Movable Locator Robot Line for Multi-Position Body Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle body assembly lines, multiple robots are required to work on various portions of a workpiece due to limited mobility and interference issues, leading to increased installation space and cost, necessitating a solution to complete work with fewer robots.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with a single robot and movable locators that position a workpiece with locate pins, allowing the robot to perform work on multiple portions by repositioning the workpiece to areas within its movable range, eliminating interference and enabling a single robot to work on multiple spots.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robots are installed to work on all work portions, then work coverage is improved, but installation space and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locator is made movable instead of fixed, allowing it to dynamically reposition the workpiece between different work areas. The locator can move in multiple directions (horizontal, vertical, rotational) to bring different work portions within the robot's reachable range, enabling one robot to perform tasks that would otherwise require multiple robots
Solution Approach 2:
A single robot is designed to perform multiple work functions on different portions of the workpiece by coordinating with the movable locator. The robot serves as a universal work station that can access various work areas through the locator's repositioning capability, eliminating the need for multiple specialized robots
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple robots are installed to work on all work portions, then work coverage is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable locator system replaces the need for multiple stationary robots with a single dynamic repositioning mechanism. This reduces equipment costs while maintaining comprehensive work coverage through coordinated motion control
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of multiple robots are merged into a single robot-locator system. The locator acts as a mobile platform that extends the robot's workspace, combining positioning and work execution functions into one integrated system
3Adaptability or versatility
If the workpiece is repositioned by removing and reinserting locate pins, then work coverage is improved, but work time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locator moves continuously or in smooth transitions between positions while maintaining contact with the workpiece through the locate pin. This eliminates the need to remove and reinsert pins, reducing positioning time and maintaining continuous work flow
Solution Approach 2:
The locator is pre-positioned at optimal locations before work begins, and the robot is coordinated to work on portions within reach. The locator then moves to subsequent positions in advance of when those areas need to be worked on, minimizing idle time
Data Source
AI summary
A robot system has at least one robot that performs predetermined work on at least first and second work portions among a plurality of work portions, and a plurality of locators each having a locate pin movable in three axial directions orthogonal to one another, and that position the workpiece with the locate pins being inserted into the holes at a first position where the robot performs work on the first work portion, and a control device that controls operation of the plurality of locators, in which after the work of the robot on the first work portion is completed, the control device controls the plurality of locators while keeping a state that the locate pins are inserted into the holes, so as to change a position of the workpiece from the first position to a second position where the robot performs work on the second work portion.