WO1988008339A1 - Chaine de production - Google Patents

Chaine de production Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO1988008339A1
WO1988008339A1 PCT/GB1988/000346 GB8800346W WO8808339A1 WO 1988008339 A1 WO1988008339 A1 WO 1988008339A1 GB 8800346 W GB8800346 W GB 8800346W WO 8808339 A1 WO8808339 A1 WO 8808339A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
reject
pallet
pallets
production line
conveyor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB1988/000346
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ronald Frederick Wilson
Original Assignee
Filtrona Instruments And Automation Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Filtrona Instruments And Automation Ltd. filed Critical Filtrona Instruments And Automation Ltd.
Publication of WO1988008339A1 publication Critical patent/WO1988008339A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07C—TIME OR ATTENDANCE REGISTERS; REGISTERING OR INDICATING THE WORKING OF MACHINES; GENERATING RANDOM NUMBERS; VOTING OR LOTTERY APPARATUS; ARRANGEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS FOR CHECKING NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • G07C3/00—Registering or indicating the condition or the working of machines or other apparatus, other than vehicles
    • G07C3/14—Quality control systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches
    • B07C5/36—Sorting apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
    • B07C5/361—Processing or control devices therefor, e.g. escort memory

Definitions

  • the present invention provides a production line method and apparatus in which work pieces are operated on or manipulated, or assemblies or sub-assemblies are formed or operated on or manipulated, on respective pallets mounted on an endless conveyor which carries the pallets along an upper operating run sequentially through a series of work and checking stations and then inverted along a lower return run for the selective release of reject items. Satisfactorily completed Items will usually be released and removed from their pallets at the end of the upper operating run.
  • the first work station at the beginning of the upper operating run, is for the positioning and releasable securing to the pallet of the initial work piece or of the first element(s) of the eventual assembly; at subsequent work stations various pre-determined manipulations or assembly or other operations are carried out on the items carried by the pallets.
  • the pallet moves to a checking station for checking (e.g. by probing) that the previous operation(s) has/have been performed satisfactorily so that the subsequent steps can be performed.
  • the production line is automatically controlled so that, when a check is failed, then according to the nature of the fault at least some succeeding operations and checks are not applied to that pallet and/or the pallet when it reaches the appropriate predetermined reject station on the return run releases the faulty item to be collected with others of the same type.
  • the pallet concerned may pass untouched through the remaining work and checking stations and release the mis-positioned item at the appropriate reject station on the return run to join other rejects of the same nature; where a manipulation or operation is not performed at all, or an element which should have been supplied and incorporated in the assembly is missing, then the check revealing this could programme for suspension of some or all succeeding operations on this pallet with release of the faulty item at a pre-selected different reject station on the return run - or with retention of the faulty item throughout the return run and back to the work station where the omission occurred, operations already successfully performed on the item in the first operating run being suspended for the pallet concerned; where two or more sub-assemblies are to be built up at different locations on the pallet, any one failing a check may be rejected as described with the other(s) being recycled on the pallet back to the upper operating run.
  • the endless conveyor preferably moves stepwise, with the work, checking and reject etc stations being occupied simultaneously by respective different pallets, the working, checking and rejecting etc operations being conducted simultaneously, and the pallets then moving in unison to the respective next stations along the line.
  • each pallet is secured to the endless conveyor, so as to be moved positively and directly from station to station along the production line; preferably, each pallet Is resiliently mounted on the conveyor to allow a little movement about its optimum operating position, and after entering a work or checking station is fixedly secured (e.g. by shot-bolting) in its precise position for the work or checking operation to be conducted, the pallet being released for passage to the next station after the operation Is completed.
  • One especially preferred pallet according to the invention has at its receiving face two upright datum surfaces extending at an angle to one another and respective clamping members each moveable towards and away from and resiliently biassed towards its datum surface to clamp a work piece or like item against the datum surfaces;
  • the clamping members can for example be upright pins moveable in horizontal slots;
  • the clamping provided by the datum surfaces and clamping members can thus accommodate items of a variety of sizes and configurations - though to maintain correct centering of the item for operations on the production line it may be necessary to insert a spacer or spacers between at least one datum surface and the item.
  • a pallet according to the invention can have means for separately clamping different items at different locations, e.g. so that different sub-assemblies can be built up on the same pallet for subsequent combination on the pallet.
  • a second conveyor for taking away (e.g. to a reject bin) loose components from the endless conveyor.
  • a satisfactorily completed assembly or work piece will usually be released and removed from its pallet at the end of the operating room - e.g. onto a product conveyor on which it may be subjected to further tests and treatments.
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a preferred pallet according to the invention:
  • FIGURES 2, 3 and 4 are sectional views of the pallet along lines 2-2, 3-3 and 4-4 respectively of Fig.1;
  • FIGURES 5 and 6 are schematic side elevation and plan views respectively of an assembly line according to the Invention.
  • the pallet according to the invention shown in Fig.1 is suitable for use In the assembly method and apparatus of Figs.5 and 6.
  • the pallet 2 is a body of metal having recesses 4 in opposed narrow sides for receiving shot bolts by which It is accurately positioned for operations on the assembly line.
  • In its upper face 6 it has a tray-like depression 8 for receiving a work piece or a basic component of an assembly to be formed - e.g. the connector body of the connector assembly considered in connection with Figs.5 and 6.
