WO1998029293A1 - Method and device for mounting elements of motor vehicle body - Google Patents

Method and device for mounting elements of motor vehicle body Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1998029293A1
WO1998029293A1 PCT/FR1997/002451 FR9702451W WO9829293A1 WO 1998029293 A1 WO1998029293 A1 WO 1998029293A1 FR 9702451 W FR9702451 W FR 9702451W WO 9829293 A1 WO9829293 A1 WO 9829293A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
sheet metal
plates
positioning members
plate
motor vehicle
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR1997/002451
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jean-Luc Garcia
Thierry Lefaure
Michel Louazon
Thierry Poirree
Original Assignee
Renault
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 Renault filed Critical Renault
Publication of WO1998029293A1 publication Critical patent/WO1998029293A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D65/00—Designing, manufacturing, e.g. assembling, facilitating disassembly, or structurally modifying motor vehicles or trailers, not otherwise provided for
    • B62D65/02—Joining sub-units or components to, or positioning sub-units or components with respect to, body shell or other sub-units or components
    • B62D65/18—Transportation, conveyor or haulage systems specially adapted for motor vehicle or trailer assembly lines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P21/00—Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control
    • B23P21/004—Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control the units passing two or more work-stations whilst being composed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23Q—DETAILS, COMPONENTS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR MACHINE TOOLS, e.g. ARRANGEMENTS FOR COPYING OR CONTROLLING; MACHINE TOOLS IN GENERAL CHARACTERISED BY THE CONSTRUCTION OF PARTICULAR DETAILS OR COMPONENTS; COMBINATIONS OR ASSOCIATIONS OF METAL-WORKING MACHINES, NOT DIRECTED TO A PARTICULAR RESULT
    • B23Q7/00—Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting
    • B23Q7/14—Arrangements for handling work specially combined with or arranged in, or specially adapted for use in connection with, machine tools, e.g. for conveying, loading, positioning, discharging, sorting co-ordinated in production lines
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P2700/00—Indexing scheme relating to the articles being treated, e.g. manufactured, repaired, assembled, connected or other operations covered in the subgroups
    • B23P2700/50—Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a method and a device for mounting automobile body parts, in particular sheet metal elements, and more particularly to a method and its associated device allowing great flexibility of the production line to changes in the product.
  • a known mounting method for producing a complex body structure such as the floor of a motor vehicle consists in forming sub-assemblies of sheet metal elements by pre-assembly operations in preparation areas located in the immediate vicinity. of the main manufacturing line, then to load these sub-assemblies constituting the bodywork element, on a plate of the manufacturing line comprising means for positioning and maintaining these sub-assemblies according to the final geometry of the bodywork element to be assembled, the final assembly of the bodywork element then being carried out by welding robots arranged along the production line.
  • Such an assembly method has the drawback of causing the installation of numerous specific and costly assembly machines in the preparation area to allow the production of sub-assemblies. parts which can be directly welded, on the plates of the production line, according to the final geometry of the bodywork element.
  • the cycle time allocated for each assembly machine being limited by the production rate of the bodywork element, it is only possible to group together a limited number of assembly operations on the same machine. , making it necessary to multiply the number of machines in series and in parallel in order to be able to carry out the pre-assembly operations within the allotted time and obtain sufficient production capacity.
  • the multiphcation of the number of assembly stations in the preparation area leads to the multiphcation of the number of operations with low added value such as handling of parts, as well as the multiphcation of the number of machines having means of geometry pieces.
  • the present invention therefore relates to an assembly method, as well as its associated device, making it possible to increase the flexibility of the production line in order to be able to carry out rapid modifications of the elements to be assembled and to allow the treatment of different body elements. on the same production line and which is both simple and economical to produce.
  • the method according to the invention relates to the mounting of a body structure of a motor vehicle, such as a floor, from sheet metal parts assembled in sub-assemblies and carried by a plate, the latter being transported by a conveyor. along a main manufacturing line cooperating with different work stations for carrying out the geometry and assembly operations of the subassemblies, the geometry operations using positioning members arranged on the plate.
  • the method is characterized in that the subassemblies are also produced directly on the main production line, from sheet metal parts placed on additional positioning members of the plate.
  • the method is characterized in that the subassemblies are re-aligned by a succession of operations for placing the geometry and assembling the sheet metal parts present on the additional positioning members.
  • the sub-assemblies are produced by a succession of geometry and assembly operations of the sheet metal parts present on the additional positioning members.
  • the loading of sheet metal parts on the plates is carried out at a loading station outside the main manufacturing area, only the most bulky parts being loaded on the plates at the workstation corresponding to their assembly phase.
  • the invention also relates to a device for implementing the method defined above, comprising a manufacturing unit provided with a plate conveyor having positioning members capable of receiving the sub-assemblies of the structure to be assembled and characterized in what said plates also include additional positioning members allowing the maintenance and the geometry of the sheet metal parts necessary for the constitution of the sub-assemblies.
  • the conveyor comprises intermediate pallets on which the plates are removably mounted.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic top view of a general manufacturing Ugne of a motor vehicle floor implementing the mounting method according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an assembly station of the Ugne shown in Figure 1;
  • FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are views similar to Figure 2 showing different stages of the mounting method according to the invention
  • Figure 1 there is shown schematically a manufacturing Ugne used for the assembly of a motor vehicle floor.
