Robot Welding Path Generation From Approximate Weld Locations
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Robot welding is not economically viable for small and medium batch sizes due to the time-consuming and expensive process of programming robots for each part, making it inefficient for industries like automotive manufacturing and aerospace.
Innovation Solution
A computer-based method for robot welding that allows users to provide approximate welding locations and environment information, enabling the automatic generation of a welding representation without the need for object models, using various sensors and algorithms to compute collision-free robot paths and welding parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If robot welding is implemented for small and medium batch sizes, then welding quality and productivity are improved, but programming time and costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses vision systems to capture images of the workpiece and creates a digital representation (welding representation) that copies the physical welding locations and paths. This allows the robot to be programmed quickly by capturing the workpiece appearance rather than manually programming each welding path, significantly reducing programming time while maintaining welding quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical programming methods with automated vision-based systems. Instead of manually teaching the robot welding paths through mechanical positioning, the system uses cameras and image processing to automatically determine welding locations and generate robot paths, reducing both programming time and complexity
2Manufacturing precision
If traditional robot programming is used for each part, then welding precision is maintained, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the robot to 'see' and understand the workpiece independently through vision systems. The welding representation is automatically generated from images of the actual workpiece, allowing the system to adapt to variations in workpiece positioning and geometry without requiring complex pre-programming for each specific part configuration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the programming approach from specifying absolute coordinates and paths to using relative positioning based on visual features. The welding representation includes parameters such as welding locations defined relative to detected workpiece features, allowing the system to maintain precision while adapting to different part configurations without complex programming
Data Source
AI summary
A first aspect of the present disclosure is related to a computer-based method for welding by a robot,comprising the steps:obtaining a welding location relative to an object by a user;obtaining an environment information based on and/or comprising the welding location;computing a welding representation based on the welding location and the environment information;providing information for a robot to weld the object based on the welding representation.