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Robotics scientists of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), together with colleagues from the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), developed new control methods by intelligent industrial robots, which they implemented in a special software add-on. The new software allows robots to quickly, accurately and fully automatically build high-quality three-dimensional computer models of engine parts and carry out subsequent actions set by their control programs. An article about this is published in the International Journal of Mechanical engineering and Robotics Research.

Thus, FEFU scientists have solved the problem of the tedious programming of industrial robots that do not know how to independently adapt to changing production conditions. Now robots will no longer need to be retrained manually, which previously led to greater time spent on preparing for the production launch.

Thanks to the new software, engine parts can be fastened for processing on a universal, rather than special equipment. This fixation allows for error and even a certain strain but provides significant time-saving. The robot itself will take into account all the current features of the position of the engine, automatically correct scan defects and get a qualitative model for subsequent corrective processing. In this case, fixation errors are not important.

"In the conditions of the production hall during scanning of engine parts, significant defects often emerge in the clouds of points from which the machine builds a 3D model. There can be many reasons - for example, glare and distortion. As a result, the machine cannot correctly recognize and process the part. We proposed a solution to this problem, allowing the robot to automatically detect such defects and re-scan parts of parts that did not display well. We also managed to evade the resource-intensive process of processing large amounts of information that make up the 3D-images. Our software works quickly, systematically and allows us to obtain high-quality models of objects, and, in the end, carry out their high-quality processing,” said Alexander Zuev, associate professor of the Department of Automation and control of the FEFU Engineering School.

The scientist explained that the speed of information processing is achieved through a special set of mathematical methods, which was implemented in the computer program. The mathematical apparatus works with a voluminous array of points that make up a 3D image, lays it out on a plane, and then quickly calculates possible scanning deficiencies.

Now, a demonstration robot operating according to the new technology is being commissioned in FEFU to show interested industrial representatives the possibility of processing engine parts by intelligent robots.

The development of intelligent industrial robots is one of the most serious trends in the world. Machines are equipped with technical vision systems, thanks to which they understand what is happening in their working zone, and can adjust their control program in order to perform high-quality final action. And although the robotization of production in Russia is developing slower than in other countries, scientists hope that their development will help our country take a leading position in the field of intelligent industrial machines.

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The study was conducted with the partial support of the Government of the Russian Federation (State Contract No. 2.11216.2018 / 11.12) and the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (grants 16-07-00300, 16-37-60025).