  • This Ugne comprises a main conveyor 1 composed of pallets 2 driven in translation, the latter each supporting a removable plate 3 on which are placed parts of the floor.
  • the pallets 2 supporting the plates 3 are successively conveyed by the main conveyor 1 to different work stations, the precise positioning of the plates 3 with respect to each work station being carried out by suitable bodies, not shown, for placing pallet reference 2.
  • the manufacturing line has a conveyor 5 annex coming alongside the main conveyor 1 at a transfer station 4 at which the plates 3, arriving empty at this point of the line manufacturing, are removed from the pallets 2 of the main conveyor 1 to be placed on the annex conveyor 5.
  • the conveyor 5 annex cooperates with one or more loading stations 10, shown in Figure 1, at which operators
  • the plates 3 include positioning members 6 intended to hold sheet metal parts assembled in subassemblies according to the final geometry of the floor to be assembled and additional positioning members 6 ′ intended to maintain the sheet metal parts during the various assembly steps necessary to obtain these sub-assemblies.
  • the additional positioning members 6 ' provided for this purpose, other additional positioning members 6' carried by the plate 3 remaining Ubres to serve the geometry of the floor during subsequent work stages on the Ugne.
  • sensors can be installed at each additional positioning member 6 'to verify the presence of the parts.
  • each plate 3, once loaded, is brought by the annex conveyor 5 to the level of a sorting unit 16 before being reintegrated in due time on the manufacturing line.
  • This sorting unit 16 comprises different types of plates 3 loaded with parts allowing the assembly of floors specific to different models of vehicle, a code being placed on each plate to allow automatic identification of the type of floor when these reach the level of workstations in the manufacturing area or loading stations 10.
  • the end of the annex conveyor 5 located downstream of the sorting cabinet 16 is attached to the main conveyor 1 by a transfer station 8, arranged downstream of the transfer station 4.
  • the transfer of the various plates 3 on the manufacturing line is managed by the sorting unit 16, the latter engaging on the conveyor 5 annex the type of plate 3 corresponding to the floor model that one wishes to assemble.
  • the manufacturing area has, downstream of the transfer station 8, several working zones 31 to 36 in which all the assembly operations will be carried out.
  • the zones 3 1 to 36 comprise a number of working provided robots 1 1
  • There positions may be equipped with gripping tools or welding tools.
  • the robots 11 in zone 31 then carry out the operations of welding the parts to be welded as a priority in the assembly process, the latter being arranged on the additional positioning members 6 'provided for this purpose.
  • These priority welded parts generally correspond to the parts of the floor which, because of their location, must be successively welded to different elements or whose accessibility becomes limited as the floor is assembled. This operation is illustrated in FIG. 2 where the longitudinal members 23, the Uaison elements 22 and the crosspieces 21 are arranged on the additional positioning members 6 ′ arranged in sufficient spacing to allow accessibility and allow re-use by the robots 11 different welding points between these elements and reinforcing elements, not visible in FIG. 2.
  • the plate 3 is brought by the conveyor 1 to the workstations in the next zone 32 where robots 11 fitted with handling clamps transfer certain sets of pre-assembled parts to other positioning members. Additional 6 "of the plate 3. These sets of preassembled parts are then arranged so that they can be assembled with other parts present on the plate 3.
  • the plate 3 is then transferred to the work stations of the zone 33 following where robots 11 provided with welding tongs perform the welding of the newly arranged elements. This operation is illustrated in Figure 3 where the side members 23 have been brought closer to the Uaison elements 22 to allow their welding.
  • FIG. 5 iUustrates a particular work station in zone 35 of the manufacturing area where a floor plate 24, stored in a cabinet 27, is attached to the side members 23, the hedge elements 22 and the cross members 21 already preassembled and positioned on the plate 3.
  • the operations performed on the other workstations in zone 35 then correspond to the last welding operations necessary to obtain the assembled floors and to place them on a storage unit 28.
  • the mounting method described above has many advantages over the conventionally used methods. Indeed, it allows, by reahsing all the assembly operations of the sheet metal element on the same plate, to group all the positioning members specific to the body element, on this same plate.
  • the workstations can be equipped with an optical reader allowing the automatic identification of the type of stage presenting itself at their level in order to modify the robot programming accordingly.
  • the loading logistics of the manufacturing unit is simplified by the grouping in a single zone of the main parts constituting the bodywork element, only the very bulky parts, such as the floor sheet in the embodiment described, being supplied directly to the work station where these are assembled. It is nevertheless conceivable to réaUser a variant where all the parts of the bodywork element would be loaded at one point of the manufacturing line on a larger plate in order to have a single parts supply area. Finally, the production rate can be increased simply by increasing the number of robots present on the production line.
  • the removable plates arranged on each pallet by two removable plates arranged side by side, the first plate comprising the positioning members necessary for maintaining and positioning the parts during loading and the various pre-assembly steps, the second plate comprising the positioning members used for the positioning of the different parts according to the final geometry of the bodywork element.
  • This separation into two plates makes it possible to reduce the size of the annex conveyor from which the parts are loaded, the loading of the second plate being able to be managed using a second conveyor provided with a sorting cabinet.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Automatic Assembly (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for mounting a structure of a motor vehicle body, such as a floor, from parts of steel plate work put together as subassemblies and carried by a stage (3), said stage (3) being carried by a conveyor (1) along a main assembly line co-operating with different work stations for carrying out the geometrical structuring and assembling operations of said subassemblies, said operations of geometrical structuring using positioning devices (6) arranged on said stage (3). The invention is characterised in that said subassemblies are also directly produced on the main assembly line, from steel plate work parts (21, 22, 23) arranged on supplementary positioning devices (6') of said stage (3).

