ROBOTIC VEHICLE PANEL ALIGNMENT SYSTEM AND PROCESS

摘要

A robotic system and process for automatically orienting/positioning a vehicle panel prior to its installation to a vehicle. The panel is first moved by the robot from a temporary storage position to an alignment fixture that acts to initially define the orientation/position of the panel in two directions. The robot subsequently contacts the panel such that the panel is pushed against a position stop that defines the position or the panel in a third direction. With the panel properly oriented/positioned, the robot removes the panel from the alignment fixture and transfers it to the vehicle installation. Panels of dissimilar size and/or shape may be installed using the same system and process.