JPS60118428A - Method of centralizing and assembling parts from plural process lines - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To aim at reducing the lengthes of lines, by providing such an arrangement that the final step of each line is carried out by means of a rotary robot whose arm has a work means and a transfer means, and a complete assembly station is disposed within a transfer coverage area of robots in all work lines and a relay station. CONSTITUTION:First, second, third, fourth and fifth robots 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 are disposed in the final work stations I 1, II1, III1 of work lines I , II, III, in which parts are finally fabricated. The thus completed parts are transferred to next steps by means of robots 31, 32, 35 provided with transfer tools 31b, 32b, 35b, and a complete assembly station 41 is provided in the position where the rotary transfer pathes 32', 35' of the second and fifth robots 32, 35 cross together. Further, a relay station 42 is provided at one end of the rotary path 31' of the first robot 31, and as well a relay robot 36 having a rotary transfer path 36' is disposed between both stations 41, 42.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an assembly method used, for example, in assembling an automobile body, and in particular, to a method in which parts assembled on three or more lines are concentrated in one place. The present invention relates to a centralized assembly method for assembling each other to produce a product.

(Conventional technology) When manufacturing a product such as an automobile body by assembling and integrating multiple parts such as various panels, the main parts are assembled separately on multiple lines, and then A centralized assembly method is used in which these parts are concentrated in one place and further assembled together to form a product.

As shown in FIG. 1, for example, a line configuration adopted in such a centralized assembly method includes a plurality of assembly lines A, B, and C, each of which assembles each part separately, installed in parallel. An overall assembly station D is provided at the terminal end C' of one line C, and the other lines A and B
Terminal part A'.

It is common to install it on a conveyor line E for collecting parts that passes through B' and reaches the overall assembly station D.

However, according to such a line configuration, a conveyor line E for concentrating parts is required in addition to the assembly line, which complicates the configuration. Terminal part A'
, B', C' must be connected to the terminal A + of each assembly line A, 'B, C.

The layout is constrained, such as having to align the positions of B' and C'.

(Object of the Invention) The first invention of the present application is an assembly process for individual parts using at least three lines or more, and an overall assembly process in which these parts are further assembled together and integrated. Work and get the product you need! In the centralized assembly method of LJ manufacturing, parts are transported from each line to the overall assembly station by a robot responsible for final processing on each line and a separately provided relay robot.
It is possible to abolish the conventional conveyor line for concentrating parts. This not only simplifies the line, but also
The purpose is to increase the degree of freedom in line configuration and to make effective use of factory space.

Furthermore, the second invention according to the present application allows the relay robot in the first invention to also perform assembly processing work, thereby eliminating a process dedicated to conveyance, further improving efficiency, and reducing the number of work processes on the assembly line. The purpose is to shorten the line or save space by reducing the number of lines.

(Structure of the Invention) The centralized assembly method according to the present invention is structured as follows to achieve the above object.

That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the first invention includes at least three or more (three lines in the example) assembly lines 11, 12, 13 for assembling each part, and these lines 11, 12, 13. The final processing of each of the lines 11 to 13 is carried out by a rotary type assembly station in which a processing means and a conveying means are arranged side by side on an arm. This is carried out by the robots 31, 32, and 33, respectively, and the overall assembly station 2 is moved to the second. 3rd line 12
．． 13, and between one end of the transport area of the robot 31 responsible for the final processing of the other line 11 and the overall assembly station 2. Relay robot 4 is placed at .

According to such a configuration, a plurality of parts assembled separately on each assembly line 11 to 13 are transported to the overall assembly station 2 by the robots 31 to 33 in charge of final processing on each line 11 to 13 and the relay robot 4. The conventional conveyor line for assembling each part will be abolished. Furthermore, it is possible to arbitrarily configure the transport path depending on the installation position of each robot, the amount of rotation during transport, etc. according to the shape of the space, etc.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the second invention includes a plurality of assembly lines 11' to 13', an overall assembly station 2', and a robot that performs final processing and conveyance work on each of the lines 11' to 13'. 31' to 33' and a relay robot 4' are arranged in the same manner as in the first invention, a processing station 5' is provided within the rotational conveyance area of the relay robot 4', and a processing station 5' is also provided at a predetermined position. processing. Here, in the illustrated example, -0 of the 10th bot 31'
- Processing stations 6', 6' are also provided in the transport area. Further, it is also possible to perform the processing at a relay station 7' where the conveyance paths of the tenth bot 31' and the relay robot 4' intersect.

According to this invention, since the relay robot 4' is involved not only in the conveyance work (but also in the processing work), efficiency is improved and the number of work steps in the first line 11' corresponding to the relay robot 4' is reduced. and the line 11
' will be shortened.

In addition, the above 1. In the second invention, when there are four or more assembly lines, for the fourth and subsequent lines, parts are processed by the robot that performs the final processing and the relay robot, similar to the first lines 1t and 1+' in Figure 2.3. It will be transported to the overall assembly station.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the method of the present invention will be described based on a specific example of a centralized assembly line shown in the drawings.

