Toward robotizing powertrain assembly

Author

Gravel, Dave ; Maslar, Frank ; Zhang, George ; Nidamarthi, Srini ; Chen, Heping ; Fuhlbrigge, Tom

Author_Institution

Adv. Manuf. Technol. Dev., Ford Motor Co., Livonia, MI

fYear

2008

fDate

25-27 June 2008

Firstpage

541

Lastpage

546

Abstract

This paper presents the recent progress of using robotics in automotive powertain assembly manufacturing processes. After briefly describing force control and vision-guided robot (VGR), we introduce successful implementation of robotic assembly for transmission torque converters, VGR-based engine head assembly, transmission valve body assembly and engine piston installation. Then we discuss other robotic assembly related technologies such as visual servoing and assembly parameter optimization and followed by discussing assembly production line evolution such as the merging of automated-guided vehicle (AGV). The successful model of collaborative development between Ford Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development (AMTD) and ABB Robotics is also mentioned and reviewed.

Keywords

automatic guided vehicles; automobile manufacture; control engineering computing; force control; power transmission (mechanical); production engineering computing; robotic assembly; visual servoing; ABB Robotics; Ford Advanced Manufacturing Technology Development; assembly parameter optimization; assembly production line evolution; automated-guided vehicle; automotive powertain assembly manufacturing processes; engine head assembly; engine piston installation; force control; robotic assembly; transmission torque converters; transmission valve body assembly; vision-guided robot; visual servoing; Automotive engineering; Engines; Force control; Manufacturing processes; Mechanical power transmission; Optimized production technology; Robot vision systems; Robotic assembly; Torque converters; Valves; Industrial robot; force control; powertrain assembly; vision-guided robot;

fLanguage

English

Publisher

ieee

Conference_Titel

Intelligent Control and Automation, 2008. WCICA 2008. 7th World Congress on

Conference_Location

Chongqing

Print_ISBN

978-1-4244-2113-8

Electronic_ISBN

978-1-4244-2114-5

Type

conf

DOI

10.1109/WCICA.2008.4592981

Filename

4592981