Systems and methods for installing components to other components in motion using machine vision systems and an artificial intelligence derived model are provided. Robots pick up the first component, move it through the work area alongside a conveying subassembly with the second component at matched speed and position, and synchronously place the first component at the second component under the command of a controller based on data received from sensors and machine vision systems regarding speed and position of the second component in the work area and surface feature position information for one or both of the first and second component. At least the machine vision data is processed by an artificial intelligence derived model to calculate offsets between the measured surface feature positions and reference surface feature positions to achieve the synchronous installation.
B23P 21/00 - Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control
B62D 65/12 - Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components the sub-units or components being suspensions, brakes or wheel units
B62D 65/18 - Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines
2.
Systems and methods for mounting wheels to partially assembled vehicles in motion
Systems and methods for mounting wheels to partially assembled vehicles in motion using machine vision systems and artificial intelligence software are provided. Lug nut handling robots pick and place lug nuts at wheels for the vehicles. Wheel handling robots pick up the wheels and lug nuts, travel through the work area alongside the conveying subassembly at matched speed and position, and synchronously place the wheels at the vehicle under the command of a controller based on data received from sensors and machine vision systems regarding speed and position of the vehicle in the work area, wheel rim hole positions, and wheel hub position. This data is processed by an artificial intelligence model to calculate offsets between the measured rim hole positions and reference rim hole positions as well as the measured wheel hub position and reference wheel hub position to achieve the synchronous placement.
B23P 19/04 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformationTools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
System and methods for automatically selecting an end effector function for material handling are disclosed. A robot includes end effectors of different type. A controller receives image data from one or more machine vision components of a part at a workspace for handing by the robot. The controller analyzes the image data to determine characteristics of the part. Based, at least in part, on the analyzed image data, including the determined characteristics, the controller determines at least one of the end effectors to utilize for the part.
System and methods for automatically selecting an end effector function for material handling are disclosed. A robot includes end effectors of different type. A controller receives image data from one or more machine vision components of a part at a workspace for handing by the robot. The controller analyzes the image data to determine characteristics of the part. Based, at least in part, on the analyzed image data, including the determined characteristics, the controller determines at least one of the end effectors to utilize for the part.
B23P 19/00 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformationTools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes
B25J 15/04 - Gripping heads with provision for the remote detachment or exchange of the head or parts thereof
B25J 9/02 - Programme-controlled manipulators characterised by movement of the arms, e.g. cartesian co-ordinate type
G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
G06V 10/88 - Image or video recognition using optical means, e.g. reference filters, holographic masks, frequency domain filters or spatial domain filters
B25J 11/00 - Manipulators not otherwise provided for
5.
ASSEMBLY AND JOINING TABLE WITH WELD SPLATTER PROTECTION FEATURES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATED OPERATIONS OF THE SAME
System and methods for automated joining of parts into an assembly are disclosed. A table includes holders for the parts positioned about a platform mounted to a base, the holders including a conductive surface to facilitate welding and a channel for receiving wiring to electrically ground the conductive surface. The table also includes motors for moving the holders relative to the platform. A controller is in electronic communication with the motors, industrial robot(s) for moving and welding the parts, and a machine vision subsystem for viewing a workspace including the table and operational area of the robot(s). The controller receives data describing the assembly to be formed and from the machine vision subsystem describing the parts and commands movement of at least some of the motors and robot(s) accordingly to move the parts into the holders and weld the parts into the assembly.
B23K 37/04 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work
B23K 37/006 - Safety devices for welding or cutting
B23P 19/04 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformationTools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
Systems and methods for learning software assisted, fixtureless object pickup and placement include a controller which derives measured target points from image(s) of a part in a work area received from a machine vision system, performs an iterative analysis to determine a best fit solution for moving the part adjacent to another part for forming the assembly such that each of the measured target points is within a predetermined range of an associated one of desired target points for said part, where the other part is located at support object(s). The controller converts the measured target points to a common reference frame and command movement of the part, by way of the robot, according to said best fit solution as converted such that the part is moved and secured adjacent to the other part in a fixtureless manner.
G05B 19/4155 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by programme execution, i.e. part programme or machine function execution, e.g. selection of a programme
7.
Assembly and joining table, systems and methods for automated operations of the same
An assembly and joining table, such as with weld splatter protection features, are disclosed along with systems and methods for operating the same in at least partially automated fashion. The table includes holders positioned about platform providing a work surface. Parts are placed within at least certain of the holders for joining to create an assembly. The holders include conductive surfaces and may include a sinuous recessed channels for wiring connecting the conductive surfaces to an electrical ground. A controller may operate motors of the table and command operations of robots for material handling and/or joining, such as based on data from a machine vision system viewing the table.
