Abstract: A system for providing a thermal interface material on a tray for an electric vehicle battery includes a material dispensing system (MDS) and a vision system. The MDS includes a set of pumps, a robotic dispensing system (RDS), and a controller. The set of pumps includes a first pump to house a first material and a second pump to house a second material different from the first material. The RDS is fluidly coupled to the set of pumps and dispenses a third material on the tray in a defined pattern, where the third material is a mixture of the first and second materials. The vision system is configured to capture a first set of images. The controller is configured to determine a nozzle offset of the RDS based on the first set of images and control a position of the RDS based on the nozzle offset.

Abstract: A system for providing a thermal interface material on a tray for an electric vehicle battery includes a material dispensing system (MDS) and a vision system. The MDS includes a set of pumps, a robotic dispensing system (RDS), and a controller. The set of pumps includes a first pump to house a first material and a second pump to house a second material different from the first material. The RDS is fluidly coupled to the set of pumps and dispenses a third material on the tray in a defined pattern, where the third material is a mixture of the first and second materials. The vision system is configured to capture a first set of images. The controller is configured to determine a nozzle offset of the RDS based on the first set of images and control a position of the RDS based on the nozzle offset.

Abstract: A system for assembling a vehicle platform includes a robotic assembly system having at least two robotic arms, a vision system capturing images of an assembly frame, and a control system configured to control the robotic assembly system to assemble the vehicle platform based on images from the vision system, force feedback from the at least two robotic arms, and a component location model. The control system is further configured to identify assembly features of a first component and a second component of the vehicle platform from the images, operate the robotic arms to orient the first component and the second component to respective nominal positions based on the images and the component location model, and operate the robotic arms to assemble the first component to the second component based on the force feedback.

Abstract: A system for assembling a vehicle platform includes a robotic assembly system having at least two robotic arms, a vision system capturing images of an assembly frame, and a control system configured to control the robotic assembly system to assemble the vehicle platform based on images from the vision system, force feedback from the at least two robotic arms, and a component location model. The control system is further configured to identify assembly features of a first component and a second component of the vehicle platform from the images, operate the robotic arms to orient the first component and the second component to respective nominal positions based on the images and the component location model, and operate the robotic arms to assemble the first component to the second component based on the force feedback.

Abstract: A lubricant/sealer dispenser is disclosed for a component press-in system that includes a pressurized lubricant/sealer reservoir filled with lubricant/sealer. A nozzle is supplied with lubricant/sealer from the reservoir and includes an offset tip formed of PTFE that is enclosed in a steel tube. A controller controls a motor that rotates the nozzle within an opening in a part at a selected depth. The motor rotates the nozzle about a fixed axis and follows an inner surface of the opening as the part is moved by a robot relative to the nozzle in a selected pattern. The nozzle applies the lubricant/sealer by applying the lubricant/sealer onto the inner surface of the opening.

Abstract: An assembly method is provided by orienting a cylinder-head at a first orientation. A first plurality of spring caps and a first plurality of retainer keys are installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a first robot. A first plurality of valves is installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a second robot, into engagement with the first plurality of retainer keys. An end effector is provided with an actuator supported upon an adapter plate. A shaft extends from the actuator with a mating surface to engage a spring cap. Porting is provided through the shaft to convey pressurized air upon a plurality of retainer keys within the spring cap. A plurality of gripper fingers extend from the distal end of the shaft to grip a valve spring while retaining a spring cap between the valve spring and the mating surface of the shaft.

Abstract: A lubricant/sealer dispenser is disclosed for a component press-in system that includes a pressurized lubricant/sealer reservoir filled with lubricant/sealer. A nozzle is supplied with lubricant/sealer from the reservoir and includes an offset tip formed of PTFE that is enclosed in a steel tube. A controller controls a motor that rotates the nozzle within an opening in a part at a selected depth. The motor rotates the nozzle about a fixed axis and follows an inner surface of the opening as the part is moved by a robot relative to the nozzle in a selected pattern. The nozzle applies the lubricant/sealer by applying the lubricant/sealer onto the inner surface of the opening.

Abstract: A flexible pressing system for accepting and rejecting pressed part into a part may include a pressing apparatus configured to press components into a hole of a part and a controller programmed to receive press data for a press of at least one of the components, the press data including force, distance and time of the press, and determine whether the force is indicative of an inadequate press based on the force and distance at a specific time of the press.

