Microscope Workpiece Handling With Robot Carry-In and Carry-Out
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems for workpiece processing in microscopy require manual placement and removal of workpieces, leading to poor work efficiency due to the need for human intervention.
Innovation Solution
A robot system that includes a SCARA robot capable of performing carry-in, work, and carry-out steps within the field of view of a microscope, utilizing image data from both microscope and peripheral cameras to automate the process, allowing the robot to handle workpieces with high precision and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual placement and removal of workpieces is used, then the robot system can perform precise work within the field of view, but work efficiency deteriorates due to human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system performs carry-in and carry-out operations autonomously using image recognition and automated control, eliminating the need for manual workpiece placement and removal. The system serves itself by integrating the magnifier, cameras, and robot controller to automatically complete the entire workflow including workpiece handling, processing, and removal.
2Manufacturing precision
If the field of view of the magnifier is made narrow to achieve high precision work, then manufacturing precision improves, but the time to carry workpieces in and out increases
Solution Approach 1:
The magnifier serves as an intermediary device that provides high-magnification viewing for precise work while the robot system handles the carry-in and carry-out operations outside the narrow field of view. The peripheral camera captures workpiece positions outside the magnifier's field of view, enabling automated handling without requiring the workpiece to remain in the narrow high-magnification area during transport.
3Productivity
If automated carry-in and carry-out is implemented, then work efficiency improves, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot system performs multiple functions including carry-in, carry-out, and actual work operations within the magnifier's field of view. The integrated controller coordinates the robot's movements and the magnifier's imaging functions, allowing a single system to handle both transportation and processing tasks, thereby improving efficiency without proportionally increasing complexity.
4Device complexity
If manual workpiece handling is used, then system complexity remains low, but the need for human manpower increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical handling of workpieces by human operators is replaced with an automated robot system controlled by image recognition software. The robot controller processes images from the magnifier and peripheral camera to automatically determine workpiece positions and execute carry-in and carry-out operations, substituting human mechanical action with automated mechanical systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A workpiece processing method includes a carry-in step of carrying a workpiece into the field of view of a magnifier, a work step of performing predetermined work on the workpiece based on an image provided via the magnifier, and a carry-out step of carrying the workpiece out of the field of view of the magnifier. A robot performs at least one of the carry-in step and the carry-out step as well as the work step.