Modular pallet indexing chassis for automated manufacturing and assembly operations

摘要

A modular chassis for use in a manufacturing process line wherein manufacturing process steps are performed by manufacturing devices on workpieces carried by pallets. The chassis top plate is machined attaching one or more different types of manufacturing devices to the chassis, such as a robot or automatic parts feeder. A non-synchronous incoming pallet conveyor is aligned horizontally to receive a set of incoming pallets. A pallet transfer and index module is attached and aligned to accept the set of incoming pallets from the incoming pallet conveyor. The transfer and index module includes an indexing mechanism to accurately position each of the retrieved incoming pallets in one of a plurality of workstations so that at the end of the transfer cycle the process steps can be performed on each of the workpieces. An outgoing pallet conveyor is also aligned horizontally on the top plate to receive the set of pallets from the pallet transfer and index device and move the set of pallets to an outgoing side of the chassis at the end of the process cycle. A pallet return conveyor is aligned on the top plate parallel to the incoming and outgoing pallet conveyors proximate an operator side of the chassis. The chassis further includes at least one power and control sub-system for providing operational power to, and control of, one or more of the manufacturing devices that are attachable to the chassis, and a process control panel viewable from the operator side of the chassis.