Workpiece-Origin Vision Sensing for Precise Mobile Machine Tool Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile machine tools face challenges in accurately and precisely detecting the workpiece-origin, leading to machining errors and decreased productivity, especially when handling large or wide-sized products that require high precision, as they lack the structural rigidity and accuracy necessary for machining and drilling processes.
Innovation Solution
A self-detecting apparatus equipped with a vision sensor and a gap sensor that automatically detects the workpiece-origin by analyzing marked points and correcting depth, allowing the mobile machine tool to accurately position itself for machining, using a transmitting unit to provide information to the controller for precise alignment and compensation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional fixing frame based machining center is used, then high structural rigidity and high accuracy or precision are achieved, but it is limited in application to large or wide size products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a fixed machining center to a mobile machine tool that can dynamically position itself on large workpieces. The mobile machine tool includes moving parts that allow it to be repositioned along the workpiece surface, enabling it to handle large or wide-sized products that cannot be accommodated by conventional fixed machining centers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a self-detecting apparatus as an intermediary system between the mobile machine tool and the workpiece. This apparatus includes sensors and detectors that automatically identify workpiece origins and positions, compensating for the lower structural rigidity of mobile equipment through intelligent detection and positioning systems.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mobile machine tool is used for large products, then adaptability to large or wide size products is improved, but structural rigidity and accuracy or precision decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile machine tool is equipped with a self-detecting apparatus that automatically detects workpiece origins, positions, and orientations without requiring manual intervention or complex external measurement systems. The detector autonomously identifies marked points on the workpiece and provides position information to the control system, enabling the mobile tool to self-correct and maintain machining accuracy despite its lower structural rigidity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts machining parameters and position compensation based on real-time detection data. The control system uses the detected workpiece origin and position information to calculate and apply appropriate compensation values, effectively adapting the mobile machine tool's operation to maintain precision across different workpiece sizes and positions.
3Manufacturing precision
If workpiece-origin is manually installed, then machining quality is affected, but the process is time-consuming and decreases productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of workpiece-origin installation with an automated optical/electronic detection system. The detector uses optical sensors and image processing to automatically identify marked points on the workpiece and determine the workpiece origin, eliminating the need for manual measurement and calculation operations while maintaining or improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The self-detecting apparatus autonomously performs the entire workpiece-origin detection process without operator intervention. The system automatically captures images, processes the marked points, calculates positions, and provides compensation data to the control system, enabling continuous operation and significantly reducing the time required for workpiece setup and repositioning.
4Productivity
If mobile machine tool frequently returns to workpiece-origin, then machining time is reduced, but accurate starting or returning becomes critical to maintain precision
Solution Approach 1:
The self-detecting apparatus provides continuous feedback on the mobile machine tool's position relative to the workpiece origin. Each time the tool returns to a workpiece origin, the detector automatically verifies the position and provides correction data to the control system, ensuring that repeated returns to origin do not accumulate positioning errors and that machining precision is maintained throughout the operation.
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 solution enables accurate and precise detection of the workpiece-origin, reducing machining errors and increasing productivity by allowing the mobile machine tool to handle large or wide-sized products with various curved surfaces, such as aircraft and vessels, without disassembly and with minimal alignment issues.
Implementation Method 1
a vision sensor obtaining a point image marked to a workpiece, and detecting a position of a workpiece-origin based on coincidence of focuses of the points
Implementation Method 2
a gap sensor detecting a distance to a marked point of the workpiece, and correcting a depth of the workpiece-origin based on the comparison between the distance and a reference distance
Data Source
AI summary
In a self-detecting apparatus for workpiece-origin, a mobile machine tool having the self-detecting apparatus, a method for self-detecting the workpiece-origin, the self-detecting apparatus is equipped to the mobile machine tool and includes a vision sensor and a transmitting unit. The vision sensor obtains a point image marked to the workpiece, and detects a position of a workpiece-origin based on coincidence of focuses of the points. The transmitting unit provides an information obtained by the vision sensor to the mobile machine tool. The mobile machine tool is moved to the workpiece-origin, so as to coincide the focuses of the points, based on the provided point image obtained by the vision sensor.