Description

PROCEDE ET DISPOSITIF DE MONTAGE D'ELEMENTS DE CARROSSERIE DE VEHICULES AUTOMOBILES METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MOUNTING BODY ELEMENTS OF MOTOR VEHICLES
La présente invention concerne un procédé et un dispositif de montage de pièces de carrosserie automobile notamment d'éléments de tôlerie et plus particulièrement un procédé et son dispositif associé permettant une grande souplesse de la ligne de fabrication aux évolutions du produit.The present invention relates to a method and a device for mounting automobile body parts, in particular sheet metal elements, and more particularly to a method and its associated device allowing great flexibility of the production line to changes in the product.
Une méthode de montage connue pour la réalisation d'une structure complexe de carrosserie telle que le plancher d'un véhicule automobile consiste à former des sous-ensembles d'éléments de tôlerie par des opérations de préassemblage dans des zones de préparation situées à proximité immédiate de la ligne principale de fabrication, puis à charger ces sous-ensembles constitutifs de l'élément de carrosserie, sur une platine de la ligne de fabrication comportant des moyens de mise en position et de maintien de ces sous-ensembles selon la géométrie finale de l'élément de carrosserie à assembler, l'assemblage final de l'élément de carrosserie étant alors effectué par des robots de soudage disposés le long de la ligne de fabrication.A known mounting method for producing a complex body structure such as the floor of a motor vehicle consists in forming sub-assemblies of sheet metal elements by pre-assembly operations in preparation areas located in the immediate vicinity. of the main manufacturing line, then to load these sub-assemblies constituting the bodywork element, on a plate of the manufacturing line comprising means for positioning and maintaining these sub-assemblies according to the final geometry of the bodywork element to be assembled, the final assembly of the bodywork element then being carried out by welding robots arranged along the production line.
Un tel procédé de montage présente l'inconvénient d'entraîner la mise en place de nombreuses machines d'assemblage spécifiques et coûteuses dans la zone de préparation pour permettre la réalisation de sous-ensembles de pièces qui puissent être directement soudées, sur les platines de la ligne de fabrication, selon la géométrie finale de l'élément de carrosserie.Such an assembly method has the drawback of causing the installation of numerous specific and costly assembly machines in the preparation area to allow the production of sub-assemblies. parts which can be directly welded, on the plates of the production line, according to the final geometry of the bodywork element.
Par ailleurs, le temps de cycle imparti pour chaque machine d'assemblage étant limité par la cadence de production de l'élément de carrosserie, il n'est possible de regrouper qu'un nombre limité d'opérations d'assemblage sur une même machine, obligeant à multiplier le nombre de machines en série et en parallèle pour pouvoir effectuer les opérations de préassemblage dans le temps imparti et obtenir une capacité de production suffisante. Or, la multiphcation du nombre de postes d'assemblage dans la zone de préparation entraîne la multiphcation du nombre d'opérations à faible valeur ajoutée telles que les manipulations de pièces, ainsi que la multiphcation du nombre de machines possédant des moyens de mise en géométrie des pièces.Furthermore, the cycle time allocated for each assembly machine being limited by the production rate of the bodywork element, it is only possible to group together a limited number of assembly operations on the same machine. , making it necessary to multiply the number of machines in series and in parallel in order to be able to carry out the pre-assembly operations within the allotted time and obtain sufficient production capacity. However, the multiphcation of the number of assembly stations in the preparation area leads to the multiphcation of the number of operations with low added value such as handling of parts, as well as the multiphcation of the number of machines having means of geometry pieces.
Le nombre important de ces machines spécifiques dans la zone de préparation limite fortement la flexibilité de la ligne de fabrication, une légère modification d'une pièce pouvant demander la modification de nombreuses machines.The large number of these specific machines in the preparation area greatly limits the flexibility of the production line, a slight modification of a part can require the modification of many machines.
La présente invention a donc pour objet un procédé de montage, ainsi que son dispositif associé, permettant d'augmenter la souplesse de la ligne de fabrication afin de pouvoir effectuer des modifications rapides des éléments à assembler et de permettre le traitement de différents éléments de carrosserie sur une même ligne de fabrication et qui soit à la fois simple et économique à réaliser.The present invention therefore relates to an assembly method, as well as its associated device, making it possible to increase the flexibility of the production line in order to be able to carry out rapid modifications of the elements to be assembled and to allow the treatment of different body elements. on the same production line and which is both simple and economical to produce.
Le procédé selon l'invention concerne le montage d'une structure de carrosserie de véhicule automobile, tel qu'un plancher, à partir de pièces de tôlerie réunies en sous-ensembles et portées par une platine, cette dernière étant transportée par un convoyeur le long d'une ligne principale de fabrication coopérant avec différents postes de travail pour la réalisation des opérations de mise en géométrie et d'assemblage des sous- ensembles, les opérations de mise en géométrie utilisant des organes de positionnement agencés sur la platine. Selon l'invention, le procédé est caractérisé en ce que les sous- ensembles sont également réalisés directement sur la ligne principale de fabrication, à partir de pièces de tôlerie disposées sur des organes de positionnement supplémentaires de la platine.The method according to the invention relates to the mounting of a body structure of a motor vehicle, such as a floor, from sheet metal parts assembled in sub-assemblies and carried by a plate, the latter being transported by a conveyor. along a main manufacturing line cooperating with different work stations for carrying out the geometry and assembly operations of the subassemblies, the geometry operations using positioning members arranged on the plate. According to the invention, the method is characterized in that the subassemblies are also produced directly on the main production line, from sheet metal parts placed on additional positioning members of the plate.
