Production Parameter Tuning Under Changing Ambient Conditions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for setting production equipment parameters, such as CNC machines, rely heavily on human experience and are inefficient in optimizing workpiece quality, especially under varying ambient conditions, due to the difficulty in collecting and labeling large amounts of data required for accurate quality inspection pass rate determination.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that acquire and process data to determine relationships between processing parameters, ambient conditions, quality attribute values, and quality inspection results, using conditional generative adversarial networks (CGAN) and Bayesian optimization to simulate and optimize processing parameters for maximum quality inspection pass rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If supervised learning algorithm is used to determine the relationship between processing parameters and quality inspection pass rate, then the accuracy of quality optimization can be improved, but the data collection and labeling requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequality inspection pass rate determination accuracyVSAvoiddata collection volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by using unsupervised learning to pre-process and label data before supervised learning. The system automatically labels data through unsupervised clustering algorithms, which prepares the data in advance for the supervised learning phase, thereby reducing the manual labeling effort and data collection requirements while maintaining high accuracy in quality inspection pass rate determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using unsupervised learning as a bridge between raw data and supervised learning. The unsupervised learning component automatically generates labels and feature representations that serve as intermediaries, enabling the supervised learning algorithm to work effectively with less manually labeled data, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and data quantity requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If human experience is used to set processing parameters, then the implementation simplicity can be maintained, but the optimization effectiveness of workpiece quality is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveparameter setting simplicityVSAvoidworkpiece quality optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to automatically determine optimal processing parameters through machine learning algorithms without relying on human experience. The system autonomously analyzes data, identifies patterns, and generates parameter recommendations, replacing manual expert judgment with automated intelligent decision-making, thereby maintaining simplicity while significantly improving quality optimization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical system of human expert judgment with an automated machine learning-based system. Instead of relying on human operators to set parameters based on experience, the system uses supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms to automatically determine optimal parameters, substituting human cognitive processes with computational methods that achieve superior optimization results.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If ambient conditions are taken into account in parameter setting, then the adaptability to different conditions can be improved, but the parameter setting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveambient condition adaptabilityVSAvoidparameter setting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a unified machine learning framework that simultaneously handles multiple ambient conditions and various processing parameters. The system uses a single integrated model that can process temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors along with equipment parameters, providing universal adaptability across different conditions without requiring separate complex systems for each factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by incorporating ambient conditions as additional input variables in the machine learning model. The system dynamically adjusts processing parameters based on detected ambient conditions through the learned relationships in the model, allowing automatic adaptation to environmental variations without increasing operational complexity for the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11982996B2Method and apparatus for configuring processing parameters of production equipment, and computer-readable medium
Publication Date: 2024.05.14 SIEMENS AG
  • US11982996B2 patent drawing
  • US11982996B2 patent drawing
  • US11982996B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A workpiece data processing method and apparatus are for accurately determining a relationship between production equipment processing parameters/ambient condition data and workpiece quality inspection results. A workpiece data method includes acquiring processing condition data, a quality attribute value and quality inspection result data of each of multiple workpieces processed by a piece of production equipment, the processing condition data of one workpiece including a processing parameter used by the production equipment when processing the workpiece and ambient condition data of the production equipment when processing the workpiece; determining a first relationship between the quality attribute value of the workpiece processed by the production equipment and the ambient condition data of the production equipment when processing the workpiece and the processing parameter of the production equipment; and determining a second relationship between the quality inspection result data and quality attribute value of the workpiece processed by the production equipment.