current production control systems require skilled personnel and are time-consuming and costly due to the need for parameter adjustments in production facilities to compensate for errors, often involving a try-and-error approach, especially when high precision is needed.

Innovation Solution

A self-monitoring manufacturing system with a production monitoring unit that periodically checks the object's state using a coordinate measuring machine, generating deviation data to adapt processing steps without altering facility parameters, allowing for in-line compensation of dimensional and functional deviations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If parameter adjustments are made in production facilities to compensate for errors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and need for skilled personnel increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror compensation precisionVSAvoidparameter adjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-monitoring and self-compensation of production errors. The production monitoring unit automatically detects deviations and the production control unit automatically adjusts parameters without requiring skilled personnel intervention, making the system serve itself

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a closed-loop feedback mechanism where measurement data from the production monitoring unit is fed back to the production control unit, which then adjusts production parameters based on the detected deviations, creating a continuous self-correcting cycle

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Manufacturing precision

If try-and-error approach is used for parameter adjustments, then manufacturing precision can be improved, but loss of time and productivity decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror compensation precisionVSAvoidparameter adjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement and deviation detection before production errors become significant. By continuously monitoring and pre-adjusting parameters based on detected trends, the system prevents errors from accumulating rather than reacting to them after they occur

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the manual mechanical process of skilled personnel making trial adjustments with an automated computational system that calculates optimal parameter adjustments based on measurement data, eliminating the iterative try-and-error process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If skilled personnel are used for parameter adjustments, then manufacturing precision is improved, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror compensation precisionVSAvoidproduction cost efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system performs the function previously requiring skilled personnel automatically. The production control unit uses algorithms to determine optimal parameter adjustments based on measurement data, eliminating the need for expensive skilled operator intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts the knowledge and decision-making capability from skilled personnel and embeds it in the automated control system. The production control unit now possesses the expertise previously held only by human operators, making the skill set transferable and scalable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Manufacturing precision

If production facility parameters are modified to compensate for errors, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability decreases due to facility modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror compensation precisionVSAvoidfacility modification flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic parameter adjustment where production parameters are continuously adapted based on real-time measurement data. Instead of static facility modifications, the system dynamically changes processing parameters to compensate for variations, maintaining flexibility while achieving precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system compensates for production errors by changing processing parameters rather than modifying the physical facility. The production control unit adjusts parameters such as temperature, pressure, speed, or positioning based on detected deviations, maintaining facility versatility while achieving compensation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3339801B1Self-monitoring manufacturing system, production monitoring unit and use of production monitoring unit
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 HEXAGON TECH CENT GMBH
  • EP3339801B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3339801B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3339801B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Self-monitoring manufacturing system adapted to produce at least one object (1 by means of a production line (10), the production line (10) comprising at least a first processing facility (11,12) which is adapted to perform a respective first processing step with the object (1), and a production control unit (13) having means being adapted to control the processing step based on production data, wherein the production data comprises nominal pre-processing object data. A production monitoring unit (15) for checking a pre-processing object state of the object (1) is arranged, such unit (15) being adapted to obtain actual property data of the object (1) in-line of the production in-advance of applying the first processing step, to generate deviation data by comparing the actual property data with the production data for the first processing step, and to provide the deviation data for performing the first production step with the first processing facility (11,12) in deviation-adjusted manner. Original production data for the first processing step is adaptable for adapted controlling of the first processing facility (11,12) based on the deviation data and the first processing facility (11,12) is controllable based on the adapted production data for the first processing step in a manner such that the deviation between the actual property data and the nominal pre-processing object data is compensated so that thereof expected deviation between actual property data relating to the object (1) after performing the original first processing step and original production data for the first processing step is reduced.