WO2016157323A1 - Robot system, production system, and conveying system - Google Patents

Abstract

A robot system 1 is equipped with a first polyarticulated robot 10, a first conveying apparatus 20, a second polyarticulated robot 30, and a controller 100. The controller 100 is configured so as to execute controlling the first polyarticulated robot 10 and the first conveying apparatus 20 to hold and convey a first component P1, and controlling the second polyarticulated robot 30 to mount another component P onto the first component P1 held by the first polyarticulated robot 10.

Description

Robot system, production system and transfer system

This disclosure relates to a robot system, a production system, and a transfer system.

Patent Document 1 discloses a working apparatus including a moving body that moves on a work line and a work robot that performs a predetermined work on a work piece on the moving body.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-8435

In production facilities using robots, there are cases where further improvement in production efficiency is desired. Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a robot system, a production system, and a transfer device that can improve production efficiency.

A robot system according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a first multi-joint robot, a first transfer device that causes the first multi-joint robot to travel along the first line, and a second multi-joint disposed around the first line. Control the first articulated robot and the first transport device to hold and transport the joint robot and the first part of the assembly, and attach other parts to the first part held by the first articulated robot And a controller configured to perform control of the second articulated robot.

A production system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of the robot systems described above, and in a robot system positioned at a subsequent stage of another robot system, the controller first stores an assembly housed in a buffer of the preceding robot system. The first articulated robot is controlled so as to be taken out as a part.

A transport system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first articulated robot, a first transport device that travels the first articulated robot along a first line, a first part of an assembly, And a controller for controlling the first articulated robot and the first transfer device so as to arrange the parts at positions and postures where the parts can be mounted.

According to the present disclosure, production efficiency can be improved.

It is a top view of a robot system. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a 1st stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement procedure of a 1st stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement procedure of a 1st stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement procedure of a 1st stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows the operation | movement procedure of a 1st stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a 2nd stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a 3rd stocker. It is a hardware block diagram of a controller. It is a flowchart which shows an assembly procedure. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which has taken out the 1st component from the 1st stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which is taking out components from the 3rd stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which is taking out components from the 2nd stocker. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which has mounted | wore with other components in the 1st component. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which has mounted | wore with other components in the 1st component. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of the operation | work which mounts other components in a 1st component. It is a schematic diagram which shows the modification of the operation | work which mounts other components in a 1st component. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which has mounted | worn with the last component in the 1st component. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which is delivering the assembly from the 1st articulated robot to the 3rd articulated robot. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state which conveyed the assembly to the buffer. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a production system.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

[Robot system]
(First articulated robot, first transfer device and second articulated robot)
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the robot system 1 includes a first articulated robot 10, a first transfer device 20, and a second articulated robot 30.

The first articulated robot 10 is used to transport the first part of the assembly. The first articulated robot 10 is, for example, a 6-degree-of-freedom serial link type robot, and includes a base 11, a turning unit 12, a first arm 13, a second arm 14, a tip swinging unit 15, and a tip. The revolving unit 16 and the hand 17 are included. The turning part 12 is provided on the base part 11, and can turn around the vertical first axis Ax1. The first arm 13 is connected to the turning portion 12 and can swing around a horizontal second axis Ax2. The second arm 14 is connected to the first arm 13 and can swing around a third axis Ax3 parallel to the second axis Ax2. The distal end portion of the second arm 14 can turn around a fourth axis Ax4 along the central axis of the second arm 14. The tip swinging part 15 is connected to the second arm 14 and can swing around a fifth axis Ax5 orthogonal to the fourth axis Ax4. The tip turning portion 16 is provided at the tip of the tip swinging portion 15 and can turn around the sixth axis Ax6 along the central axis of the tip swinging portion 15. The hand 17 is provided in the tip turning portion 16 and has finger portions 18A and 18B that can be opened and closed. Hereinafter, a connecting portion between the movable parts of the first multi-joint robot 10 is referred to as a “joint”. The first articulated robot 10 includes a plurality of actuators for driving each joint.

The specific configuration of the first articulated robot 10 is not limited to that described above. The first multi-joint robot 10 may be any robot as long as the position / posture of the grasped object can be adjusted by driving the multi-joint. For example, the first articulated robot 10 may be a multi-degree-of-freedom parallel link robot.

The first transfer device 20 causes the first articulated robot 10 to travel along the first line L1. The first line L1 may be horizontal as illustrated, but may be inclined. The illustrated X-axis is a coordinate axis along the first line L1, the illustrated Y-axis is a horizontal coordinate axis orthogonal to the first line L1, and the illustrated Z-axis is a vertical coordinate axis. Hereinafter, “up / down, front / rear, left / right” means a direction in which the Z-axis positive direction is the upper side, the X-axis positive direction is the front side, and the Y-axis positive direction is the left side.

The first transport device 20 includes, for example, a guide rail 21, a moving base 22, a power source 23, and a position sensor 24. The guide rail 21 is arrange | positioned along the 1st line L1, and is being fixed to the floor surface. The moving table 22 is mounted on the guide rail 21 and supports the base 11 of the first articulated robot 10. The base 11 is fixed to the movable table 22 by, for example, bolt fastening. The power source 23 is provided on the moving table 22 and causes the moving table 22 to travel along the guide rail 21. The power source 23 is an electric motor configured to generate a thrust along the guide rail 21, for example. The position sensor 24 is provided on the moving table 22 and detects the position of the moving table 22 on the guide rail 21. The position sensor 24 is, for example, an optical non-contact sensor. The first transport device 20 may further include a scale for reading by the position sensor 24. The scale is provided along the guide rail 21, and is disposed on the surface of the guide rail 21, for example.

The specific configuration of the first transport device 20 is not limited to that described above, and any configuration may be used as long as the first articulated robot 10 can be transported along the first line L1. For example, the power source 23 and the position sensor 24 may be provided on the guide rail 21 side.

