System and method for automated assembly of components

A system for automatically handling components to be assembled onto a product on an assembly line, the system comprising:

• a frame locatable adjacent the assembly line;
• a carriage supported on the frame for movement to and between a first, retracted position spaced a distance away from the assembly line, and a second, work position displaced from the retracted position in a direction toward the assembly line;
• a multi-axis articulating manipulator supported on the carriage, the manipulator including a base coupled with the carriage and a tool mounting plate controllably movable relative to the base in at least three degrees of freedom;
• the manipulator base arranged in a first orientation when the carriage is in the first position, and pivoted to a second orientation when the carriage is in the second position;
• and
• a component mounting tool coupled with the tool mounting plate of the manipulator, the component mounting tool configured to receive and support at least one component for assembly to the product;
• wherein a component on the component mounting tool is supported in a pose for loading and/or processing when the carriage is in the first position, and the component is supported in a pose for joining to the product when the carriage is in the second position.