Mobile Robot Dispatch for Autonomous Machine Tool Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current machine tool systems face inefficiencies in maintenance operations, as predicting maintenance needs is difficult, leading to increased frequency and waste, and requiring manual operator intervention, especially outside regular working hours, resulting in suspended operations and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A machine tool system that automates maintenance tasks by using mobile robots to perform workpiece conveyance and maintenance operations, such as tool changing, lubricant replenishment, and chip removal, based on prioritized work requests and calculated start times, allowing for autonomous execution without human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If maintenance work is performed by operators manually, then maintenance can be performed when needed, but work must be suspended during non-working hours and operator availability limits efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service maintenance by having mobile robots autonomously perform maintenance tasks without human intervention. The control device automatically dispatches robots based on maintenance needs detected by the machine tool, eliminating dependency on operator availability while maintaining reliable maintenance execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of operator-based maintenance with an automated robotic system. Mobile robots equipped with appropriate tools substitute human operators, allowing maintenance to be performed continuously without the limitations of human working hours.
2Reliability
If maintenance work frequency is increased for preventative measures, then safety is ensured, but waste increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback-based maintenance scheduling where the machine tool monitors its own maintenance needs and communicates this information to the control device. This feedback mechanism allows maintenance to be performed based on actual conditions rather than fixed schedules, ensuring safety while minimizing unnecessary maintenance waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary assessment of maintenance needs through automated monitoring before actual maintenance is required. The control device receives maintenance need information from the machine tool and dispatches robots in advance, allowing proactive but not excessive maintenance actions that balance safety with waste reduction.
3Extent of automation
If mobile robots are used for maintenance work, then automation is improved and operations continue outside working hours, but coordination of multiple robots and tasks becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control device serves multiple functions: it receives maintenance need information from machine tools, calculates optimal work start times for multiple robots, dispatches appropriate robots, and coordinates their activities. This universal control system manages the complexity of multi-robot coordination through a single integrated platform.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts robot dispatch decisions based on real-time conditions. The control device calculates work start times and robot assignments dynamically rather than using fixed schedules, allowing flexible coordination that adapts to changing maintenance needs and robot availability, thereby managing complexity through adaptability.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
This machine tool system uses a plurality of mobile robots (31) to convey workpieces (53) to a plurality of machine tools (11), the machine tool system being provided with: machine tool control unit (23) that issues work requests to the machine tools; a mobile robot control unit (33) that determines workable times for the mobile robots on the basis of the work requests; and a determining unit (91) that compares the workable times which are for the mobile robots and respectively planned by the mobile robots, and causes the mobile robot with the fastest workable time to execute the requested work.