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WO1997003791A1 - Systeme a postes de travail - Google Patents

Systeme a postes de travail Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997003791A1
WO1997003791A1 PCT/EP1996/003068 EP9603068W WO9703791A1 WO 1997003791 A1 WO1997003791 A1 WO 1997003791A1 EP 9603068 W EP9603068 W EP 9603068W WO 9703791 A1 WO9703791 A1 WO 9703791A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
workstation
transfer means
transport level
pallets
module
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/EP1996/003068
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Robert Heinrich
Erwin Neumann
Johannes Maurer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Toshiba Europe GmbH
Original Assignee
Toshiba Europe GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Toshiba Europe GmbH filed Critical Toshiba Europe GmbH
Publication of WO1997003791A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997003791A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P21/00—Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control
    • B23P21/004—Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control the units passing two or more work-stations whilst being composed
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B23—MACHINE TOOLS; METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B23P—METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS
    • B23P21/00—Machines for assembling a multiplicity of different parts to compose units, with or without preceding or subsequent working of such parts, e.g. with programme control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25—HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25H—WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT, e.g. FOR MARKING-OUT WORK; STORAGE MEANS FOR WORKSHOPS
    • B25H1/00—Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby
    • B25H1/12—Work benches; Portable stands or supports for positioning portable tools or work to be operated on thereby with storage compartments
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K13/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
    • H05K13/0061—Tools for holding the circuit boards during processing; handling transport of printed circuit boards

