Robotic high density welding body shop
US8201723B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 31, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jun 19, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 3, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/53548
- WIPO fieldMachine tools
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for managing the delivery of component parts and tooling to a robotic welding assembly positioned on a motor vehicle body assembly line. Automatic guided vehicles deliver component parts from a source of parts to a parts staging area on the robotic welding assembly including a substage awaiting area, a substage in-use area and a substage empty area, and further automatic guided vehicles deliver tooling from a tooling management area to the robotic welding assembly whereafter the tooling, upon model changeover, is moved to a tooling use area proximate the assembly line whereafter, upon further model changeover, the tooling is removed from the tooling use area and loaded onto an automatic guided vehicle for return to the tooling management area.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.