Systems and methods for AI assisted reconfigurable, fixtureless manufacturing is disclosed. The invention eliminates geometry-setting tools (hard points, pins and nets—traditionally known as 3-2-1 fixturing schemes) and to replace the physical geometry setting with virtual datums driven by learning AI algorithms. A first type of part and a second type of part may be located by a machine vision system and moved by material handling devices and robots to locations within an assembly area. The parts may be aligned with one another and the alignment may be checked by the machine vision system which is configured to locate datums, in the form of features, of the parts and compare such datums to stored virtual datums. The parts may be joined while being held by the material handling devices or robots to form a subassembly in a fixtureless fashion. The material handling devices are able to grasp a number of different types of parts so that a number of different types of subassemblies are capable of being assembled. The system enables one skilled in the art to develop a product design with self-locating parts that will eliminate and minimize the need for geometry setting dedicated line tools and fixtures. This leads to the development of a manufacturing process that utilizes the industry 4.0 technologies to once again eliminate or significantly reduces the need for geometry setting line tools.

A system, apparatus and method for determining operational configuration of asset are provided. The method includes receiving a set of operating parameters associated with the asset, identifying data associated with the asset based on the received set of operating parameters, configuring a second digital twin of the asset based on the data identified from first knowledge database, simulating a behavior of the asset based on the configured second digital twin in a simulation environment, and determining an operational configuration associated with the variant of the asset based on results of the simulation.

Systems and methods for reconfigurable, fixtureless manufacturing are provided. Material handling robots grasp and move parts within an assembly area to adjoin one another in a predetermined orientation. While the parts remain grasped and suspended within the assembly area, out of contact with any fixtures, work surfaces, jigs, and locators, a machine vision system performs an alignment scan to determine locations of datums on the parts which are transmitted to a controller for comparison against stored virtual datums for a subassembly comprising the joined parts. The location of the datums are transmitted to a joining robot which joins the parts to form the subassembly. The machine vision system performs an inspection scan of the datums on the parts after joining.

An apparatus to assist a machinist in the setup of a remote computer controlled machine tool table has an X-axis electronic gauge block assembly, a Y-axis electronic gauge block assembly, and a Z-axis electronic gauge block assembly each positioned on the machine tool table, to respectively collect X-axis probe position values, Y-axis probe position values, and Z-axis probe position values. Environmental sensors collect environmental values. An electronics processing system establishes a raw X-axis probe position, a raw Y-axis probe position, and a raw Z-axis probe position. A wireless interface transmits the environmental values, the raw X-axis probe position value, the raw Y-axis probe position value, and the raw Z-axis probe position value to the remote computer and receives from the remote computer refined probe position values to assist the machinist in the setup of the machine tool table.

Provided is a machining method for improving machining quality for a machining target by minimizing vibrations occurring during machining of each machining region, deformation of a shape of the machining region, and a position error of the machining region by selecting a machining path in consideration of the number of fixing jigs and a distance between jigs at each machining region. A method for machining a carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) using a machining path and a machining order in view of a jig arrangement includes i) an operation in which shape data of a machining target is input to a controller ii) an operation in which a position of each of a plurality of flexible jigs is controlled, iii) an operation in which when the machining target is seated on the flexible jig, position information of the machining target in contact with each of the flexible jigs is generated and transferred to the controller, iv) an operation in which the controller generates a machining path according to a start machining region and a machining order for the machining target by comparing the input position of the flexible jig with position and shape data of the machining target, and v) performing machining, by a tool, on the machining target.

Automated fixture layout is approached in two distinct stages. First, the spatial locations of clamping points on the work piece are determined to ensure immobility of the fixtured part under any infinitesimal perturbation. Second, spatial locations are matched against a user-specified library of reconfigurable clamps to synthesize a valid fixture layout or configuration that includes clamps that are accessible and collision free. The spatial locations matching during the second stage can be the same spatial locations chosen in the first stage to ensure immobility, or a different set of spatial locations.

A processing device includes: a first processing position (A1) and a second processing position (A2) at which rough processing is performed on a workpiece (W); a third processing position (B1) at which final finishing processing is performed on the workpiece (W) that was processed at the second processing position (A2); flexible vises (7) provided to the first processing position (A1) and the second processing position (A2), the flexible vises (7) securing the workpiece (W) by clamping the same; and a quick clamping device (20) provided to the third processing position (B1), the quick clamping device (20) securing the workpiece (W) by means of a pin. The processing device also includes a control unit that controls a rough processing tool for performing rough processing and a final finishing processing tool for performing final finishing processing.

According to one implementation, a machining apparatus includes an electromotive saw and an attaching structure. The electromotive saw cuts off a workpiece to be machined. The attaching structure attaches the saw to an arm of a robot. Further, according to one implementation, a machining method is provided. In the machining method, a machined product is manufactured by processing a composite material or a honeycomb structure with a cutting tool attached to an arm of a robot. Further, according to one implementation, a machining method is provided. In the machining method, a machined product is manufactured by processing a workpiece to be machined with a cutting tool attached to an arm of a robot. The workpiece is processed along a shape of a jig for setting the workpiece. The workpiece is processed with contacting a guide with the jig. The guide is attached to the arm.

To hold a long member in the original shape of the long member at a precise position, a long member assembling device has: a plurality of hand parts configured to grip a long member; arm parts and trunk parts configured to move the hand parts to adjust the positions of the plurality of hand parts gripping the long member; a storage unit in which the original shape of the long member is stored; and a control unit configured to, on the basis of the original shape of the long member stored in the storage unit, drive the arm parts and the trunk parts to adjust the positions of the plurality of hand parts gripping the long member such that the shape of the long member gripped by the plurality of hand parts matches the original shape of the long member stored in the storage unit.

The present invention is provided with: a first processing position (A1) and a second processing position (A2) at which rough processing is performed on a workpiece (W); a third processing position (B1) at which final finishing processing is performed on the workpiece (W) that was processed at the second processing position (A2); flexible vices (7) provided to the first processing position (A1) and the second processing position (A2), the flexible vices (7) securing the workpiece (W) by clamping the same; and a quick clamping device (20) provided to the third processing position (B1), the quick clamping device (20) securing the workpiece (W) by means of a pin. The present invention is also provided with a control unit that controls a rough processing tool for performing rough processing and a final finishing processing tool for performing final finishing processing.