Manipulator Arm Assembly Station for In-Air Joint Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing assembly lines for multicomponent items, such as hinges, are inefficient in terms of productivity and resource utilization, as they require multiple stationary assembly stations and prolonged production times, which hinder the ability to meet current market demands for high-volume production.
Innovation Solution
An assembly method and station that utilizes manipulator arms to assemble sub-assemblies in a suspended-in-air position, allowing simultaneous pre-assembly and synchronous translation to a receiving component, reducing the need for stationary support and optimizing the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple stationary assembly stations are used to assemble multicomponent items, then assembly operations can be performed, but the assembly line length increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the component through multiple stationary assembly stations, the invention inverts the approach by bringing multiple sub-assemblies to the component in a single stationary position. The manipulator arms transport sub-assemblies to the component located on the pallet, reversing the traditional flow and enabling multiple assembly operations without increasing line length.
Solution Approach 2:
A single assembly station equipped with multiple manipulator arms performs the function of multiple traditional assembly stations. The station can simultaneously or sequentially assemble different sub-assemblies to the same component, making one station universal and eliminating the need for multiple specialized stations.
2Productivity
If multiple stationary assembly stations are used, then assembly operations can be completed, but excessive resources are required and production time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manipulator arms can simultaneously transport and assemble multiple sub-assemblies in parallel operations, eliminating the sequential waiting time inherent in traditional assembly lines. While one arm is positioning a sub-assembly, another arm can be preparing or transporting a different sub-assembly, maintaining continuous productive action without idle time.
Solution Approach 2:
Sub-assemblies are pre-assembled and prepared before being brought to the final assembly point. The manipulator arms pick up pre-prepared sub-assemblies and bring them to the component in coordinated fashion, allowing preliminary preparation to occur without interrupting the final assembly process, thus reducing total production time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional stationary assembly stations are used, then assembly operations can be performed, but flexibility to adapt to construction variants is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly system becomes dynamic through programmable manipulator arms that can be reconfigured via software to accommodate different construction variants. The manipulator arms can adapt their movement paths, picking points, and assembly sequences based on digital instructions, allowing the same physical hardware to handle multiple product configurations without mechanical reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for assembling multicomponent items involves providing a first sub-assembly and a second sub-assembly, respectively picking, by a first manipulator arm and a second manipulator arm, the first and second sub-assemblies and bringing the first and second sub-assemblies to a mutual assembly position, assembling, by the first and second manipulator arms, the first and second sub-assemblies to form a joint assembly, sending a synchronous translation signal to the first and second manipulator arms, actuating a synchronous translation of the first and second manipulator arms and bringing the joint assembly to a receiving seat provided in a receiving component. An assembly station and an assembly line including the assembly station are provided.