Abstract: A press frame for a robot system includes a base, a bridge and a set of columns supporting the bridge above the base. A first robot holds a part on the base and a second robot manipulates a pressing tool to press a component into an opening. The pressing tool is backed by the bridge that opposes a reaction force resulting from pressing the component part into the part. A method of assembling components to a part by pressing the part into an opening while engaging the bridge of a reaction frame. The part is transferred to the base by a first robot that positions the part on the base. A pressing tool and a component are selected by a second robot that orients the component to be inserted in the opening. Data relating to displacement, load and time is collected by the controller.

Abstract: An integrated control system for a flexible pressing system may include a first robot including a gripper for manipulating a part, a second robot including a pressing tool, and a controller configured to instruct the first robot to move the part into a pressing position and to instruct the second robot to concurrently ready the pressing tool for pressing.

Abstract: A press frame for a robot system includes a base, a bridge and a set of columns supporting the bridge above the base. A first robot holds a part on the base and a second robot manipulates a pressing tool to press a component into an opening. The pressing tool is backed by the bridge that opposes a reaction force resulting from pressing the component part into the part. A method of assembling components to a part by pressing the part into an opening while engaging the bridge of a reaction frame. The part is transferred to the base by a first robot that positions the part on the base. A pressing tool and a component are selected by a second robot that orients the component to be inserted in the opening. Data relating to displacement, load and time is collected by the controller.

Abstract: A lubricant/sealer dispenser is disclosed for a component press-in system that includes a pressurized lubricant/sealer reservoir filled with lubricant/sealer. A nozzle is supplied with lubricant/sealer from the reservoir and includes an offset tip formed of PTFE that is enclosed in a steel tube. A controller controls a motor that rotates the nozzle within an opening in a part at a selected depth. The motor rotates the nozzle about a fixed axis and follows an inner surface of the opening as the part is moved by a robot relative to the nozzle in a selected pattern. The nozzle applies the lubricant/sealer by applying the lubricant/sealer onto the inner surface of the opening.

Abstract: A flexible pressing system for accepting and rejecting pressed part into a part may include a pressing apparatus configured to press components into a hole of a part and a controller programmed to receive press data for a press of at least one of the components, the press data including force, distance and time of the press, and determine whether the force is indicative of an inadequate press based on the force and distance at a specific time of the press.

Abstract: An integrated control system for a flexible pressing system may include a first robot including a gripper for manipulating a part, a second robot including a pressing tool, and a controller configured to instruct the first robot to move the part into a pressing position and to instruct the second robot to concurrently ready the pressing tool for pressing.

Abstract: An assembly method is provided by orienting a cylinder-head at a first orientation. A first plurality of spring caps and a first plurality of retainer keys are installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a first robot. A first plurality of valves is installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a second robot, into engagement with the first plurality of retainer keys. An end effector is provided with an actuator supported upon an adapter plate. A shaft extends from the actuator with a mating surface to engage a spring cap. Porting is provided through the shaft to convey pressurized air upon a plurality of retainer keys within the spring cap. A plurality of gripper fingers extend from the distal end of the shaft to grip a valve spring while retaining a spring cap between the valve spring and the mating surface of the shaft.

Abstract: An assembly method is provided by orienting a cylinder-head at a first orientation. A first plurality of spring caps and a first plurality of retainer keys are installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a first robot. A first plurality of valves is installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a second robot, into engagement with the first plurality of retainer keys. An end effector is provided with an actuator supported upon an adapter plate. A shaft extends from the actuator with a mating surface to engage a spring cap. Porting is provided through the shaft to convey pressurized air upon a plurality of retainer keys within the spring cap. A plurality of gripper fingers extend from the distal end of the shaft to grip a valve spring while retaining a spring cap between the valve spring and the mating surface of the shaft.

Abstract: An assembly method is provided by orienting a cylinder-head at a first orientation. A first plurality of spring caps and a first plurality of retainer keys are installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a first robot. A first plurality of valves is installed into the cylinder-head in the first orientation by a second robot, into engagement with the first plurality of retainer keys. An end effector is provided with an actuator supported upon an adapter plate. A shaft extends from the actuator with a mating surface to engage a spring cap. Porting is provided through the shaft to convey pressurized air upon a plurality of retainer keys within the spring cap. A plurality of gripper fingers extend from the distal end of the shaft to grip a valve spring while retaining a spring cap between the valve spring and the mating surface of the shaft.

Abstract: Current based methods and systems for testing an electromagnetically actuated fuel injector of an engine are provided. In at least one embodiment, an injector is commanded to actuate, data about a current associated with the command is collected, and a determination is made regarding whether the injector is functioning properly based on the data.

Abstract: Current based methods and systems for testing an electromagnetically actuated fuel injector of an engine are provided. In at least one embodiment, an injector is commanded to actuate, data about a current associated with the command is collected, and a determination is made regarding whether the injector is functioning properly based on the data.