Pre-Grant Publication Number: 20090138116
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Prior Art Detail
Summary / Description
| Summary / Description | Abstract: An intelligent assembly system for a manufacturing process using one or more sensors that provide information for controlling, monitoring and/or evaluating the process... sensors may be mounted on a module assembly and/or on a powered tool device... sensors may sense a vibratory signature and/or electrical current during the process and supply information, such as a data signal, to a software program or other processor for processing... Results... transmitted to an operator and/or graphically displayed... may instruct the operator to continue with the manufacturing process or inspect the process step just completed for possible error. |
Basic Information
| Type of Prior Art | Issued Patents - US |
| Country | United States of America |
| Patent/Application # | 6553321 |
| Kind Code | United States (US) - United STATES Patent - A |
| Patentee Name | Xerox Corporation |
| Relevant Pages, Columns, or Lines | |
| URL | |
| Filing Date | August 24, 2001 |
| Additional Information | |
Notes / To Do
| Notes | |
Excerpt
Excerpt This invention provides an intelligent assembly system that controls, monitors, and/or evaluates a manufacturing process.
This invention separately and independently provides one or more sensors mounted on a module assembly.
This invention separately and independently provides one or more sensors be mounted on a power tool device.
This invention separately and independently provides a power tool device used for fasteners during assembly processes of manufacturing.
This invention separately and independently provides that a control system be used that receives information from one or more sensors and processes the data.
This invention separately and independently provides an operating system that receives information from the control system and controls the power tool device.
This invention separately and independently provides a database of parameters associated with the fasteners and the power tool device used during assembly processes.
This invention provides an element of automation for assembly processes based upon vibratory signatures and/or performance parameters of a power tool device.
According to various embodiments of this invention, one or more sensors are attached to and integrated with a module so that readings of the assembly process are provided. Further, according to various embodiments of this invention, one or more sensors are attached to and integrated with a power tool device used to insert/attach fasteners to a module assembly so that readings of the assembly are provided. The sensor or sensors may be interfaced with a network or otherwise arranged to transmit sensed signals to a control system.
According to various embodiments of this invention, the control system includes a signal-processing interface. The interface may include software that essentially watches the assembly process, looking out for specific events, such as the insertion of a screw, snap fit, and the like. These events can be counted to ensure that the correct number of insertions are made. In addition, a quantitative analysis can be done to assess whether these operations have been performed correctly. An output of the analysis results can be provided to the control system operator by a graphical user interface (GUI) or some other notification means or device.
According to various embodiments of this invention, results of the control system analysis are transmitted to the operator and displayed by a light, an audible tone, a computerized voice, a GUI or the like that indicates the results of the assembly process. If a defect is detected by the control system analysis, the operator can be notified and the operator may initiate an inspection of the assembled module for such defects. |
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