  • the depression 8 has two vertical datum surfaces 10 and respective clamping pins 12, one opposite each surface 10 and moveable towards and away from this surface In slot 14, each pin being resiliently biassed towards its surface 10.
  • a separate portion 16 of the receiving surface 6 of the pallet provides clamping means for a sub-assembly operation.
  • Another clamping pin 18 moveable in slot 20 and resiliently biassed towards stops 22 provides for clamping of a jumper bar against stops 22 for assembly with yoke and screw terminals to be inserted and accommodated in spaces 24 and 26 respectively.
  • the sub-assembly of terminals connected by the jumper bar can subsequently be transferred to and assembled with the main connector body clamped between surfaces 10 and pins 12. A range of sizes and configurations of connector body can be accommodated by the surfaces 10 and 12.
  • Figs.5 and 6 Illustrate schematically an assembly line procedure and apparatus according to the invention for an electrical terminal or connector assembly
  • a plastics connector body accommodating (a) a pair of yoke and screw terminals connected by a jumper bar and (b) a spring clip by means of which a number of the connectors can be clamped together in a bank or stack.
  • the connector body is indicated symbolically at 30; the spring clip at 32; the jumper bar at 34; and the yoke, screw and terminal sub-assembly at 36, 38 and 40 respectively. Similar symbols are employed in connection with the various reject bins R2-R9.
  • the assembly line has an endless conveyor 50 with an upper operating run 52 and a lower return run 54, on which pallets such as that of Fig.1 are mounted at longitudinally spaced intervals with receiving faces exposed.
  • the pallets are positively mounted on the conveyor 50 by resilient means (not shown) allowing a pallet a degree of movement about a pre-determined operation position.
  • the conveyor 50 moves stepwise to carry each pallet sequentially through stations S1 to S16 (including checkpoints C1 to C8) of the operating run and over the various reject bins R2-R7 on the return run.
  • the pallets are so spaced and movement of the conveyor so synchronised that pallets will be at each station and checkpoint simultaneously where they remain stationary for the working and checking operations before moving on in unison to the next station or checkpoint.
  • a pallet When a pallet enters a station or checkpoint it is automatically shotbolted for precise positioning, the shot-bolts being withdrawn after completion of each operation.
  • the supply, assembly and manipulation operations at the various work stations are effected automatically, as is the checking at each check point.
  • the checking is for presence, correct positioning, and assembly of the component or components on the pallet, and is suitably carried out by probes lowered onto the pallet which readily detect when a component is missing or out of position.
  • Detection of a fault automatically alters the programme of succeeding operations for the pallet concerned so that, according to the circumstances, some or all of the work operations (including transfer from the endless conveyor at the end of the operating run) are suspended and/or the system is primed to unclamp the faulty or deficient item at the appropriate pre-determined reject station so that it falls into the appropriate reject bin.
  • Programming and setting-up of the operations can be carried out (often by a single operator) at control panel 60.
  • the sequence of work operations is as follows :-
  • Checkpoints C1 and C8 are to ascertain what, if anything, is carried by the pallet; checkpoint C2 (S3) is for correct positioning of the connector body; checkpoint C3 (S6) is for the presence and correct location of the spring clip; checkpoint C4 (S8) is for the presence and correct positioning of the jumper bar on the pallet; checkpoints C5 and C6 (S10 and S12) are for the presence and correct positioning of the terminals in the terminal/jumper bar subassembly; and checkpoint C7 (S14) is for the presence and correct location of the latter sub-assembly in the connector body.
  • Loose components on the endless conveyor 50 drop or are wiped onto conveyor 58 and dropped into another reject bin R8.
  • the invention thus has a number of aspects of merit and advantage which can be employed independently or in any combination. Included amongst these features are the use of an endless conveyor with upper and lower runs and the release of reject items into preselected receivers below the lower run according to type of reject. Whether or not the conveyor is endless with upper and lower runs, the invention covers independently, or in any combination of two or more, the use of fault detection to reprogramme the subsequent operations for the pallet concerned, the options being selected from suspension of at least some subsequent operations on the pallet, rejection of faulty or deficient items at selected rejection stations, and recycling of incompletely finished items back to the work stations concerned; the use of pallets permanently attached to and positively guided and carried by the conveyor, preferably with precise positioning (e.g.
  • the invention also provides pallets per se, in particular those having more than one location for receiving work pieces or components; and those having the preferred adjustable clamping provided by datum faces at an angle to one another and provided with respective resiliently biassed clamping members.
  • the production line method and apparatus of the Invention has great advantages compared to prior proposals in saving space, providing ready access for intervention, and from the safety aspect. It is also very versatile; whilst illustrated in terms of assembling a connector, it could evidently be employed in like manner, with appropriate changes In the operations employed, for assembling a great variety of other multi-component articles, or for carrying out a succession of operations (e.g. drilling, milling, reaming, etc., etc. on work pieces of various materials.
  • the invention thus provides a production line in which work pieces are operated on or manipulated, or assemblies or sub-assemblies are formed or operated on or manipulated, on respective pallets mounted on an endless conveyor which carries the pallets along an upper operating run sequentially through a series of work and checking stations and then inverted along a lower return run sequentially through a plurality of reject stations, with reject items being releasable from their pallets at pre-selected reject stations according to reject type.
  • Preferred features which maybe used Individually or In any combination of any two or more are
  • stepwise advance of the conveyor to synchronise movements of pallets to the work and checking stations and to provide simultaneous performance of the work and checking operations along the line;

