Robotic Tool Changer for Aircraft Manufacturing Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing of aircraft structures is complex and time-consuming, with human operators facing challenges such as limited access and increased time, complexity, and cost due to the need for manual tool exchange in robots, which can lead to errors and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a crawler robot, a robotic arm, a tool changer with grippers and movement assemblies, and a vision system that automates the exchange of tools by moving the tool changer to the robot's location, adjusting its frame, and transferring old and new tools, reducing the need for human intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If human operators manually exchange tools on the crawler robot, then tool exchange can be performed, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool changer enables the crawler robot to exchange tools autonomously without human intervention. The robotic arm with grippers automatically removes old tools and installs new tools on the crawler robot, making the system self-servicing and eliminating the need for operators to manually perform tool exchanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical tool exchange process with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm, equipped with grippers and movement assemblies, substitutes human operators to perform tool exchange, thereby reducing time consumption and operational complexity through automation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If human operators exchange tools manually, then tool replacement is possible, but operational complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tool changer is designed with multiple grippers and movement assemblies that can handle various tool types. The system maintains adaptability to exchange different tools on the crawler robot while managing complexity through a unified automated platform that performs multiple tool exchange functions.
3Ease of operation
If human operators perform tool exchange, then tools can be replaced, but ergonomic risks and safety concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The automated tool changer eliminates the need for human operators to physically approach and manually exchange tools on the crawler robot. The system performs tool exchange autonomously, improving safety by removing operators from potentially hazardous positions while managing complexity through automated control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method, and apparatus for changing a set of old tools for a set of new tools may be presented. The system may comprise a crawler robot, a robotic arm, a tool changer, a vision system, and at least one of a tool rack or a storage area. The tool changer may be an end effector of the robotic arm. The tool changer may comprise a number of grippers and a number of movement assemblies. The number of grippers may perform at least one of moving a set of new tools to the crawler robot or removing the set of old tools from the crawler robot. The number of movement assemblies may be associated with the number of grippers. The vision system may be associated with at least one of the robotic arm and the tool changer.