Robot Automation Configuration for Cost-Productivity Tradeoffs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automation support systems fail to consider multiple factors such as cost, performance, and productivity when automating processes, leading to suboptimal robot device utilization.
Innovation Solution
An automation support device and method that evaluates and optimizes the configuration of a robot system based on work procedure and requirement specifications, considering performance, productivity, and cost, and provides change support information for improving the configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If automation configuration is determined based on single factor (work time), then comparison between robot and person is simplified, but automation suitability cannot be comprehensively evaluated considering performance, productivity, and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The evaluation is divided into multiple independent segments: work time comparison, performance evaluation, productivity evaluation, and cost evaluation. Each segment assesses a specific aspect separately, allowing comprehensive evaluation while maintaining manageable complexity through modular assessment structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes evaluation parameters from single-dimensional (work time only) to multi-dimensional by introducing performance parameters, productivity parameters, and cost parameters. This enables comprehensive automation suitability assessment across multiple critical dimensions simultaneously.
2Reliability
If multiple evaluation factors (performance, productivity, cost) are considered, then automation suitability is comprehensively assessed, but evaluation complexity and computational burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The comprehensive evaluation is segmented into distinct modules: work time comparison module, performance evaluation module, productivity evaluation module, and cost evaluation module. Each module handles specific factors independently, reducing overall evaluation complexity through structured decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary work time comparison before conducting detailed performance, productivity, and cost evaluations. This preliminary assessment filters out obviously unsuitable cases early, reducing the computational burden of subsequent comprehensive evaluations.
3Loss of time
If work time is the only comparison criterion, then quick decision between robot and person is possible, but overall automation effectiveness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Work time comparison is performed as a preliminary quick assessment to immediately identify obviously unsuitable automation cases. This fast initial filter preserves evaluation speed while enabling subsequent detailed evaluations only for potentially suitable cases, maintaining overall effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation process is segmented into quick work time comparison and detailed effectiveness evaluation. This segmentation allows rapid initial screening while ensuring comprehensive effectiveness assessment through subsequent performance, productivity, and cost analyses.
4Productivity
If comprehensive evaluation of performance, productivity, and cost is performed, then optimal automation configuration is achieved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Comprehensive evaluation information is segmented into distinct categories: performance data, productivity data, and cost data. Each category is processed and evaluated separately, reducing information processing load through organized modular handling of different data types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data preparation and organization before comprehensive evaluation, structuring performance, productivity, and cost information in advance. This preliminary information structuring reduces processing requirements during the actual evaluation phase.
Data Source
AI summary
An automation support device supporting automation of a process included in work includes a processor. The processor acquires work procedure information regarding a process for a person to work and requirement specification information regarding a specification required for an automation system including a robot device that executes the process; determines a first configuration of the automation system based on the work procedure information; evaluates performance, productivity, and a cost of the automation system of the first configuration based on the work procedure information and the requirement specification information; and outputs first change support information for supporting a change in the first configuration of the automation system based on a result of the evaluation.