US 6,170,163 B2Granted

Method of assembling components of an assembly using a laser image system

AssigneeVirtek Vision Corporation

InventorsRobert A. Bordignon, Richard M. Bordignon

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A method of assembling components of an assembly, such as the components of a truss, using a laser imaging system in combination with assembly jigs. The jigs may be slidably mounted on an assembly table wherein the jigs include laser alignment indicia on a top surface of the jigs spaced a predetermined distance from a side surface of the jigs. The method includes projecting an enlarged laser generated outline of at least a portion of the components to be assembled which is spaced laterally from an outline or template of the components in the assembled position a distance equal to the distance between the laser alignment indicia and the side surface of the jigs and spaced vertically a distance equal to the distance between the indicia and the work surface. The jigs are then moved on the work surface to align the laser alignment indicia with the enlarged outline and affixed relative to the work surface. Finally, the components are assembled on the work surface in generally abutting relation with the side surfaces of the jigs and assembled. Where the assembly method of this invention is used for assembling trusses, the laser generated outline may be used to orient the truss planks.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of assembling the components of an assembly on a work surface using a laser imaging system, said work surface including a plurality of jigs moveable on said work surface and fixable to said work surface to define the relative positions of said assembly components, and said jigs each including a laser alignment indicia on a top surface of said jigs spaced above said work surface, said indicia spaced a predetermined distance from a side surface of said jigs, and said side surfaces of said jigs defining said relative positions of said components of said assembly when assembled on said work surface, said method comprising the following steps:

projecting a laser image on said work surface, said laser image including an enlarged outline of at least a portion of said components of said assembly in the desired location spaced laterally from an outline of said components a distance equal to said predetermined distance from said indicia to said side surface of said jigs and spaced vertically from said work surface a distance equal to the distance between said work surface and said top surface of said jigs;
moving a plurality of jigs on said work surface to align said laser alignment indicia on said top surface of said jigs with said laser image enlarged outline and fixing said jigs on said work surface, wherein said side surfaces of said jigs in combination define an outline of said components of said assembly in the desired assembled position;
and
placing said components of said assembly on said work surface adjacent said side surfaces of said jigs and assembling said components in said assembly.

1 more element

A method of assembling the components of a truss on a work surface using a laser image alignment system, said components of said truss comprising a plurality of planks and truss connector plates, said work surface including a plurality of jigs moveable on said work surface and fixable relative to said work surface, said jigs each having a side surface, said side surfaces of said jigs defining in combination the relative positions of said components of said truss on said work surface and said jigs each including a laser alignment indicia on a top surface spaced above said work surface and said laser alignment indicia spaced a predetermined distance from said side surface of said jigs, said method comprising the following steps:

projecting a laser image on said work surface, said laser image including an enlarged outline of at least a portion of said components in a predetermined orientation of said truss spaced laterally from an outline of said components a distance equal to said predetermined distance from said laser alignment indicia to said side surface of said jigs and spaced vertically from said work surface a distance equal to the distance between said work surface and said top surface of said jigs;
moving a plurality of jigs on said work surface to align said laser alignment indicia of said jigs with said laser image enlarged outline and fixing said jigs relative to said work surface, wherein said side surfaces of said jigs define in combination an outline of said components of said truss in said predetermined orientation of said truss;
and
placing said components of said truss on said work surface in generally abutting relation with said side surfaces of said jigs and assembling said components of said truss by interconnecting said planks in said predetermined orientation with said truss connector plates.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.