B23P 19/04 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformationTools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
B23K 37/006 - Safety devices for welding or cutting
B23K 37/04 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work
An assembly and joining table with weld splatter protection features are disclosed along with systems and methods for operating the same in at least partially automated fashion. The table includes holders positioned about platform providing a work surface. Parts are placed within certain of the holders for joining to create an assembly. The holders include conductive surfaces and recessed channels for wiring. A first end of each channel is located adjacent to a respective conductive surface, a second end is located below the respective conductive surface, and a continuous passageway with a plurality of turns extends between the first and second ends. A controller may operate motors of the table and command operations of robots for material handling and/or joining and a machine vision system to adjustably automate assembly.
B23K 37/04 - Auxiliary devices or processes, not specially adapted for a procedure covered by only one of the other main groups of this subclass for holding or positioning work
B23P 19/04 - Machines for simply fitting together or separating metal parts or objects, or metal and non-metal parts, whether or not involving some deformationTools or devices therefor so far as not provided for in other classes for assembling or disassembling parts
40 - Treatment of materials; recycling, air and water treatment,
Goods & Services
Manufacturing process consulting services, namely, providing expert advice and guidance for manufacturers in the field of developing, incorporating, and utilizing artificial intelligence driven software for, into, and with existing and new manufacturing lines and cells to provide efficiency and flexibility in manufacturing.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computerized control systems, namely, programmable logic controllers, for receiving and processing data from machine vision systems in the nature of cameras and controlling robotic equipment for manufacturing environments, and for measuring, locating, and manipulating components for subassemblies and final assemblies of automobiles and automobile components
11.
System and method for positioning workpiece in a workstation using an automatic guided vehicle
A method is presented for positioning a workpiece in a workstation. The method includes: transporting a workpiece into a workstation using an automatic guided vehicle, where the workpiece is supported by a workpiece fixture and the workpiece fixture is supported by the automatic guided vehicle; measuring spatial position of the workpiece fixture; removing the workpiece fixture from the automatic guided vehicle using one or more adjustable locators mounted on a frame of the workstation; calculating an adjustment to position of the workpiece fixture between the measured spatial position of the workpiece fixture and a nominal work position; moving the workpiece fixture suing the one or more adjustable locators to the nominal work position according to calculated adjustment; performing an operation on the workpiece while the workpiece fixture remains in the nominal work position; and returning the workpiece fixture to the automatic guided vehicle.
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
A workpiece having at least one physical feature is placed into a workstation fixture having at least one adjustable locator. Measurement data reflecting the position of the at least one physical feature of the workpiece and measurement data reflecting the position of the at least one adjustable locator are obtained. A processor ingests and utilizes the collection of assembly data and the measurement data to define and store in memory at least one ordered pair correlating the physical feature and the adjustable locator. The processor defines a test vector that connects the position of the at least one physical feature and the position of the at least one adjustable locator. The processor to computationally discovers a best fit for adjusting the position of the adjustable locator to register with the physical feature by applying to the test vector a computational optimization process that seeks to minimize the length of the test vector to thereby generate a digital shim vector. The adjustable locator is then physically moved according to the digital shim vector, which is stored in association with the collection of assembly data.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
G05B 19/402 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
G01B 11/00 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques
G01B 11/14 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures
B23Q 3/18 - Devices holding, supporting, or positioning, work or tools, of a kind normally removable from the machine for positioning only
13.
System and method for joining workpieces to form an article
A workpiece having at least one physical feature is placed into a workstation fixture having at least one adjustable locator. Measurement data reflecting the position of the at least one physical feature of the workpiece and measurement data reflecting the position of the at least one adjustable locator are obtained. A processor ingests and utilizes the collection of assembly data and the measurement data to define and store in memory at least one ordered pair correlating the physical feature and the adjustable locator. The processor defines a test vector that connects the position of the at least one physical feature and the position of the at least one adjustable locator. The processor to computationally discovers a best fit for adjusting the position of the adjustable locator to register with the physical feature by applying to the test vector a computational optimization process that seeks to minimize the length of the test vector to thereby generate a digital shim vector. The adjustable locator is then physically moved according to the digital shim vector, which is stored in association with the collection of assembly data.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
G05B 19/402 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
14.
System and method for joining workpieces to form an article
Workpieces are placed in the workstation so one is in registration with a fixed locator. Measurement data are obtained reflecting the positions of the respective features of the workpieces and represented in a common reference frame associated with the fixed locator. A processor uses the collection of assembly data and the measurement data to define and store ordered pairs of mating feature locations. The pairs are then reoriented using a computationally discovered best fit. The position of a feature demarked for registration with the adjustable locator is calculated and the adjustable locator is caused to move to the calculated position of the feature demarked for registration thereby establishing a best fit orientation of the mating workpieces in physical space. The mating workpieces are then positioned in said best fit orientation by registration with said fixed and adjustable locators and then mechanically joining the mating workpieces.
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
G05B 19/402 - Numerical control [NC], i.e. automatically operating machines, in particular machine tools, e.g. in a manufacturing environment, so as to execute positioning, movement or co-ordinated operations by means of programme data in numerical form characterised by control arrangements for positioning, e.g. centring a tool relative to a hole in the workpiece, additional detection means to correct position
G05B 19/418 - Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM]
