Shoe Part Recognition and Alignment for Automated Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual methods of shoe manufacturing are resource-intensive and prone to high variability, necessitating a more efficient and consistent approach for assembling shoe parts.
Innovation Solution
An automated system comprising manufacturing stations, a part-recognition system, and shoe-manufacturing apparatuses that analyze images of shoe parts to derive information on identification, orientation, and alignment, enabling precise automated assembly and processing of shoe parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual methods are used for shoe manufacturing, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but resource consumption increases and variability is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical assembly operations with an automated system comprising robotic manipulators, optical measurement systems, and computer-controlled positioning devices. This substitution eliminates human variability in assembly operations while maintaining precision through automated control systems, directly addressing the contradiction between consistency and resource efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates self-positioning capabilities where the shoe part itself provides reference features that the optical measurement system detects to automatically determine positioning parameters. The assembly process uses the workpiece's own geometric features for self-alignment, reducing the need for complex external fixtures and manual positioning while improving consistency.
2Productivity
If automated assembly is implemented, then productivity and consistency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a multi-functional integrated platform that combines optical measurement, robotic manipulation, adhesive application, and heating functions within a single automated assembly station. The robotic manipulator can perform multiple operations including positioning, placing, and coordinating with various tools, reducing the need for multiple separate devices and simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer control system as an intermediary that coordinates all automated operations. This central control unit processes data from optical sensors, calculates positioning parameters, and directs robotic manipulators and other actuators, simplifying the complexity by providing a unified coordination layer rather than requiring direct complex interactions between multiple independent systems.
3Manufacturing precision
If optical measurement systems are used, then positioning precision is improved, but measurement and detection difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from two-dimensional image capture to three-dimensional optical measurement using laser line projection and stereo vision techniques. By adding the depth dimension through structured light projection, the system can accurately measure complex curved surfaces of shoe parts, improving positioning precision while the automated processing algorithms handle the increased measurement complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical measurement system performs preliminary scanning and characterization of the shoe part geometry before the assembly operation begins. This preliminary action creates a digital model of the workpiece that is used to pre-calculate positioning parameters and guide subsequent assembly operations, reducing the real-time measurement and detection difficulty during the actual assembly process.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system ensures consistent and efficient assembly of shoe parts by accurately determining and utilizing image-derived information to instruct manufacturing tools, reducing variability and improving production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
determining a three dimensional position of a glued surface of the sole in the reference system by an optical measurement system constituted by a laser source, optical element, and charge coupled device cameras
Implementation Method 2
The sole is maintained in position on a work support i.e. thin plate, through aspiration prior to the determination of the position of the surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Manufacturing of a shoe or a portion of a shoe is enhanced by executing various shoe-manufacturing processes in an automated fashion. For example, information describing a shoe part may be determined, such as an identification, an orientation, a color, a surface topography, an alignment, a size, etc. Based on the information describing the shoe part, automated shoe-manufacturing apparatuses may be instructed to apply various shoe-manufacturing processes to the shoe part.