First, the embodiment of the first invention will be described. -7- In this embodiment, the main constituent parts are a rear fender, a quarter panel, and a front pillar inner panel, which are assembled and processed separately, and then centrally integrated into an automobile. As shown in FIG. 4, the entire work area is separated into a human work area 10 and an automatic work area 20 by an imaginary boundary line XX.

On one side of the human work area 10, there is a parts supply station 11 where the above-mentioned panels and other parts are centrally arranged.
- 11 is provided, and on the side adjacent to the automatic work area 20, three parts receiving windows Io, I[o, and I[ro] are provided to the area 20. Further, in the human work area 10, stationary welding machines 12, 12 and work stations 13, . . . 13 for performing welding work and other work on each part are arranged.

On the other hand, in the automatic work area 20, three assembly lines 1. Il, I[[ is provided,
At the end of each line r, n, m, there is a final processing station It, I[1, I[[
1 is provided. Here, each assembly line ■.

(1) and (2) are respectively constituted by rails 21, 22, 23 and carts 24, 25, 26 that move on the rails.

Then, each final processing station 11. ni1, ■1
There are rotary robots in charge of the final machining of the respective parts.

That is, the 10th bot 31 is placed in the first final treatment stage 1, and the 2nd bot 31 is placed in the second final treatment stage 1. Third
．． The fourth three robots 32.33°34 are also the third robot.
The 50th bots 35 are respectively arranged in the final processing station 1, and the final processing stations I+, H1, I [In step 11, final processing is performed on the part.

Of the respective robots 31 to 35, the 10th bot 31 in the first final processing station (1), the -9-20th bot 32 in the second final processing station (1), and the 3rd final processing station (1). - The 50th bottle 35 in John ■1 has the above-mentioned welding tool 31 on the arm.
In addition to a, 32a, and 35a, transport tools 31b and 32
These robots 31.b and 35b are respectively provided.
32.35 is the final processing station I1. I11.
Each final processed part is transported to the next process. And the second. 50th bot 3
An overall assembly station 41 is provided at the intersection of the rotary conveyance paths 32' and 35' of 2.35, and a relay station 42 is provided at one end of the rotary conveyance path 31' of the 10th bot 31. A carrier 36 is provided between the station 42 and the overall assembly station 41.
A relay robot 36 is disposed, which has a rotary conveyance path 36' connecting both stations 41 and 42. Here, the transport tool 32b of the 20th bot 32 is detachable, and as shown in the figure, when the robot 32 is working at the 2nd@final finishing station 1, the transporting tool 32b is
The transport tool 32b is placed on the temporary stand 43 provided above.
0 - It is designed to be temporarily placed, and in this example,
While the 20th bot 32 is transporting the parts from the second final processing station 1 to the overall assembly station 41, the 30th bot 33 is carrying out human work at a work station 44 provided on its rotation path 33'. Welding work is performed on parts separately supplied from area 10.

Further, in addition to the above configuration, the automatic work area 20 is provided with an output line IV for carrying out products.

This line IV is composed of a rail 45 and a cart 46 that moves on the rail 45, and a 70th bot 37 having a rotary conveyance path 37' is arranged between the starting end IVo and the overall assembly station 41. However, this robot 37 has a welding tool 37a at the tip of its arm, and is designed to perform assembly work on the overall assembly stage 41. Further, the carrier 37b of the 70th bot 37 is detachable like the 20th bot 32 carrier 321), and the 70th bot 37 is connected to the overall assembly station 4.
1, it is temporarily placed on a temporary storage stand 4 provided on the path 11 37'.

Next, a description will be given of how the assembly method of the present invention is specifically implemented using the composite assembly line configured as described above.

In this embodiment, a rear fender panel, a quarter panel, and a front pillar inner panel are used as the main parts, and sub-parts such as a wheel house, side sills, center pillar, and roof rail are assembled and integrated to form a car body. The sides are manufactured. The above-mentioned parts are supplied to parts supply stations 11...11 set up on one side of the human work area 10, and the workers placed in the area 10 first start at each supply station 11... Necessary parts are taken out from 11, and predetermined assembly work is performed using welding machines 12 and 12 or at work stations 13... The next assembly parts a, b, and c are similarly assembled by humans at the 1st - 12th - 2nd and 3rd assembly lines in the automatic work area 20 at the counters Io and Uo of IT, nl.
, I[Io. That is, the first part a is the first
The second part b is placed on the trolley 24 forming the line ■, the second part b is placed on the cart 25 forming the second line ■, and the third part C is placed on the cart 26 forming the third line ■. It will be placed.

The first part a delivered to the first line (2) is transported by the cart 24 to the first final processing station (1), where it is subjected to a predetermined processing by the tenth bot 31. , the 10th bot 31
Then, the 60th bot 36 for relay transportation is transported to the overall assembly station 41 via the relay station 42.

