Combination tool with automated tool change for robot assisted assembly
First Claim
1. A combination tool for assembling a part to a workpiece with a robot following a programmed series of predetermined motions including picking the part from a supply and transferring the part to an assembly position aligned on an operating axis wherein a mounting surface of the part engages a target surface of the workpiece, the robot including a tool support, the combination tool comprising:
- a base matching the tool support of the robot;
a workpiece arm including a workpiece target surface preparation module;
a part delivery arm including a part gripper capable of releasably holding the part with mounting surface exposed;
a part mounting surface preparation module supported by the base between;
an engaged position in contact with the part mounting surface while the part is held in the part gripper; and
a disengaged position retracted from the part mounting surface; and
an indexing module supported on the base, the indexing module alternating between;
a preparation position; and
said assembly position, wherein;
the indexing module in the preparation position supports the workpiece arm aligned on the operating axis while simultaneously supporting the part delivery arm aligned with the part mounting surface preparation module;
the indexing module in the assembly position supports the workpiece arm withdrawn from the workpiece while simultaneously supporting the part delivery arm aligned on the operating axis; and
wherein at least one of;
the workpiece target surface preparation module;
the part gripper; and
the part mounting surface preparation module, are releasably mounted with a common tool interface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of assembling a part to a workpiece with a combination tool supported on a robot, where a mounting surface of the part is assembled on a target surface of the workpiece including the following steps. (a) Indexing to the assembly position. (b) Picking a part with the part gripper on the part delivery arm from a part supply station. (c) Indexing part delivery and workpiece preparation arms to the preparation position. (d) Simultaneously: engaging the part mounting surface with the part surface preparation module; and engaging the workpiece target surface preparation module with the target surface. (e) Indexing to the assembly position. (f) Using the previously set tool operating axis and calculated tool offsets, engaging the prepared part mounting surface with the prepared workpiece target surface. (g) Releasing the part gripper and withdrawing the tool from the part/workpiece assembly.
10 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A combination tool for assembling a part to a workpiece with a robot following a programmed series of predetermined motions including picking the part from a supply and transferring the part to an assembly position aligned on an operating axis wherein a mounting surface of the part engages a target surface of the workpiece, the robot including a tool support, the combination tool comprising:
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a base matching the tool support of the robot;
a workpiece arm including a workpiece target surface preparation module;
a part delivery arm including a part gripper capable of releasably holding the part with mounting surface exposed;
a part mounting surface preparation module supported by the base between;
an engaged position in contact with the part mounting surface while the part is held in the part gripper; and
a disengaged position retracted from the part mounting surface; and
an indexing module supported on the base, the indexing module alternating between;
a preparation position; and
said assembly position, wherein;
the indexing module in the preparation position supports the workpiece arm aligned on the operating axis while simultaneously supporting the part delivery arm aligned with the part mounting surface preparation module;
the indexing module in the assembly position supports the workpiece arm withdrawn from the workpiece while simultaneously supporting the part delivery arm aligned on the operating axis; and
whereinat least one of;
the workpiece target surface preparation module;
the part gripper; and
the part mounting surface preparation module, are releasably mounted with a common tool interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of assembling a part to a workpiece with a combination tool supported on a robot, wherein a mounting surface of the part is assembled on a target surface of the workpiece,
wherein the combination tool comprises: -
a base matching the tool support of the robot;
a workpiece arm including a workpiece target surface preparation module;
a part delivery arm including a part gripper capable of releasably holding the part with mounting surface exposed;
a part mounting surface preparation module supported by the base between;
an engaged position in contact with the part mounting surface while the part is held in the part gripper; and
a disengaged position retracted from the part mounting surface; and
an indexing module supported on the base, the indexing module alternating between;
a preparation position; and
said assembly position, wherein;
the indexing module in the preparation position supports the workpiece arm aligned on the operating axis while simultaneously supporting the part delivery arm aligned with the part mounting surface preparation module;
the indexing module in the assembly position supports the workpiece arm withdrawn from the workpiece while simultaneously supporting the part delivery arm aligned on the operating axis; and
whereinat least one of;
the workpiece target surface preparation module;
the part gripper; and
the part mounting surface preparation module, are releasably mounted with a common tool interface,and wherein the method comprises;
indexing to the assembly position;
picking a part with the part gripper on the part delivery arm from a part supply station;
indexing arms to the preparation position;
simultaneously;
engaging the part mounting surface with the part mounting surface preparation module; and
engaging the workpiece target surface preparation module with the target surface;
indexing to the assembly position;
engaging the prepared part mounting surface with the prepared workpiece target surface; and
releasing the part gripper and withdrawing the tool from the part/workpiece assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification