Mobile Printing Robot Layout Merging for Fewer Print Swaths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile robots used for printing on construction sites face inefficiencies in printing layouts due to limitations in their printing capabilities and physical constraints, such as the width of the print head and pathways, leading to a high number of print operations required to complete a layout.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented to optimize the printing process by identifying physical limitations of the robot, combining layout elements into fewer print operations, and using algorithms to determine the most efficient printing pathways and swaths, including straight and curved paths, and omitting portions of the layout that can be inferred by viewers, allowing for more efficient printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the robot prints each layout element separately following its physical constraints, then printing accuracy is maintained, but the total number of print operations increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple layout elements into consolidated print operations by analyzing their spatial relationships. Elements that can be printed in the same swath or adjacent swaths are merged, reducing the total number of print operations while maintaining printing accuracy through proper path planning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the printing process into optimized swaths and operations based on the robot's physical constraints. By dividing the layout into manageable segments that can be printed efficiently in batches, the system reduces overall operation count while preserving print quality within each segment.
2Manufacturing precision
If the robot follows strict printing pathways to ensure accurate printing, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but printing speed and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary path planning and operation consolidation before actual printing. By pre-calculating optimized pathways and combining elements that can be printed together, the system minimizes unnecessary movements and positioning operations, thereby increasing printing speed without compromising accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous printing operations by minimizing idle movements and positioning time between print elements. Through optimized path planning, the robot maintains continuous useful action across multiple layout elements, reducing non-productive time and increasing overall printing speed.
3Reliability
If all layout elements are printed completely, then completeness is ensured, but printing time and operations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial printing by identifying and omitting layout elements that are redundant, inferable, or already present. By printing only the necessary portions of the layout and using annotations to indicate omitted elements, the system significantly reduces printing time while maintaining the completeness and reliability of the final layout.
4Reliability
If the robot makes frequent positioning adjustments to print at multiple locations, then layout completeness is achieved, but the number of operations and time required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges positioning operations by consolidating layout elements that can be printed in the same swath or adjacent swaths. This reduces the frequency of positioning adjustments required, as the robot can print multiple elements in sequence during fewer positioning events, thereby reducing total positioning time while maintaining layout completeness.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile printing robot combines items to print into a small number of print operation than the number of items. The physical constraints of the robotic printing system may be taken into account. A determination is made whether the printing system is capable of printing a layout in a reduced number of print operations.