The second articulated robot 30 is arranged around the first line L1, and is used to mount other parts on the first part. The second articulated robot 30 is, for example, a 6-degree-of-freedom serial link type robot configured similarly to the first articulated robot 10, and includes a base 31, a turning unit 32, a first arm 33, and a second arm. It has an arm 34, a tip swinging part 35, a tip turning part 36, and a hand 37. The hand 37 has finger portions 38A and 38B. The specific configuration of the second articulated robot 30 is not limited to that described above.

There is no restriction on the relationship between the installation height of the first articulated robot 10 and the installation height of the second articulated robot 30, but the installation height of the first articulated robot 10 is equal to the installation height of the second articulated robot 30. It may be lower than that (see FIG. 2).

(First stocker 50)
The robot system 1 may further include a first stocker 50. The first stocker 50 holds a plurality of first components stacked one above the other. The first stocker 50 is provided, for example, above the rear end of the guide rail 21. The installation height of the first stocker 50 is higher than the installation height of the first articulated robot 10. That is, the lower end portion of the first stocker 50 is located above the base portion 11 of the first articulated robot 10. The installation height of the first stocker 50 may be set so that the first articulated robot 10 can enter below.

The first stocker 50 may be configured to send the first part from the lower part. 3 and 4 show a specific configuration example of the first stocker 50. FIG. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first stocker 50 includes a bottom plate 51, a plurality of support columns 52, and an elevating device 53. On the bottom plate 51, three guide grooves 51a along the X axis are formed. Each of the guide grooves 51a penetrates the bottom plate 51 and is opened forward. The support columns 52 are provided at two positions on the bottom plate 51 that are arranged in the front-rear direction on the four portions alternately arranged with the guide grooves 51a. The support columns 52 form two accommodation spaces 54 (total of six locations) arranged in the front-rear direction on each guide groove 51a. The first component P <b> 1 is stacked in the vertical direction and stored in each storage space 54.

The elevating device 53 raises and lowers the first component P1 that overlaps vertically, and arranges the first component P1 on the bottom plate 51 step by step. The elevating device 53 includes elevating bodies 61 and 62, opening / closing actuators 67 and 68, and an elevating actuator 69.

The lifting body 61 has support arms 63 and 64. The support arms 63 and 64 are arranged in the front-rear direction and extend to the left side. The elevating body 62 has support arms 65 and 66 and is disposed on the rear side of the elevating body 61. The support arms 65 and 66 are arranged in the front-rear direction and extend to the left side. The elevating bodies 61 and 62 intersect so that the support arm 64 of the elevating body 61 is located behind the support arm 65 of the elevating body 62. As a result, the support arm 63 of the lift body 61 and the support arm 65 of the lift body 62 face each other, and the support arm 64 of the lift body 61 and the support arm 66 of the lift body 62 face each other.

The support arm 63 has three claw parts 63a protruding toward the support arm 65, and the support arm 65 has three claw parts 65a protruding toward the support arm 63. The three claw portions 63a and the three claw portions 65a are arranged so as to correspond to the three guide grooves 51a, respectively. The claw portions 63a and 65a support the first component P1 that is vertically overlapped in the front-side accommodation space 54. The support arm 64 has three claw portions 64a protruding to the support arm 66 side, and the support arm 66 has three claw portions 66a protruding to the support arm 64 side. The three claw portions 64a and the three claw portions 66a are arranged so as to correspond to the three guide grooves 51a, respectively. The claw portions 64 a and 66 a support the first component P <b> 1 that overlaps vertically in the rear accommodation space 54.

The opening / closing actuator 67 slides the lifting body 61 in the front-rear direction. The opening / closing actuator 68 slides the elevating body 62 in the front-rear direction. The opening / closing actuators 67 and 68 are, for example, electric linear actuators. When the opening / closing actuator 67 slides the lifting / lowering body 61 forward and the opening / closing actuator 68 slides the lifting / lowering body 62 rearward, the space between the support arms 63 and 65 and between the support arms 64 and 66 expands. Conversely, when the opening / closing actuator 67 slides the lifting body 61 backward and the opening / closing actuator 68 slides the lifting body 62 forward, the space between the support arms 63 and 65 and the space between the support arms 64 and 66 are narrowed. As a result, the claw portions 63a, 64a, 65a, 66a are inserted under the first component P1 (hereinafter referred to as “supported state”), and the claw portions 63a, 64a, 65a, 66a are the first component P1. A state of being out of the bottom (hereinafter referred to as “release state”) is switched.

The elevating actuator 69 elevates the elevating bodies 61 and 62 via the open / close actuators 67 and 68. The lift actuator 69 is, for example, an electric linear actuator.

The first stocker 50 arranges the first parts P1 on the bottom plate 51 step by step by the following procedure. First, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, after the elevating bodies 61 and 62 are lowered by the elevating actuator 69, the elevating bodies 61 and 62 are brought into the released state by the opening and closing actuators 67 and 68, so that they overlap vertically. The first component P <b> 1 is placed on the bottom plate 51. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, after raising and lowering bodies 61 and 62 are raised by the raising and lowering actuator 69, the raising and lowering bodies 61 and 62 are brought into the above-described supporting state by the opening and closing actuators 67 and 68. Claw parts 63a, 64a, 65a, 66a are put under the first part P1. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the lifting and lowering bodies 61 and 62 are lifted by the lifting and lowering actuator 69, so that only the lowest first part P <b> 1 remains on the bottom plate 51 and the other first parts P <b> 1 are lifted. By repeating this operation, the first parts P1 are arranged on the bottom plate 51 one by one.

