US 12,434,439 B2
Automated additive manufacturing production systems and methods
Hadi Atwi, Dearborn, MI (US); and Richard Moore, Fenton, MI (US)
Assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed by Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US)
Filed on Oct. 15, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/502,702.
Application 17/502,702 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/470,824, filed on Sep. 9, 2021, granted, now 12,061,475.
Prior Publication US 2023/0077236 A1, Mar. 9, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B29C 64/393 (2017.01); B25J 5/00 (2006.01); B25J 11/00 (2006.01); B29C 64/25 (2017.01); B33Y 30/00 (2015.01); B33Y 50/02 (2015.01); G05B 19/4099 (2006.01); G05B 19/418 (2006.01)
CPC B29C 64/393 (2017.08) [B25J 11/00 (2013.01); B29C 64/25 (2017.08); B33Y 30/00 (2014.12); B33Y 50/02 (2014.12); G05B 19/4099 (2013.01); G05B 19/4188 (2013.01); B25J 5/007 (2013.01); G05B 2219/34348 (2013.01); G05B 2219/49023 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An automated additive manufacturing production (AAMP) system comprising:
one or more AAMP system stations disposed in an environment and configured to perform one or more AAMP routines, wherein each AAMP system station from among the one or more AAMP system stations includes a door;
a plurality of robots configured to autonomously travel within the environment; and
a controller comprising an application program interface (API) configured to:
select one or more robots from among the plurality of robots to initiate the one or more AAMP routines based on a digital model of the environment, wherein the digital model indicates respective distances between the plurality of robots and the one or more AAMP system stations, and wherein one or more first distances between the selected one or more robots and the one or more AAMP system stations are less than at least one of (i) a threshold distance and (ii) a second distance between a second robot of the plurality of robots and the one or more AAMP system stations; and
communicably couple the selected one or more robots and the one or more AAMP system stations, wherein:
the selected one or more robots are configured to command, via the API, the one or more AAMP system stations to selectively position the door and initiate the one or more AAMP routines based on the digital model of the environment and system operation data, wherein the system operation data respectively corresponds to each AAMP system station from among the one or more AAMP system stations.