Robotic Tool Release Assembly for Continuous Workpiece Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
In automotive assembly lines, industrial robots face inefficiencies due to the need to wait for tool units to finish operations before switching to new tools, leading to prolonged assembly times and resource wastage, especially when operations take longer than 10 seconds.
Innovation Solution
A method and robotic assembly where industrial robots can take an operating tool unit, carry it to a workpiece, release it for independent operation, and then retrieve it later, allowing the robot to perform other tasks while the tool unit operates on the workpiece, potentially moving with the workpiece through the assembly line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If industrial robots wait for tool units to finish operations before switching to new tools, then operational simplicity is maintained, but assembly time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary actions by picking up the next tool unit in advance while the current tool unit is still performing operations on the workpiece. This allows the robot to be ready with the next tool before the current one is released, eliminating waiting time and enabling continuous operation without idle periods between tool changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuity of useful action by overlapping the tool release timing with the robot's tool picking action. The current tool unit is released from the robot's gripper at a timing that allows the robot to immediately grasp the next tool unit, ensuring that the robot's gripping mechanism is continuously productive without idle waiting periods.
2Duration of action of moving object
If robots are driven on tracks parallel to the assembly line to perform long operations, then operation capability is maintained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly process is segmented into multiple workstations along the assembly line, with each station equipped with tool units capable of performing specific operations. This eliminates the need for single robots to travel long distances on parallel tracks, as operations are distributed across multiple stationary or移动的workstations that the robot can access sequentially.
Solution Approach 2:
Tool units serve as intermediaries between the robot and the workpiece, enabling the robot to perform operations without needing to maintain continuous physical contact or travel alongside the workpiece. The tool units can be released at different workstations along the assembly line, allowing the robot to complete tool changes without requiring parallel tracks for extended operations.
3Device complexity
If multiple tool units are handled sequentially by a single robot, then resource utilization is simplified, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot performs preliminary actions by picking up subsequent tool units before previous ones are fully utilized or released. This overlapping of tool preparation and tool execution phases allows the robot to maintain a continuous workflow without idle waiting time between tool changes, thereby increasing assembly throughput without significantly increasing control system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves continuity of useful action by coordinating the tool release timing with the robot's tool picking capability. The robot's gripper remains continuously engaged - either holding the current tool unit during operation or grasping the next tool unit in preparation - eliminating idle periods and maximizing productivity without requiring complex multi-robot systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing operations on a target workpiece including taking an operating tool unit by an industrial robot, carrying the tool unit to the workpiece, releasing the tool unit at the workpiece, moving the robot away from the tool unit, performing one or more operations on the workpiece through the tool unit while the tool unit moves with the workpiece; and retrieving the tool unit from the workpiece after the tool unit has performed the one or more operations on the workpiece. A robotic assembly for performing a method including at least one industrial robot, at least one operating tool unit, and a quick tool changer for detachably coupling the tool unit with the industrial robot including a first tool changer part arranged in the industrial robot and a second tool changer part arranged in the operating tool unit.