IES970922A2 - A Workstation - Google Patents

Abstract

A production system (1) has workstations (2), each having a bench (3) with a movable service rail (4). Each service rail (4) is movable to allow very quick configuration of the system (1). A lamp (20) is mounted on cantilevered arms (24) to lie directly overhead a bench (3). Each rail (4) also has an electrical power duct (15) and a pneumatic supply (14) having outlets for production and test apparatus on the bench (3). There is a single switch (17) for each duct (15) and this allows interconnection to an overhead duct system (5).<Fig.2>

Description

The invention relates to a workstation for production of cable harnesses, and particularly cable harnesses for electronic equipment such as telecommunication switches.

Particular aspects of production of cable harnesses are that raw material handling is difficult because some components are very small and cables by their nature do not lend themselves to automated handling. However, some systems such as those described in European Patent Specification No. EP0773610 (Stocko) and United States Patent Specification No. US5016345 (Mecanismos Auxiliaries) have been devised to minimise operator handling and improve efficiency. It appears that these systems would achieve these benefits in situations where there are relatively high volumes of a particular harness product and change-over from product to another is infrequent, but not with low volumes and frequent product changes.

There is therefore a need for a workstation which allows flexibility for production of a range of different harness products with excellent efficiency.

According to the invention there is provided a workstation comprising:20 a movable workbench supporting raw material bins and a movable service rail, wherein each service rail comprises:an upstanding frame on stabilising feet, the frame having a pair of uprights and at least one transverse brace, a lamp supported at an upper part of the frame for illuminating a workbench placed alongside it, ~ ................——. ......... .1, .1,—— .

OPEN TO PUBLIC INSPECTION UNDER SECTION 28 AND RULE 23 JNL. No. 1115. ..OF .2(.9 S9 7 0 9 2 2· -2an electrical power duct extending between the uprights and having outlet sockets along its length and a switch connected to an upwardly-directly service cable extending along an upright, and a pneumatic supply extending between the uprights, the supply having connectors along its length; and production apparatus and a test apparatus mounted on the workbenches and receiving power from the service rail.

Preferably, each service rail comprises at least two cantilevered support arms supporting the lamp whereby there is direct illumination centred over a workbench.

In one embodiment, the service rail has a width equal to an integer multiple of the width of the workbench.

Preferably, the rail electrical switch is mounted on an upright and interconnects the power duct and the service cable.

The invention will be more quickly understood from the following description of some embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a production system having workstations of the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the side of a workstation; and Fig. 3 is a pair of perspective views of a trolley for transfer of work-in-progress from one workstation to another. -3S9 70 9 92.’ Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 3, a production system 1 comprises six workstations 2. Each workstation 2 comprises a movable workbench 3 and a movable service rail 4. These are described in more detail below. The system 1 also comprises a grid of overhead power ducts 5. Power is delivered from the ducts 5 via the service rails 4 to various production apparatus 6 on the benches 3. Fig. 1 also illustrates work-inprogress 7 and two trolleys 8.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, construction of a service rail 4 is now described in more detail. Each service rail 4 comprises a pair of heavy disc-shaped feet 10 supporting a pair of base uprights 11, in tum supporting a pair of narrower main uprights 12. There are two structural crossbars 13 interconnecting the uprights. In addition, a pneumatic supply pipe 14 extends across the uprights and has outlets for connection to production apparatus. Each service rail 4 also comprises an electric power duct 15 extending between the uprights. Each duct 15 has a series of sockets 16 just above bench surface level and at one end of the duct 15 there is a switch 17 for switching of all electrical power for the rail 4. A vertical cable duct 18 extends from the switch 17 along one of the main uprights 12 and a cable 19 within this duct is connected at one end to the rail electrical switch 17 and at the other end to a socket in an overhead power duct 5.

An important aspect of the invention is the fact that the workstations 2 can be very quickly configured for production of a particular harness product. This allows available factory floor space to be used to configure production systems very quickly and in a manner which allows efficiency. As is clear from Fig. 1 relatively little space is taken up by the production system because of the U-shaped configuration. It will be appreciated that this system may be very quickly set up by simply moving workbenches 3 and service rails 4 according to the desired configuration. Each service rail 4 may be easily moved by simply disconnecting the cable 19 from the overhead power duct and the pneumatic sockets, moving it to the desired location, and re-connecting to new sockets. Each rail 4 provides full illumination for a workstation by virtue of the fact that it supports a -4fluorescent lamp 20 on cantilevered support arms 21 which allow location of the lamp 20 directly over the bench 3.. Each service rail 4 provides a comprehensive set of electrical and pneumatic outlets for use by the operator according to the desired production apparatus configuration.

While these features may appear to be very' simple, it has been found that they are extremely effective for quick harness product production set-up, and for providing an efficient system for use by operators.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, the trolley 8 is now described in more detail. Each trolley 8 comprises a support frame 30 on castor wheels 31. The frame 30 comprises a broad base 32 which tapers upwardly and inwardly to an upper base 33. The frame supports a platform 34 having transverse bars to support work-in-progress lying flat on the bars. The upper base 33 supports transverse suspension bars which extend upwardly at each end. Also, the upper base 33 supports a looped bar 36. Finally, the trolley 8 comprises an upper H-section 37 on the upper base 33.

It will be appreciated that the trolley 8 allows movement of work in progress between the workstations in a comprehensive manner. Work in progress which is best placed on a platform may be placed on the platform 38, while relatively complex pieces such as complex harnesses may be suspended from the suspension bars 35 or 36. Relatively large harnesses may be suspended from the H-section 37. Thus, the trolley 8, while requiring relatively little “footprint” provides for movement of a wide variety of different types of work in progress and harnesses between workstations in a simple and effective maimer. The configuration of the various supports such as the support bar 35 and 36 allows small batches to be transported together for excellent traceability. Small items are supported particularly effectively on the looped bar 36. 5970922. -5It will be appreciated that the invention provides a workstation which may be used in a very simple and flexible manner for a production of a wide range of harness products with a short set-up time and high efficiency.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but may be varied in construction and detail within the scope of the claims.

S9 7 0 9 2 2

Claims (3)

1. A workstation comprising:5 a movable workbench supporting raw material bins and a movable service rail, wherein each service rail comprises:an upstanding frame on stabilising feet, the frame having a pair of uprights and at least one transverse brace, a lamp supported at an upper part of the frame for illuminating a workbench placed alongside it, an electrical power duct extending between the uprights and having outlet 15 sockets along its length and a switch connected to an upwardly-directly service cable extending along an upright, and a pneumatic supply extending between the uprights, the supply having connectors along its length; and production apparatus and a test apparatus mounted on the workbenches and receiving power from the service rail.

2. A workstation as claimed in claim 1, wherein each service rail comprises at least 25 two cantilevered support arms supporting the lamp whereby there is direct illumination centred over a workbench.

3. A workstation as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the service rail has a width equal to an integer multiple of the width of the workbench. S 9 70 β22 -7A workstation as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rail electrical switch is mounted on an upright and interconnects the power duct and the service cable. A workstation substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.