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
  • Quality & Reliability (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Automatic Assembly (AREA)

Abstract

Chaîne de production sur laquelle les pièces sont traitées ou manipulées, ou les ensembles ou sous-ensembles sont montés ou manipulés chacun sur des palettes montées sur un transporteur (50) qui transporte lesdites palettes sur un brin porteur supérieur (52) en les amenant successivement devant une série de postes de travail (S2, S4, S5, S7, S9, S11, S13, S15) et de postes de contrôle (S1, S3, S6, S8, S10, S12, S16), puis leur fait faire un parcours en sens inverse sur un brin de retour inférieur (54) pour décharger les pièces ou article de rebut dans des récipients R2 à R7 pour les points de contrôle C2 à C7 en fonction du type de pièce ou d'article de rebut. A l'extrémité du brin supérieur (52), les articles jugés satisfaisants sont enlevés des palettes et évacués vers un transporteur de produits (56) pour subir d'autres tests ou traitements. Les pièces ou articles mal ajustés se trouvant sur le transporteur (50) tombent sur le transporteur (58) et, de là, dans un autre récipient pour pièces ou articles de rebut.
PCT/GB1988/000346 1987-05-01 1988-05-03 Chaine de production WO1988008339A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08710374A GB2204293A (en) 1987-05-01 1987-05-01 Production line
GB8710374 1987-05-01

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1988008339A1 true WO1988008339A1 (fr) 1988-11-03

Family

ID=10616702

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB1988/000346 WO1988008339A1 (fr) 1987-05-01 1988-05-03 Chaine de production

Country Status (3)

Country Link
AU (1) AU1688088A (fr)
GB (1) GB2204293A (fr)
WO (1) WO1988008339A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2651696A1 (fr) * 1989-09-12 1991-03-15 Hobart Corp Machine pour le triage automatique d'objets, notamment de pieces de vaisselle.

