Automatic assembly machine and method utilizing six-axis positioning device
AssigneeGiddings & Lewis, Inc.
InventorPaul D. Terpstra
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for automatically assembling a plurality of identical first articles onto a second article. The second article is supported by a platform which is movable about three linear axes and three rotational axes by a six-axis positioning device. The first articles are held in a fixed position and the second article is positioned so as to insert the first articles into the second article as required. In the preferred embodiment, a torque converter turbine drum is supported by the platform to engage turbine blades which are supported in fixed position with respect thereto. The turbine drum is rotated with respect to the blades so as to permit the insertion of the blades into the drum by rotation and positioning of the drum in six axes.
Claims31
An assembly machine for assembling a first article with a second article, the machine comprising:
- a movable platform for supporting the second article;
- a positioning device for supporting the platform on a base and for providing continuously controllable movements of the platform linearly along three substantially orthogonal axes with respect to the base and rotationally about at least two of the orthogonal axes;
- and
- a holding mechanism for holding the first article in a fixed position relative to the base, whereby the controllable movements of the platform relative to the holding mechanism cause engagement of the second article into an assembled position with the first article.
A system for automatically assembling a plurality of parts into a housing, the system comprising:
- a six-axis positioning device having a base, six powered legs, and a movable platform for supporting the housing, the positioning device configured to provide continuously controllable movements of the platform linearly along and rotationally about three substantially orthogonal axes with respect to the base;
- a holding mechanism for holding the parts in a fixed position relative to the base;
- and
- a computerized controller configured to provide programmable control of the six-axis positioning device such that the controllable movements of the platform relative to the holding mechanism cause engagement of the parts with the housing.
A method of assembling a first article with a second article comprising the steps of:
- securing the second article to a six-axis positioning device configured to position the second article using both linear movements along three substantially orthogonal axes and rotational movements about at least two of the orthogonal axes in accordance with a computer program;
- holding the first article in a fixed position with respect to the second article with a holding mechanism;
- controlling the movement of the six-axis positioning device with respect to the holding mechanism in accordance with the computer program and in such a manner so as to assemble the second article and first article together using a plurality of multiple-axis movements including rotational movements;
- and
- releasing the first article from the holding mechanism.
An apparatus for assembling a first article with a second article, the apparatus comprising:
- means for securing the second article to a six-axis positioning device adapted to position the second article using both linear movements along three substantially orthogonal axes and rotational movements about at least two of the orthogonal axes in accordance with a computer program;
- means for holding the first article in a fixed position with respect to the second article with a holding mechanism and for subsequently releasing the first article from the holding mechanism;
- and
- means for controlling the movement of the six-axis positioning device with respect to the holding mechanism in accordance with the computer program and in such a manner so as to assemble the second article and first article together using a plurality of multiple-axis movements including rotational movements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.