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a workstation system having at least two workstation modules linked via a transfer device and on which mounts for supply containers are located, with the work surface being formed by a section of the transfer device.
  • Such workstation systems are known in principle and are used in the field of industrial production and assembly.
  • the PRODEL company's corporate logo "The user's flexible assembly system” shows such an assembly system in which the products to be produced are arranged on self-propelled pallets.
  • the respective pallet stops in a bypass loop of the transport path so that components from the supply containers arranged behind the pallet can be removed and assembled.
  • the work surface is formed by the pallets located on the transfer device and by that portion of the transport path located below it, i.e. by a section of the transfer device.
  • An equipping table of assembly bays in which a paternoster-type elevator for supply containers is provided and which conveys a corresponding supply container into the grabbing range of the assembly worker, is also known from DE-OS 24 31 398.
  • Such a design is, however, extremely complex and hence expensive.
  • the workstation system's transfer device does not have its own drive, i.e. it is not clocked. This entails the major advantage over the known clocked systems that the person at the workstation need not work under pressure, but can largely determine the speed of work himself. Furthermore, there is no need to provide any drives, which are usually loud, expensive and complex.
  • the supply containers of conventional workstation systems are merely located behind the work surface and above the transport level. Yet, according to the invention, the space below the transport level and adjacent to the work surface can be utilized as well. Since the transfer device according to the invention does not have its own drive, it is possible to reach through the transport level without any risk.
  • the mount below the transport level may be a drawer guide which preferably enables an insertion of commercially available small-parts stores.
  • a rapid exchange of drawer-like containers is ensured by this embodiment.
  • the provision of drawers below the transport level means that it is not necessary to reach very far into these drawers so that the parts located in the drawers can be grabbed easily.
  • commercially available small-parts stores have proved to be particularly advantageous, in other words drawer-like containers with subdivisions for small parts such as screws and the like.
  • the transfer device has a track with casters and/or ball bearings and/or rollers.
  • a transfer device makes it possible to set up a workstation system at very little cost.
  • the assembly products can be transferred from one workstation module to another workstation module without any considerable effort.
  • the transfer device does not have any subsidiary routes, i.e. the individual workstation modules are connected together merely by means of a single main route.
  • a transfer device designed in this manner in turn contributes toward keeping the production costs extremely low, since no "bypass" or "off-line” stations are necessary.
  • the transfer device has a continuous front and rear guide rail. This ensures trouble-free transportation of the assembly products, without taking account of how the individual workstation modules are designed and spaced.
  • the opening on the transport level can be formed by two parallel and correspondingly spaced rollers. Such an embodiment in turn represents a highly inexpensive version of the invention, since the opening is formed merely by "omitting" a roller. It is simultaneously ensured that the transportation of the assembly product can take place without disruption despite the provided opening.
  • the transfer device has pallets which are composed of a composite or synthetic material panel and which are preferably fitted with recesses for gripping.
  • pallets as workpiece carriers for workstation systems are in principle known from the prior art, the workstation system according to the invention allows the use of quite simple panels without any other fittings or the like, which in turn keeps production costs down.
  • the individual pallets can also be easily grabbed whenever two pallets come into direct contact with one another.
  • the pallets have an edge-side groove for engaging with a catch means which is provided on the transfer device's transport level.
  • a catch means makes it possible to fix the pallet so as to prevent it from moving during the assembly process.
  • the catch means is advantageously provided in the area of the work surface so that the pallet can be locked after it has been positioned on the work surface.
  • the catch means has a spring-loaded element, the pallet is automatically locked between the front and the rear guide rail after it has been positioned on the work surface, and the locking mechanism is automatically re-released when the pallet is moved further on the transfer device by the assembly worker.
  • Fixing means, which fix the pallets in the area of the work surface are likewise in principle known from the prior art.
  • At least one feeding means is assigned to at least one workstation module.
  • supply containers can be supplied to the respective workstation module.
  • the corresponding components or assemblies needed to assemble the final product are located in these supply containers.
  • the variable height of the feeding means makes it possible to adjust this feeding means to the various sizes of container.
  • the feeding means has two superposed sliding levels, with at least one level being composed of sliding surfaces hingedly connected to one another and preferably having an inclined roller conveyor.
  • a feeding means enables the containers to be arranged in a staggered manner on top of one another, whereby the containers can be supplied backwards by means of the provided sliding levels and then slide right into the assembly area.
  • the sliding level can be divided into two areas angled to differing extents by the fact that one level comprises sliding surfaces hingedly connected to one another.
  • the containers filled with the individual assemblies can be arranged on the angled portion such that a simple removal of the assemblies from the container is ensured.
  • the feeding means can simultaneously be designed in an extremely space-saving manner since the sliding levels can be very closely staggered on top of one another.
  • a container located on a lower sliding level can then in fact also be removed from the feeding means if the sliding level above it is arranged directly above the upper container edge. In this instance, the container can be easily removed as a result of unfolding the upper sliding-level element.
  • a removal means located in the base area and which preferably has an inclined roller conveyor is assigned to at least one workstation module.
  • this ensures a removal of the containers using the simplest of means and in an extremely space-saving manner.
  • the assembly worker simply has to remove this container from the feeding means and place it on the removal means located in the base area.