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1252230A (fr) * 1959-12-10 1961-01-27 Merlin Gerin Dispositif de triage
FR1496614A (fr) * 1966-10-14 1967-09-29 Mandrel Ind Machine à trier à mémoire magnétique
FR2538289A1 (fr) * 1982-12-23 1984-06-29 Budd Co Dispositif pour surveiller et enregistrer des donnees de fabrication d'une piece
GB2140183A (en) * 1983-04-21 1984-11-21 Walter Sticht Method and apparatus for operating an assembly line
GB2146795A (en) * 1983-09-19 1985-04-24 David Lindqvist Monitoring the operation of processing plant
DE3346129A1 (de) * 1983-12-21 1985-07-11 Fa. Hermann Heye, 3063 Obernkirchen Verfahren und vorrichtung zum sortieren von altglas enthaltendem abfall

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1252230A (fr) * 1959-12-10 1961-01-27 Merlin Gerin Dispositif de triage
FR1496614A (fr) * 1966-10-14 1967-09-29 Mandrel Ind Machine à trier à mémoire magnétique
FR2538289A1 (fr) * 1982-12-23 1984-06-29 Budd Co Dispositif pour surveiller et enregistrer des donnees de fabrication d'une piece
GB2140183A (en) * 1983-04-21 1984-11-21 Walter Sticht Method and apparatus for operating an assembly line
GB2146795A (en) * 1983-09-19 1985-04-24 David Lindqvist Monitoring the operation of processing plant
DE3346129A1 (de) * 1983-12-21 1985-07-11 Fa. Hermann Heye, 3063 Obernkirchen Verfahren und vorrichtung zum sortieren von altglas enthaltendem abfall

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2651696A1 (fr) * 1989-09-12 1991-03-15 Hobart Corp Machine pour le triage automatique d'objets, notamment de pieces de vaisselle.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB8710374D0 (en) 1987-06-03
GB2204293A (en) 1988-11-09
AU1688088A (en) 1988-12-02

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4850102A (en) System for installing parts on workpiece
KR100983470B1 (ko) 블레이드형 퓨즈 자동화 조립 시스템
DE3409844C2 (fr)
US4890716A (en) Machine tool
EP0704106A1 (fr) Procede et dispositif de positionnement automatique de puce electronique dans les boitiers de composants
US8408080B2 (en) Apparatus for rapidly verifying tolerances of precision components
DE102012001125A1 (de) Gerät zum Ausbessern von Sperrholzfurnieren
US5894648A (en) High speed depaneling apparatus and method
EP0191195A2 (fr) Dispositif pour la fabrication automatique de stators pour moteurs électriques
DE102013018172A1 (de) Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Bearbeitung von Batterieplatten und Anordnung dieser in Nass- oder AGM-Batteriekästen für Personen- oder Lastkraftwagen
DE60219267T2 (de) Greifeinheit für die automatisierte Bearbeitung von Werkstücken, und Vorrichtung und Verfahren mit einer solchen Einheit
WO1988008339A1 (fr) Chaine de production
CN217215477U (zh) Usb连接器全自动组装及自动影像检测机
DE2209252C2 (de) Einrichtung zum Ausrichten eines kleinen plattenförmigen, rechteckigen Werkstückes
CN113695269B (zh) 一种磁环自动检测分选设备
CN210222563U (zh) 在线电动牙刷半成品装配测试设备
CN109857603B (zh) 一种usb接口质量检测治具及其操作方法
CN109459897A (zh) 一种阵列基板修补方法及修补装置
JP2702208B2 (ja) 核燃料ペレット端面検査装置
CN115555829A (zh) 一种插针机的整列供料系统
CN109746192A (zh) 一种镜头表面检测治具、装置及方法
WO1997029383A1 (fr) Procede de manipulation de composants electroniques
JPH0160380B2 (fr)
KR20230160035A (ko) 너트 전조 탭핑기
CN117678115A (zh) 用于制造蓄能器的方法、蓄能器以及设备

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT AU BB BG BR CH DE DK FI GB HU JP KP KR LK LU MC MG MW NL NO RO SD SE SU US

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE BJ CF CG CH CM DE FR GA GB IT LU ML MR NL SE SN TD TG

REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642