Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Miguel Arturo Saez

John Patrick Spicer

James W Wells

Pei-chung Wang

Richard J Skurkis

Muhammad E Abdallah

Spyros Pete Mellas

Wayne Cai

Lei Wang

Sudhakaran Maydiga

Qinglin Zhang

Marcus J Huber

Dalong Gao

Chris A Ihrke

Jeffrey A Abell

Tyson W Brown

Debejyo Chakraborty

Dooil Hwang

Michael R Kaphengst

Wuhua Yang

Seog-Chan Oh

Alfred Manser

Terebara A Hughes

James Michael Ward

Mark A Smith

Tom Malburg

Ahmad Almarkhi

William H Gillespie, Iv

Methods and systems are provided that include one or more sensors configured to obtain biometric information as to one or more individuals who are to assist with manufacturing of a vehicle; a non-transitory computer readable storage medium configured to store operational requirements for the manufacturing of the vehicle; and a processor that is configured to at least facilitate providing instructions for creating a swarm ramp on which the vehicle is to be placed in order to provide an ergonomic work envelope for the one or more individuals, based on the biometric information and the operational requirements.

System to use autonomous robot ergonomic swarm ramps

A tool reconfiguration system includes a robot, an end effector, a photogrammetry module, an adjustment module, and a robot control module. The end effector is configured to be attached to the robot and to a vehicle component. The end effector is adjustable between a plurality of configurations. The photogrammetry module includes a first camera that is configured to capture images of the end effector. The adjustment module is configured to receive the images of the end effector and determine whether the end effector has been adjusted from a first configuration to a second configuration based on at least one of the images. The robot control module is configured to, based on the determination, selectively actuate one or more components of the end effector and adjust a present configuration of the end effector to one of the first configuration and the second configuration.

Robotic tool reconfiguration system

A vehicle frame inspection and cutting system includes: a frame moving device configured to support a vehicle frame and to transport the vehicle frame; an inspection robot including a first camera configured to capture first images of a side of the vehicle frame; a cutting robot configured to cut holes through vehicle frames and including an identifier disposed on an outer surface of the cutting robot; a second camera disposed vertically above the frame moving device, the inspection robot, and the cutting robot and configured to capture second images vertically downwardly; a control module configured to, based on the first images and the second images: move and actuate the cutting robot and position a cutting tool of the cutting robot at a target location on the vehicle frame; and cut a hole through the vehicle frame at the target location.

High accuracy robotic plasma cutting and inspection system

A tool configured for installing trim molding at an installation site. The tool includes: first coupling members configured to couple the trim molding to the tool; second coupling members configured to couple the tool to the installation site; and an actuator configured to move the trim molding off of the first coupling members and onto the installation site when the tool is coupled to the installation site with the second coupling members.

Systems and methods for installing trim molding

A compliant end effector includes a robot mounting bracket and a component support member. The component support member includes a side surface and a top surface. A component clamping system includes a first clamp member operable to move toward the side surface of the component support member and a second clamp member operable to move toward the top surface of the component support member. A controller is operatively connected to the clamping system. The controller is configured to engage the first and second clamp members as the component gripping and manipulating system is in a set position and release the first clamp member and the second clamp member allowing a portion of a component held by the component clamping system to move with one or more degrees of freedom when the component gripping and manipulating system is moving to the set position.

Controlled compliant gripping and manipulating system for a robot

Systems, methods, and apparatuses of a welding system are disclosed and include a first stage of a scanning device for scanning weld parts to generate a three-dimensional (3D) profile of a weld target wherein the 3D profile captures matching imperfections of a meeting together of the set of weld parts when performing the weld operation; and the second stage of a monitoring device to monitor the weld operation and to generate a data of high-resolution measurements of the weld operation; wherein the first stage further includes the monitoring device determining a weld schedule based on the 3D profile, and to adjust the weld schedule while the weld operation progresses to adapt to predicted distortion based on the 3D profile and to sensed distortion; wherein the second stage further includes a plurality of sensors to sense a set of components associated with the weld operation to generate high-resolution data of measurements.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses, of an arc welding (AW) process and quality monitoring

Systems and methods are provided for locating a pair of components relative to one another using complex surfaces. One component has a complex surface, where the complex surface is smoothly contoured. Another component is shaped to be connected with the first component. A fixture locates the first component relative to the second component. The fixture includes a locator with a complex surface region shaped to mate with the complex surface of the one component to locate the fixture relative to that component. The fixture includes another locator to locate the fixture relative to the second component.

Complex locating fixture system and method

Systems and methods for changing end-of-arm tools and methods for manufacturing vehicles are provided. An exemplary end-of-arm tool changing system includes a rotatable tool rack configured to hold at least two end-of-arm tools and configured to move a selected end-of-arm tool from a far location to a near location. The exemplary end-of-arm tool changing system further includes a robot configured to reach the near location for attachment of the selected end-of-arm tool to the robot.