  • the space beneath the transport level is simultaneously utilized, yet this space is still available as a vacant area for the assembly worker's legs if he is sitting down during assembly work. Since the inclined roller conveyor immediately causes an (empty) container located on this roller conveyor to slide right to the end of the roller conveyor, the vacant space beneath the transport level does not remain blocked, but can be used to dispose of the containers.
  • FIG. 1 shows a horizontal projection of a U-shaped workstation system according to the invention
  • Fig. 2 shows a side view of a workstation module of Fig. 1's workstation system along the line II-II of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 shows a perspective of part of Fig. 2's workstation module.
  • the workstation system shown in Fig. 1 comprises seven workstation modules 10 linked together via a transfer means 12.
  • Workstation modules 10 are arranged in a U-shape, with the first two and the last two workstation modules being arranged directly adjacent to one another. This is made possible by the fact that all the workstation modules have identical mechanical interfaces. For this same reason, modules can also be easily exchanged at random within a short space of time.
  • transfer means 12 respectively comprises a corner module 14 which connects two adjacent workstation modules together across an angle of 45° such that a continuous transfer means 12 is formed.
  • corner module 14 which connects two adjacent workstation modules together across an angle of 45° such that a continuous transfer means 12 is formed.
  • Six of the seven workstation modules shown in Fig. 1 are backwardly fitted with a feeding means 16 that allows containers to be supplied from behind.
  • Fig. 2 shows a side view of a workstation module 10 along the line II-II of Fig. 1; the assembly worker is not shown here.
  • Workstation module 10 shown in Fig. 2 comprises a base frame 18 supporting feeding means 16, and a further frame 20 supporting transfer means 12.
  • Feeding means 16 has two superposed sliding levels 22 and 24 which each have a bisectional structure.
  • the left portion of sliding levels 22, 24 in Fig. 2 comprises an inclined roller •conveyor 26 and 28, whereby the right portion in Fig. 2 is respectively composed of a sliding plate 30, 32.
  • Sliding plates 30, 32 are hingedly connected to roller conveyors 26, 28 and can be pivoted accordingly.
  • a stop is located at the front end of sliding plates 30, 32 respectively.
  • a removal means in the form of an inclined roller conveyor 34 is located in the base area of workstation module 10 of Fig. 2. Roller conveyor 34 dips toward the rear area of the workstation module and extends through frame 20.
  • transfer means 12 comprises adjacent parallel rollers 36.
  • rollers 36 form a transport level with their upper sides, with the transport level being respectively limited at the front and rear sides of rollers 36 by a continuous guide rail 38, 40.
  • the work surface of workstation module 10 is formed by six adjacent rollers 36.
  • the transport level respectively comprises an opening 42, 44 formed by omitting a roller 36. Openings 42 and 44 are dimensioned such that it is possible to reach through them comfortably (width app. 150 mm) .
  • a supply container mount 46, 48 is, however, also respectively arranged below the transport level in the area of openings 42, 44. But the left mount in Fig. 3 is only partially shown since parts of frame 20 have been cut away in order to show an electrical connection element 52.
  • Mounts 46, 48 are drawer guides that allow an insertion of commercially available small-parts stores. After their insertion into mounts 46, 48, those drawers not shown here are located immediately below rollers 36 and their depth is not too large so that it is possible to reach into these draws comfortably. At the same time, the drawers fill up the entire opening 42, 44.
  • Transfer means 12 shown in Figs. 1 to 3 also has pallets (not shown) used to transport the assembly objects.
  • the pallets are rectangular and consist of a commercially available synthetic plate.
  • U-shaped gripping recesses are provided at the two narrow sides of the pallets.
  • a V-shaped groove used to fix the pallets to the working surface of a workstation module is also centrally located at the edge of the longitudinal sides of the pallets.
  • each workstation module 10 in the middle of rear guide rail 40 comprises a catch means 50 indicated schematically in Fig. 3 and which is composed of a spring-loaded ball partially protruding forwards from guide rail 40.
  • the pallets on the transport level can be slightly moved to the side, with catch means 50 being pressed by the pallets into rail 40 against the force of the spring. As soon as the groove centrally provided on the pallets reaches the area of catch means 50, the ball of catch means 50 is pressed into the pallet's V-shaped groove, thereby securing this pallet. Once the respective assembly process is complete, the pallet can then in turn be easily manually conveyed along.
  • transfer means 12 In the area of corner modules 14 (Fig. 1), transfer means 12 has bearings on the transport level; these bearings guarantee an almost frictionless transportation and change of direction of the pallets.
  • Fig. 3 shows the electrical connections of workstation module 10 in the cut-away section depicted.
  • Various connections for light fittings, electrical tools and the like are provided at housing 52. Apart from these electrical feed lines and any data connections, no pneumatic or hydraulic ports whatsoever are, however, provided.
  • a pallet (not shown) is placed on the working surface, initially at the workstation module shown in the bottom right, in order to assemble the desired product, i.e. the pallet is placed on the transfer device's transport rollers located between openings 42 and 44.
  • drawers are inserted into drawer guides 46, 48 (Fig. 3) in which various small parts are located.
  • assemblies needed for assembly are supplied from behind via feeding means 16.
  • the assemblies or components can be placed on the feeding means (cf. Fig. 2) directly in their original packaging boxes.
  • the boxes then slide as far as the front stop of sliding plates 30 and 32 and can be easily reached by the assembly worker. If a corresponding box has been emptied, it is removed from the feeding means by the assembly worker and placed on roller conveyor 34 of the removal means, from where the empty box slides as far as the workstation module's rear end and is disposed of from there.
  • the assembly worker After completion of the assembly process at the first workstation module 10, the assembly worker moves the pallet to the left so that it is located between the first and the second workstation module. The next assembly worker can move the pallet along from there and fix it to the work surface of the second workstation module with the aid of catch means 50. After passing through the individual workstation modules 10, the finished product is tested at the end of the assembly process and stored in a container 54.
  • the workstation system may comprise a pallet return system that returns the pallets from the last workstation module to the first workstation module.
  • the transfer device can also be driven part of the way if fairly large partial distances have to be covered.
  • Automatic assembly units or semi-automatic units can also be arranged at individual workstation modules.
  • superstructures so-called “gallows"

