Method of robot assisted automated decal application on complex three dimensional surfaces

• US 9,988,173 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2014
• Issued: 06/05/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Varghese, Aby, Arelekatti, Murthy V. N., Bhattacharya, Dhritisunder
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Sing P
• Application Number:
  US15/024,531
• Publication Number:
  US 20160229577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,349 Days
• Field of Search: 156247, 156249, 156289, 156350, 156258, 1563798, 156391, 156538
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 2063/027 applied by a squeegee
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0047 Preventing air-inclusions
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0073 of non-flat surfaces, e.g. curved, profiled B29C63/042 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 2009/0018 Preparing the labels
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/0006 Removing backing sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/0015 Preparing the labels or articles, e.g. smoothing, removing air bubbles
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/36 Wipers; Pressers
• CPC Class Codes: B65C 9/40 Controls; Safety devices

Abstract

The present Invention discloses two robot assisted automated methods for application of decals on complex 3 dimensional surfaces without wrinkle and bubble. The method includes loading of objects having 3D surfaces on an object holding fixture manually from a conveyor belt, picking up a first application fixture automatically by a robot, peeling off the liner disposed on the decal manually and placing the decal on the first application fixture which holds the decal by suction, positioning the decal with exposed adhesive accurately on a first 3D surface of the object and switching off the suction automatically leaving the decal placed on the 3D surface of the object, placing the first application fixture back and picking up a second application fixture automatically by the robot for squeegee application, applying the second application fixture to complete the squeegee application by pressurizing the decal. The first application fixture is configured to be programmed to hold decals of different shape and size and the second application fixture is configured to be programmed to identify the 3D direction of squeezing pad motion within each region of such decals to eliminate the bubbles without wrinkling. The second method uses a mechatronic pick and place mechanism for picking up a decal from the decal stack and placing of the decal on the 3D surface of the object automatically.

Claims

1. A method of robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces without resulting in wrinkling and without entrapment of bubbles, the method comprising:

i) loading of objects having 3D surfaces on an object holding fixture manually one by one by an operator from a conveyor belt;

ii) picking up a first application fixture automatically by a robot and facing the first application fixture towards the operator;

iii) peeling of a liner disposed on the decal manually by the operator and placing the decal on the first application fixture which holds the decal by suction through the application fixture;

iv) positioning the decal with exposed adhesive accurately on a first 3D surface of the object and switching off the suction automatically leaving the decal placed on the first 3D surface of the object;

v) placing the first application fixture back and picking up a second application fixture automatically by the robot for squeegee application;

vi) applying the second application fixture to complete the squeegee application by pressurizing the decal;

vii) performing 180 degree revolution of the object automatically by the object holding fixture and repeating steps iii to vi on a second 3D surface of the object; and

viii) unloading the object from the object holding fixture upon manual quality inspection by the operator,

wherein the first application fixture is configured to be programmed to hold decals of different shape and size and the second application fixture is configured to be programmed to identify a 3D direction of squeezing pad motion within each region of such decals to eliminate the bubbles without wrinkling.

2. The method of robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first application fixture comprises a negative surface that holds a film and mates with the first 3D surface upon impingement on the object by the robot, a normal stress built into the decal by suction holes disposed on the negative surface ensure an areal strain needed to conform the film to a complex contoured 3D surface.

3. A system for robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces, which is capable of performing the method steps as claimed in claim 2.

4. A system for robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces, which is capable of performing the method steps as claimed in claim 1.

5. A method of robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces without resulting in wrinkling and without entrapment of bubbles, the method comprising:

i) loading of objects having 3D surfaces on an object holding fixture manually one by one by an operator from a conveyor belt, the object holding fixture is configured to lock the objects automatically;

ii) placing a decal stack on a stack platform manually by the operator;

iii) picking up a decal from the decal stack placed on the stack platform one by one automatically by a mechatronic pick and place mechanism;

iv) placing of the decal on first 3D surface of the object automatically by the mechatronic pick and place mechanism;

v) performing a predefined revolution of the object automatically by the object holding fixture;

vi) applying a squeezing application fixture to complete the squeegee application by pressurizing the decal with a squeezing pad upon removal of liner;

vii) performing 180 degree revolution of the object automatically by the object holding fixture and repeating steps iii to vi on a second 3D surface of the object; and

viii) unloading the object from the object holding fixture upon manual quality inspection by the operator,

wherein the mechatronic pick and place mechanism and the object holding fixture are configured to be programmed for accurate application of the decals of various size and shape on the 3D surface and squeezing application fixture is configured to be programmed to identify the 3D direction of squeezing pad motion within each region of such decals to eliminate the bubbles without wrinkling.

6. The method of robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pick and place mechanism comprises a mechatronic four bar mechanism with one prismatic joint, three revolute joints and plurality of suction cups to automate the accurate positioning of decal after picking from the decal-stack.

7. A system for robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces, which is capable of performing the method steps as claimed in claim 6.

8. The method of robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces as claimed in claim 5, wherein the pick and place mechanism is configured to be modular and adjustable to different angle comprising rotation about X, Y, Z axis.

9. A system for robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces, which is capable of performing the method steps as claimed in claim 8.

10. The method of robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces as claimed in claim 5, wherein the object holding fixture comprises:

two projecting pins provided thereon to hold the decal at two punched holes for placing the decal accurately on the 3D surface; and

plurality of pneumatic cylinders with guides and collars which are capable of being programmed to be used for different decals and 3D objects.

11. A system for robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces, which is capable of performing the method steps as claimed in claim 10.

12. The method of robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces as claimed in claim 5, wherein the squeezing application fixture comprises a squeezing pad affixed at an end effector of the pick and place mechanism to simulate the preprogrammed hand movement to ensure bubble free and wrinkle free application of the decal.

13. A system for robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces, which is capable of performing the method steps as claimed in claim 12.

14. A system for robot assisted automated decal application on complex 3D surfaces, which is capable of performing the method steps as claimed in claim 5.