Sealant-Applied Connector Assembly for Precise Drill-and-Insert Joining
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated assembly processes for connecting components lack efficiency and reproducibility, particularly in applying sealants to ensure airtight and watertight joints, especially in complex manufacturing environments like aircraft assembly.
Innovation Solution
A sealant application station and assembly tool system that includes a feeder, discharger, support unit, gripper, and sealant application unit, along with a drill spindle and dispose finger, which work together to apply sealant uniformly to connectors and align them for precise insertion into components, utilizing a tube system for transport and a kinematic system for precise movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual assembly processes are replaced by automated solutions, then quality and reproducibility improve, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated assembly system is divided into distinct functional modules: a sealant application station for applying sealant to connectors, and an assembly tool with a dispose finger for positioning and inserting connectors. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system reliability and reproducibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If automated sealant application is implemented, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant application unit is integrated into the connector feeding mechanism, combining sealant application with the existing connector transport and positioning functions. This merging approach enables precise sealant application without requiring a completely separate complex application system.
Solution Approach 2:
Sealant is applied to connectors in advance during the feeding process, before the connectors are inserted into the workpiece. This preliminary action ensures consistent sealant application and allows the sealant to be properly positioned on the connector surface before final assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If precise connector alignment is achieved, then manufacturing precision improves, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispose finger positions and aligns connectors with the drilling tool in advance, before the actual connector insertion into the workpiece. This preliminary alignment ensures precise positioning is achieved without requiring additional alignment steps during the insertion process, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while minimizing processing time.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly system with a sealant application station and an assembly tool is described. The assembly system is used to connect two or more components to each other. The sealant application station applies a sealant to a connector. The sealant application station is arranged in a feed system for the connectors. The sealant-applied connectors are transferred to the assembly tool. The assembly tool contains a drill spindle in which a connector and a drill can be axially aligned with each other so that the drill spindle can both drill a hole in the components to be connected and position the connector in the drilled hole with a linear movement along a processing axis. For these operations, the drill spindle moves only along the processing axis, so that a linear drive can be used for these operations.