Vision-Guided Routing Tool Position Correction for Precise Cutting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for guiding tools, such as CNC machines, are either expensive, large, and limited in flexibility, or require extensive setup and suffer from user error due to reliance on mechanical guides or manual visual alignment.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a rig with a stage and digital camera that automatically determines its position on a material surface, using computer vision to adjust the tool's location accurately and precisely along a predetermined path without the need for expensive hardware, allowing for flexible and precise tool movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If CNC machines are used to guide tools with precision, then manufacturing precision and automation are improved, but device complexity, cost, and size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical positioning systems with a camera-based vision system. Instead of using expensive CNC mechanical guides and fences, the invention uses a digital camera to capture images of the material, process these images to determine tool position, and provide automatic guidance. This substitution of mechanical systems with optical/electronic systems resolves the contradiction by maintaining precision while reducing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy (image) of the material surface using a camera, then processes this copy to determine positioning information. Rather than relying on physical mechanical guides, the system works with a digital representation of the workpiece, allowing for complex path following and precise positioning without the physical constraints of mechanical hardware.
2Ease of operation
If mechanical guides such as railings or fences are used to restrict tool movement, then ease of operation is improved, but setup time increases and adaptability to complex paths decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic guidance system where the camera continuously captures images and the system dynamically calculates the tool's position and recommended path in real-time. Unlike static mechanical fences, this dynamic system can adapt to any complex path geometry by processing visual information and providing real-time guidance feedback, thereby maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability to complex paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of path definition from fixed mechanical constraints to flexible digital coordinates. By representing the workpiece and path as image data with coordinate information, the system can easily accommodate complex and varying path geometries without requiring physical reconfiguration of mechanical guides.
3Adaptability or versatility
If visual guides are drawn on the material for manual following, then adaptability is improved, but measurement precision and reliability decrease due to user error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic feedback by using the camera to continuously monitor the tool's actual position, comparing it with the desired path coordinates, and providing real-time corrective guidance. This closed-loop feedback system eliminates user error by automatically detecting position deviations and guiding the tool back to the correct path, thereby maintaining adaptability while significantly improving measurement precision and reliability.
4Productivity
If CNC machines are used for automated tool control, then productivity and manufacturing precision are improved, but device complexity and initial cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical automation systems with a vision-based guidance system that can be integrated with simple manual or semi-automatic tools. The camera captures images, processes them to determine positioning, and provides guidance information, achieving automation efficiency without requiring expensive CNC mechanical infrastructure. This substitution maintains productivity benefits while dramatically reducing device complexity.
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
Enables precise and flexible tool guidance, reducing human error and setup time, while being cost-effective and adaptable to various materials and complex paths, similar to CNC machines but without the need for large, expensive hardware.
Implementation Method 1
a digital camera attached to the rig or frame is used to detect the position of the rig and stage
Data Source
AI summary
A position correcting system, method and tool for guiding a tool during its use based on its location relative to the material being worked on. Provided is a system and tool which uses its auto correcting technology to precisely rout or cut material. The invention provides a camera which is used to track the visual features of the surface of the material being cut to build a map and locate an image on that map used to reference the location of the tool for auto-correction of the cutting path.