(Second transfer device)
Returning to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the robot system 1 may further include a second transfer device 40 that causes the second articulated robot 30 to travel along a second line L2 that intersects the first line L1. The second line L2 may be along the Y axis as shown in the figure, but is not limited to this, as long as it intersects the first line L1. For example, the second line L2 may be inclined with respect to the Y axis in the horizontal plane, or may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane.

The second transport device 40 includes a guide rail 41, a moving table 42, a power source 43, and a position sensor 44, for example, similarly to the first transport device 20. The specific configuration of the second transport device 40 is not limited to that described above, and any configuration may be used as long as the second articulated robot 30 can be transported along the second line L2.

The robot system 1 includes a plurality of second articulated robots 30 that are traveled by the second transfer device 40 and a fixed second articulated robot 30 that is fixed around the first line L1. A two-joint robot 30 may be provided. For example, the robot system 1 includes two traveling second articulated robots 30 and two fixed second articulated robots 30. Hereinafter, the two traveling-type second articulated robots 30 are designated as second articulated robots 30A and 30B, and the two fixed second articulated robots 30 are designated as second articulated robots 30C and 30D. To do.
Further, the second transport device 40 that travels the second multi-joint robot 30A is referred to as a second transport device 40A, and the second transport device 40 that travels the second multi-joint robot 30 days is identified as a second transport device 40B. .

The fixed bases 4 and 5 are provided on the left and right sides of the guide rail 21 in front of the first stocker 50. The fixed bases 4 and 5 support the base portions 31 of the second articulated robots 30C and 30D, respectively. The base 31 is fixed to the fixing bases 4 and 5 by, for example, bolt fastening. The second transport devices 40A and 40B are positioned on the left and right of the guide rail 21 in front of the fixed bases 4 and 5. The moving bases 42 of the second transfer devices 40A and 40B support the base portions 31 of the second articulated robots 30A and 30B, respectively. The base 31 is fixed to the movable table 42 by, for example, bolt fastening.

(Second stocker)
The robot system 1 may further include a second stocker 70. The second stocker 70 is arranged around the second line L2 and holds a plurality of components. The second stocker 70 includes a rotating body that can rotate around a vertical axis, a holding portion that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body and holds a plurality of components arranged in the rotation direction, and an actuator that rotates the rotating body. May be. The rotating body has an outer peripheral surface that expands downward,
The second stocker 70 may have a plurality of holding portions arranged vertically on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body.

FIG. 8 shows a specific configuration example of the second stocker 70. As shown in FIG. 8, the second stocker 70 includes a support 71, a rotating body 72, an actuator 76, and sensors 77A and 77B. The support | pillar 71 is arrange | positioned around the 2nd line L2.
The rotating body 72 is attached to the upper part of the support 71 so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis. The rotating body 72 has a circular bottom plate 73 and a peripheral wall 74. The installation height of the rotating body 72 is set so that the posture of the second articulated robot 30 when taking out the part P is in a state where the upwardly extending arm is folded downward. For example, the installation height of the rotating body 72 is determined between the most proximal joint (the coupling portion between the base 31 and the turning portion 32) and the most distal joint (the coupling portion between the distal end swinging portion 35 and the distal turning portion 36). The holding portions 75A and 75B are set so as to be positioned below one joint (for example, the connecting portion between the first arm 13 and the second arm 14).

The peripheral wall 74 is provided along the periphery of the bottom plate 73 and has a truncated cone-like cross-sectional shape. For this reason, the outer peripheral surface 74a of the peripheral wall 74 is expanding as it goes downward. The peripheral wall 74 has a plurality of positioning holes 74b and a plurality of positioning holes 74c. The positioning hole 74b is located above the positioning hole 74c. The plurality of positioning holes 74 b are arranged in the rotation direction of the rotating body 72. The plurality of positioning holes 74 c are also arranged in the rotation direction of the rotating body 72. The positioning holes 74b and 74c accommodate the protrusion Pa of the component P. As a result, the component P is positioned and held. That is, the positioning holes 74b and 74c constitute holding portions 75A and 75B that hold the plurality of components P side by side in the rotation direction.

Actuator 76 rotates rotating body 72 around the vertical axis. The actuator 76 is, for example, an electric rotary actuator.

Sensors 77A and 77B detect information regarding the installation state of the parts P in the holding portions 75A and 75B, respectively. For example, the sensors 77A and 77B detect the distances to the protrusions Pa in the positioning holes 74b and 74c. The sensors 77A and 77B are, for example, optical distance sensors, are arranged in the rotating body 72 so as to face the positioning holes 74b and 74c, respectively, and are fixed to the support member 78. The support member 78 is fixed to the support 71 so as not to rotate together with the rotating body 72. Based on the distance to the protrusion Pa detected by the sensors 77A and 77B, it can be confirmed whether or not the component P is normally installed. It is also possible to confirm whether the part P to be taken out has been taken out from the second stocker 70 without any problem.

1 and 2, the robot system 1 may include a plurality of second stockers 70 arranged along the second line L2. For example, the robot system 1 includes eight second stockers 70. Of these, the two second stockers 70A and 70B are disposed in front of the second transport device 40A, and the two second stockers 70C and 70D are disposed in the rear of the second transport device 40A. The stockers 70E and 70F are disposed in front of the second transport device 40B, and the two second stockers 70G and 70H are disposed behind the second transport device 40B. The plurality of second stockers 70 can be used for manufacturing various kinds of assemblies. For example, a plurality of types of parts P may be arranged in the second stockers 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D, respectively, and selectively used to manufacture a variety of assemblies. Further, a plurality of second stockers 70 may be used for the arrangement of the parts P having a large occupied space per piece.

(Third stocker)
The robot system 1 may further include a third stocker 80 that is fixed around the first line L1 and holds a plurality of components. The third stocker 80 may be configured to deliver the held component from the top.

