Manufacturing Device Automation Control via Operator Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manufacturing devices, such as fastening devices, become large and costly due to their automated nature, lacking operator involvement and safety features, which leads to increased size and manufacturing expenses.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of continuation-stop detection means and manual force detection to allow operator input, enabling controlled movement and speed adjustment of manufacturing means, ensuring safety and reducing device size and cost by involving the operator in the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If the control means controls all movements automatically without operator involvement, then the manufacturing device achieves full automation, but the device becomes large and manufacturing cost becomes extremely high
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of automation based on operational needs. During manual teaching operations, the system operates in manual mode allowing operator movement of the manufacturing means. During automated execution, the system switches to automatic control mode. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by allowing full automation when needed while permitting manual operation to reduce device complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuation-stop detection means acts as an intermediary between the operator and the automated control system. It detects operator intent through simple continuation or stop inputs and translates this into appropriate control actions. This intermediary enables a simplified control architecture that doesn't require complex fully-automated systems, thereby reducing device size and cost while maintaining operational capability.
2Device complexity
If the operator is involved in manual operations during movement, then the device size and cost are reduced, but operator safety may be compromised without partition walls
Solution Approach 1:
The continuation-stop detection means provides continuous feedback about operator status and intent. The system monitors whether the operator continues to provide input signals and automatically responds by continuing or stopping movement. This feedback mechanism ensures operator safety by allowing immediate cessation of movement when the operator releases the input, eliminating the need for physical partition walls while maintaining safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system provides self-protection through the continuation-stop detection mechanism. When the operator releases the continuation input, the system automatically stops movement without requiring external safety interventions or partition walls. The system serves its own safety needs through this automated response, resolving the contradiction between reduced device complexity and maintained safety.
3Productivity
If the manufacturing means moves automatically to target coordinates, then productivity increases, but the operator burden increases due to need to memorize coordinates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring the operator to memorize target coordinates, the system copies the current coordinates to storage means during manual teaching operations. The manufacturing means then automatically retrieves and uses these stored coordinates during automated execution. This copying mechanism eliminates the need for operator memorization while maintaining high productivity through automated movement to the copied coordinate locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary coordinate storage during manual teaching operations before automated execution begins. Target coordinates are pre-stored in the storage means during the teaching phase, so that during production operations, the manufacturing means can automatically move to these pre-prepared coordinates without requiring operator intervention or memorization. This preliminary action resolves the contradiction by preparing data in advance to enable both high productivity and ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A manufacturing device includes a first hinge defining a first axis of rotation and having an arm connected thereto. A parallel link mechanism includes a second hinge connected to the arm and first and second links pivotably connecting the second hinge to an attachment such that the attachment is vertically movable relative to the second hinge. A nut runner is configured to rotatably drive a fastening tool about a third axis of rotation and is connected to the attachment. A first motor is provided on the first hinge and is configured to horizontally rotate the arm about the first axis of rotation. A second motor is provided on the second hinge and is configured to horizontally rotate the parallel link mechanism about a second axis of rotation that is parallel to the first and third axes of rotation.