초록 ▼

A permanently installed manufacturing system, to join together loose part sub-assemblies with quick change workstations and exchange tool transporters. The flexible manufacturing process involves the automatic, or manual, joining of loose components, regardless of the assembly technology used, the m

A permanently installed manufacturing system, to join together loose part sub-assemblies with quick change workstations and exchange tool transporters. The flexible manufacturing process involves the automatic, or manual, joining of loose components, regardless of the assembly technology used, the model mix required, or the type of product to be assembled. The system allows the utilization of interchangeable flex-tools, supported on various types of power and free transporters, that can be programmably controlled and automatically changes over. The system will accommodate batch runs, random runs, prototype runs, as well as synchronous and asynchronous operations.

대표청구항 ▼

A production line for performing a series of different operations on a variety of workpieces in seriatim, the line comprising: a plurality of successive work stations each containing at least one machine for performing one of said operations on said workpieces, at least one of said work stations con

A production line for performing a series of different operations on a variety of workpieces in seriatim, the line comprising: a plurality of successive work stations each containing at least one machine for performing one of said operations on said workpieces, at least one of said work stations containing at least one machine, wherein said machine performs at least one operation from at least two of said series of different operations; transport means for carrying said workpieces through said succession of work stations, said transport means being selectively operable to move every said workpiece on said line simultaneously or to move any select number of said workpieces on said line asynchronously; and means for orienting and holding each said workpiece at the respective work stations.