FIG. 9 shows a specific configuration example of the third stocker 80. As shown in FIG. 9, the third stocker 80 includes a collection tower 81, an elevating body 82, an elevating actuator 83, and a sensor 84. The collection tower 81 accommodates the parts P that are vertically stacked. The elevating body 82 supports the component P in the collection tower 81. The elevating actuator 83 elevates and lowers the parts P in the collection tower 81 by elevating the elevating body 82. When the elevator 82 is raised, the uppermost part P is exposed from the collection tower 81. Thereby, the component P can be taken out from the upper part of the third stocker 80. The elevating actuator 83 is, for example, an electric linear actuator. The sensor 84 is provided around the upper portion of the collection tower 81 and detects information related to the height of the part P exposed on the collection tower 81. The sensor 84 is, for example, an optical object detection sensor, and detects the presence or absence of a component P in the vicinity thereof. For example, the third stocker is started by starting the ascending / descending body 82 ascending in a state where all the parts P are located below the sensor 84 and stopping the raising / lowering of the parts P in response to the detection of the parts P by the sensor 84. The position of the part P to be taken out from the upper part of 80 is determined.

1 and 2, the robot system 1 may include a plurality of third stockers 80. For example, the robot system 1 includes three third stockers 80. Of these, the two third stockers 80 </ b> A and 80 </ b> B are disposed on the left and right sides of the first stocker 50, and the remaining third stockers 80 </ b> C are disposed on the right side of the front end of the guide rail 21.

(Third articulated robot)
The robot system 1 may further include a third articulated robot 30E. The third articulated robot 30E is arranged around the first line L1, and is used to mount the last part on the first part. The third articulated robot 30E is a six-degree-of-freedom serial link type robot configured similarly to the first articulated robot 10, for example, and includes a base 31, a turning unit 32, a first arm 33, and a second It has an arm 34, a tip swinging part 35, a tip turning part 36, and a hand 37. The hand 37 has finger portions 38A and 38B. The specific configuration of the third articulated robot 30E is not limited to that described above.

The fixed base 6 is disposed on the right side of the front end portion of the guide rail 21. The fixed base 6 supports the base 31 of the third articulated robot 30E. The base 31 is fixed to the fixed base 6 by, for example, bolt fastening. Although there is no restriction on the relationship between the installation height of the first articulated robot 10 and the installation height of the third articulated robot 30E, the installation height of the first articulated robot 10 is equal to the installation height of the third articulated robot 30E. It may be lower than that.

(buffer)
The robot system 1 may further include a buffer 90. Buffer 90 receives a plurality of assemblies. The assembly is obtained by sequentially mounting other parts P on the first part P1. For example, the buffer 90 is provided in front of the third articulated robot 30E and extends along the X axis. The assembly accommodated in the buffer 90 can be taken out from the front end 90 a of the buffer 90.

(controller)
As shown in FIG. 1, the robot system 1 further includes a controller 100. The controller 100 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first transport device 20 so as to hold and transport the first part P1 of the assembly, and to the first part P1 held by the first articulated robot 10. The second articulated robot 30 is controlled to be mounted with another component P.

The controller 100 may include a supply control unit 111, a conveyance control unit 112, a mounting control unit 113, a carry-out control unit 114, and a process management unit 115 as functional modules. The supply control unit 111 controls the first stocker 50, the second stocker 70, and the third stocker 80 so that the first control unit 111 can supply the first component P1 and the other components P. The conveyance control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first conveyance device 20 to convey the first component P1. The mounting control unit 113 controls the second multi-joint robot 30 and the third multi-joint robot 30E so that the other component P is mounted on the first component P1. The carry-out control unit 114 controls the third articulated robot 30E so as to carry out the completed assembly U1. The process management unit 115 sets and manages the manufacturing process.

The hardware of the controller 100 includes, for example, one or a plurality of control computers. The controller 100 includes, for example, a circuit 120 illustrated in FIG. 10 as a hardware configuration. The circuit 120 includes a processor 121, a memory 122, a storage 123, an input / output port 124, and a driver 125. The driver 125 is a circuit for driving various actuators of the robot system 1. The input / output port 124 inputs / outputs signals to / from the driver 125 in addition to inputting / outputting external signals. The processor 121 executes the program in cooperation with at least one of the memory 122 and the storage 123 and executes input / output of signals via the input / output port 124, thereby configuring the above-described functional module.

Note that the hardware configuration of the controller 100 is not necessarily limited to that which constitutes a functional module by executing a program. For example, the controller 100 may constitute these functional modules by a dedicated logic circuit or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) in which the controller 100 is integrated.

Returning to FIG. 1, the robot system 1 may further include a console 200.
The console 200 includes a monitor 211 and an input device 212. The monitor 211 acquires information to be transmitted to the operator from the process management unit 115 and displays it.
The monitor 211 is, for example, a liquid crystal monitor. The input device 212 acquires input from the operator and outputs it to the process management unit 115.

[Production method of assembly]
Hereinafter, an assembly manufacturing procedure will be described as an example of a production method using the robot system 1. This manufacturing procedure is executed by the controller 100 controlling each element of the robot system 1.

As shown in FIG. 11, the controller 100 first executes step S01. In step S01, the process management unit 115 sets a manufacturing process. For example, the process management unit 115 acquires the number of assemblies to be produced from the input device 212 and sets the number of times of assembly according to the number. Further, when a plurality of types of parts P are respectively arranged in the plurality of second stockers 70 and a variety of products can be manufactured, the process management unit 115 inputs the quantity to be produced for each type of assembly. You may acquire from 212.

The process management unit 115 acquires the remaining number of the first parts P1 in the first stocker 50 and the remaining number of the parts P in the second stocker 70 and the third stocker 80 via the supply control unit 111, and Based on this, the quantity that can be assembled may be output to the monitor 211. When acquiring the remaining number of parts P, the supply control unit 111 acquires the detection values of the sensors 77A and 77B while controlling the second stocker 70 so that the rotating body 72 is rotated by the actuator 76, and based on the detection values. Thus, the remaining number of parts P that can be taken out from the second stocker 70 may be calculated.

