Device for testing screwdrivers in automatic stations, test method and plant

A plant (11, 15) for processing of objects, comprising at least one robotic station (11) equipped with a plurality of automatic screwdrivers (12) mounted on positioning units of the robotic station and intended to execute tightening operation on tighten elements (18) of an object (17) entering the robotic station, and a control system controlling the tightening operations performed by the screwdrivers;

• a transport system (15) for sequential transporting of such objects inside the robotic station to execute the tightening operation and outside the robotic station (11) once the tightening operation has been completed, and
• a test device (10) for testing automatic screwdrivers in the robotic station for tightening elements of the object handled in the robotic station, wherein the test device includes:
• a transport frame intended to be coupled with the transport system for sequential transporting of the objects inside and outside the robotic station, so as to be transported inside and outside the robotic station in place of an object handled in the robotic station;
• a frame (20) on the transport frame suitable for being inserted in the robotic station with the transport frame instead of the object being handled in the robotic station;
• a plurality of screwdriver test heads (21) arranged on the frame (20) to be able to be reached by the automatic screwdrivers of the robotic station when the test device is in the robotic station, wherein each test head is movable on the frame (20) by a displacement carriage (25) to assume at least two different positions for coupling with different automatic screwdrivers;
• a control unit (24) connected to the test heads (21) in order to control the operation of the test heads (21), to control movement of the test heads (21) via the displacement carriage (25), based on the robotic station, and detect tightening parameters of screwdrivers applied to the test heads (21) by the robotic station;
• and an onboard power source for powering the test heads (21) and the control unit (24),
• the robotic station being controllable so as to apply the automatic screwdrivers (12) to the test heads (21) of the test device (10) when the test device (10) enters the robotic station (11) in place of an object (17).