METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY ATTACHING SUB-ASSEMBLY TO MAIN ASSEMBLY AND SYSTEM THEREFOR USING INDUSTRIAL ROBOTS

摘要

A method and system for automatically attaching a sub-assembly such as a strut to a main assembly such as a vehicle body frame in a production line. The method involves the steps of moving the sub-assembly including a separable engagement means to a predetermined location of the main assembly, anchoring the engagement means of the sub-assembly to a positioning part located at the predetermined location of the main assembly so as to temporarily attach the sub-assembly to the main assembly, moving an automatic fastening tool to the opposite side of the predetermined location of the main assembly to which the sub-assembly is attached and tightening fasteners in the automatic fastening tool onto the sub-assembly so as to permanently attach the sub-assembly to the predetermined location of the main assembly. The engagement means can then be removed. Since the sub-assembly is temporarily attached to the predetermined location of the main assembly, the tightening operation of a fastener is simplified and can be carried out at a different working station, in addition to various other advantages.