A highly flexible automated odd-form component assembly cell

The authors describe the development of an automated odd-form assembly cell utilizing two high-speed, random accessed, elevator-type component tray feeders with 16 trays each, a SCARA-type pick-and-place robot, a force feedback servo-driven gripper, an active vision correction system, and a variable-width conveyor transport. This system represents a truly flexible, low cost, automated odd-form assembly cell. It features a minimum of 32 different odd-form components online, and provides fast component or product changeover time without the need or expense of multiple external feeders or feeder racks. The component feeder system used on this cell offers a simple and low-cost tooling solution for odd-form components compared to any previous odd-form assembly cell