Selon l'invention, le procédé est caractérisé en ce que les sous- ensembles sont réahsés par une succession d'opérations de mise en géométrie et d'assemblage des pièces de tôlerie présentes sur les organes de positionnement supplémentaires.According to the invention, the method is characterized in that the subassemblies are re-aligned by a succession of operations for placing the geometry and assembling the sheet metal parts present on the additional positioning members.
Selon une autre caractéristique du procédé de montage selon l'invention, les sous-ensembles sont réalisés par une succession d'opérations de mise en géométrie et d'assemblage des pièces de tôlerie présentes sur les organes de positionnement supplémentaires.According to another characteristic of the mounting method according to the invention, the sub-assemblies are produced by a succession of geometry and assembly operations of the sheet metal parts present on the additional positioning members.
Selon une autre caractéristique du procédé de montage selon l'invention, le chargement des pièces de tôlerie sur les platines est opéré au niveau d'un poste de chargement extérieur à la Ugne principale de fabrication, seules les pièces les plus encombrantes étant chargées sur les platines au niveau du poste de travail correspondant à leur phase d'assemblage.According to another characteristic of the mounting method according to the invention, the loading of sheet metal parts on the plates is carried out at a loading station outside the main manufacturing area, only the most bulky parts being loaded on the plates at the workstation corresponding to their assembly phase.
L'invention concerne également un dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé défini ci-dessus, comportant une Ugne de fabrication munie d'un convoyeur de platines présentant des organes de positionnement pouvant recevoir les sous-ensembles de la structure à assembler et caractérisé en ce que lesdites platines comportent également des organes de positionnement supplémentaires permettant le maintien et la mise en géométrie des pièces de tôlerie nécessaires à la constitution des sous- ensembles.The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method defined above, comprising a manufacturing unit provided with a plate conveyor having positioning members capable of receiving the sub-assemblies of the structure to be assembled and characterized in what said plates also include additional positioning members allowing the maintenance and the geometry of the sheet metal parts necessary for the constitution of the sub-assemblies.
Selon une autre caractéristique de l'invention, le convoyeur comporte des palettes intermédiaires sur lesquelles les platines sont montées de façon amovible. On comprendra mieux les buts, aspects et avantages de la présente invention, d'après la description présentée ci-après d'un mode de réahsation de l'invention, donné à titre d'exemple non limitatif, en se référant aux dessins annexés, dans lesquels :According to another characteristic of the invention, the conveyor comprises intermediate pallets on which the plates are removably mounted. The aims, aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood from the description presented below of a method of developing the invention, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein :
- la figure 1 est une vue de dessus schématique d'une Ugne de fabrication générale d'un plancher de véhicule automobile mettant en oeuvre le procédé de montage selon l'invention ;- Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a general manufacturing Ugne of a motor vehicle floor implementing the mounting method according to the invention;
- la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un poste d'assemblage de la Ugne représentée à la figure 1 ;- Figure 2 is a perspective view of an assembly station of the Ugne shown in Figure 1;
- les figures 3, 4 et 5 sont des vues similaires à la figure 2 montrant différentes étapes du procédé de montage selon l'invention ;- Figures 3, 4 and 5 are views similar to Figure 2 showing different stages of the mounting method according to the invention;
Seuls les éléments nécessaires à la compréhension de l'invention ont été représentés. Pour faciUter la lecture des dessins les mêmes éléments portent les mêmes références d'une figure à l'autre.Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.
A la figure 1, on a représenté schématiquement une Ugne de fabrication servant à l'assemblage d'un plancher de véhicule automobile.In Figure 1, there is shown schematically a manufacturing Ugne used for the assembly of a motor vehicle floor.
Cette Ugne comporte un convoyeur principal 1 composé de palettes 2 entraînées en translation, ces dernières supportant chacune une platine 3 amovible sur laquelle sont disposées des pièces du plancher.This Ugne comprises a main conveyor 1 composed of pallets 2 driven in translation, the latter each supporting a removable plate 3 on which are placed parts of the floor.
Les palettes 2 supportant les platines 3 sont acheminées successivement par le convoyeur principal 1 à différents postes de travail, la mise en position précise des platines 3 vis à vis de chaque poste de travail étant effectuée par des organes appropriés, non figurés, de mise en référence de la palette 2.The pallets 2 supporting the plates 3 are successively conveyed by the main conveyor 1 to different work stations, the precise positioning of the plates 3 with respect to each work station being carried out by suitable bodies, not shown, for placing pallet reference 2.
La Ugne de fabrication présente un convoyeur 5 annexe venant côtoyer le convoyeur principal 1 au niveau d'un poste de transfert 4 au niveau duquel les platines 3, parvenant vides à cet endroit de la Ugne de fabrication, sont retirées des palettes 2 du convoyeur principal 1 pour être disposées sur le convoyeur 5 annexe.The manufacturing line has a conveyor 5 annex coming alongside the main conveyor 1 at a transfer station 4 at which the plates 3, arriving empty at this point of the line manufacturing, are removed from the pallets 2 of the main conveyor 1 to be placed on the annex conveyor 5.
