Multi-Robot Cell Scheduling for Malfunction Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In fabrication environments, collaborative robots often experience increased downtime due to malfunctions, leading to costly repairs and collisions when one robot fails, especially in multi-robot setups, as all robots halt work to prevent collisions, which is inefficient and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow robots to continue working by removing the malfunctioning robot and replacing it with a functioning one at a scheduled location, ensuring collision-free operation and minimizing downtime through coordinated scheduling and real-time collision avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all robots halt when one robot encounters a malfunction to prevent collisions, then collision prevention is achieved, but overall productivity decreases due to increased downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The robot group is segmented into functioning robots and malfunctioning robots. The malfunctioning robot is isolated and removed from the collaborative group, allowing the remaining functioning robots to continue work independently without being forced to halt, thus maintaining productivity while ensuring safety
Solution Approach 2:
The malfunctioning robot is extracted or removed from the collaborative robot group. This extraction allows the remaining robots to continue their operations without interruption, resolving the contradiction by separating the problematic element while preserving the overall system's productivity
2Productivity
If a larger number of robots work collaboratively on a part, then productivity increases, but the likelihood of malfunction and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service through automated malfunction detection and robot removal. When a robot malfunctions, the system automatically identifies and removes it from the collaborative group without requiring external intervention, allowing the system to maintain high productivity even with multiple robots by quickly resolving failures
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback mechanisms to monitor robot status in real-time. When a malfunction is detected, the feedback triggers automatic removal of the malfunctioning robot, allowing the system to adapt and maintain reliability while operating with a larger number of robots
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for robot control. One embodiment is a method for coordinating operations of robots performing work on a part. The method includes assigning a group of robots to a part, initiating work on the part via the group of robots, determining that a robot within the group is unable to continue performing work at a first location of the part, removing the robot from the group while other robots of the group continue performing the work, adding a functioning robot to the group at a second location that the robot is scheduled to occupy, and continuing work on the part via the group of robots.