LARGE PANEL ASSEMBLY WELDING SYSTEM AND METHOD
First Claim
1. A system for welding large panel assemblies, comprising:
- at least one transport track extending along an area in which a panel to be welded will be placed;
a movable support structure mounted to move along the transport track;
a welding robot supported by the support structure and configured to move to welding locations where welds are to be completed between a part and the panel;
a pressing component supported by the support structure and configured to press the part towards the panel;
a welder coupled to the welding robot for executing welds at the welding locations; and
a control system configured to command operation of the support structure, the pressing component, the robot and the welder to execute the welds.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for welding large panel assemblies is provided. The system includes at least one transport track extending along an area in which a panel to be welded will be placed. A movable support structure is mounted to move along the transport track. A welding robot is supported by the support structure and configured to move to welding locations where welds are to be completed between a part and the panel. A pressing component is supported by the support structure and configured to press the part toward the panel. A welder is coupled to the welding robot for executing welds at the welding locations, and a control system is configured to command operation of the support structure, the pressing component, the robot, and the welder to execute the welds.
67 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for welding large panel assemblies, comprising:
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at least one transport track extending along an area in which a panel to be welded will be placed; a movable support structure mounted to move along the transport track; a welding robot supported by the support structure and configured to move to welding locations where welds are to be completed between a part and the panel; a pressing component supported by the support structure and configured to press the part towards the panel; a welder coupled to the welding robot for executing welds at the welding locations; and a control system configured to command operation of the support structure, the pressing component, the robot and the welder to execute the welds. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for welding large panel assemblies, comprising:
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based upon assembly weld parameters, commanding movement of a support structure to a location where a part is to be welded to a panel; based upon the assembly weld parameters, commanding a pressure to be exerted near the location to press the part into contact with the panel; and based upon the assembly weld parameters, commanding a welding robot and a welder to execute a weld to join the part to the panel. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for welding large panel assemblies, comprising:
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based upon assembly weld parameter, commanding movement of a support structure and a marking robot to move to locations of welds to join a part to the panel and to mark the locations; based upon the assembly weld parameters, commanding movement of a support structure to a location where the part is to be welded to the panel; based upon the assembly weld parameters, commanding a pressure to be exerted near the location to press the part into contact with the panel; and based upon the assembly weld parameters, commanding a welding robot and a welder to execute a weld to join the part to the panel. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification