System and workstation for the design, fabrication and assembly of 3-dimensional constructs
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Publication Number
US-10838404-B2
Publication Date
2020-11-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
Methods and systems for designing a volumetric model of a construct at a user interface through use of a 3-D design, fabrication and assembly system comprising a modeling component, a robotic assembly workstation component, and a workflow configuration module to generate, through the workflow configuration module, a 3-D print bill of materials for a rendered volumetric model; generate a workflow configuration model based on the 3-D print bill of materials, the model including an automated robot control scheme of a series of assembly order instructions to direct a multi-axis robot of the robotic assembly workstation component to print and/or assemble a construct; transmit the workflow configuration model to the robotic assembly workstation component with a print and/or assembly command in accordance with the automated robot control scheme; and print and/or assemble the construct with the multi-axis robot in accordance with the print and/or assembly command.
Core Innovation
The invention is a 3-D design, fabrication and assembly system in which a modeling component with a user interface generates a rendered volumetric model of a construct. The modeling component provides tools for performing object operation selected from creating, editing, modeling, transforming, image property modulating, sketching, print supporting, simulating, material testing and combinations thereof, and uses a material database. The rendered volumetric model is transmitted to a workflow configuration module to support subsequent automation.
The workflow configuration module generates a 3-D print bill of materials for the rendered volumetric model. Based on the 3-D print bill of materials, the workflow configuration module generates a workflow configuration model that comprises an automated robot control scheme including a series of assembly order instructions. The automated robot control scheme directs a multi-axis robot to print and/or assemble the construct, and the workflow configuration model is transmitted to the robotic assembly workstation component with a print and/or assembly command in accordance with the automated robot control scheme.
A robotic assembly workstation component operationally receives the print and/or assembly command and performs printing and/or assembling of the construct with the multi-axis robot in accordance with the print and/or assembly command. In system embodiments, the multi-axis robot comprises a six-axis robot. In production workflows, assembly orders are received in a production queue, and the system automatically generates and displays an assembly order sequence on the user interface based on ranking of production factors, artificial intelligence factors, throughput optimization factors, or combinations thereof, before printing and/or assembling the construct(s).
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover three core functions: designing a rendered volumetric model via a user interface using a 3-D design, fabrication and assembly system; generating a 3-D print bill of materials and a workflow configuration model with an automated robot control scheme comprising assembly order instructions for a multi-axis robot, including a six-axis robot; and sequencing and executing multiple assembly orders using a production queue with an assembly order sequence generated from ranked production factors, artificial intelligence factors, and throughput optimization factors, with the sequence displayed on the user interface.
Transmitting a rendered volumetric model and generating a 3-D print bill of materials
Transmitting a rendered volumetric model of the construct to the workflow configuration module and generating, through the workflow configuration module, a 3-D print bill of materials for the rendered volumetric model.
Generating a workflow configuration model with an automated robot control scheme
Generating a workflow configuration model for the rendered volumetric model based on the 3-D print bill of materials, wherein the workflow configuration model comprises an automated robot control scheme comprising a series of assembly order instructions to direct a multi-axis robot of the robotic assembly workstation component to print and/or assemble the construct in accordance with the automated robot control scheme.
Transmitting the workflow configuration model with a print and/or assembly command
Transmitting the workflow configuration model comprising the automated robot control scheme to the robotic assembly workstation component with a print and/or assembly command in accordance with the automated robot control scheme.
Printing and/or assembling with a multi-axis robot in accordance with the command
Printing and/or assembling the construct with the multi-axis robot in accordance with the print and/or assembly command.
Production-queue sequencing using ranked production, artificial intelligence, and throughput optimization factors
Receiving one or more assembly orders in a production queue and automatically generating an assembly order sequence for the one or more assembly orders in the production queue based on a ranking of one or more production factors, one or more artificial intelligence factors, one or more throughput optimization factors, or combinations thereof.
Displaying the assembly order sequence and executing corresponding six-axis robots
Displaying the assembly order sequence on the user interface and printing and/or assembling one or more constructs with one or more respective six-axis robots of the respective robotic assembly workstation components in accordance with the assembly order sequence.
Overall, the independent claims collectively require generating a workflow configuration model that includes an automated robot control scheme with assembly order instructions for a multi-axis robot, transmitting that workflow configuration model to a robotic assembly workstation component with a print/assembly command, and coordinating multiple assembly orders by generating and displaying a ranked assembly order sequence in a production queue before printing and/or assembling with corresponding six-axis robots.
Stated Advantages
Not explicitly described in patent.
Documented Applications
Not explicitly described in patent.
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