Automated Kitting Assembly with Datum Finder Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive assembly methods are inefficient due to the manual or robotic installation of bolts and fasteners, which often results in incorrect, misplaced, or incorrectly placed parts, leading to time-consuming processes.
Innovation Solution
A kitting and automation assembly process involving a scanning method to identify and verify components, a pick and place apparatus with a datum finder for precise alignment, and a controller to ensure correct positioning and installation of components, utilizing an inspection system to validate components against stored data sets for conformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual or robotic installation of bolts and fasteners is used, then assembly can be performed, but the process becomes inefficient and time-consuming due to incorrect bolts, misplaced parts, and incorrectly placed bolts
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by scanning and identifying bolts and fasteners before installation. The inspection system checks component characteristics against stored data sets to confirm conformity, ensuring correct parts are selected before the assembly operation occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses scanning devices to capture data about bolts and fasteners, compares this data against stored specifications, and provides feedback to determine if components conform to requirements. This closed-loop verification ensures only correct parts are installed.
2Reliability
If inspection and verification steps are added to the assembly process, then component correctness is improved, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual inspection and verification with automated scanning devices and computational comparison. Optical or sensing systems capture component characteristics, and software algorithms compare these against stored data sets, eliminating the need for complex manual verification procedures.
3Manufacturing precision
If automated pick and place apparatus with datum finder is used, then positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity and initial setup time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The datum finder acts as an intermediary between the pick and place apparatus and the work part. It establishes a reference frame by detecting datum features on the component, enabling precise positioning without requiring complex direct measurement systems between the robot and the part.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and apparatus for a kitting and automation assembly. The system includes an inspection apparatus that captures information of a component. A controller is coupled to the inspection apparatus for receiving and evaluating the information to determine a conforming component. The assembly apparatus includes a datum tool that is operatively configured to contact a datum reference of a part to determine a proper position of the part. The method includes capturing a data set indicative of a characteristic of a component and comparing the data set to a stored data set having a desired characteristic to determine a conforming component. The method also includes picking and positioning the conforming component at an installation position, contacting a datum reference of a part with a datum tool to confirm a proper position, and placing the conforming component on to the part at the proper position.