Flexible automation cell for performing secondary operations in concert with a machining center and roll check operations
AssigneeAutomation Controls & Engineering, LLC
InventorsPredrag Lazic, Chris Mackey, Steve Moore
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An automation cell for performing a plurality of secondary operations on manufactured parts is for use with a manufacturing machine operable to perform primary manufacturing of the parts. The automation cell includes a cell housing, a robot with a gripper mechanism capable of loading and unloading a part between the manufacturing machine and the automation cell, a gauging station being a secondary operation device and operable to gauge a parameter of a manufactured part, a marking device for marking the manufactured part, and a vision system for verifying the marking of the manufactured part.
Claims11
A method of performing a plurality of secondary operations on manufactured parts for use with a manufacturing machine operable to perform primary manufacturing of the parts, the method comprising:
- providing an automation cell having:
- a cell housing;
- a robot supported in the housing and having an elongated arm with a gripper mechanism disposed on the elongated arm;
- a gauging station supported in the housing, the gauging station operable to gauge a parameter of a manufactured part;
- and
- a marking device supported in the housing;
- a vision system supported in the housing;
- positioning the cell housing adjacent to the manufacturing machine to allow the robot arm to move a green part or a manufactured part between the cell housing and the manufacturing machine;
- retrieving the manufactured part from the manufacturing machine using the gripper mechanism of the robot;
- positioning the manufactured part in the gauging station;
- performing a gauging operation on the manufactured part within the cell housing and determining if the manufactured part meets a specification;
- marking the manufactured part within the cell housing using the marking device if the manufactured part meets the specification, the marking being an identification code;
- and
- using the vision system to verify the marking within the cell housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.