Indoor Workpiece Assignment Using Mobile Location Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the metal processing industry, particularly in steel and sheet metal processing, manual monitoring and control of manufacturing processes are error-prone and complex due to the diversity of parts and processing steps, leading to incorrect part assignment and processing issues, with existing systems lacking efficient tracking and localization capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A method and system utilizing an indoor location system with mobile units and transceiver units to accurately determine the position of workpieces and assign them to processing plans, integrating with a manufacturing control system for automated data exchange and real-time monitoring, enabling precise tracking and assignment of workpieces and tools within the manufacturing hall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual monitoring and control of manufacturing processes are used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but error rate increases and process reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service through automated workpiece identification and assignment. The indoor location system automatically detects workpiece positions and assigns them to processing plans without manual intervention, reducing errors while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical monitoring and control processes are replaced by an automated electronic system combining indoor location technology, transceiver units, and a manufacturing control system that automatically tracks and assigns workpieces based on real-time position data.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse parts and processing steps are handled manually, then adaptability is maintained, but complexity of monitoring and control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The indoor location system provides universal tracking capability across diverse workpiece types and processing steps. A single automated system handles multiple workpiece geometries, materials, and processing requirements through centralized control, reducing monitoring complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system manages diversity by dynamically changing assignment parameters based on workpiece position, type, and processing plan requirements. The manufacturing control system automatically adjusts assignments based on real-time data from transceiver units, handling diverse parts through parameter-driven control rather than complex procedural management.
3Measurement precision
If real-time tracking of workpieces is implemented, then assignment accuracy improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tracking system is segmented into distributed transceiver units positioned throughout the manufacturing hall, each independently measuring position data. This segmentation allows accurate local measurements to be aggregated by the central control system, achieving high location accuracy without requiring a single complex centralized tracker.
Solution Approach 2:
Transceiver units serve as intermediaries between the physical workpieces and the manufacturing control system. These intermediary devices automatically capture position data and relay it to the control system, which then performs assignment decisions, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high tracking precision.
4Reliability
If automated assignment system is implemented, then error rate decreases, but initial setup complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Processing plans are pre-configured in the manufacturing control system with specific assignment criteria and workpiece characteristics. This preliminary setup allows the automated system to make accurate assignments without complex real-time decision logic, reducing both error rates and ongoing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital copies of workpiece data and processing plans stored in the manufacturing control system. These digital representations enable automated comparison and matching without requiring physical inspection or complex measurement equipment, simplifying setup while maintaining high assignment accuracy.
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
This approach significantly reduces errors and increases process reliability by providing accurate, real-time location data and automated assignment, enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of manufacturing processes, especially in environments with many small series and varied processing steps.
Implementation Method 1
The transceiver units and the at least one mobile unit are configured for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic signals
Implementation Method 2
the analysis unit is configured for determining runtimes of the electromagnetic signals between the transceiver units and the at least one mobile unit and for determining the position of the at least one mobile unit in the manufacturing hall from the runtimes of the electromagnetic signals
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assigning a workpiece to be processed to a mobile unit of an indoor location system used in a manufacturing hall in industrial processing of workpieces is provided. The method includes: providing a manufacturing control system for the industrial processing of workpieces with a machine tool in accordance with workpiece-specific processing plans, providing an assistance system for collecting measurement assistance workpiece data sets for the workpieces, detecting a workpiece to be assigned with the assistance system and generating a measurement-assistance-workpiece data set for the workpiece, comparing the measurement-assistance-workpiece data set with a processing plan-assistance-workpiece data set corresponding to the workpiece to identify a processing plan, providing a mobile unit assigned to the identified processing plan, the indoor location system configured to determine a position of the mobile unit, and spatially assigning the workpiece to the mobile unit assigned to the identified processing plan.