Robotic turntable drive arrangement in a robotic roller hemming system
AssigneeTesco Engineering, Inc.
InventorJames Toeniskoetter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A robotic turntable drive arrangement in a robotic roller hemming system includes a turntable having a top plate and a lower frame. The top plate is rotatable about the lower frame. The turntable further includes a plurality of lock positions. The arrangement also includes a robot having an arm adapted for engagement with the turntable top plate. Movement of the robot arm while the robot arm is engaged with the turntable top plate rotates the turntable top plate.
Claims11
A robotic turntable drive arrangement in a robotic roller hemming system comprising:
- a turntable having a top plate and a lower frame, said top plate being rotatable about said lower frame;
- said turntable further including a plurality of lock positions;
- and
- a robot having an arm adapted for engagement with said turntable top plate;
- wherein movement of said robot arm while said robot arm is engaged with said turntable top plate rotates said turntable top plate.
A robotic turntable drive arrangement in a robotic roller hemming system comprising:
- a robot including a base and a swingable, movable arm;
- said robot having a first axis of rotation extending through said base;
- a turntable including a lower frame, a top plate, and a rotatable bearing connecting said lower frame to said top plate;
- said top plate being rotatable on said frame via said bearing;
- said rotatable bearing including a round gear having a multiplicity of teeth defining lock positions around said round gear;
- said robot arm being engagable with said turntable top plate;
- and
- a locking device for locking said turntable at one of said lock positions;
- wherein said turntable top plate is rotatable by said robot arm via said bearing when said locking device is unlocked, whereby locking said locking device temporarily fixes said turntable at one of said lock positions.
A method of driving a turntable in a robotic roller hemming system comprising the steps of:
- providing a robotic turntable drive including:
- a robot including a base and a swingable, movable arm;
- said robot having a first axis of rotation extending through said base;
- a turntable including a lower frame, a top plate, and a rotatable bearing connecting said lower frame to said top plate;
- said top plate being rotatable on said frame via said bearing;
- said rotatable bearing including a round gear having a multiplicity of teeth defining lock positions around said round gear;
- said robot arm being engagable with said turntable top plate;
- and
- a locking device for locking said turntable at one of said lock positions;
- wherein said turntable top plate is rotatable by said robot arm via said bearing when said locking device is unlocked, whereby locking said locking device temporarily fixes said turntable at one of said lock positions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.