Apparatus and method to cradle and hem panels at an assembly-line station

摘要

An apparatus and method to cradle and hem panels at an assembly-line station. A cradle assembly is configured to conform to the shape of a first sheet material and prevents deformation of the class-a surfaces. A first robotic arm operatively associated with said cradle assembly and a slide-assist assembly cooperate to stabilize the cradle and secure a cradle anvil against the first sheet material. A roller head for hemming said first sheet material supported on a second robotic arm. The second robotic arm moves the roller head around the periphery of the first sheet material and against the cradle anvil to form a hem.

主权项

1. An apparatus to cradle and hem panels at an assembly-line station with a docked body-in-white that has a first sheet material requiring a hemming operation, the apparatus comprising:
a roller head for hemming the first sheet material of the docked body-in-white; a first robotic arm operatively associated with said roller head; a cradle assembly positionable from a pounce position spaced apart from the docked body-in-white to a final position cradling the docked body-in-white, said cradle assembly having a fixed anvil that conforms to and rigidly supports the first sheet material to at least in part oppose pressure applied by said roller head during said hemming the first sheet material; and a second robotic arm operatively associated with said cradle assembly for positioning said cradle assembly from said pounce position spaced apart from the docked body-in-white to said final position cradling the docked body-in-white, said first robotic arm positioning said roller head in a plurality of hemming attack angles relative to said fixed anvil as the docket body-in-white is at the assembly-line station.