Slide stations handle automotive positioning
A
Gudel UK product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jan 24, 2005
Gudel handling and positioning technology is at the heart of two new marriage slide stations that automate the mounting of driveline equipment to car bodies for a leading vehicle manufacturer.
Gudel high precision component handling and positioning technology is at the heart of two new marriage slide stations that automate the mounting of driveline equipment to car bodies for a leading vehicle manufacturer.
The new units, which are based on Gudel's range of TrackMotion modules and controls, synchronise the position of the engine, transmission and both front and rear suspension units, not only to the vehicle's bodyshell, but to four assembly robots as they move in unison through each assembly station at 93mm/s.
In operation, the front and rear running gear subassemblies are located on two track-mounted skillets, which are controlled using high accuracy inverter drives in conjunction with Gudel's advanced rack and pinion positioning equipment.
The four robots used on each line are mounted on two 15m-long Gudel TM 90 TrackMotion slides, and employ a closed loop positioning system linked directly to the Gudel controls to ensure continuous tracking of the assembly components to within +0.1mm.
Once synchronised, the robots and skillets are maintained in alignment using two shot bolts, and automatic nut runners tighten the threaded fasteners used to secure the complete assembly.
At the end of the 50 second cycle, the shot bolts are retracted and the robots "rapid back" to their respective start positions, ready for the next vehicle.
According to Gudel UK's joint Managing Director, Gary Ottley: "This application posed a number of important problems".
"The fundamental requirement was to maintain pinpoint accuracy throughout the process in order to ensure the satisfactory use of robot-controlled nut-runners".
"However, there were significant safety and fail-safe operational issues to overcome as well".
"Gudel TrackMotion modules are already used throughout the automotive and other continuous process industries".
"Their proven reliability, accuracy and repeatability were the building blocks used by our in-house applications engineering team to design a system capable of round-the-clock, maintenance-free operation for many years to come".
"Feedback from our customer confirms that we were selected on the strength of our past track records of supplying 'fit and forget' systems; backed by the ability to provide world-wide after-sales service and support".
"We are delighted to have won this contract in the face of some fierce international competition", adds Ottley.
"It has paved the way for discussions to custom-engineer systems for several other automotive and aerospace applications".
"I am therefore confident of building on this initial success with further new orders in the near future".
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