# US 2013/0158696 A1 · Method and Apparatus for Assembling a Complex Product in a Parallel Process System > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158696 A1 - Document ID: US20130158696A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/530,190 - Filed: 2012-06-22 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2007-12-12 - Assignees: Comau S.p.A. - Inventors: Richard A. Wallace; John Graham; Theodore Robert Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158696A1 ## CPC - G05B 19/418: Total factory control, i.e. centrally controlling a plurality of machines, e.g. direct or distributed numerical control [DNC], flexible manufacturing systems [FMS], integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] or computer integrated manufacturing [CIM] - B23P 19/001: {Article feeders for assembling machines (screws or nuts being carried by a disposable strip or disc B25B23/045)} - B23P 19/042: {specially adapted for combustion engines (shape of casings adapted to facilitate fitting or dismantling of engine parts for combustion engines F02F7/0046)} - B23P 21/00: Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with program control - B23P 21/002: {the units stationary whilst being composed} - B23P 23/04: for both machining and other metal-working operations - G05B 19/41805: {characterised by assembly} - B23P 2700/50: Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines - G05B 2219/31054: Planning, layout of assembly system - Y02P 90/02: Total factory control, e.g. smart factories, flexible manufacturing systems [FMS] or integrated manufacturing systems [IMS] - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS ## Abstract A method and apparatus for assembling a complex product in a parallel process system wherein a collection of components are provided for assembling the complex product. The present invention involves transferring the collection of components to one of a plurality of similar computerized assembly cells through the use of a transport system. The collection of components is automatically assembled into the complex product through the use of the computerized assembly cells. The complex product is then transferred from one of the assembly cells to a computerized test cell, where the complex product is tested to ensure for the proper dimensioning and functioning of the complex product. The complex product is then transferred from the test cell via the transport system to either a part reject area or conveyor, if the product is defective, or to an automatic dunnage load or part return system, if the product is not defective. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for assembling a complex product, the steps comprising: providing a collection of sub-components and at least one base component to a loading station for assembling said complex product; automatically transporting said collection of sub-components and said at least one base component to at least one computerized cell through the use of a transport system; automatically assembling and testing said collection of sub-components and said base component into said complex product through the use of said at least one computerized cell; and automatically transporting said complex product to a delivery station through the use of said transport system. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method stated in claim 1, wherein said step of providing a collection of sub-components and at least one base component further comprise the steps of: manually loading said sub-components and said at least one base component into said transport system. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method as stated in claim 2, wherein said step of providing a collection of sub-components and at least one base component further comprise the steps of: providing a part delivery system for supplying said at least one base component to said transport system; and providing a kit delivery system for supplying said sub-components in a kit container to said transport system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method as stated in claim 3, wherein said step of providing a part delivery system further comprises the steps of: providing a conveyor for delivering said at least one base component to said transport system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method as stated in claim 4, wherein said step of providing a kit delivery system for supplying said sub-components in a kit container further comprises the steps of: automatically assembling said sub-components into said kit container through the use of at least one kit assembly cell; and providing a conveyor for delivering said kit container to said transport system. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method as stated in claim 5, wherein said step of providing a part delivery system further comprises the steps of: providing a conveyor for delivering said kit container with said sub-components assembled therein to said transport system. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The method as stated in claim 3, wherein said step of transporting said collection of said sub-components and said at least one base component further comprise the steps of: providing an overhead gantry system for transporting said kit container, said at least one base component, and said complex product to and from said loading station, said at least one computerized cell, and said delivery station. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The method as stated in claim 3, wherein said step of transferring said collection of said sub-components and said at least one base component further comprises the steps of: providing a computerized robotic arm for automatically transporting said kit container, said at least one base component, and said complex product to and from said loading station, said at least one computerized cell, and said delivery station. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The method as stated in claim 3, further comprising the steps of: securing said at least one base component in a rollover fixture in said at least one computerized cell for rotating said at least one base component in a desired orientation; and placing said kit container within one of said plurality of computerized cell. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method as stated in claim 1, further comprising the steps of: providing a computerized tool changer in said at least one computerized cell for automatically providing an appropriate tool for assembling and testing said sub-components to said at least one base component for forming said complex product; and providing three axes of linear movement between said at least one base component and said appropriate tool. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method stated in claim 1, wherein said at least one computerized cell further comprising the steps of: automatically assembling said collection of said sub-components and said base component into said complex product; and automatically testing said complex product to ensure for the proper assembly functionality of the complex product. ### Claim 12 A method for assembling a complex product, the steps comprising: providing a collection of sub-components and at least one base component to a loading station for assembling said complex product; automatically transporting said collection of sub-components and said at least one base component to at least one computerized cell through the use of a transport system; automatically assembling and testing said collection of said sub-components and said base component into said complex product through the use of at least one computerized robotic arm in said at least one computerized cell; providing a computerized tool changer in said at least one computerized cell for automatically providing an appropriate tool to said robotic arms for assembling and testing said sub-components to said at least one base component for forming said complex product; and automatically transporting said complex product to a delivery station through the use of said transport system. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method stated in claim 12, further comprising the steps of: providing three axes of linear movement to the robotic arms in order to properly assemble and test the complex product. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method as stated in claim 13, further comprising the steps of: providing a conveyor for delivering said at least one base component and said sub-components to said transport system.