Development of a Robotic Assembly Station for an Automotive BIW (Body in White) Line

Abstract

In the 21st century, Manufacturers will increasingly face frequent and unpredictable market changes. These changes include the frequent introduction of new products, increased demand for new products and new process technologies. To produce variety of product and suit to new processes automated/semi automated machine tools and fixture are required.

Fixture is special tool or work holding device used for locating and firmly holding the work piece in the proper position during manufacturing operation.

Objective of this project is to develop and simulate a semi automated fixture which need minimum cycle time, easy and less costly to manufacture. Simulation of same fixture for robotic welding with dual trunnion and turn table mechanism. To achieve above objectives study of panel buildup plan, plant layout for process sequence, review of standard parts suitable for fixture design have been done. After developing the fixture Kinematics applied to fixture Units and robot for welding. These results are utilized to make path with considering minimum process time and without clashing the robot with other environment and for this cycle time study of existing process is carried out and getting minimum cycle time.

Modeling of fixture is done in CATIA and the kinematic simulation of robotic cell is done in ROBCAD.