Service Cell Control via Active Graphic Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for programming and controlling service cells, such as those used in industrial automation, are laborious and require significant training, especially for inexperienced operators, due to the need for precise manual input of movement paths and the complexity of control panels, leading to inefficiencies and errors in teaching new pieces and starting machining processes.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize active graphic elements and state data to simplify the control of service cells, allowing operators to select control symbols based on the cell's state, receive control commands through intuitive interfaces like touch-sensitive displays, and convert these commands into device-oriented control commands for precise manipulation and machining, reducing the need for manual precision and training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual programming control panel is used to teach robot movement paths, then precision of movement teaching is improved, but operator training time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
A graphical user interface acts as an intermediary between the operator and the robot control system. The interface displays visual representations of the robot cell, robot position, and movement paths, allowing operators to program and teach movements through intuitive graphical interactions rather than complex manual panel operations, thus reducing training requirements while maintaining precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical control panel interface with a software-based graphical user interface. This substitution eliminates the need for operators to physically manipulate complex control panel components and instead allows them to interact with visual displays and graphical elements, significantly simplifying the operation and reducing training time
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional control panel methods are used for programming service cells, then control functionality is complete, but operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The graphical user interface creates visual copies and representations of the physical robot cell, including graphical icons for the robot, workpiece, and cell components. These graphical copies allow operators to program and simulate movements in a visual environment before executing them, reducing programming time while maintaining complete control functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows operators to perform preliminary programming and path planning through the graphical interface before actual robot execution. The interface enables pre-visualization of movement paths and pre-programming of sequences, allowing corrections and optimizations to be made before committing to actual robot movements, thus reducing overall programming time
Data Source
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AI summary
We have developed a method, a service cell, a device for controlling a service cell, and a computer program for better control of a service cell. The service cell comprises at least one device to be served, such as a machine tool, at least one set of manipulating means for manipulating of pieces, and at least one control unit for controlling the manipulation or machining of pieces. The machining of a piece is controlled by the control unit, state data on the state of the service cell is defined, a control symbol is selected from at least two control symbols on the basis of the state data, the control symbol is displayed to the operator by means of an active graphic element, the control symbol corresponding to a first control command, the control command is received from the operator by means of the active graphic element, and the machining of the piece is controlled on the basis of the control command.