PROCESS OF POSITIONING AUTOMOTIVE COMPONENTS

摘要

A process and system for measuring, positioning and welding a bracket 30 to a mounting surface, such as a vehicle side rail 40, to accomplish smooth and continuous bracket assembly. A bracket positioning tool 20 on a robotic arm 10 allows brackets 30 to adjust to minimize the gap between the bracket 30 and its intended mounting surface. The bracket positioning tool 20 positions brackets 30 near the surface, and allows brackets 30 to adjust for a precise surface match. With input from a second measurement, a welding robot 50 welds the bracket 30 to the surface with the gap minimized while the bracket 30 is held in position. The measurement system and bracket positioning with flexible tooling do not require the bracket 30 to be forced with pressure against the mounting surface. With robots, brackets can be consistently placed and welded in precise locations on varying mounting surfaces.

主权项

1. A process of welding a bracket to a mounting surface including using an adjustable tool on a moveable arm that allows the bracket to adjust to minimize gap between the bracket and its intended mounting surface, comprising the steps of:
securing the bracket via the moveable arm; measuring current position of the mounting surface and current position where the bracket is to be placed; positioning the bracket at a desired position adjacent to the mounting surface based on measurements of the positions; minimizing the gap between the bracket and the mounting surface through positioning via the adjustable tool, measuring the position of the bracket and providing positioning input to a welding robot to precisely weld the bracket to the mounting surface, and welding the bracket to the mounting surface using the welding robot with the gap minimized while the bracket is held in the desired position.