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Automatic Assembly (AREA)
  • Rollers For Roller Conveyors For Transfer (AREA)

Abstract

Un système à postes de travail comporte une pluralité de modules de type poste de travail (10) reliés par l'intermédiaire d'un organe de transfert (12). Cet organe de transfert (12), qui ne possède pas son propre dispositif de commande, constitue simultanément la surface de travail de chacun des modules postes de travail. En plus de la section constituant la surface de travail, l'organe de transfert comporte des ouvertures (42, 44) ménagées dans le niveau de transport qui rendent possible l'accès à d'autres niveaux à travers le niveau de transport. On dispose, en dessous de ces ouvertures (42, 44), d'un dispositif de fixation destiné à un conteneur pour petites fournitures.
PCT/EP1996/003068 1995-07-14 1996-07-12 Systeme a postes de travail Ceased WO1997003791A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1995125792 DE19525792C2 (de) 1995-07-14 1995-07-14 Arbeitsplatzsystem
DE19525792.8 1995-07-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997003791A1 true WO1997003791A1 (fr) 1997-02-06

Family

ID=7766879

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP1996/003068 Ceased WO1997003791A1 (fr) 1995-07-14 1996-07-12 Systeme a postes de travail

Country Status (2)

Country Link
DE (1) DE19525792C2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1997003791A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005009181B4 (de) * 2005-03-01 2015-01-15 Daimler Ag Bearbeitungsvorrichtung
EP3772395A1 (fr) * 2019-08-06 2021-02-10 J. Michael Mehltretter Poste de travail pourvu de voie à rouleaux ainsi que chariot de chargement et de déchargement

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2602995A1 (de) * 1975-10-08 1977-04-21 Zanussi A Spa Industrie Zum aufbringen elektrischer bzw. elektronischer bauelemente auf traegerplatten, insbesondere auf leiterplatten ausgeruesteter montagetisch
DE2912824A1 (de) * 1979-03-30 1980-10-16 Siemens Ag Bestueckungs- und montagetisch
WO1986003368A1 (fr) * 1984-11-29 1986-06-05 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Procede pour transporter des recipients de petits materiels de montage a une endroit situe sous une ouverture de prelevement dans une table d'assemblage de pieces

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2678489A (en) * 1951-04-12 1954-05-18 Hughes Tool Co Work station unit for progressive assembly lines

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2602995A1 (de) * 1975-10-08 1977-04-21 Zanussi A Spa Industrie Zum aufbringen elektrischer bzw. elektronischer bauelemente auf traegerplatten, insbesondere auf leiterplatten ausgeruesteter montagetisch
DE2912824A1 (de) * 1979-03-30 1980-10-16 Siemens Ag Bestueckungs- und montagetisch
WO1986003368A1 (fr) * 1984-11-29 1986-06-05 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Procede pour transporter des recipients de petits materiels de montage a une endroit situe sous une ouverture de prelevement dans une table d'assemblage de pieces

Non-Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
"Automated dual manual work cell", IBM TECHNICAL DISCLOSURE BULLETIN, vol. 31, no. 10, March 1989 (1989-03-01), ARMONK,NY,US, pages 414 - 416, XP000096745 *
"In der Montage ist noch etwas drin", BETRIEBSTECHNIEK, vol. 20, no. 2, February 1980 (1980-02-01), GRÄFERFINK DE, pages 32 - 35, XP002020107 *
W. KONHÄUSER: "Flexibles automatisches Montagekonzept für die Serienfertigung", WERKSTATTSTECHNIEK, vol. 81, no. 1, January 1991 (1991-01-01), BERLIN DE, pages 49 - 52, XP000178723 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE19525792C2 (de) 1997-07-17
DE19525792A1 (de) 1997-01-16

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