Next, the controller 100 executes step S02. In step S02, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first conveyance device 20 so as to take out the first component P1 from under the first stocker 50. For example, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the first conveyance device 20 to convey the first articulated robot 10 below the first stocker 50, and holds the first component P1 on the bottom plate 51 by the finger portions 18A and 18B. In this state, the first articulated robot 10 is controlled, and the first articulated robot 10 is moved forward in that state, and the first transport device 20 is controlled so as to pull out the first component P1 forward (see FIG. 12). ).

Further, in step S02, the mounting control unit 113 may control the first transport device 20 so as to take out the component P from the second stocker 70. The mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robots 30 </ b> C and 30 </ b> D so as to take out the part P from the third stocker 80, and the second articulated robot 30 </ b> A, 30 </ b> A so as to take out the part P from any of the second stockers 70. 30B may be controlled.

For example, the mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robot 30C so that the parts P sent to the upper part of the third stocker 80A are held by the finger portions 38A and 38B and taken out (see FIG. 13). Hereinafter, the part P taken out by the second articulated robot 30C is referred to as “second part P2”. Similarly, the mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robot 30D so that the parts P sent to the upper part of the third stocker 80B are held by the finger units 38A and 38B and taken out. Hereinafter, the part taken out by the second multi-joint robot 30D is referred to as “third part P3”.

The mounting control unit 113 controls the second transport device 40A so as to transport the second multi-joint robot 30A to the vicinity of any one of the second stockers 70A, 70B, 70C, and 70D, and any one of the holding units 75A and 75B. Then, the part P facing the guide rail 41 is held by the finger portions 38A and 38B, and the second articulated robot 30A is controlled so as to be taken out (see FIG. 14). Thereafter, the mounting control unit 113 controls the second transfer device 40A so as to return the second articulated robot 30A to the vicinity of the first line L1. Hereinafter, the part taken out by the second multi-joint robot 30A is referred to as “fourth part P4”. Similarly, the mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robot 30B and the second transport device 40B so as to take out the component P from any one of the second stockers 70E, 70F, 70G, and 70H. Hereinafter, the part taken out by the second multi-joint robot 30B is referred to as “fifth part P5”.

Further, in step S02, the mounting control unit 113 may control the third articulated robot 30E so as to take out the component P from the third stocker 80. For example, the mounting control unit 113 controls the third articulated robot 30E so that the parts P sent to the upper part of the third stocker 80C are held by the finger portions 38A and 38B and taken out. Hereinafter, the part P taken out by the third articulated robot 30E is referred to as a “sixth part P6”.

When the removal of each part is completed, the supply control unit 111 sets the first stocker 50 and the second stocker 70 so that the part to be taken out next (hereinafter referred to as “next part”) can be taken out. The third stocker 80 may be controlled. For example, the supply control unit 111 sets the first stocker 50 so that the lowermost first component P1 on the lifting bodies 61 and 62 is placed on the bottom plate 51 when the first component P1 is no longer on the bottom plate 51. You may control. The supply control unit 111 may control the second stocker 70 so that the next component P faces the guide rail 41 (second line L2) by rotating the rotating body 72 from the actuator 76. The supply control unit 111 may control the third stocker 80 so as to send the next part P onto the collection tower 81.

Next, the controller 100 executes steps S03 to S06. In steps S03 to S06, the mounting control unit 113 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first transport device 20 so as to transport the first part P1, and the first part held by the first articulated robot 10. The second articulated robot 30 is controlled so that another component P is mounted on P1.

For example, in step S03, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first conveyance device 20 so as to convey the first component P1 to a position for mounting the second component P2 and the third component P3. To do. Thereafter, the mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robot 30C so as to mount the second component P2 on the first component P1 (see FIG. 15). In step S04, the mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robot 30D so as to mount the third component P3 on the first component P1. In step S05, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first conveyance device 20 so as to convey the first component P1 to the position for mounting the fourth component P4. Thereafter, the mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robot 30A so as to mount the fourth component P4 on the first component P1 (see FIG. 16). In step S06, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first conveyance device 20 to convey the first component P1 to the position for mounting the fifth component P5. Thereafter, the mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robot 30B so as to mount the fifth component P5 on the first component P1. Note that the order of steps S03 to S06 may be changed as appropriate, or some steps may be executed simultaneously.

The transport control unit 112 is configured so that the first articulated robot 30 moves the first part P1 toward the second articulated robot 30 before the second articulated robot 30 mounts another part P on the first part P1. 10 may be controlled. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, the transport control unit 112 may control the first articulated robot 10 to bring the first part P1 toward the second articulated robot 30 with reference to the first line L1. Good.

The conveyance control unit 112 may control the first articulated robot 10 so as to adjust the posture of the first part P1 before the second articulated robot 30 mounts other parts on the first part P1. . For example, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the conveyance control unit 112 may control the first component P <b> 1 so that the part on which the other component P is mounted faces upward. As another example, the transport control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 to tilt the first part P1 before the second articulated robot 30 mounts the other part P on the first part P1. Alternatively, the first articulated robot 10 may be controlled to rotate the first component P1 about the vertical axis. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the transfer control unit 112 moves the first part P1 to the second articulated robot 30 side before the second articulated robot 30 mounts another part P on the first part P1. The first articulated robot 10 may be controlled to tilt.

The transport control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 to adjust the height of the first part P1 before the second articulated robot 30 mounts another part P on the first part P1. Also good.

As shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, the mounting control unit 113 may control the second articulated robot 30 so as to mount another component P on the first component P1 from above, but the present invention is not limited to this. Absent. As illustrated in FIG. 18, the mounting control unit 113 may control the second articulated robot 30 so that another component P is mounted on the first component P1 from the side.
Note that mounting the other component P on the first component P1 further includes mounting on the first component P1 via the other component P.