System and method for changing end-of-arm tools

A robotic system for presenting a payload within a workspace includes a pair of serial robots configured to connect to the payload, a parallel robot coupled to a distal end of one of the serial robots such that the parallel robot is disposed between the distal end and the payload, a sensor situated within a kinematic chain extending between the distal end and the payload, and a robot control system (RCS). The sensor outputs a sensor signal indicative of a measured property of the payload. The RCS includes a coordinated motion controller configured to control the serial robots, and a corrective motion controller configured to control the parallel robot. Parallel robot control occurs in response to the sensor signal concurrently with control of the serial robots in order to thereby modify the property of the payload in real-time.

Compliant payload presentation using robotic system with coordinated serial and parallel robots

A system and method of enhanced automated welding of a first workpiece and a second workpiece are provided. The method comprises providing a system for intelligent robot-based welding of the first workpiece and the second workpiece. The method further comprises determining a geometrical location of the first workpiece and the second workpiece to be welded at a welding sequence based a predetermined process variable. The method further comprises adjusting the predetermined process variable based on the geometrical location of the first and second workpieces to define an actual process variable. The method further comprises welding a first portion of the first and second workpieces with the actual process variable to define a first welded portion. The method further comprises determining a weld quality of the first welded portion.

System and method of enhanced automated welding of first and second workpieces

A component assembly system comprises a first robot arm having a first end-of-arm tool mounted thereon and adapted to grasp a first subcomponent; a second robot arm having a second end of arm tool mounted thereon and adapted to grasp a second subcomponent. A system controller is adapted to control the first and second robot arms and first and second end-of-arm tools to position the first and second subcomponents relative to one another. A first interlocking mechanism is mounted onto the first end-of-arm tool and a second interlocking mechanism is mounted onto the second end-of-arm tool, wherein the first and second interlocking mechanisms engage one another and lock the first end-of-arm tool to the second end-of arm tool, thereby locking the first and second subcomponents into an initial position relative to one another.

Component assembly system

A clamp system and method for measurement and control of welding a first substrate to a second substrate is provided. The system comprises a squeeze clamp having to a first end and a second end. The system further comprises a motor connected to the squeeze clamp such that the first and second ends are movable to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate. The system further comprises at least one of an electromagnetic flux sensor, a current sensor, a position sensor, and a gap sensor disposed on one of the first and second ends for determining a first measured variable between the first and second substrates. The system further comprises a controller to control the motor to clamp the first substrate to the second substrate based on the first measured variable. The controller is in communication with the electromagnetic flux sensor, the current sensor, and the gap sensor.

Clamp system and method for control of welding a first substrate to a second substrate

A method for identifying distracted pedestrians. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle controllers. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using a plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of face positions, body positions, gait and hand gestures. Information related to an environment surrounding the vehicle is acquired. Pedestrian awareness level is determined based on the acquired pedestrian parameters and based on the information related to the environment surrounding the vehicle. A determination is made whether the pedestrian awareness level is below a predefined threshold. The pedestrian is classified as distracted, in response to determining that the pedestrian awareness level is below the predefined threshold.

Identification of distracted pedestrians

A method of assembling a plurality of subcomponents to form a finished component comprises gripping a first subcomponent with a first end-of-arm tool, wherein the first end-of-arm tool is attached to a first robot arm and grasping a second subcomponent with a second end-of-arm tool, wherein the second end-of-arm tool is attached to a second robot arm. Moving the first and second end-of-arm tools to position the first subcomponent relative to the second subcomponent in a pre-assembly position and then moving the first and second end-of-arm tools to engage interface surfaces of the first and second subcomponents. Forming a joint between the first subcomponent and the second subcomponent with a joining tool attached to a joining robot arm to thereby assemble the finished component.

Fixtureless component assembly

A method for improving pedestrian safety is provided. The method includes determining operating conditions of a vehicle using a plurality of vehicle sensors. A path of the vehicle is predicted based on the determined operating conditions. Pedestrian parameters for a pedestrian in a vicinity of the vehicle are acquired using the plurality of vehicle sensors. The pedestrian parameters include at least one of a position, a speed of the pedestrian, gait, body posture and a level of distractedness. A determination is made whether a notification of the pedestrian is necessary based on the determined vehicle operating conditions and the acquired pedestrian parameters. A mode of notification of the pedestrian is selected from a plurality of modes of notification, in response to determining that the notification of the pedestrian is necessary. The pedestrian is notified using the selected mode of notification.

Growing community of inventors

Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Miguel Arturo Saez