System, method and tooling for flexible assembly of cylinder-head valve trains

An automation system comprising:

• an automated fixture with a table to receive a cylinder-head and a rotary actuator to orient the cylinder-head for assembly at a first orientation, wherein the cylinder-head is supported upon a combustion surface of the cylinder-head in the first orientation of the cylinder-head;
• a first robot with a first tooling assembly to install valve springs, spring caps and retainer keys into a first surface of the cylinder-head from above the cylinder-head in the first orientation of the cylinder-head, the first tooling assembly comprising:
• at least one actuator supported upon the first robot,
• at least one shaft extending from the actuator, a mating surface provided on a distal end of the shaft to engage one of the spring caps with a plurality of the retainer keys within the spring cap, and
• a plurality of gripper fingers extending from the distal end of the shaft to grip one of the valve springs while retaining the spring cap between the valve spring and the mating surface of the shaft;
• and
• a second robot with a second tooling assembly further comprising an end effector with an actuator to retrieve valves and to install the valves from below the cylinder-head into the combustion surface of the cylinder-head, while in the first orientation, and to maintain the valves in the installed position during the installation of the spring caps and retainer keys by the first robot.

An automation system comprising:

• an automated fixture with a table to receive a cylinder-head and a rotary actuator to orient the cylinder-head for assembly at a first orientation, wherein the cylinder-head is supported upon a combustion surface of the cylinder-head in the first orientation of the cylinder-head;
• a first robot with a first tooling assembly to install valve springs, spring caps and retainer keys into a first surface of the cylinder-head from above the cylinder-head in the first orientation of the cylinder-head, the first tooling assembly comprising:
• at least one actuator supported upon the first robot,
• at least one shaft extending from the actuator, a mating surface provided on a distal end of the shaft to engage one of the spring caps with a plurality of the retainer keys within the spring cap, and
• a plurality of gripper fingers extending from the distal end of the shaft to grip one of the valve springs while retaining the spring cap between the valve spring and the mating surface of the shaft;
• and
• a second robot with a second tooling assembly further comprising an end effector with an actuator to retrieve valves and to install the valves from below the cylinder-head into the combustion surface of the cylinder-head, while in the first orientation, and to maintain the valves in the installed position during the installation of the spring caps and retainer keys by the first robot;
• and
• wherein the actuator of the end effector of the second tooling assembly further comprises vacuum cups to grip combustion surfaces of plugs of the valves.