Non-synchronous assembly system
First Claim
1. A production line for performing a series of different operations on a variety of workpieces in seriatim, the line comprising:
- a plurality of successive work stations each containing at least one machine for performing one of said operations on said workpieces, at least one of said work stations containing at least one machine, wherein said machine performs at least one operation from at least two of said series of different operations;
transport means for carrying said workpieces through said succession of work stations, said transport means being selectively operable to move every said workpiece on said line simultaneously or to move any select number of said workpieces on said line asynchronously; and
means for orienting and holding each said workpiece at the respective work stations.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A permanently installed manufacturing system, to join together loose part sub-assemblies with quick change workstations and exchange tool transporters. The flexible manufacturing process involves the automatic, or manual, joining of loose components, regardless of the assembly technology used, the model mix required, or the type of product to be assembled. The system allows the utilization of interchangeable flex-tools, supported on various types of power and free transporters, that can be programmably controlled and automatically changes over. The system will accommodate batch runs, random runs, prototype runs, as well as synchronous and asynchronous operations.
92 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A production line for performing a series of different operations on a variety of workpieces in seriatim, the line comprising:
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a plurality of successive work stations each containing at least one machine for performing one of said operations on said workpieces, at least one of said work stations containing at least one machine, wherein said machine performs at least one operation from at least two of said series of different operations; transport means for carrying said workpieces through said succession of work stations, said transport means being selectively operable to move every said workpiece on said line simultaneously or to move any select number of said workpieces on said line asynchronously; and means for orienting and holding each said workpiece at the respective work stations. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A production system for processing a variety of dissimilar workpiece comprising:
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a plurality of workpiece carriers for carrying said workpieces; continuous non-linear transport means for transporting said carriers in a single direction along a predetermined path; a plurality of work stations and tooling fixtures located along said path, including at least one flexible work station having at least one tooling fixture having a plurality of dissimilar tools; means for selectively orienting said one tooling fixture to selectively present one of said plurality of dissimilar tools for operation at said flexible work station; means for locating said workpieces at said flexible work stations; and control means for selecting one of said plurality of dissimilar tools for operation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A production system for processing a continuous succession of workpieces, comprising
a succession of work stations, each having automated tooling for performing manufacturing operations on said workpieces with at least one of said work stations defining a flexible workstation having a plurality of dissimilar tools for performing different manufacturing operations upon certain of said workpieces; -
transport means for continuously advancing said workpieces through said succession of work stations; locating means at each of said succession of work stations for locating and securing said workpieces to selectively present one of said tools for operation at said workstation, at least one of said tools other than the tool selected being readily accessible for replacement while the selected tool is in operation; and control means for selectively engaging said locating means. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An automated assembly line for assembling a succession of workpiece of at least two different workpiece types in respective different ways, comprising
a succession of workstations each provided with an assembly tool that may be quickly exchanged as needed depending upon the work operation to be performed at that workstation, transport means for transporting the workpieces between the workstations, first control means for controlling said transport means and the tooling at each workstation whereby to perform multiple operations on the workpieces, second control means, operative at each workstation and operatively connected to said first control means, for verifying the workpiece and operation to be performed thereon, a multi-position rotate unit controlled by said second control means and adapted to store and deliver a variety of fixtures to the workpieces, and third control means to connect the transport means to the workstations, said third control means being adapted to direct and track the workpieces.
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26. An automated assembly line for assembling a succession of workpieces of at least two different workpiece types in respective different ways, comprising
transport means for simultaneously asynchronously transporting the workpieces through a succession of work stations whereby to expose the workpiece to different operations, each work station being provided with one or more assembly tools that may be quickly changed as needed depending on the work to be performed at that work station, control means operative to control each work station for selecting an operation to be performed on the workpiece and the tool to perform the operation, including selecting no operation at all and selecting more than one operation, a tool exchange turntable for mounting one or more of said tools and adapted to be rotated whereby user access is provided to one tool while another tool is in operation, and a tool exchange shifter disposed in a plane different than the turntable for exchanging tools depending on the operation.
Specification