Abstract: A method for assembling parts in an assembly line, such as an automotive final assembly line, is disclosed. The method includes advancing a part along the assembly line with an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), arranging a first real time vision system to monitor the position of the AGV in at least two directions, and providing the readings of the first real time vision system to a controller arranged to control an assembly unit of the assembly line to perform an automated operation on the part that is advanced or supported by the AGV. An assembly line is also disclosed.

Abstract: The vehicle body assembly station comprises main transport assembly for conveying a vehicle body along a first direction D1 in which at least one assembly robot is provided to move along a second direction D2, and temporary transport assembly whose operation is more accurate than that of the main transport assembly for moving the vehicle body independently from the main transport assembly while the assembly robot is performing operations on the vehicle body, whereby a new coordinate reference system is created by the temporary transport assembly.

Abstract: A pendular handling system for handling parts in a press line may have two articulated robots arranged on opposite sides with respect to the central vertical plane of the press line, each robot having at least four rotational axes in series between a robot base and a robot wrist, and each robot being mounted with the first axis horizontal and perpendicular to the press line flow direction, a first arm of each robot can swing in a vertical plane in the press line flow direction.

Abstract: A method for performing operations on a target workpiece including taking an operating tool unit by an industrial robot, carrying the tool unit to the workpiece, releasing the tool unit at the workpiece, moving the robot away from the tool unit, performing one or more operations on the workpiece through the tool unit while the tool unit moves with the workpiece; and retrieving the tool unit from the workpiece after the tool unit has performed the one or more operations on the workpiece. A robotic assembly for performing a method including at least one industrial robot, at least one operating tool unit, and a quick tool changer for detachably coupling the tool unit with the industrial robot including a first tool changer part arranged in the industrial robot and a second tool changer part arranged in the operating tool unit.

Abstract: A method for performing operations on a target workpiece including taking an operating tool unit by an industrial robot, carrying the tool unit to the workpiece, releasing the tool unit at the workpiece, moving the robot away from the tool unit, performing one or more operations on the workpiece through the tool unit while the tool unit moves with the workpiece; and retrieving the tool unit from the workpiece after the tool unit has performed the one or more operations on the workpiece. A robotic assembly for performing a method including at least one industrial robot, at least one operating tool unit, and a quick tool changer for detachably coupling the tool unit with the industrial robot including a first tool changer part arranged in the industrial robot and a second tool changer part arranged in the operating tool unit.

Abstract: A method for assembling parts in an assembly line, such as an automotive final assembly line, is disclosed. The method includes advancing a part along the assembly line with an Automated Guided Vehicle (AGV), arranging a first real time vision system to monitor the position of the AGV in at least two directions, and providing the readings of the first real time vision system to a controller arranged to control an assembly unit of the assembly line to perform an automated operation on the part that is advanced or supported by the AGV. An assembly line is also disclosed.

Abstract: The vehicle body assembly station comprises main transport assembly for conveying a vehicle body along a first direction D1 in which at least one assembly robot is provided to move along a second direction D2, and temporary transport assembly whose operation is more accurate than that of the main transport assembly for moving the vehicle body independently from the main transport assembly while the assembly robot is performing operations on the vehicle body, whereby a new coordinate reference system is created by the temporary transport assembly.

Abstract: A pendular handling system for handling parts in a press line may have two articulated robots arranged on opposite sides with respect to the central vertical plane of the press line, each robot having at least four rotational axes in series between a robot base and a robot wrist, and each robot being mounted with the first axis horizontal and perpendicular to the press line flow direction, a first arm of each robot can swing in a vertical plane in the press line flow direction.

Abstract: A system (100) for handling parts (300) in a press line comprises two industrial robots (101a, 101b) and at least one control unit (400) for the control of the robots, wherein each industrial robot is an articulated robot with at least four axes mounted in series between a robot base (2) and a robot wrist (3), wherein each industrial robot further comprises an arm (4) that has a proximal end (4a) fixed to the robot wrist (3) and a distal end (4b) carrying an additional rotational axis (A7), a motor (43) mounted on the arm near the proximal end, and a transmission (41) between the motor and the additional rotational axis. A method for handling parts in a press line may comprise operating the system such that the two robots jointly handle a part, or such that they each handle a part, either in an alternating or in a parallel mode.

