Robotic Assembly Sequence Planning Without Dedicated Fixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The high cost and inflexibility of fixtures in robotic assembly of vehicle components lead to significant capital investment requirements and limit design flexibility in the automotive industry.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for determining an assembly sequence for parts in a robotic cell that eliminates or reduces the reliance on fixtures, using a processing system to generate and simulate assembly sequences based on part information and robotic cell configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If fixtures are used for robotic assembly of each part, then assembly precision and stability are improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal fixture system that can accommodate multiple different parts through programmable positioning and configurable clamping mechanisms. The fixture includes adjustable positioning elements and programmable control that allow it to adapt to various part geometries and assembly requirements, eliminating the need for dedicated fixtures for each part type.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture system employs programmable parameters including positioning coordinates, clamping forces, and sequence control that can be modified through software. This allows the same physical fixture to perform different assembly operations by changing control parameters rather than requiring physical reconfiguration or replacement of the fixture itself.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated fixtures are designed for each part, then assembly accuracy is maintained, but adaptability to design changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture system transitions from static, dedicated configurations to dynamic, programmable configurations. The positioning and clamping elements can be reconfigured through software control to accommodate design changes, allowing the same fixture to maintain assembly accuracy across different part designs without requiring physical redesign or replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses digital models and program data to represent part geometries and assembly requirements. When design changes occur, the fixture is reconfigured by loading updated digital models and control programs rather than requiring physical modifications, enabling rapid adaptation while maintaining precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple specialized fixtures are used for thousands of parts, then each part can be assembled with precision, but capital investment and loss of time for fixture development increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal fixture system replaces thousands of specialized fixtures by incorporating programmable positioning and identification capabilities. The system can automatically adapt to different parts through software control, eliminating the time-consuming process of designing, building, and validating dedicated fixtures for each part while maintaining assembly precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical fixture design and physical configuration process with software-based control and digital modeling. Instead of physically designing and building dedicated fixtures for each part, the system uses programmable logic and digital part models to configure the universal fixture, dramatically reducing development time while maintaining precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Having a flexible robotic system layout that allows for the assembly of any structure creates a challenge in finding an optimal sequence of assembly. In some examples, the optimal sequence of assembly may provide the highest robot utilization, the shortest cycle time, the greatest assembly accuracy of the final assembly, or any combination thereof. The processing system disclosed herein may be configured to generate assembly sequences for a plurality of parts and determine an optimal assembly sequence from the generated assembly sequences by comparing the generated assembly sequences.