Le convoyeur 5 annexe coopère avec un ou plusieurs postes de chargement 10, représentés sur la figure 1, au niveau duquel des opérateursThe conveyor 5 annex cooperates with one or more loading stations 10, shown in Figure 1, at which operators
26 chargent manueUement sur les platines 3, les principaux éléments de tôlerie du plancher à assembler tels que des traverses 21, des éléments de Uaison 22, des longerons 23 ainsi que tous les éléments de renfort, ces derniers étant mis à disposition des opérateurs 26 dans des meubles de stockage 25.26 load manually on the plates 3, the main sheet metal elements of the floor to be assembled such as sleepers 21, Uaison elements 22, beams 23 as well as all the reinforcement elements, the latter being made available to operators 26 in storage furniture 25.
Comme on peut le voir sur les figures 2 à 5, les platines 3 comportent des organes de positionnement 6 destinés à maintenir des pièces de tôlerie réunies en sous-ensembles selon la géométrie finale du plancher à assembler et des organes de positionnement supplémentaires 6' destinés à maintenir les pièces de tôlerie lors des différentes étapes d'assemblage nécessaires à l'obtention de ces sous-ensembles.As can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5, the plates 3 include positioning members 6 intended to hold sheet metal parts assembled in subassemblies according to the final geometry of the floor to be assembled and additional positioning members 6 ′ intended to maintain the sheet metal parts during the various assembly steps necessary to obtain these sub-assemblies.
Ainsi, les différentes pièces chargées au niveau du poste de chargement 10 sur les platine 3 sont maintenues par les organes de positionnement supplémentaires 6' prévus à cet effet, d'autres organes de positionnement supplémentaires 6' portés par la platine 3 restant Ubres pour servir à la mise en géométrie du plancher lors d'étapes de travail ultérieures sur la Ugne. Pour éviter un chargement incomplet d'une platine 3, des capteurs peuvent être instaUés au niveau de chaque organe de positionnement supplémentaire 6' pour vérifier la présence des pièces.Thus, the different parts loaded at the loading station 10 on the plates 3 are held by the additional positioning members 6 'provided for this purpose, other additional positioning members 6' carried by the plate 3 remaining Ubres to serve the geometry of the floor during subsequent work stages on the Ugne. To avoid incomplete loading of a plate 3, sensors can be installed at each additional positioning member 6 'to verify the presence of the parts.
Conformément à la figure 1, chaque platine 3, une fois chargée, est amenée par le convoyeur 5 annexe au niveau d'un meuble de tri 16 avant d'être réintégrée en temps voulu sur la Ugne de fabrication. Ce meuble de tri 16 comporte différents types de platines 3 chargées en pièces permettant l'assemblage de planchers spécifiques à différents modèles de véhicule, un code étant disposé sur chaque platine pour permettre l'identification automatique du type de plancher lorsque ceux-ci parviennent au niveau des postes de travail de la Ugne de fabrication ou des postes de chargement 10. L'extrémité du convoyeur 5 annexe située en aval du meuble de tri 16 est rehée au convoyeur principal 1 par un poste de transfert 8, disposé en aval du poste de transfert 4.In accordance with FIG. 1, each plate 3, once loaded, is brought by the annex conveyor 5 to the level of a sorting unit 16 before being reintegrated in due time on the manufacturing line. This sorting unit 16 comprises different types of plates 3 loaded with parts allowing the assembly of floors specific to different models of vehicle, a code being placed on each plate to allow automatic identification of the type of floor when these reach the level of workstations in the manufacturing area or loading stations 10. The end of the annex conveyor 5 located downstream of the sorting cabinet 16 is attached to the main conveyor 1 by a transfer station 8, arranged downstream of the transfer station 4.
Le transfert des différentes platines 3 sur la Ugne de fabrication est géré par le meuble de tri 16, ce dernier engageant sur le convoyeur 5 annexe le type de platine 3 correspondant au modèle de plancher que l'on souhaite assembler.The transfer of the various plates 3 on the manufacturing line is managed by the sorting unit 16, the latter engaging on the conveyor 5 annex the type of plate 3 corresponding to the floor model that one wishes to assemble.
La Ugne de fabrication présente, en aval du poste de tranfert 8, plusieurs zones de travail 31 à 36 dans lesqueUes toutes les opérations d'assemblage vont être effectuées. Pour cela, les zones 3 1 à 36 comportent un certain nombre de postes de travail munis de robots 1 1 pouvant être équipés d'Outils de préhension ou d'outils de soudage.The manufacturing area has, downstream of the transfer station 8, several working zones 31 to 36 in which all the assembly operations will be carried out. For this, the zones 3 1 to 36 comprise a number of working provided robots 1 1 There positions may be equipped with gripping tools or welding tools.
Conformément à la description qui précède et aux figures 1 à 6, le procédé d'assemblage du plancher effectué dans les zones de travail 31 à 36 va maintenant être décrit.In accordance with the above description and in FIGS. 1 to 6, the method of assembling the floor carried out in the working zones 31 to 36 will now be described.
