Fixture Exchange Rail System and Method of Use

• US 20080104815A1
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations Incorporated (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Kussmaul, Andrew S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,276 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 29/407.01
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/00 Storage means or arrangements for workshops facilitating access to, or handling of, work tools or instruments containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents B65D83/00; nail dispensers B25C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 65/02 Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49764 with testing or indicating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49771 Quantitative measuring or gauging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49778 with aligning, guiding, or instruction
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4978 Assisting assembly or disassembly
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53039 with control means energized in response to activator stimulated by condition sensor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53539 including work conveyor
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53543 including transporting track
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53548 and work carrying vehicle

Abstract

A fixture exchange rail system is provided having first and second fixture assemblies movably mounted with respect to respective first and second stationary rails. A movable rail is disposed substantially adjacent to, and movable between, the first and second stationary rails. The movable rail is sufficiently configured to selectively receive the first and second fixture assemblies thereon. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exhange rail system operable to enable work on a workpiece is also provided including the steps of: A) determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation; B) aligning a movable rail with one of a first and second stationary rail having a respective first and second fixture assembly mounted thereto corresponding to the style of workpiece; and C) moving the fixture assembly corresponding to the style of workpiece from the stationary rail to the movable rail.

Claims

1. A fixture exchange rail system comprising:

a first fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to a first stationary rail;

at least one other fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to at least one other stationary rail;

a movable rail disposed substantially adjacent to said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail; and

wherein said movable rail is movable between said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail and is sufficiently configured to 10 selectively receive said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly thereon.

2. The fixture exchange rail system of claim 1, wherein said movable rail is selectively lockable with respect to at least one of said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail.

3. The fixture exchange rail system of claim 1, further comprising a controller operable to selectively control movement of said movable rail between said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail.

4. The fixture exchange rail system of claim 1, wherein the fixture exchange rail system is configured for use at a workstation of an assembly line.

5. The fixture exchange rail system of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one balancer; and

wherein at least one of said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly is sufficiently connected to said at least one balancer to reduce the apparent weight of said at least one of said first and second fixture assemblies.

6. The fixture exchange rail system of claim 1, further comprising:

a connector mechanism having a first connector member selectively connectable with a second connector member;

wherein said first connector member is mounted with respect to said movable rail; and

wherein said second connector member is mounted with respect to at least one of said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly such that as said at least one of said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly is received on said movable rail, said first connector member and said second connector member of said connector mechanism are connected.

7. The fixture exchange rail system of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly is pneumatically operated.

8. The fixture exchange rail system of claim 3, further comprising:

a sensing device;

wherein the fixture exchange rail system is configured for use at a workstation for assembling a part onto a workpiece; and

wherein said sensing device is operable to determine the required position for said movable rail as a function of said workpiece to signal said controller to move said movable rail.

9. A method of operating a workstation having a fixture exhange rail system operable to work on a workpiece, the method comprising:

determining the style of workpiece present at the workstation;

aligning a movable rail with one of a first stationary rail or at least one other stationary rail each having a respective fixture assembly assembly mounted thereto corresponding to said style of workpiece; and

moving one of said respective fixture assemblies corresponding to said style of workpiece from a respective one of said first stationary rail or said at least one other stationary rail to said movable rail.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising, positioning said movable rail such that said one of said respective fixture assemblies corresponding to said style of workpiece is substantially adjacent to the workpiece.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising clamping said movable rail with respect to said one of said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail subsequent to aligning said movable rail with said one of said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein aligning said movable rail with said one of said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail is automatic.

13. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

realigning said movable rail with respect to said one of said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail when operation of said one of said respective fixture assemblies corresponding to said style of workpiece is complete; and

moving said one of said respective fixture assemblies corresponding to said style of workpiece from said movable rail to said one of said first stationary rail and said at least another stationary rail.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising clamping said movable rail with respect to said one of said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail subsequent to realigning said movable rail with said one of said first stationary rail and at least one other stationary rail.

15. A workstation configured for work on a workpiece, the workstation comprising:

a sensor operable to determine the style of the workpiece;

a fixture exchange rail system including;

a first fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to a first stationary rail;

at least one other fixture assembly movably mounted with respect to at least one other stationary rail;

a movable rail disposed substantially adjacent to said first stationary rail and at least one other stationary rail; and

wherein said movable rail is movable between said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail and is sufficiently configured to selectively receive said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly thereon.

16. The workstation of claim 15, further comprising a controller operable to receive signals from said sensor and to selectively control movement of said movable rail between said first stationary rail and said at least one other stationary rail.

17. The workstation of claim 15, wherein said fixture exchange rail system further includes:

at least one balancer; and

wherein at least one of said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly is suspended from said at least one balancer.

18. The workstation of claim 15, wherein said fixture exchange rail system further includes:

a connector mechanism having a first connector member selectively connectable with a second connector member;

wherein said first connector member is mounted with respect to said movable rail; and

wherein said second connector member is mounted with respect to at least one of said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly such that as said at least one of said first fixture assembly and said at least one other fixture assembly is received on said movable rail, said first connector member and said second connector member of said connector mechanism are connected.

19. The workstation of claim 15, wherein the workpiece is a vehicle.