APAS: Adaptable Programmable Assembly System

Abstract

In a study performed for the National Science Foundation, Westinghouse concluded that the successful application of adaptable programmable assembly technology could lead to 3 to 1 productivity improvements in batch assembly operations. Careful analysis of assembly requirements led to a conceptual design of a complete pilot line to assemble a representative product line, small motors. This adaptable programmable assembly system consists of a mix of fixed sequence and servo-controlled robots, programmable fixtures and parts presenters, end effectors and tools which are universal for each work station, vision and other sensory systems, minicomputers and microcomputers, special equipment and people. Low cost, microprocessor-based, binary image processing vision systems are used at each work station to ensure good parts quality and to verify that previous assembly operations are performed properly, thereby minimizing system downtime.