Six-axis robot provides flexibility to assemble three variants on one machine

Citation

(1999), "Six-axis robot provides flexibility to assemble three variants on one machine", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926eaf.004

Six-axis robot provides flexibility to assemble three variants on one machine

Six-axis robot provides flexibility to assemble three variants on one machine

Keywords Robots, Assembly

Aeroquip of Brierly Hill are using a six-axis StÌubli robot to help assemble three different variants of a product on a single machine (see Plate 3).

Plate 3 Modular Automation has used a six-axis robot to assemble three variants of the same automotive product on the same machine

The product is an oil return pick-up pipe assembly which pumps oil from an automotive sump and feeds it to the engine. It consists of three parts: a main body, a filter and an end cap. But the most difficult part of the assembly is the fitting of cold inserts into the body which are positioned in three different arrangements for variant models of car.

An operator assembles and loads the three main parts at the first station and an ultrasonic weld encapsulates the mesh filter between the body and cap to form a complete assembly.

The robot then grips the welded assembly and transfers it to the second station, which tests the assembly for leaks using a vacuum assisted leak tester.

Once tested the robot transfers it to any of the insert stations to fit cold inserts into any one of the three variants. To provide the flexibility required, the insert head remains static and the robot grips and manoeuvres the assembly into the correct position. Different assemblies can be accommodated just by switching the robot to an alternative program.

The assembly system also segregates any rejects to identify the nature of the failure.

All enquires to: William Bourn, Modular Automation, Talbot Way, Small Heath Business Park, Birmingham B10 0HZ. Tel: 0121 766 7979; Fax: 0121 766 6385.