Robot Workpiece Transfer Control for Variable Feed Rates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing workpiece transfer systems face inefficiencies due to fixed operating patterns, leading to excessive power consumption and wear on speed reducers when workpiece feeding amounts vary, as they fail to adapt to changing conditions.
Innovation Solution
A workpiece transfer system incorporating a machine learning device to construct a learning model for optimizing robot operating conditions based on workpiece and robot conditions, using input data and labels to perform supervised learning and control the robot's operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the robot operates at high speed to handle maximum workpiece feeding amount, then productivity is improved, but power consumption increases and wear on speed reducer occurs when workpiece feeding amount is low
Solution Approach 1:
The robot control system dynamically adjusts operating speed based on real-time workpiece feeding amount detection. When feeding amount is low, the robot operates at reduced speed without entering standby state, eliminating unnecessary acceleration/deceleration cycles. This dynamic speed adjustment resolves the contradiction by matching robot performance to actual workload, reducing power consumption while maintaining productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the robot's operating parameters (speed, acceleration, deceleration) based on detected workpiece feeding conditions. By modifying these parameters dynamically rather than using fixed high-speed settings, the system reduces energy consumption during low-volume operation while preserving the capability for high-speed operation when needed, thus resolving the power consumption vs. productivity contradiction.
2Productivity
If the robot operates at high speed to handle maximum workpiece feeding amount, then productivity is improved, but wear on speed reducer increases when workpiece feeding amount is low
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts robot speed based on actual workpiece feeding amount. During low-volume operation, the robot maintains continuous motion at reduced speed rather than cycling through acceleration-deceleration-standby sequences, significantly reducing mechanical stress and wear on the speed reducer while preserving productivity capability when feeding amount increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts what would be wasted robot motion (standing idle at high speed capability) into beneficial continuous low-speed operation. By eliminating the standby state and its associated acceleration/deceleration cycles, the system reduces wear on mechanical components while maintaining operational continuity, thus improving reliability without sacrificing productivity potential.
3Ease of operation
If fixed operation patterns are used for robot control, then control simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to changing workpiece feeding conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback from workpiece feeding amount detection to dynamically adjust robot operating parameters. The detection unit monitors feeding conditions in real-time and feeds this information back to the control unit, which automatically adjusts speed and motion patterns. This feedback mechanism maintains control simplicity while dramatically improving adaptability to changing feeding conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The robot control system performs self-adjustment based on detected feeding conditions without requiring external intervention or complex pre-programming. The system automatically detects workpiece presence and feeding rate, then autonomously modifies its operating parameters accordingly, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability to varying production demands.
Data Source
AI summary
To change or update each operating pattern and/or an operating condition according to a workpiece feeding state and/or an operating state of a robot. A workpiece transfer system includes: a workpiece infeed device for feeding a workpiece; a robot for transferring the workpiece being fed; a control device for selecting an operating condition of the robot based on a condition related to the workpiece and/or a condition related to the robot, the control device including a storage unit in which plural operating conditions are stored and a selection unit for selecting, as the operating condition of the robot, an optimum operating condition out of the plural operating conditions.