Automatic Path Planning and Line Balancing
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | STIFT FRAUNHOFER-CHALM.CENTRUM F INDUSTRIMATEMAT - Stiftelsen Fraunhofer-Chalmers centrum för industrimatematik |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 4 950 000 |
| Project duration | March 2009 - December 2011 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | FFI - Sustainable Production |
| End-of-project report | 2009-00326_publikrapport_EN.pdf (pdf, 584 kB) |
Important results from the project
The goal of the project is a more cost-effective manufacturing engineering work, by math based methods and tools. In particular, the goal is efficient production equipment utilization and efficient and effective geometry simulation. This enables frontloading of manufacturing requirements on product development as well as increased insensitivity to late changes. In this project the design parameters of a sheet metal assembly station are treated together, with respect to equipment utilization and geometrical quality. In the MERA project automatic path planning was successfully combined with discrete optimization techniques to automatically load balance, sequence and find collision free motions of a stud welding station. In this project these results will be utilized, further developed and generalized to line level scale. Also, the flexible behavior of robot cables and hoses will now be included in the optimization. In addition advanced geometrical surface analysis will enhance the preparation of geometry.
Expected long term effects
The project will result in faster ramp up during start of production, fewer stops during production, less material usage and fewer repairs. In this way this project directly supports Sustainable Vehicle and Powertrain Production by minimizing physical efforts and reducing the resources needed to produce each items. The effect will also be a rapidly increased use of virtual methods within production preparation. The project will further strengthen Swedens competitiveness as advanced user and developer of digital tools methods in the border line of product and production. Furthermore, the department of Geometry and Motion Planning at FCC which is part of the Wingquist Excellence Centre at Chalmers for efficient product realization will be further strengthened.
Approach and implementation
The project is divided into six work packages as follows: WP1: Line balancing and station design for throughput and quality WP2: Path planning and discrete optimization WP3: Path planning of robot with cables WP4: Advanced geometrical surface analysis WP5: Demonstrator and dissemination of results WP6: Project management