A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.

A system includes a robotic system including a robot disposable at a mobile workstation, where the robot is configured to perform an automated operation on a workpiece. The system includes one or more transfer robots configured to transfer the robotic system to or from the mobile workstation. The system includes a control system configured to command the transfer robot to perform a transfer operation of the robotic system, where the transfer operation includes at least one of disposing the robotic system at the mobile workstation or retrieving the robotic system from the mobile workstation. The control system is configured to control the mobile workstation and the robotic system based on image data from the one or more infrastructure sensors, position data from the one or more on-board position sensors, the automated operation to be performed by the robot, or a combination thereof.

A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.

A method for employing a plurality of automated machines to deposit composite material includes a first tool located in a first station and a second tool located in a second station. The first station and the second station are located on a production line. The first station includes at least one automated machine of the plurality of automated machines and the second station includes at least two automated machines of the plurality of automated machines. At least one of the automated machines is movable from the second station to the first station. The method includes monitoring machine capacity and workload requirements of the plurality of automated machines. The method further includes determining an efficiency threshold based upon the machine capacity and workload requirements. The method further includes reallocating at least one of the automated machines from the second station to the first station once the efficiency threshold is met.

An automated mobile vehicle (AMV) including a frame forming a pallet bed for a pallet, and having an automated mobile robot bus, separate and distinct from the pallet bed, a drive section coupled to the frame to provide automated vehicle mobility, and a controller operably coupled to the drive section to effect automated vehicle mobility, wherein, the robot bus has a bus interface for docking independent automated mobile robots (AMR) to the frame so that the AMR is carried by the frame, wherein the AMR has independent automated mobility so that undocked from the frame, the AMR is free to roam independent from the AMV, and wherein the AMR is fungible for docking with the frame from a number different AMRs, to effect a predetermined material handling characteristic, and wherein the controller is coupled to the AMR to manage control of the predetermined material handling characteristic with the AMR undocked from the frame and moving as a unit apart from the frame.

A system includes a robotic system including a robot disposable at a mobile workstation, where the robot is configured to perform an automated operation on a workpiece. The system includes one or more transfer robots configured to transfer the robotic system to or from the mobile workstation. The system includes a control system configured to command the transfer robot to perform a transfer operation of the robotic system, where the transfer operation includes at least one of disposing the robotic system at the mobile workstation or retrieving the robotic system from the mobile workstation. The control system is configured to control the mobile workstation and the robotic system based on image data from the one or more infrastructure sensors, position data from the one or more on-board position sensors, the automated operation to be performed by the robot, or a combination thereof.

An automated mobile vehicle (AMV) including a frame forming a pallet bed for a pallet, and having an automated mobile robot bus, separate and distinct from the pallet bed, a drive section coupled to the frame to provide automated vehicle mobility, and a controller operably coupled to the drive section to effect automated vehicle mobility, wherein, the robot bus has a bus interface for docking independent automated mobile robots (AMR) to the frame so that the AMR is carried by the frame, wherein the AMR has independent automated mobility so that undocked from the frame, the AMR is free to roam independent from the AMV, and wherein the AMR is fungible for docking with the frame from a number different AMRs, to effect a predetermined material handling characteristic, and wherein the controller is coupled to the AMR to manage control of the predetermined material handling characteristic with the AMR undocked from the frame and moving as a unit apart from the frame.

A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.

A position sensing tool for enabling topographical measurements of a working surface is provided. The tool includes sensors for mapping the tool environment and for positioning of the tool within the environment. The tool enables tracking of tool activity within the environment. The tool enables design and fabrication collaboration with other computer systems. The tool enables user and tool environment safety using tool positional, user position and tool environment awareness. Certain embodiments of the tool permit automated guidance of tasks in the tool environment.