Method and apparatus using a multifaceted turret for robotic assembly

A improvement in a robotics system for assembling a multiplicity of parts, said multiplicity of parts characterized by a plurality of types, said robotic system including a corresponding plurality of hoppers for arranging said multiplicity of parts of each type in a pick-up position in a predetermined orientation, a conveyor mechanism for transporting and selectively retaining a workpiece to which said multiplicity of parts are to be assembled at an assembly position, a robotic arm for moving said multiplicity of parts from said pick-up position to said assembly position, a controller for timing and controlling movement of said robotic arm, said improvement comprising;

• a rotatable multifaceted turret coupled to said robotic arm, each facet of said turret including a member arranged and configured to mate with one of said plurality of types of said parts and to temporarily retain said part on said facet;
• and
• means for selectively rotating said turret to orient each facet of said turret in a predetermined orientation,
• whereby a multiplicity of said parts of said plurality types may be temporarily retained on said turret when in said pick-up position, moved to said assembly position and assembled on said workpiece with a single movement of said robotic arm between said pick-up position and assembly position.

A method for assembling a multiplicity of parts on a workpiece, said multiplicity of parts comprised of a plurality of characteristic types, said method comprising the step of:

• disposing said parts in a pick-up position, said parts segregated in said pick-up position by said type of said part;
• picking up at least one part of said plurality of types of said parts in said pick-up position with a rotatable multifaceted turret mounted on a robotic arm;
• moving said turret from said pick-up position to an assembly position in a single motion between said two positions;
• installing said parts on said turret onto said workpiece when in said assembly position,
• whereby robotic assembly time required for assembly of a multiplicity of parts of a plurality of types is substantially decreased.

A improvement in a method of assembling a multiplicity of parts of a plurality of distinguishable types on to a workpiece comprising the steps of:

• loading a rotatable multifaceted turret with a multiplicity of parts of said plurality of distinguishable types when in a pick-up position;
• moving said turret from a pick-up position to an assembly position, said workpiece disposed at said assembly position;
• installing said multiplicity of parts of said plurality of types of said workpiece when in said assembly position;
• and
• moving said turret from said assembly position in a single motion back to said pick-up position,
• whereby operational cycles of robotic assembly of a multiplicity of parts of a plurality of types is substantially decreased.