Assembly model data in robot cell systems

Describes the intelligent manufacturing system (IMS) program progress in the autonomous assembly robot cell research. We focus on the information which is generated by the designers during the product development process. From the assembly process viewpoint, this information is extracted and integrated into the product model as an assembly model. This information is called assembly model data (AMD). Therefore, the main purpose of our research is to investigate the utility of AMD and the best format for these data in the assembly process. To solve the assembly problem, a 3D CAD data driven assembly robot cell (ARC) system was proposed. Robot task programs for the assembly process are generated automatically from 3D CAD data and AMD with this system in the virtual environment. The system can show the designers visually the difficult parts of an assembly. ARC with only products´ CAD data and AMD can then assemble actual products in the real environment using a hand eye system equipped with a laser range finder. The products´ CAD data and AMD are supplied to each ARC through a network. The data format was evaluated through loading actual AMD in the ARC system