Reconfigurability and Flexibility in a Robotic Fixture for Automotive Assembly Welding

摘要

On an automotive assembly line, different workpieces are jointed by respot welding. Modern car manufacturers need to be highly adaptive and able to switch to new products frequently within a short time frame. Hence, there is a high and constantly growing demand for the development of flexible and autonomous fixturing systems. A novel highly reconfigurable fixture is created by the Autorecon project within the European Commission's 7th Framework Programme. The proposed system is a structural robot composed of lockable arms, a frame, and double tool changers. The reconfigurability and flexibility of this fixture can improve the manufacturing process while lowering costs and expediting new-model setup and product delivery.