Welding Workpiece Identifier Selection for Clear Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for managing identifiers of workpieces in manufacturing processes, such as welding, result in complex identifier management due to the assignment of different identifiers each time a workpiece is moved to a new machine, complicating traceability and reducing system efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that selects and sets a single identifier for a welded workpiece based on a predetermined rule, using a welding system that includes a host device, robot control devices, and main welding robots to manage identifiers efficiently, with a communication and processing framework to integrate and associate identifiers across multiple workpieces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a new identifier is assigned each time a workpiece is located in a different manufacturing machine, then traceability data can be managed for each workpiece, but the identifier management becomes complicated and work efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple identifiers associated with a single workpiece into a unified identifier structure. When a workpiece moves through different manufacturing machines, instead of creating separate identifier records for each machine, the system consolidates all identifier information under one master identifier, simplifying traceability management while maintaining complete tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal identifier system that functions across multiple manufacturing machines and processes. The identifier structure is designed to be multi-functional, serving both as a unique workpiece identifier and as a tracker for process history, eliminating the need for separate identifier management systems for different machines.
2Reliability
If different identifiers are assigned to original workpieces in welding processes, then each workpiece can be individually tracked, but the relationship between original workpiece identifiers and manufactured workpiece identifiers becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested identifier structure where identifiers of original workpieces are embedded within the identifier of the manufactured workpiece. This nesting approach allows the system to maintain individual tracking of original workpieces while simultaneously establishing clear hierarchical relationships, making it easy to trace back from the final product to its components without complex cross-referencing.
3Loss of information
If multiple identifiers are recorded for a single workpiece moving through manufacturing machines, then complete process history can be captured, but system administrator work efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary consolidation of identifier information by automatically merging multiple identifier records into a unified structure before system administrators need to review the data. This preliminary action reduces the complexity of data that administrators must manage, allowing them to work with consolidated information rather than navigating through multiple separate identifier records.
Data Source
AI summary
An identifier management method is executed by a welding system. The identifier management method includes: acquiring information on identifiers of a plurality of original workpieces; selecting, according to a predetermined rule, any one of the identifiers of the plurality of original workpieces to be adopted based on completion of execution of a welding process using the plurality of original workpieces by the welding system; and setting the any one of identifiers of the plurality of original workpieces, which has been selected, as an identifier of the welded workpiece generated in the welding process.