Other

Wes-tech, Inc.

Wes-tech Automation Solutions, LLC

Robert J Weskamp

M Richard Tennerstedt

Jason Arends

Eric Walter Nordstrom

James A Morbeck

A flexible manufacturing system utilizing modular work stations configured to provide asynchronous operations on a plurality of work pieces mounted on fixtures or pallets that are transported through the system by means of a conveyor or rail arrangement. The pallets are diverted from the track on which they are transported linearly to a desired machining module adjacent to, but removed from, the track, such that the machining is performed in a chamber isolated from the track. Each machining module may be utilized in more than one location on the track and the modules may be interchanged depending on the desired operation sequence and the tools available in each of the machining station modules.

Flexible manufacturing system having modular work stations

A conveyor system having an automatic lubricating system for the conveyor chain and its associated guide track is provided. The conveyor system includes a conveyor chain, a guide track, a lubricator, and a support frame. The guide track is carried by the support frame, and has a bottom wall with a guide surface and an aperture. The conveyor chain has interconnecting links, and is supported by the guide track for movement. Each of the links of the conveyor chain has a lower surface that may contact the guide surface of the guide track when the conveyor chain is moved. The lubricator is mounted on the support frame, and includes a separator dividing the lubricator into a lubricant chamber and a gas compartment. The lubricator includes an electrochemical cell in the gas compartment for generating gas that flows against the separator to move the separator against the lubricant in the chamber to force the lubricant through an outlet. An adapter block and piping are used to place the lubricator outlet in fluid communication with the aperture in the bottom wall of the guide track. When the lubricator is activated, lubricant exits the lubricator, and travels through the adapter block and the aperture in the bottom wall of the guide track. When the links pass over areas near the aperture, the lower surfaces of the links contact the lubricant and a lubricating film is formed between guide surface of the guide track and the lower surface of each link.

Automatic chain track lubricator

A stabilized pallet-type carrier is provided for use with automatic conveyor systems. The pallet-type carrier includes stabilizing means disposed at outer ends thereof for engaging the track support which keeps the pallet level or horizontal through turns in the conveyor system. The stabilized pallet-type carrier also features spring-biased or spring-loaded shoe assemblies that provide shock-absorbing and vibration-dampening capabilities. The present invention also provides an improved lightweight pallet guide or shoe that combines the benefits of using a lightweight material such as plastic or polyurethane with the superior wear characteristics of using a metallic material such as steel.

Method and apparatus for stabilizing pallet-type conveyor systems

An improved combination carrier and stop assembly is provided for use in automated conveyor assembly systems. The carrier includes a reject pin having two positions that flags defective workpieces and further confirms that non-defective workpieces have passed the previous quality checks. The carrier also includes an improved mechanism for being grasped and lifted by the stop assembly unit of the present invention thereby enabling the stop assembly unit to grasp and lift the carrier and workpiece above the forwardly moving conveyor. The stop assembly detects the presence of a carrier, automatically checks the defective/non-defective status of the workpiece and thereafter grasps and lifts the carrier and workpiece above the conveyor if a task is to be performed. The stop assembly also includes an air-assisted release mechanism to facilitate the release of the carrier from the stop assembly after the task is performed. A programmable controller controls the moving parts of the stop assembly.

Conveyor with three plane locking system

A stabilized pallet-type carrier is provided for use with automatic conveyor systems. The pallet-type carrier includes a stabilizer means disposed at outer ends thereof for engaging the track support which keeps the pallet level or horizontal through turns in the conveyor system. The stabilized pallet-type carrier also features spring-biased or spring-loaded shoe assemblies that engage the conveyors. The spring-loaded shoe assemblies provide shock absorbing qualities for the carrier as the carrier is transported by the automated conveyor system. The stabilizing features of the present invention provide an improved pallet-type carrier that maintains a level or horizontal posture during sharp turns in a conveyor system and during a transition between a single conveyor and dual or parallel conveyors. The present invention also provides an improved lightweight pallet guide or shoe that combines the benefits of using a lightweight material such as plastic or polyurethane with the superior wear characteristics of using a metallic material such as steel.

A buffer/brake system is provided for carriers used in an automated assembly system. The rear ends of the carriers are equipped with a flexible ring that is compressed when the queued carrier is struck by an oncoming carrier. Compression of the flexible ring engages the sidewalls of the track support that accommodates the conveyor and the frictional engagement of the ring against the sidewalls of the track support act as a brake for the queued carrier. The ring also acts to absorb the shock resulting from the collision between the queued carrier and the oncoming carrier. The buffer/brake system is fully incorporated in and fixedly attached to the carrier and is not placed on the conveyor separately.

Conveying system having carrier unit with bumper and braking

This invention relates generally to a coupling system for releasably attaching any one of a number of robotically controlled tools (robotic 'hands') to a robotically controlled extension arm. The coupling system tightly locks the hand to the robotic arm by combined air and spring pressure such that, even under heavy duty use, the hand will not unintentionally twist or move relative to the arm, yet the hand and arm may be quickly disengaged by release of locking air pressure and imposition of unlocking air pressure which enables ball means to be cammed out of locking engagement.

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Buffalo Grove, IL, United States of America

Robert J Weskamp