Comme on peut le voir plus précisément sur la figure 2, la platineAs can be seen more precisely in FIG. 2, the plate
3 disposée sur une palette 2 entraînée par le convoyeur 1 parvient au niveau de postes de travail de la zone 31 avec les organes de positionnement supplémentaires 6' partieUement chargée en pièces, le chargement ayant été effectué au niveau du poste de chargement 10 du convoyeur 5 annexe.3 arranged on a pallet 2 driven by the conveyor 1 arrives at the workstations of the zone 31 with the additional positioning members 6 'partly loaded in parts, the loading having been carried out at the loading station 10 of the conveyor 5 Annex.
Les robots 11 de la zone 31 effectuent alors les opérations de soudage des pièces devant être soudées prioritairement dans le processus d'assemblage, ces dernières étant disposées sur les organes de positionnement supplémentaires 6' prévus à cet effet. Ces pièces soudées prioritairement correspondent généralement aux pièces du plancher qui de part leur emplacement devront être successivement soudées à différents éléments ou dont l'accessibiUté devient limité au fur et à mesure de l'assemblage du plancher. Cette opération est iUustrée sur la figure 2 où les longerons 23, les éléments de Uaison 22 et les traverses 21 sont disposés sur les organes de positionnement supplémentaires 6' disposés de manière suffisamment espacés pour laisser l'accessibiUté et permettre la réaUsation par les robots 11 des différents points de soudure entre ces éléments et des éléments de renfort, non visibles sur la figure 2.The robots 11 in zone 31 then carry out the operations of welding the parts to be welded as a priority in the assembly process, the latter being arranged on the additional positioning members 6 'provided for this purpose. These priority welded parts generally correspond to the parts of the floor which, because of their location, must be successively welded to different elements or whose accessibility becomes limited as the floor is assembled. This operation is illustrated in FIG. 2 where the longitudinal members 23, the Uaison elements 22 and the crosspieces 21 are arranged on the additional positioning members 6 ′ arranged in sufficient spacing to allow accessibility and allow re-use by the robots 11 different welding points between these elements and reinforcing elements, not visible in FIG. 2.
Une fois cette opération de préassemblage effectuée, la platine 3 est amenée par le convoyeur 1 au niveau des postes de travail de la zone 32 suivante où des robots 11 munis de pinces de manutention transfèrent certains ensembles de pièces préassemblées sur d'autres organes de positionnement supplémentaires 6" de la platine 3. Ces ensembles de pièces préassemblées sont alors disposés pour pouvoir être assemblés à d'autres pièces présentes sur la platine 3.Once this pre-assembly operation has been carried out, the plate 3 is brought by the conveyor 1 to the workstations in the next zone 32 where robots 11 fitted with handling clamps transfer certain sets of pre-assembled parts to other positioning members. additional 6 "of the plate 3. These sets of preassembled parts are then arranged so that they can be assembled with other parts present on the plate 3.
La platine 3 est alors transférée aux postes de travail de la zone 33 suivant où des robots 11 munis de pinces à souder effectuent le soudage des éléments nouveUement disposés. Cette opération est illustrée par la figure 3 où les longerons 23 ont été rapprochés des éléments de Uaison 22 pour permettre leur soudage.The plate 3 is then transferred to the work stations of the zone 33 following where robots 11 provided with welding tongs perform the welding of the newly arranged elements. This operation is illustrated in Figure 3 where the side members 23 have been brought closer to the Uaison elements 22 to allow their welding.
Les opérations effectuées sur les postes de travail de la zone 34 suivante sont alors similaires à ceux décrits précédemment, les postes de travail effectuant des opérations de soudage sur les pièces présentes sur la platine 3 étant alternés avec des postes de travail effectuant des opérations de transfert de certains de ces ensembles de pièces vers d'autres organes de positionnement supplémentaires 6' de la platine 3, ces derniers réaUsant une nouveUe mise en géométrie des pièces pour leur assemblage.The operations carried out on the workstations in the following zone 34 are then similar to those described above, the workstations performing welding operations on the parts present on the plate 3 being alternated with workstations performing transfer operations from some of these sets of parts to other additional positioning members 6 'of the plate 3, the latter realizing a new geometry of the parts for their assembly.
Comme on peut le voir sur la figure 4, l'ensemble de ces opérations permet d'obtenir finalement une pluraUté de sous-ensembles tels que les longerons 23 Ués à leur élément de Uaison 22, les traverses 21, pouvant être disposés sur la platine 3 sur les organes de positionnement 6, directement suivant la géométrie finale du plancher afin d'être soudés ensemble. La figure 5 iUustre un poste de travail particulier de la zone 35 de la Ugne de fabrication où une tôle de plancher 24, stockée dans un meuble 27, est rapportée sur les longerons 23, les éléments de haison 22 et les traverses 21 déjà préassemblés et positionnés sur la platine 3.As can be seen in FIG. 4, all of these operations ultimately make it possible to obtain a plurality of sub-assemblies such as the beams 23 Ués with their Uaison element 22, the cross members 21, which can be arranged on the plate 3 on the positioning members 6, directly along the final geometry of the floor in order to be welded together. FIG. 5 iUustrates a particular work station in zone 35 of the manufacturing area where a floor plate 24, stored in a cabinet 27, is attached to the side members 23, the hedge elements 22 and the cross members 21 already preassembled and positioned on the plate 3.