Abstract: A method for loading blanks to a head of the stamping press line includes providing a stack of blanks at a pick-up position; loading blanks from the stack of blanks to the head of the stamping press line; before the stack of blanks is exhausted, creating a buffer by raising a predetermined number of blanks from the top of the stack to a position above the stack; and loading blanks from the buffer to the line while replacing the stack of blanks with a new stack of blanks. A handling system for creating a buffer includes one or more buffer robots with one or more supporting tools on which the blanks can be held, and one or more separating tools to separate one or more blanks at the top of the stack from the underlying blank of the stack.

Abstract: The system includes at least two industrial robots, each with a wrist and an auxiliary arm connected to the wrist by a respective first swivel joint, and a control unit for joint control of said robots; it further includes a crossbar connected at one end thereof to the auxiliary arm of one robot, and at another end thereof to the auxiliary arm of another robot, by a respective second swivel joint, the crossbar having at least two crossbar portions, each attached to the auxiliary arm of one robot and each arranged to carry a tool for picking workpieces, and the crossbar portions being linked to each other through a shifting arrangement such as to be displaceable one with respect to the other in their longitudinal direction.

Abstract: Included are a transfer unit for receiving blanks outputted from the blanking shear or press; at least one stacking support for stacking blanks thereon; one or more stacking robots to pick blanks from the transfer unit and place them on the stacking support, and at least one handling robot configured to position one or more centering pins for assisting the placement of the blanks on the stacking support.

Abstract: A method for loading blanks to a head of the stamping press line includes providing a stack of blanks at a pick-up position; loading blanks from the stack of blanks to the head of the stamping press line; before the stack of blanks is exhausted, creating a buffer by raising a predetermined number of blanks from the top of the stack to a position above the stack; and loading blanks from the buffer to the line while replacing the stack of blanks with a new stack of blanks. A handling system for creating a buffer includes one or more buffer robots with one or more supporting tools on which the blanks can be held, and one or more separating tools to separate one or more blanks at the top of the stack from the underlying blank of the stack.

Abstract: The system includes at least two industrial robots, each with a wrist and an auxiliary arm connected to the wrist by a respective first swivel joint, and a control unit for joint control of said robots; it further includes a crossbar connected at one end thereof to the auxiliary arm of one robot, and at another end thereof to the auxiliary arm of another robot, by a respective second swivel joint, the crossbar having at least two crossbar portions, each attached to the auxiliary arm of one robot and each arranged to carry a tool for picking workpieces, and the crossbar portions being linked to each other through a shifting arrangement such as to be displaceable one with respect to the other in their longitudinal direction.

Abstract: It comprises a transfer unit for receiving the blanks; at least one stacking support for stacking blanks thereon; at least two industrial robots, said robots being arranged with respect to the transfer unit such that they are operable in at least an individual operating mode in which each robot picks a blank from the transfer unit in order to place it on a stacking support, and a joint operating mode in which a group of said robots act simultaneously on one and the same blank, to pick it from the transfer unit in order to place it on a stacking support; and robot control means adapted to operate the industrial robots in individual operating mode or in joint operating mode, depending on a parameter related to the size of the blanks, the weight of the blanks, the output rate from the blanking shear or press, and/or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A device for handling a part. The device is configured for coupling to a handler. The device comprises a rigid arm, a support coupled to the rigid arm, a motor mounted on the arm, and a transmission coupled to the motor and the support. The rigid arm is configured to rotate integrally with an end element of the handler when the rigid arm is coupled to the handier. The support is turnable relative to the rigid arm, and the support is configured for coupling, to a gripping element. The motor is configured for actuating turning of the support relative to the rigid arm.