Manufacturing system with interchangeable tooling heads and tooling nests

摘要

A manufacturing center configured for use with a plurality of tools and a plurality of nests. The manufacturing center includes a base configured for coupling with one of the plurality of nests. The base includes a base electrical connector. The manufacturing center also includes an arm configured for coupling with one of the plurality of tools. The arm has an end movable with respect to the base, and the end includes an arm electrical connector. A controller is operable to control movement of the arm and is in communication with the base electrical connector and the arm electrical connector. The controller is operable to identify which one of the plurality of tools is coupled with the arm and which one of the plurality of nests is coupled with the base at least in part by way of communication with the arm electrical connector and the base electrical connector.

主权项

1. A computer controlled manufacturing center comprising:
a base including at least one base mount and a base electrical connector; an arm moveable with respect to the base, the arm including at least one arm mount and an arm electrical connector; a drive assembly operable to move the arm with respect to the base; first and second nests interchangeably coupleable to the base, the first and second nests configured differently from one another for use during different manufacturing operations, each nest including at least one nest mount engageable with the base mount to locate the respective nest relative to the base, the first nest including a first nest electrical connector electrically engageable with the base electrical connector and having a first nest electrical configuration, and the second nest including a second nest electrical connector electrically engageable with the base electrical connector and having a second nest electrical configuration different from the first nest electrical configuration; first and second tool heads interchangeably coupleable to the arm, each tool head configured to perform a different manufacturing operation and including at least one tool mount engageable with the arm mount to couple the respective tool head to the arm for movement therewith, the first tool head including a first tool electrical connector electrically engageable with the arm electrical connector and having a first tool electrical configuration, and the second tool head including a second tool electrical connector electrically engageable with the arm electrical connector and having a second tool electrical configuration different from the first tool electrical configuration; and a controller in communication with the drive assembly, the base electrical connector, and the arm electrical connector, the controller operable to:
a) determine whether the first nest or the second nest is coupled to the base by determining whether the first nest electrical connector or the second nest electrical connector is electrically engaged with the base electrical connector,b) determine whether the first tool head or the second tool head is coupled to the arm by determining whether the first tool electrical connector or the second tool electrical connector is electrically engaged with the arm electrical connector, andc) based on the determinations of a) and b), select at least one control program for moving the arm and operating the first tool head or the second tool head from a plurality of control programs.