The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 31, 1990
Filed:
Oct. 17, 1989
Ernst Zimmer, Friedberg, DE;
Kuka Schweissanlagen & Roboter GmbH, Augsburg, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and a device for automatically joining and matching assemblies consisting of several components each and retained on a workpiece carrier (4) in a transfer line with retoolable machining stations (3). In the machining station (3), the assembly components are first taken off the workpiece carrier, brought into the joining position relative to each other, retained there and machined, in particular tacked or finish-welded. To carry out these various activities and to make the machining station highly flexible, the latter has several tool carriers (22, 23) which can move in at least three axes. The tool carriers (22, 23) are each disposed in a parallel plane above or below the workpiece carrier (4) so they can travel freely. The tool carriers (22, 23) support individual tools which they can change automatically at stationary or movable tool magazines (31, 33, 34). In conjunction with freely programmable actuators for the independent motion of the individual tool carriers (22, 23), new sets of tools can be put together in mosaic fashion for the various activities and in the event of an assembly type change-over.