Dual Robot Assembly Apparatus with Circulating Work Base
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assembly processes for electronic apparatuses or components are limited by the working capability of automatic assembly apparatuses, restricting further enhancements in productivity due to long cycle times.
Innovation Solution
An assembly apparatus comprising a work base, a first robot, a second robot, and a controller, where the first robot performs assembly tasks within a certain time frame, and the second robot assists or takes over tasks to reduce cycle time, allowing for parallel processing and shared workload across multiple work areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single automatic assembly apparatus performs the whole assembly process, then the assembly can be completed with one apparatus, but the cycle time becomes long and productivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the assembly process into multiple work areas (first work area, second work area, third work area) and assigns different robots to different areas. The first robot handles component supply and assembly in the first work area, while the second robot performs assembly in the second and third work areas. This segmentation allows parallel processing of assembly tasks, reducing the overall cycle time without requiring a single complex apparatus to handle everything sequentially.
2Device complexity
If the first robot performs all assembly tasks independently, then the system is simpler to control, but the cycle time increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the operations of multiple robots working in parallel on different work areas under a unified control system. The first robot and second robot operate simultaneously on different components and work areas, but their operations are coordinated through a single controller that manages the circulation of works and coordinates the timing of assembly operations. This merging approach maintains control simplicity while achieving high productivity through parallel processing.
3Device complexity
If works are processed sequentially by one robot, then the apparatus structure is simpler, but the cycle time is long and productivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a circulation system where works continuously move through multiple work areas performed by different robots. The work base circulates works among the first, second, and third work areas, ensuring that assembly operations continue without interruption. While the first robot is assembling one work, the second robot simultaneously assembles another work in a different area, maintaining continuous productive action across the entire system.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes a work base, a first robot, a second robot, and a controller. The work base has a placement surface on which a plurality of works is placed and causes the plurality of works to individually circulate to a plurality of work areas arranged along a circumference every certain time. The first robot is disposed inside the circumference and capable of accessing the plurality of work areas. The second robot is disposed outside the circumference and capable of accessing at least one work area out of the plurality of work areas. The controller causes the first robot to perform a predetermined process within the certain time with respect to works on a plurality of predetermined work areas out of the plurality of work areas, and causes the second robot to perform an operation of assisting the process by the first robot with respect to the work on the at least one work area out of the plurality of predetermined work areas.