Automated part assembly machine

Abstract

An automated part assembly machine has a work table supported to a base and movable relative thereto and at least two separate robots each having an end effector movable around within an individual work region. The two robots are positioned in such a relation as to give a common work region in which the individual work regions of the two robots overlap. A parts supply is arranged to the work table for storing parts to be picked-up by the robots. A plurality of operator hands are selectively and removably attached to the end effector of the robot for handling the parts by the robot. Disposed within the common region is a jig which positions the parts for assembly by the robot. The robots and the work table are controlled to operate in cooperation for assembly of the parts. The machine is characterized in that the robots are mounted on the movable work table together with the operator hands and the jig with the robots spaced in the moving direction of the work table, and that the parts supply extends in the moving direction of the work table. Thus, the robots are enabled to move together with the jig and the operator hands relative to the parts supply so that the robots can reach over a wide range of the parts supply beyond the individual work regions to thereby successfully pick-up suitable parts and transfer them to the jig for immediate assembly of the parts. Further, since the operator hands are on the movable work table, the robot can change the operator hands while moving relative to the parts supply for effecting the part assembly substantially without interruption, in addition to the advantage of enabling one robot to change the operator hand while the other robot is handling the parts.