Robotic Spray Teaching for Precise Ceramic Surface Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current teaching techniques for robotic devices used in ceramic enamelling, such as point-to-point programming and off-line programming, are laborious, complex, and inefficient for small to medium-sized batches, requiring significant operator effort and production downtime.
Innovation Solution
A method and plant utilizing a robotic device with a movable spraying head and a control system that includes a sensor to detect force and torque, allowing for intuitive programming and movement replication, reducing operator effort and improving precision through a learning and reproduction process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If point-to-point programming is used to teach the robot, then the robot can replicate precise movements, but programming becomes laborious and requires production downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system records the actual movements made by the operator during teaching and creates a digital model of these movements. This recorded movement data is then played back automatically during production, eliminating the need for repeated manual programming while maintaining precise replication of the intended motion path
Solution Approach 2:
The robot system performs its own programming by automatically recording movements made during the teaching phase. The control unit stores the movement data generated by the operator, allowing the system to self-program without requiring external programming expertise or repeated manual intervention
2Loss of time
If off-line programming is used to plan robot actions, then programming can be done without production downtime, but the process becomes complex and laborious
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical programming operations with automatic digital recording and playback. Instead of requiring operators to manually program complex movement sequences, the system captures the actual movements during teaching and automatically reproduces them, substituting manual programming complexity with automated digital control
3Ease of operation
If self-learning programming is used to simplify the programming process, then operator effort is reduced, but the robot requires complex mechanical balancing systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical balancing systems with a digital control approach. Instead of using mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic systems to compensate for robot weight and inertia, the control unit digitally records and reproduces movements, eliminating the need for physical balancing mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A method for the surface treatment of an article (2) by means of a robotic device (3) comprising a robotic arm (5) and a spraying head (4) fitted on the robotic arm (5); the method comprises a learning step, during which the operator moves the spraying head (4) by means of a handling device (9) and the movements made by the spraying head (4) are stored by a storage unit (8); and a reproduction step, which is subsequent to the learning step and during which the robotic arm (5) is operated so that the spraying head (4) repeats the movements stored by the storage unit (8).