Transfer Robot Control for Mobile Workstation Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Certain manufacturing processes, such as 3D printing, are inefficient when dealing with large numbers of fixed workpieces due to the time required to complete the process and the need for physical access, which hinders the efficiency of manufacturing environments.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for guiding a mobile workstation with on-board position sensors and infrastructure sensors, utilizing a robotic system and transfer robots, where a control system manages the transfer and operation of the robotic system based on image and position data to optimize the placement and retrieval of the robotic system within the manufacturing environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed workpieces traverse through an assembly line with robots performing manufacturing processes, then manufacturing automation is achieved, but processes requiring physical access (such as 3D printing) become inefficient due to time constraints and limited accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the workstation mobile rather than fixed, allowing it to move to different locations within the manufacturing environment. This dynamic positioning enables the workstation to access both assembly line areas and isolated areas requiring physical access, thereby accommodating diverse manufacturing processes including 3D printing while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile workstation acts as an intermediary between the assembly line and isolated manufacturing areas. It can traverse through the manufacturing environment to reach workpieces at different locations, enabling processes that require physical access without disrupting the overall assembly line flow and maintaining manufacturing efficiency
2Extent of automation
If robots perform automated operations on fixed workpieces, then automation level increases, but the time required to complete processes like 3D printing reduces overall manufacturing throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile workstation can perform automated operations such as 3D printing in isolated areas before the workpiece enters the main assembly line. By completing time-consuming processes in advance at isolated workstations, the overall cycle time in the high-volume assembly line is reduced while maintaining a high level of automation
Solution Approach 2:
The manufacturing system is segmented into high-volume assembly line areas and low-volume isolated areas. The mobile workstation can operate in both segments, performing automated operations in isolated areas where time is less critical, and then delivering completed workpieces to the assembly line, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cycle time while maintaining automation
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a robotic system including a robot disposable at a mobile workstation, where the robot is configured to perform an automated operation on a workpiece. The system includes one or more transfer robots configured to transfer the robotic system to or from the mobile workstation. The system includes a control system configured to command the transfer robot to perform a transfer operation of the robotic system, where the transfer operation includes at least one of disposing the robotic system at the mobile workstation or retrieving the robotic system from the mobile workstation. The control system is configured to control the mobile workstation and the robotic system based on image data from the one or more infrastructure sensors, position data from the one or more on-board position sensors, the automated operation to be performed by the robot, or a combination thereof.