Paint Quantity Determination for Industrial Robots

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the required quantity of paint for painting robots often rely on rough estimates and high safety factors, leading to inefficiencies and increased paint losses due to the high variability in shapes and colors of parts being painted, as well as frequent color changes.

Innovation Solution

A method that calculates the required paint quantity using a planned movement sequence and painting parameters, with a correction factor to account for deviations, and utilizes a learning system to refine the calculation based on actual paint consumption data, allowing for precise paint usage and reduced losses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a high safety factor is used to ensure paint supply, then reliability of paint supply is improved, but paint loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of paint supplyVSAvoidpaint loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary simulation of the painting process before actual execution to calculate the required paint quantity. The control system simulates the robot's movement sequences and calculates paint consumption in advance, allowing precise preparation of paint supply without excessive safety margins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from actual painting processes to continuously improve paint quantity calculations. Real painting run data is fed back to refine the simulation model, enabling increasingly accurate predictions of paint consumption and reducing the need for high safety factors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If the variety of shapes and colors is increased, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision of paint quantity determination deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevariety of shapes and colorsVSAvoidprecision of paint quantity determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system performs preliminary simulation for each specific painting task, taking into account the particular geometry and color requirements. This allows precise calculation of paint quantity tailored to each individual part, regardless of how varied the shapes and colors may be.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system adapts its paint quantity calculation to the specific local characteristics of each part to be painted. By analyzing the particular geometry, surface area, and color requirements of each component, the system determines the appropriate paint quantity for that specific case rather than using general estimates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If frequent color changes are performed, then adaptability is improved, but paint loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency of color changesVSAvoidpaint loss during color changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system calculates the required paint quantity in advance for each color change operation. By simulating the painting process before execution, the system determines the exact amount of paint needed for each color, minimizing waste during transitions between different colors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies the principle of partial action by calculating and supplying only the necessary amount of paint for each specific painting task and color change, rather than maintaining large inventories of multiple colors that would lead to excessive waste during transitions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP1862269B1Method for the determination of the required lacquer quantity
Publication Date: 2010.11.24 ABB AG(DE)
  • EP1862269B1 patent drawing
  • EP1862269B1 patent drawing

AI summary

The method involves determining an integration value for an amount of paint from a motion sequence of a painting robot and painting parameters. A correction factor is determined, and an initial value is formed based on the integration value and the correction factor. The initial value is supplied to an adaptive system such as neural network. The correction factor is determined from the actually needed quantity of paint of preceding painting process.