Robotic Slide Handling With Adaptive Pick-and-Place Waypoints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current robotic systems face challenges in precisely handling glass slides due to variations in item dimensions and positioning, requiring improved adaptive handling techniques.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method utilizing a robot arm with a processor and memory to receive a calibration procedure, generate waypoints, and adapt pick and place operations based on feedback for precise handling of glass slides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed calibration procedure with predetermined waypoints is used, then the robotic arm can operate with simple control logic, but it cannot adapt to variations in slide dimensions and positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures images of the slide at the current waypoint, detects the slide's actual position and dimensions, and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust subsequent waypoints. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the robotic arm to adapt to variations in slide positioning and dimensions while maintaining operational precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration procedure transitions from a static, predetermined sequence of waypoints to a dynamic process where waypoints are continuously adjusted based on real-time slide detection. The system modifies the calibration path adaptively, allowing the robotic arm to respond to actual slide characteristics rather than following a rigid pre-programmed trajectory.
2Manufacturing precision
If the robotic arm follows a predetermined calibration procedure, then the control logic remains simple, but handling precision deteriorates due to dimensional variations
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses image capture and slide detection to obtain real-time feedback on slide position and dimensions. This feedback is processed to calculate corrected waypoints that compensate for dimensional variations, ensuring precise slide handling while managing complexity through automated image processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the parameters of the calibration procedure, specifically the waypoint coordinates, based on detected slide characteristics. By adjusting these parameters in real-time according to actual slide dimensions and positioning, the system maintains high handling precision despite variations in slide specifications.
3Manufacturing precision
If adaptive waypoint adjustment is implemented, then handling accuracy improves, but the calibration process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary slide detection and waypoint adjustment before the robotic arm executes pick and place operations. By preparing adapted waypoints in advance based on detected slide characteristics, the system ensures high accuracy during actual handling while minimizing time loss through proactive rather than reactive adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptive waypoint adjustment operates continuously throughout the calibration and handling process rather than requiring separate adjustment phases. The robotic arm moves through calibration waypoints while image capture and waypoint adaptation occur in an integrated continuous process, maintaining useful action throughout and reducing overall calibration time.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus and method for adaptive handling of slides using a robot arm. The apparatus includes at least a computing device comprised of a processor and a memory communicatively connected to the processor. The memory instructs the processor to receive a calibration procedure, wherein the calibration procedure is generated using a plurality of waypoints. The processor controls the at least a robotic arm as a function of the calibration procedure, wherein the calibration procedure is configured to cause the robotic arm to pick, using a pick waypoint of the plurality of waypoints, and place, using a place waypoint of the plurality of waypoints, a slide. The processor receives a plurality of feedback from the at least a robotic arm. The processor generates, using the plurality of feedback, an adapted pick waypoint. The memory instructs the processor to generate, using the plurality of feedback, an adapted place waypoint.