Next, the controller 100 executes Step S07. In step S07, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first conveyance device 20 to convey the first component P1 to the position for mounting the sixth component P6 (last component). . Thereafter, the mounting control unit 113 controls the third articulated robot 30E so as to mount the sixth component P6 on the first component P1 and complete the assembly U1 (see FIG. 19).

Even before the third articulated robot 30E mounts the sixth part P6 on the first part P1, the transport controller 112 causes the first articulated robot 10 to bring the first part P1 toward the third articulated robot 30E. May be controlled, the first articulated robot 10 may be controlled to adjust the posture of the sixth part P6, or the first articulated robot may be adjusted to adjust the height of the first part P1. 10 may be controlled. The mounting control unit 113 may control the second articulated robot 30 so that the sixth component P6 is mounted on the first component P1 from above, or the sixth component P6 is mounted on the first component P1 from the side. The second articulated robot 30 may be controlled as described above.

Next, the controller 100 executes Step S08. In step S08, the conveyance control unit 112 controls the first articulated robot 10 so as to release the first component P1 (see FIG. 20). Thereafter, the carry-out control unit 114 controls the third articulated robot 30E so as to hold the assembly U1 and transport it to the buffer 90. The carry-out control unit 114 keeps holding the sixth part P6 after the mounting control unit 113 controls the third articulated robot 30E so that the sixth part P6 is mounted on the first part P1 from above. The third articulated robot 30E may be controlled so as to hold U1.

The assembly U1 to be transported in step S08 may include a power source.
That is, any of the plurality of components P assembled to the first component P1 may include a power source. In this case, the carry-out control unit 114 may further execute control of the third articulated robot 30E in the buffer 90 so that the assembly U1 is self-propelled by the power source. For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the assembly U1 may be a vehicle model including wheels P12 and P13 and a leaf spring power source P11 that drives the wheels P12 and P13. The carry-out control unit 114 moves the assembly U1 so that elastic energy is accumulated in the leaf spring of the power source P11 in a state where the assembly U1 is disposed toward the end 90a of the buffer 90, and then the assembly U1. By controlling the third articulated robot 30E so as to release the assembly U1, the assembly U1 may be self-propelled to the end 90a.

Next, the controller 100 executes Step S09. In step S09, the process management unit 115 checks whether or not the manufacturing process set in step S01 has been completed. If it is determined that the manufacturing process is not completed, the process management unit 115 returns the process to step S02.

According to this procedure, the controller 100 executes the next step S02 after the assembly U1 is carried out, but is not limited thereto. The controller 100 may be configured to execute step S02 prior to carrying out the assembly U1.

For example, the transport control unit 112 starts the operation for holding the next first component P1 when the second articulated robot 30 is transporting the assembly U1 to the buffer 90. 10 and the first transport device 20 may be controlled.

The mounting control unit 113 controls the second articulated robot 30 to mount another component P on the first component P1 and then mounts the next first component P1 before the assembly U1 is completed. The second articulated robot 30 may be controlled so as to start an operation for holding P.

If it is determined in step S09 that the manufacturing process has been completed, the process management unit 115 ends the process.

[Effect of this embodiment]
As described above, the robot system 1 includes the first articulated robot 10, the first transfer device 20, the second articulated robot 30, and the controller 100. The controller 100 controls the first articulated robot 10 and the first transport device 20 so as to hold and transport the first part P1, and the first part P1 held by the first articulated robot 10 has other parts. The second articulated robot 30 is controlled so as to be worn with P.

According to the robot system 1, the first articulated robot 10 and the first transfer device 20 function as the transfer system 3 for the first part P <b> 1. The part P mounting operation by the articulated robot 30 is executed. By using the first articulated robot 10 as a component of the transfer system 3, the position and posture of the first part P1 can be freely adjusted by the first articulated robot 10 in accordance with the operation range of the second articulated robot 30. . For this reason, the working efficiency of the second multi-joint robot 30 for mounting work is improved. Therefore, production efficiency can be improved.

The installation height of the first articulated robot 10 may be lower than the installation height of the second articulated robot 30, and the controller 100 allows the second articulated robot 30 to be replaced with the first component P1 and other components P1. When mounting the first articulated robot 10, the first articulated robot 10 may be controlled to support the first component P1 from below. In this case, the second multi-joint robot 30, the first multi-joint robot 10 and the first transfer device 20 are unlikely to interfere with each other, so that they can be arranged close to each other. Thereby, since the operation amount of each robot is reduced, the working efficiency of each robot is further improved. Therefore, production efficiency can be further improved.

The controller 100 may control the second articulated robot 30 so that the other component P is mounted on the first component P1 from above or from the side. In this case, the space above the first articulated robot 10 that supports the first component P <b> 1 from below can be effectively used as the operation range of the second articulated robot 30.

The robot system 1 may further include a first stocker 50 that holds a plurality of first parts P1 stacked one above the other. The controller 100 may control the first articulated robot 10 and the first transport device 20 so as to take out the first component P1 from under the first stocker 50. In this case, the distance from the first articulated robot 10 to the first component P1 to be held is short and constant. Thereby, since the operation amount of the first component P1 is further reduced, the work efficiency of the first articulated robot 10 is further improved. Therefore, production efficiency can be further improved.

The robot system 1 is arranged around the second line L2 and the second transport device 40 that travels the second articulated robot 30 along the second line L2 that intersects the first line L1. You may further provide the 2nd stocker 70 to hold | maintain. The controller 100 may control the second articulated robot 30 and the second transport device 40 so as to take out the component P from the second stocker 70 and mount it on the first component P1. In this case, the second stocker 70 can be arranged at a position away from the first line L1 without increasing the operation amount of the second articulated robot 30 itself. Therefore, the production efficiency can be further improved by flexibly adjusting the arrangement of the second stocker 70 according to the work content.

