Multi-architecture flexible assembly structure and method
First Claim
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1. A multi-architecture flexible assembly structure comprising:
- a first station having a loading structure to load components to said first station;
a second station having at least one work fixture to convert the components into a finished assembly;
a third station having an unloading structure to unload the finished assembly from said third station;
a first transfer device to transfer the components from said first station to said second station; and
a second transfer device to transfer the finished assembly from said second station to said third station, wherein said loading structure, said at least one work fixture, said first transfer device, and said second transfer device are programmable to facilitate production of at least two distinctly different ones of the finished assembly.
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Abstract
A multi-architecture flexible assembly structure includes transfer devices, and programmable loading structures, work fixtures, and unloading structures for assembling components into selected different styles of finished assemblies.
26 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A multi-architecture flexible assembly structure comprising:
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a first station having a loading structure to load components to said first station;
a second station having at least one work fixture to convert the components into a finished assembly;
a third station having an unloading structure to unload the finished assembly from said third station;
a first transfer device to transfer the components from said first station to said second station; and
a second transfer device to transfer the finished assembly from said second station to said third station, wherein said loading structure, said at least one work fixture, said first transfer device, and said second transfer device are programmable to facilitate production of at least two distinctly different ones of the finished assembly. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A multi-architecture flexible assembly structure comprising:
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a loading station having a loading structure for loading sheet metal panels on said loading station;
an assembly station having at least one of a floor mounted welding robot, a pogo welding robot, an overhead fixed mounted material handling robot, and a programmable flexible manipulator for assembling the sheet metal panels into a vehicle assembly;
an unloading station having an unloading structure for unloading the vehicle assembly from said unloading station;
a first tool base having at least one flexible locating and clamping unit for receiving the sheet metal panels from said loading structure and transferring the sheet metal panels from said loading station to said assembly station; and
a transfer device for receiving the vehicle assembly from said assembly station and transferring the vehicle assembly to said unloading station, wherein the assembly structure is programmable to facilitate production of at least two distinctly different ones of the vehicle assembly. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of producing different styles of finished assemblies with a single assembly structure, the method comprising the steps of:
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a) providing a loading station having a loading structure to load sheet metal panels to the loading station;
b) providing an assembly station having at least one work fixture;
c) providing an unloading station having an unloading structure to unload a finished assembly from the unloading station;
d) programming at least one controller to control operation of the loading structure and the at least one work fixture to assemble the sheet metal panels into a selected style finished assembly;
e) loading sheet metal panels to the loading station using the loading structure;
f) transferring the sheet metal panels from the loading station to the assembly station;
g) operating the at least one work fixture to assemble the sheet metal panels into the selected style finished assembly;
h) transferring the selected style finished assembly from the assembly station to the unloading station; and
i) unloading the selected style finished assembly from the unloading station.
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- 19. The method according to claim 19, wherein said step a) includes providing a moveable tool base having at least one flexible locating and clamping unit as the loading structure.
Specification