Panel Entry Station Positioning With Robot-Guided Abutment

The system uses the panel's own geometric features (edges, corners) as references for positioning. The robot automatically detects these features and uses them to determine the correct panel orientation and position, eliminating the need for manual positioning operations while ensuring high precision through self-referencing.

The patent replaces manual mechanical positioning with an automated vision-based system. The robot equipped with detection capabilities automatically identifies panel features and calculates positioning, substituting human operator actions with automated detection and computation processes.

The patent extracts the positioning reference function from separate physical components (like extractable pins) and integrates it into the detection system. The robot detects panel features directly and computes positioning mathematically, removing the need for additional mechanical reference elements.

Instead of using physical reference pins, the system creates a digital model or representation of the panel's geometric features through detection. This digital copy is then used for positioning calculations, replacing physical reference elements with information-based references.

The patent uses the panel's existing geometric features as disposable references - each panel serves as its own reference element. This eliminates the need for expensive, reusable positioning fixtures like extractable pins, as the information is extracted directly from the workpiece itself.

The detection system serves multiple functions: it identifies panel features for positioning, verifies panel orientation, and provides data for machining operations. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized components (positioning pins, sensors, fixtures) with a single versatile detection and computation system.