Robot Laser Processing System Control Architecture
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing robot laser processing systems require complex control operations and lengthy start-up times due to the need for the host controller to manage multiple laser oscillators and switch between them, leading to increased cycle times and production line delays.
Innovation Solution
A robot laser processing system where the robot controller directly communicates with and controls the laser oscillators through separate networks, allowing for direct processing commands from the host controller, reducing the load on the host controller and simplifying line control operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the host controller directly controls multiple laser oscillators and manages switching operations, then the system can achieve laser oscillator switching and processing command transmission, but the control operation complexity increases and the production line start-up time lengthens
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the control function into two segments: the host controller manages high-level production scheduling, while a dedicated laser oscillator switching device handles laser selection and shutter control. This segmentation allows the host controller to avoid complex laser-specific operations, reducing control complexity while maintaining multi-laser capability.
Solution Approach 2:
A dedicated laser oscillator switching device is introduced as an intermediary between the host controller and multiple laser oscillators. This intermediary device receives processing commands from the host controller, determines the appropriate laser oscillator, controls shutter operations, and transmits commands to the selected laser, thereby simplifying the host controller's workload while enabling versatile laser switching.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the host controller manages laser oscillator switching and command transmission, then the system can operate multiple lasers, but the production line start-up time increases due to complex control operations
Solution Approach 1:
The laser oscillator switching device is pre-configured with information about multiple laser oscillators, including their characteristics and associated shutters. This preliminary setup allows the device to quickly determine and switch between lasers without requiring complex real-time processing by the host controller, thereby reducing start-up time while maintaining multi-laser capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dedicated switching device acts as a pre-prepared intermediary that can rapidly execute laser switching operations based on simple commands from the host controller, eliminating the need for the host controller to perform time-consuming laser selection and shutter control calculations during production start-up.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the host controller transmits processing commands to laser oscillators through multiple intermediary steps, then the system can coordinate multiple lasers, but the cycle time increases due to lengthy command transmission paths
Solution Approach 1:
The laser oscillator switching device serves as an efficient intermediary that receives processing commands from the host controller and directly transmits them to the selected laser oscillator through a dedicated communication path. This streamlined command transmission route eliminates multiple intermediary steps, reducing cycle time while maintaining coordinated control of multiple lasers.
Solution Approach 2:
The command transmission function is segmented into two distinct communication channels: one for production scheduling from the host controller to the switching device, and another for processing commands from the switching device to the laser oscillators. This segmentation creates direct, efficient communication paths that reduce transmission delays and improve productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot laser processing system (10) comprises at least one robot controller (14) for controlling at least one robot, a host controller (12) connected to the robot controller through a first network (11) for overall control of the robot controller, and a plurality of laser oscillators (16-1 to 16-n) selectively connectable to the processing nozzle (35) mounted on each robot and connected to the robot controller through a second network (18-1 to 18-n). An instruction from the host controller is transmitted to the robot controller through the first network, so that the robot controller determines the laser oscillator to be controlled and directly controls the particular laser oscillator through the second network. As a result, a processing command can be issued directly to the laser oscillator from the robot controller without intervention by the host controller.