Transversely Movable Rigid Structures for Welding Fixture Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor-vehicle body assembly systems require rigid and heavy locating and clamping frames to maintain dimensional quality, leading to increased weight, complexity, and handling difficulties due to the need for precise positioning and stiffness, which results in higher costs and reduced flexibility.
Innovation Solution
The system employs transversely movable rigid structures at the welding station to support and position locating and clamping frames, allowing for lighter and less rigid frames, as the stress from the body is absorbed by these structures, ensuring precise positioning and dimensional quality without the need for cumbersome frame designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If rigid and heavy locating and clamping frames are used to maintain dimensional quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the locating and clamping function into two separate components: a lightweight movable frame and a stationary rigid structure. The frame provides mobility and positioning, while the stationary structure provides rigidity and dimensional stability. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function rather than requiring a single heavy frame to perform both functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary rigid structure acts as an intermediary that supports the movable frame during welding operations. This intermediate structure absorbs the stress and maintains dimensional stability, allowing the movable frame to remain lightweight while still achieving precise positioning and clamping functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If rigid and heavy locating and clamping frames are used to maintain dimensional quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the frame into a lightweight movable component and a stationary support structure, the system makes the frame easier to handle and reposition while maintaining dimensional quality through the stationary structure. The movable frame can be easily positioned by robots, while the stationary structure ensures precision during welding.
3Manufacturing precision
If rigid and heavy locating and clamping frames are used to maintain dimensional quality, then manufacturing precision is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the locating and clamping system into a lightweight movable frame and a stationary rigid structure. This allows the moving frame to have minimal weight while the stationary structure provides the necessary rigidity and dimensional stability, eliminating the need for a single heavy frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary rigid structure serves as an intermediary that provides structural support and maintains dimensional quality without adding weight to the movable frame. The frame transfers stresses to this stationary structure, allowing the frame itself to remain lightweight.
4Reliability
If rigid and heavy locating and clamping frames are used to maintain dimensional quality, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic elements by making the frame movable rather than fixed. The frame can be quickly repositioned and reconfigured for different welding tasks, improving productivity while the stationary rigid structure maintains reliability and dimensional quality during the actual welding process.
Data Source
AI summary
Motor-vehicle bodies or sub-assemblies thereof are assembled in a welding-assembly station with the aid of frames arranged at the two sides of the conveying line that traverses the station, said frames being provided with fixtures for locating and clamping the various parts of the body. The side frames are moved between their operative position in the station and an inoperative position at a distance from the station with the aid of multi-axis manipulating robots. Said robots, however, do not carry the frames up to their final operative position for assembling the body, but rather unload them on two rigid structures, which are prearranged at the two sides of the line and are movable in a transverse direction with respect thereto between an open condition and a closed condition. The movable structures, once they have received the frames from the robots in their open condition, displace into their closed condition, thus carrying the frames into their final operative position.