The robot system 1 includes a plurality of second articulated robots 30 that are traveled by the second transfer device 40 and a fixed second articulated robot 30 that is fixed around the first line L1. A two-joint robot 30 may be provided. In this case, the second articulated robot 30 that picks up the component P at a position close to the first line L1 is a fixed type, and only the second articulated robot 30 that picks up the component P at a position far from the first line L1 is a traveling type. By doing, the number of the 2nd conveying apparatuses 40 can be reduced. Therefore, production efficiency can be further improved.

The robot system 1 may include a plurality of second stockers 70 arranged along the second line L2 and a third stocker 80 fixed around the first line L1 and holding a plurality of components P. The controller 100 takes out the part P from any one of the second lines L2 and controls the traveling second multi-joint robot 30 and the second transport device 40 so as to be mounted on the first part P1, and from the third stocker 80, The fixed second articulated robot 30 may be controlled so that the part P is taken out and mounted on the first part P1. In this case, by arranging a plurality of types of parts P in the plurality of second stockers 70, it is possible to efficiently produce a variety of assemblies. In addition, by using the plurality of second stockers 70 for the arrangement of the parts P having a large occupied space, it is possible to suppress the number of replenishments of the parts P. In this way, the production efficiency can be further improved by flexibly adjusting the arrangement of the parts P on the second stocker 70.

The second stocker 70 includes a rotator 72 that is rotatable about a vertical axis, an annular holding portion 75A that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotator 72 and holds a plurality of components P arranged in the rotation direction, and the rotator 72. And an actuator 76 to be rotated. The controller 100 further executes the control of the second stocker 70 so that the component P to be held by the second articulated robot 30 faces the second line L2 by rotating the rotating body 72 by the actuator 76. It may be configured as follows. In this case, since the operation amount of the second articulated robot 30 when taking out the part P from the second stocker 70 is further reduced, the working efficiency of the second articulated robot 30 is improved. Therefore, production efficiency can be further improved.

The rotating body 72 may have an outer peripheral surface 74a that expands downward. The second stocker 70 may have a plurality of holding portions 75A and 75B arranged vertically on the outer peripheral surface 74a. In this case, the difference in distance from the joint located above the lower end portion of the outer peripheral surface 74a to the holding portions 75A and 75B is reduced. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, when the outer peripheral surface 74a expands downward, the distance from the third axis Ax3 to the component P of the holding portion 75A and the third axis are larger than when the outer peripheral surface 74a is vertical. The difference from the distance from the axis Ax3 to the holding portion 75B is small (the difference between the distances D2 and D1 shown is smaller than the difference between the distances D3 and D1). Thereby, the movement amount of the joint on the base side with respect to the joint is reduced. In a normal robot, the moment acting on the joint increases as it approaches the base side, so that the energy required for driving tends to increase. For this reason, production efficiency can be further improved by reducing the operation amount of the joint on the base side.

The robot system 1 may further include a third articulated robot 30E disposed around the first line L1 and a buffer 90 that receives the plurality of assemblies U1. The controller 100 controls the third articulated robot 30E so as to complete the assembly U1 by attaching the last part P to the first part P1, and then releases the first part P1 to release the first part P1. 10 may be configured to further execute the control of the third articulated robot 30E so that the assembly U1 is held and transported to the buffer 90. In this case, by transferring the assembly U1 to the buffer 90 to the third articulated robot 30E, the first articulated robot 10 can be shifted to the next work quickly. Therefore, production efficiency can be further improved.

After controlling the third articulated robot 30E so that the last part P is mounted on the first part P1 from above, the controller 100 holds the assembly U1 by continuing to hold the last part P. The third articulated robot 30E may be controlled. In this case, since it is not necessary to grasp the assembly again by the third articulated robot 30E, the time required to deliver the assembly U1 from the first articulated robot 10 to the third articulated robot 30E is shortened. For this reason, the first articulated robot 10 can be shifted to the next work more quickly. In addition, since the third articulated robot 30E holds the assembly U1 from above, the assembly U1 can be easily placed in the buffer 90. Therefore, production efficiency can be further improved.

The assembly U1 may include a power source, and the controller 100 is configured to further execute control of the third articulated robot 30E in the buffer 90 so that the assembly U1 is self-propelled by the power source. It may be. In this case, since the amount of movement of the third articulated robot 30E is reduced by utilizing the self-propelled assembly U1, the working efficiency of the third articulated robot 30E is improved. Therefore, production efficiency can be further improved.

The controller 100 controls the second articulated robot 30 so as to attach another part P to the first part P1, and then, before the assembly U1 is completed, the part P to be attached to the next first part P1. The second articulated robot 30 may be controlled to start the operation for holding. In this case, the production efficiency can be further improved by making the work of holding the component P by the second articulated robot 30 in parallel with other work.

The controller 100 moves the first articulated robot 10 so that the first part P1 moves toward the second articulated robot 30 before the second articulated robot 30 mounts another part P on the first part P1. You may control. In this case, since the operation amount of the second multi-joint robot 30 is further reduced, the work efficiency of the second multi-joint robot 30 is further improved. Therefore, production efficiency can be further improved.

The controller 100 may control the first articulated robot 10 so as to adjust the posture of the first part P1 before the second articulated robot 30 mounts another part P on the first part P1. In this case, the production efficiency can be further improved by adjusting the posture of the first component P1 so as to further reduce the operation amount of the second articulated robot 30.

For example, before the second multi-joint robot 30 mounts the other component P on the first component P1, the controller 100 turns the first multi-joint robot 10 so that the portion on which the other component P is mounted faces upward. You may control. In this case, since the operation amount of the second multi-joint robot 30 is further reduced, the production efficiency can be further improved.

