Machine integrated positioning system

A machine integrated positioning system, comprising:

• a parts forming machine configured to receive a raw part with a register mark from a raw parts station disposed adjacent to the parts forming machine into an initial forming position and, through an operation of the parts forming machine, form the raw part into a finished part for subsequent delivery to a finished parts station disposed adjacent to the parts forming machine;
• a light positioning device affixed to the parts forming machine and configured to project a light beam to at least one of the raw parts station, the initial forming position, and the finished parts station;
• a vision device affixed to the parts forming machine and configured to detect an alignment of the register mark of the raw part with the light beam projected by the light positioning device and thereby an orientation of the raw part;
• and
• a controller in communication with the light positioning device and the vision device and configured to permit the operation of the machine to form the raw part into the finished part where the register mark of the raw part is aligned with the light beam, and to not permit the operation of the machine to form the raw part into the finished part where the register mark of the raw part is not aligned with the light beam.

A manufacturing method, comprising steps of:

• providing machine integrated positioning system, including a parts forming machine configured to receive a raw part with a register mark from a raw parts station disposed adjacent to the parts forming machine into an initial forming position and, through an operation of the parts forming machine, form the raw part into a finished part for subsequent delivery to a finished parts station disposed adjacent to the parts forming machine, a light positioning device that is affixed to the parts forming machine and configured to project a light beam to at least one of the raw parts station, the initial forming position, and the finished parts station, a vision device affixed to the parts forming machine and configured to detect an alignment of the register mark of the raw part with the light beam projected by the light positioning device and thereby an orientation of the raw part, and a controller in communication with the light positioning device and the vision device and configured to permit the operation of the machine to form the raw part into the finished part where the register mark of the raw part is aligned with the light beam, and to not permit the operation of the machine to form the raw part into the finished part where the register mark of the raw part is not aligned with the light beam;
• moving the raw part to the initial forming position;
• projecting, by the light positioning device, the light beam to the initial forming position;
• adjusting an orientation of the raw part to align the register mark of the raw part with the light beam;
• detecting, by the vision system, an alignment of the register mark of the raw part with the light beam in the initial forming position, the alignment indicating the orientation of the raw part at the initial forming position is correct;
• permitting, by the controller, the operation of the parts forming machine to form the raw part into the finished part;
• and
• moving the finished part from the parts forming machine to the finished parts station.