AUTOMATED ASSEMBLY CELL WITH SELF-CALIBRATING SOFTWARE

An automated assembly cell has been used to investigate the potential for the combination of information derived from an off-line programming system, with that taken from an actual assembly cell by the use of a robot-actuated cell calibration procedure. The combination of these two methods of data capture and programme preparation has the ability to impart a reduction in the time normally associated with the construction of an automated assembly cell, and also the duration required to change the cell from the assembly of one product to another. The adoption of real-time continuous monitoring of assembly forces will confer the ability to flag potential faults which result from positional errors, before they may cause a system breakdown. By these techniques non-productive time in a low volume flexible assembly cell may be minimised.