Method and apparatus for engine piston installation by use of industrial robots

An apparatus for stuffing a piston assembly into an associated bore extending downward from an upper surface of an engine block, said piston assembly comprising:

• a rod cap;
• and
• a piston subassembly comprising a connecting rod having a groove on at least one side of said connecting rod suitable for coupling to said rod cap and a piston head provided with one or more rings, the apparatus comprising:
• a first robot comprising a fixture for picking up said engine block;
• and
• a second robot separate from said first robot, said second robot adapted to work in conjunction with said first robot, said second robot comprising a gripper having a lower surface, said gripper having an extensible finger for insertion into said groove of said rod and one or more jaws for gripping said piston, said gripper transporting said piston subassembly to said associated bore of said engine block, said gripper comprising a detection unit for detecting the presence of said one or more rings;
• said first robot capable of orienting said engine block so that said second robot can stuff said piston subassembly in said associated bore of said engine block without said gripper entering said bore, said gripper lower surface contacting said upper surface of said engine block when said second robot stuffs said piston subassembly in said associated bore even if said
• associated bore is not in a location known to said second robot for stuffing said piston subassembly into said associated bore.