The controller 100 may control the first articulated robot 10 so as to adjust the height of the first part P1 before the second articulated robot 30 mounts another part P on the first part P1. . In this case, the production efficiency can be further improved by adjusting the height of the first component P1 so as to further reduce the operation amount of the second articulated robot 30.

As shown in FIG. 22, the production system 2 may be configured using a plurality of robot systems 1. In this case, in the robot system 1 located at the subsequent stage of the other robot system 1, the controller 100 takes the first articulated joint so as to take out the assembly U1 accommodated in the buffer 90 of the preceding robot system 1 as the first part P1. The robot 10 may be controlled. According to such a production system 2, production efficiency can be further improved by flexibly increasing or decreasing the number of robot systems 1 in accordance with the work content.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
For example, the transfer system 3 including the first articulated robot 10, the first transfer device 20, and the controller 100 can be applied to a production line in which an operator mounts other components P. Also in this case, production efficiency can be improved by finely adjusting the position and posture of the first component P1 in accordance with the work performed by the worker.

This disclosure can be used for industrial product production systems.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Robot system, 2 ... Production system, 3 ... Transfer system, 10 ... First articulated robot, 20 ... First transport device, 30 ... Second articulated robot, 30E ... Third articulated robot, 40 ... Second Conveying device, 50 ... first stocker, 70 ... second stocker, 72 ... rotor, 74a ... outer peripheral surface, 75A, 75B ... holding unit, 76 ... actuator, 80 ... third stocker, 90 ... buffer, 100 ... controller, L1 ... first line, L2 ... second line, P ... part, P1 ... first part, P6 ... sixth part (last part), U1 ... assembly.

Claims (19)

The first articulated robot,
A first transport device that travels the first articulated robot along a first line;
A second articulated robot arranged around the first line;
Controlling the first articulated robot and the first transport device so as to hold and transport the first part of the assembly, and attach other parts to the first part held by the first articulated robot A controller configured to control the second articulated robot so as to perform. The installation height of the first articulated robot is lower than the installation height of the second articulated robot,
2. The controller controls the first articulated robot to support the first part from below when the second articulated robot attaches another part to the first part. Robot system. 3. The robot system according to claim 2, wherein the controller controls the second articulated robot so that another part is mounted on the first part from above or from the side. Further comprising a first stocker that holds the plurality of first parts stacked one above the other;
The robot system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the controller controls the first articulated robot and the first transfer device so as to take out the first component from under the first stocker. A second transport device for running the second articulated robot along a second line intersecting the first line;
A second stocker disposed around the second line and holding a plurality of parts;
5. The controller according to claim 1, wherein the controller takes out the part from the second stocker and controls the second articulated robot and the second transfer device so as to be mounted on the first part. Robot system. A plurality of the second articulated robots including the traveling second articulated robot that is traveled by the second transfer device and the fixed second articulated robot fixed around the first line. The robot system according to claim 5, comprising: A plurality of the second stockers arranged along the second line;
A third stocker fixed around the first line and holding a plurality of parts;
The controller takes out a part from any one of the second stockers, controls the traveling multi-joint robot and the second transport device to be mounted on the first part, and controls the parts from the third stocker. The robot system according to claim 6, wherein the fixed multi-joint robot is controlled so as to be taken out and attached to the first part. The second stocker is
A rotating body rotatable about a vertical axis;
An annular holding portion that is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating body and holds a plurality of parts arranged in the rotation direction;
An actuator for rotating the rotating body,
The controller further executes the control of the second stocker so that a part to be held by the second articulated robot faces the second line by rotating the rotating body by the actuator. The robot system according to any one of claims 5 to 7, which is configured as follows. The rotating body has an outer peripheral surface that expands downward.
The robot system according to claim 8, wherein the second stocker has a plurality of the holding units arranged vertically on an outer peripheral surface of the rotating body. A third articulated robot arranged around the first line;
A buffer for receiving a plurality of the assemblies;
The controller controls the third articulated robot to complete the assembly by attaching the last part to the first part, and then releases the first articulated robot to release the first part. The system is further configured to further control the third articulated robot to control the third articulated robot so as to hold and transfer the assembly to the buffer. Robot system. The controller controls the third articulated robot to attach the last part to the first part from above, and then holds the assembly by continuing to hold the last part. The robot system according to claim 10, wherein the robot system controls a third articulated robot. The assembly includes a power source;
12. The robot system according to claim 10, wherein the controller is further configured to further control a third articulated robot so that the assembly is self-propelled by the power source in a buffer. . The controller holds the part to be attached to the next first part before the assembly is completed after controlling the second articulated robot to attach another part to the first part. The robot system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second articulated robot is controlled so as to start an operation for the purpose. The controller controls the first articulated robot to bring the first part toward the second articulated robot before the second articulated robot attaches another part to the first part. The robot system according to any one of claims 1 to 13. 15. The controller controls the first articulated robot to adjust the posture of the first part before the second articulated robot attaches another part to the first part. Robot system. The controller controls the first articulated robot so that a part on which the other part is mounted faces upward before the second articulated robot mounts the other part on the first part. The robot system according to claim 15. 15. The controller controls the first articulated robot to adjust the height of the first part before the second articulated robot mounts another part on the first part. The robot system according to any one of 1 to 16. A plurality of robot systems according to any one of claims 10 to 12,
In the robot system located at the rear stage of the other robot system, the controller causes the first articulated robot to take out the assembly housed in the buffer of the robot system at the front stage as the first part. Control, production system. The first articulated robot,
A first transport device that travels the first articulated robot along a first line;
A transport system comprising: a controller that controls the first articulated robot and the first transport device so as to hold the first part of the assembly and arrange the other parts at positions and postures at which other parts can be mounted.

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