MES Software Collision Prevention via Working Area Parsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for operating machinery in manufacturing plants, managed by MES/MOM systems, are prone to human error and inefficiency due to reliance on proximity sensors and static working area maps, leading to frequent machine stops and reduced productivity when large materials are handled simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing software-readable information about working areas for each machine operation, allowing MES/MOM software to prevent overlapping operations by parsing part programs and metadata, enabling the software to recognize potential collisions and perform corrective actions such as delaying or resuming operations to avoid collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proximity sensors and operator knowledge are used to prevent collisions, then collision prevention is achieved, but frequent machine stops occur reducing productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary analysis of working areas by parsing part programs to identify potential collision zones before operations commence. The MES/MOM software pre-calculates working area overlaps and schedules operations to prevent collisions before they occur, eliminating the need for reactive sensor-based stops.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors machine operations and updates working area status in real-time. When a potential collision is detected through software analysis, the system provides feedback to reschedule or adjust operations, preventing collisions while maintaining optimal productivity through intelligent coordination.
2Reliability
If operators manually manage machine operations based on working area maps, then collision risks are identified, but human error reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically parses part programs and extracts working area information without human intervention. The MES/MOM software self-manages collision detection by analyzing program data and coordinating machine operations, eliminating reliance on operator knowledge and preventing human errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces manual operator analysis with automated software-based working area mapping. By substituting human cognitive processes with computerized parsing and analysis of part programs, the system achieves more reliable and consistent collision detection without human error.
3Productivity
If machines operate simultaneously to maximize productivity, then production efficiency increases, but collision risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically coordinates machine operations based on real-time working area status. By continuously analyzing part programs and machine positions, the MES/MOM software enables machines to operate simultaneously when safe and coordinates sequencing when conflicts arise, optimizing productivity while preventing collisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adds a software-based planning dimension to physical machine operations. By parsing part programs to extract working area information and scheduling operations in the software domain before execution, the system enables safe simultaneous operations that would be risky to coordinate manually.
Data Source
AI summary
A method operates the machinery of a plant having various machines. The method includes providing software-readable information relative to working areas each relating to at least an operation of one of the machines. At least part of the machines are operated by MES or MOM software reading the information so as to avoid operations with overlapping working areas being performed at a same time.