Further, the second part b delivered to the second line (2) is transported by the trolley 25 to the second final assembly stage (2) 1, and at the station (2) 1, the second part b is transferred to the second line (2). 3rd and 40th bot 32
．． 33 and 34, the predetermined processing is carried out, and then the whole assembly station 4 is carried out by the 20th batch 1-32.
At this time, the 20th bot 32 first goes to pick up the transport tool 32b on the temporary storage stand 43 -13-, attaches it to its own arm, and then moves to the second final processing station (1). Part b above 1
is held and conveyed to the overall assembly station 41. Then, when returning to the second final processing station (1), the conveyor 32b is separated and placed on the temporary stand 43, and then the next part is welded at the station (1).

Further, while the 20th bot 32 is transporting part b to the overall assembly station 41, the 30th bot 33 performs welding work on the parts supplied by human work at a work station 44 facing the human work area 10. I do. This part is assembled to one of the main parts in the human work area 10.

Furthermore, the part C delivered to the third line ■ is transported to the trolley 26.
It is transported to the third final processing station (1), where it is subjected to prescribed processing by the 50th bot 35, and transported to the overall assembly station 41 by the 50th bot (5).

-14- As described above, each part a, b, c is connected to line 1. n
, If, respectively, predetermined processing is performed, and the final processing is performed in the first. Second. 50th bot 31, 32
．． 35 and the 60th bot 36 for relay, the entire assembly is concentrated in the assembly station 41. And these parts a.

b, C are the 5th.
By the 70th bot 35.37, and by the 20th bot 32
Then, if necessary, mutual assembly is performed by the 60th relay bot 36 equipped with a welding tool 36a, resulting in an integrated product (vehicle body side plate) d. Then, this product d is sent to the output line I by the 70th bot 37.
While being transferred onto the trolley 46 at V, the trolley 46
and transported to the unloading station Iv1.

Next, an embodiment of the second invention will be described. In addition to the configuration of the first invention, this invention adds another processing station within the transfer area of the relay robot.

That is, as shown by the chain line in FIG. 4 and as shown in FIG.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the part a which is subjected to the final processing by the tenth bot 31 at the first final processing station 1 and is transported to the overall assembly station 41 by the tenth bot 31 and the 60th bot 36 is During transportation by the 60th bot 36, further welding is performed by the welding process 51. As a result, the number of work steps upstream of the first final processing station (1) for the part a is reduced.

In this embodiment of the second invention, the 10th bot 31 carries out the part a from the 1R finishing station 1.
A stationary welding machine 52,53 is also installed in the middle of the transport route 31'.
The welding process is carried out even during transportation by the 10th bot 31, and the work is also carried out by the 10th bot 31 or the 60th bot 36 at the relay station 42 as necessary.

-16- (Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, each part is assembled and processed using at least three lines, and then assembled in one place to produce a product. In the centralized assembly method, each part is transported to the overall assembly station by the robot responsible for the final processing of each line and the relay robot, which eliminates the need for centralized assembly of each part, which was previously required in this type of assembly work. This eliminates the need for conveyor lines. This simplifies the overall line configuration, and the transport route by the robot can be freely set depending on the placement of the robot and the amount of rotation during transport, increasing the degree of freedom in layout and making effective use of factory space. will be done. Furthermore, according to the second invention of the present application, since the relay robot also performs processing work, it is possible to reduce the number of work steps in the line that delivers parts to the relay robot, thereby shortening or saving space on the line. will be planned.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

-17- Figure 1 is a schematic plan view showing the conventional line configuration, Figure 2.3
The figure is box 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic plan view showing the line configuration of the second invention, respectively. FIG. 5 is a plan view also showing an embodiment of the second invention, and FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the second invention. I, Il, II... line, 11. I[1, II
[1... Final processing station, 31, 32. 35.
...Robot, 31a, 32a, 35a...Processing means (welding tool), 31b, 32b, 35b...
Transport means (carrier), 36... Relay robot, 41.
...Overall assembly station, 51...Processing station (welding If). Applicant Toyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. -18- Figure 1A Figure 21

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An assembly method in which each part is individually assembled on three or more lines, and then assembled in one place in the next process to produce a product. The entire assembly station is placed within the rotating transfer area of the two robots in charge of final processing on two predetermined lines, and these robots are placed in the station. The parts are transported directly by the robot, and the parts processed on the remaining line are transferred to the final processing robot of the line.
A method for intensively assembling parts from a plurality of work lines, characterized in that the parts are transported by a relay robot that relays transport between one end of the transport area of the robot and the overall assembly station. (2) -1 each part on multiple lines of 3 lines or more
- An assembly method in which each assembly is assembled in one place in the next process to produce a product, and the final processing of each line is performed by a rotary robot whose arm has processing means and conveyance means installed side by side. At the same time, an overall assembly station is installed within the rotating transfer area of the two robots responsible for the final processing of two predetermined lines, and the parts are directly transferred to the station by these robots, and the remaining parts are Parts processed on the line are transported by the final processing robot of the line and a relay robot that relays transport between one end of the robot's transport area and the overall assembly station, and the relay robot A method for intensively assembling parts from a plurality of work lines, characterized in that a processing station is provided in the middle of a conveyance route, and processing is also performed at the station.