Automated Clipping & Welding System

Written by: APL

A leading global supplier of automotive components and systems has approached APL to design and develop semi-automated machinery to assemble and test a special range of automotive component assemblies.

The project involved the supply of four machines, one of which was an automated clipping and welding system. This consisted of 2 high speed 6-axis robots for clip presentation and insertion, one welding robot with ultra-sonic welding head, 2 bowl feeding systems and 2 printers (see the picture below).

The clipping and welding system has independent right and left hand stations, each including a mirrored assembly fixture for a left hand or right hand automotive panel. The system is semi-automated in operation with an operator loading 2 types of automotive panels into fixture nests and then unloading the completed assembly. The 6-axis robot picks and accurately assembles spring clips onto the panels, whilst a welding robot ultrasonically welds and joins two panels.

The vision inspection features and poka-yoke (error proofing), ensures that all spring clips are correctly present / fitted. Once the full processing cycle is completed, the printers print barcode labels, which will be attached to the panels by operator before the unloading.

The remaining three machines are all semi-automated clipping systems with bowl and linear feeder(s), 6-axis robot(s) for clip presentation and insertion, plus label printing station(s). The poka-yoke design ensures all spring clips are fitted in position.

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Product Name

Automated Clipping & Welding System

Case studiesNov 21st, 20180 comments