Les opérations effectuées sur les autres postes de travail de la zone 35 correspondent ensuite aux dernières opérations de soudage nécessaires à l'obtention des planchers assemblés et à la mise en place de ces derniers sur un meuble de stockage 28.The operations performed on the other workstations in zone 35 then correspond to the last welding operations necessary to obtain the assembled floors and to place them on a storage unit 28.
Le procédé de montage décrit précédemment présente de nombreux avantages sur les procédés classiquement utiïisés. En effet, il permet, en réahsant l'ensemble des opérations d'assemblage de l'élément de tôlerie sur une même platine, de regrouper tous les organes de positionnement spécifiques à l'élément de carrosserie, sur cette même platine.The mounting method described above has many advantages over the conventionally used methods. Indeed, it allows, by reahsing all the assembly operations of the sheet metal element on the same plate, to group all the positioning members specific to the body element, on this same plate.
Ainsi, un simple changement de platine permet de changer le type d'élément de carrosserie en production, ce qui procure une grande flexibilité à la Ugne de fabrication, les postes de travail pouvant être équipés d'un lecteur optique permettant l'identification automatique du type de platine se présentant à leur niveau afin de modifier en conséquence la programmation des robots.Thus, a simple change of plate makes it possible to change the type of bodywork element in production, which gives great flexibility to the manufacturing range, the workstations can be equipped with an optical reader allowing the automatic identification of the type of stage presenting itself at their level in order to modify the robot programming accordingly.
De plus, la logistique de chargement de la Ugne de fabrication est simplifiée par le regroupement en une seule zone des principales pièces constituant l'élément de carrosserie, seules les pièces fortement encombrantes, comme la tôle de plancher dans le mode de réalisation décrit, étant approvisionnées directement au poste de travail où ceUes-ci sont assemblées. Il est néanmoins envisageable de réaUser une variante où toutes les pièces de l'élément de carrosserie seraient chargées en un point de la Ugne de fabrication sur une platine plus volumineuse afin d'avoir une seule zone d'approvisionnement en pièces. Enfin, la cadence de production peut être augmentée simplement en augmentant le nombre de robots présents sur la Ugne de fabrication.In addition, the loading logistics of the manufacturing unit is simplified by the grouping in a single zone of the main parts constituting the bodywork element, only the very bulky parts, such as the floor sheet in the embodiment described, being supplied directly to the work station where these are assembled. It is nevertheless conceivable to réaUser a variant where all the parts of the bodywork element would be loaded at one point of the manufacturing line on a larger plate in order to have a single parts supply area. Finally, the production rate can be increased simply by increasing the number of robots present on the production line.
Le procédé de montage et le dispositif associé ainsi réaUsé permet, sans augmentation de coût, d'avoir une Ugne de fabrication réellement flexible, pouvant suivre rapidement les évolutions du produit et permettre l'assemblage de différents éléments de carrosserie. En effet, le surcoût de la Ugne engendré par la multipUcation des robots et la complexité des platines est compensé par la disparition des machines spécifiques pour le préassemblage des pièces.The assembly process and the associated device thus carried out makes it possible, without increasing the cost, to have a truly flexible manufacturing range, which can quickly follow the developments in the product and allow the assembly of different bodywork elements. Indeed, the additional cost of the Ugne generated by the multipUcation of robots and the complexity of the plates is offset by the disappearance of specific machines for the pre-assembly of parts.
Bien entendu, l'invention n'est nuUement limitée au mode de réaUsation décrit et iïlustré qui n'a été donné qu'à titre d'exemple.Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given only by way of example.
Au contraire, l'invention comprend tous les équivalents techniques des moyens décrits ainsi que leurs combinaisons si celles-ci sont effectuées suivant son esprit.On the contrary, the invention includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these are carried out according to the spirit.
Ainsi, on peut envisager de remplacer les platines amovibles disposées sur chaque palette par deux platines amovibles disposées côte à côte, la première platine comportant les organes de positionnement nécessaires au maintien et au positionnement des pièces lors du chargement et des différentes étapes de préassemblage, la seconde platine comportant les organes de positionnement servant à la mise en place des différentes pièces selon la géométrie finale de l'élément de carrosserie. Cette séparation en deux platines permet de réduire l'encombrement du convoyeur annexe à partir duquel les pièces sont chargées, le chargement de la seconde platine pouvant être géré à l'aide d'un second convoyeur muni d'un meuble de tri. Thus, it is conceivable to replace the removable plates arranged on each pallet by two removable plates arranged side by side, the first plate comprising the positioning members necessary for maintaining and positioning the parts during loading and the various pre-assembly steps, the second plate comprising the positioning members used for the positioning of the different parts according to the final geometry of the bodywork element. This separation into two plates makes it possible to reduce the size of the annex conveyor from which the parts are loaded, the loading of the second plate being able to be managed using a second conveyor provided with a sorting cabinet.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
[1] Procédé de montage d'une structure de carrosserie de véhicules automobiles, teUe qu'un plancher, à partir de pièces de tôlerie réunies en sous-ensembles et portées par une platine (3), ladite platine (3) étant transportée par un convoyeur ( 1) le long d'une Ugne principale de fabrication coopérant avec différents postes de travail pour la réaUsation des opérations de mise en géométrie et d'assemblage desdits sous-ensembles, lesdites opérations de mise en géométrie utilisant des organes de positionnement (6) agencés sur ladite platine (3), caractérisé en ce que lesdits sous-ensembles sont également réahsés directement sur la Ugne principale de fabrication, à partir de pièces de tôlerie (21,22,23) disposées sur des organes de positionnement supplémentaires (6') de ladite platine (3).[1] Method for assembling a motor vehicle body structure, such as a floor, from sheet metal parts joined into sub-assemblies and carried by a plate (3), said plate (3) being transported by a conveyor (1) along a main manufacturing line cooperating with different workstations for carrying out the geometry and assembly operations of said sub-assemblies, said geometry operations using positioning members ( 6) arranged on said plate (3), characterized in that said subassemblies are also mounted directly on the main manufacturing unit, from sheet metal parts (21,22,23) arranged on additional positioning members ( 6') of said plate (3).
