Mounting Plate Assembly Using Robot Vision and Planning Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manual assembly of mounting plates in switchgear and control systems is time-consuming and error-prone, requiring significant manual effort and empirical positioning, with components often not pre-prepared for specific orders, leading to inefficiencies and high costs.
Innovation Solution
An automated method using an equipping robot and image processing system to read planning data from ECAD or MCAD systems, extract position data, detect the mounting plate's orientation, and execute equipping steps based on these data, enabling precise and efficient assembly of components on the mounting plate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual assembly is used to equip mounting plates with components, then flexibility in handling various component types is maintained, but processing time increases significantly and error rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical assembly process with an automated robot system. The robot reads planning data from ECAD/MCAD systems, extracts position information, and automatically positions components on mounting plates based on digital data, eliminating manual reading and positioning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by having the robot autonomously read planning data, extract necessary position information, and execute assembly operations without continuous human intervention. The robot independently processes multiple mounting plates using stored digital plans.
2Productivity
If components are kept in stock at the workstation for quick access, then assembly speed is maintained, but inventory management complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-positioning components in automated feeding devices before assembly begins. Components are prepared and staged in advance according to the assembly plan, allowing the robot to pick and place them efficiently without manual stock management during assembly.
3Ease of operation
If empirical positioning methods are used for component placement, then simplicity of the positioning process is maintained, but positioning precision and assembly accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces empirical mechanical positioning with automated digital positioning. The robot reads precise position coordinates from planning data stored in digital format (ECAD/MCAD systems), eliminating the need for manual measurement and empirical placement methods.
4Ease of operation
If paper-based circuit diagrams are used for assembly guidance, then accessibility and understanding are improved for manual operators, but time consumption for reading and interpretation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces paper-based circuit diagrams with digital planning data that the robot reads automatically. The system extracts position information directly from digital ECAD/MCAD files, eliminating the time required for manual reading and interpretation of paper documents.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for equipping a mounting plate with equipping components of a switchgear and/or control system, the method comprising the steps:Reading planning data of a switchgear and/or control system into an automatic equipping machine, which has a equipping robot;Extracting position data of at least one equipping component to be mounted on the mounting plate and/or at least one machining position of the mounting plate from the planning data;Detecting a spatial orientation and/or a position of the mounting plate with an image processing system of the equipping robot;Assigning the position data to at least one position on the mounting plate; andExecution of at least one processing or equipping step linked to the position on the mounting plate via the planning data at the position on the mounting plate with the equipping robot.