Robot Task Flow Simulation for Cycle Time and Interference Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot automation systems struggle to efficiently generate operation programs that optimize the cycle time of robot tasks while minimizing waiting times and avoiding interference, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and productivity.
Innovation Solution
A programming assistance device generates task flows and operation programs by simulating robot tasks, optimizing cycle times, and adjusting task durations to meet reference cycle times while avoiding interference, using a processor-executable method to calculate and adjust task patterns and generate efficient robot operation programs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robot automation systems generate operation programs using conventional methods, then the system can perform tasks, but the cycle time is not optimized and waiting times are excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary simulation of multiple task patterns before actual robot execution. By calculating estimated cycle times for various task assignments and sequences in advance, the system identifies optimal task flows that minimize waiting times and interference, then generates operation programs based on these pre-optimized patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system varies parameters such as task assignment configurations, task sequences, and robot allocations to generate multiple task patterns. By changing these parameters and evaluating their impact on cycle time through simulation, the system optimizes the operation program to reduce waiting times and improve productivity.
2Productivity
If robot automation systems use simple task assignment methods, then the system is easy to operate, but interference between tasks occurs and resource utilization is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates optimized operation programs by simulating multiple task patterns and evaluating their performance. The planning device autonomously performs task assignment optimization, cycle time calculation, and interference detection without requiring complex manual programming, thereby improving resource utilization while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses simulation results as feedback to evaluate task patterns. By calculating estimated cycle times and detecting interference through virtual simulation before actual execution, the system iteratively refines task assignments to achieve optimal resource utilization and generates interference-free operation programs.
3Productivity
If the system simulates multiple task patterns to optimize cycle time, then productivity improves, but the complexity of the planning system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates virtual copies of the robot system and tasks through simulation. By replicating the physical system in a virtual environment, the planning device can evaluate multiple task patterns and calculate cycle times without affecting the actual robot operations, thereby optimizing productivity while managing system complexity through virtual modeling.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot automation system includes circuitry configured to generate a plurality of task patterns that are candidates of a task flow for performing a job including a plurality of tasks by at least one robot. Each of the plurality of task patterns includes a corresponding relationship between the plurality of tasks and the at least one robot. The circuitry is further configured to calculate an estimated cycle time of the job based on a simulation in which the at least one robot performs the plurality of tasks, for each of the plurality of task patterns. The circuitry is further configured to generate, as an operation program, at least one task flow for performing the job by the at least one robot, in response to comparing a preset reference cycle time for the job with the estimated cycle time for each of the plurality of task patterns.