[2] Procédé de montage d'une structure de carrosserie de véhicules automobiles selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que lesdits sous- ensembles sont réahsés par une succession d'opérations de mise en géométrie et d'assemblage des pièces de tôlerie (21,22,23) présentes sur lesdits organes de positionnement supplémentaires (6').[2] Method for assembling a motor vehicle body structure according to claim 1, characterized in that said sub-assemblies are re-assembled by a succession of operations of shaping and assembling the sheet metal parts (21). ,22,23) present on said additional positioning members (6').
[3] Procédé de montage d'une structure de carrosserie de véhicules automobiles selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce que lesdites opérations de mise en géométrie des pièces de tôlerie (21,22,23) sont effectuées par la mise en place, à l'aide de robots (11) de la Ugne de fabrication munis d'outils de préhension, desdites pièces de tôlerie (21,22,23) sur les organes de positionnement supplémentaires (6') adaptés.[3] Method for assembling a motor vehicle body structure according to claim 2, characterized in that said operations of setting the geometry of the sheet metal parts (21,22,23) are carried out by positioning, at using robots (11) from the manufacturing company equipped with gripping tools, said sheet metal parts (21,22,23) on the additional positioning members (6') adapted.
[4] Procédé de montage d'une structure de carrosserie de véhicules automobiles selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que le chargement des pièces de tôlerie (21,22,23) sur les platines (3) est opéré au niveau d'un poste de chargement (10) extérieur à la Ugne principale de fabrication, seules les pièces (24) les plus encombrantes étant chargées sur les platines (3) au niveau du poste de travail correspondant à leur phase d'assemblage.[4] Method for assembling a motor vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the loading of the sheet metal parts (21,22,23) on the plates (3) is operated at a loading station (10) outside the main manufacturing plant, only the most bulky parts (24) being loaded on the plates (3) at the workstation corresponding to their assembly phase.
[5] Dispositif pour la mise en oeuvre du procédé de montage d'une structure de carrosserie de véhicules automobiles selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comportant une Ugne de fabrication munie d'un convoyeur ( 1) de platines (3), lesdites platines (3) présentant des organes de positionnement (6) pouvant recevoir les sous-ensembles de la structure à assembler, caractérisé en ce que lesdites platines (3) comportent également des organes de positionnement supplémentaires (6') permettant le maintien et la mise en géométrie des pièces de tôlerie nécessaires à la constitution des sous-ensembles.[5] Device for implementing the method of mounting a motor vehicle body structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising a manufacturing unit provided with a conveyor (1) of plates (3 ), said plates (3) having positioning members (6) capable of receiving the subassemblies of the structure to be assembled, characterized in that said plates (3) also comprise additional positioning members (6') allowing the maintenance and the geometry of the sheet metal parts necessary for the constitution of the subassemblies.
[6] Dispositif selon la revendication 5, caractérisé en ce ledit convoyeur ( 1) comporte des palettes (2) intermédiaires sur lesqueUes lesdites platines (3) sont montées de façon amovible. [6] Device according to claim 5, characterized in that said conveyor (1) comprises intermediate pallets (2) on which said plates (3) are removably mounted.
PCT/FR1997/002451 1996-12-31 1997-12-30 Method and device for mounting elements of motor vehicle body WO1998029293A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9616309A FR2757819B1 (en) 1996-12-31 1996-12-31 METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MOUNTING BODY ELEMENTS OF MOTOR VEHICLES
FR96/16309 1996-12-31

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WO2016131968A1 (en) * 2015-02-19 2016-08-25 Kuka Systems Gmbh Manufacturing device, manufacturing plant and method
CN106181419B (en) * 2016-08-30 2018-07-20 朱洋 Second assembly line of valve upper cover processing line

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1986003153A1 (en) * 1984-11-26 1986-06-05 Firma Kuka Schweissanlagen + Roboter Gmbh Flexible manufacturing system for the processing and production of multiple-component assemblies, in particular unfinished coachwork assemblies
US5347700A (en) * 1992-03-19 1994-09-20 Mazda Motor Corporation Method of assembling vehicle parts
EP0639807A1 (en) * 1993-08-16 1995-02-22 Ford Motor Company Limited Flexible assembly cell

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1986003153A1 (en) * 1984-11-26 1986-06-05 Firma Kuka Schweissanlagen + Roboter Gmbh Flexible manufacturing system for the processing and production of multiple-component assemblies, in particular unfinished coachwork assemblies
US5347700A (en) * 1992-03-19 1994-09-20 Mazda Motor Corporation Method of assembling vehicle parts
EP0639807A1 (en) * 1993-08-16 1995-02-22 Ford Motor Company Limited Flexible assembly cell

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FR2757819B1 (en) 1999-01-22

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