Overview:

The Color Ring Install Cell installs elastomeric rings to identify individual brush heads during customer use. The color ring can be any of four colors.  The cell utilizes four bowl feeders and a SCARA robot, and demonstrates a basic concept of flexible automation -- configurable output.

Process Description:

Assemblies are presented in pallets to the color ring install cell. Based on the current kanban demand at the end of the line, a color ring is acquired from one of four bowl feeders.  The ring is then tilted to the appropriate installation angle, and pressed onto a steel arm.

Technical Challenge:

The primary challenge with this work cell was the handling of the elastomeric rings, which were prone to having significant flash. The stickiness of the elastomer and the flash combined to make the component difficult to feed reliably. Ultimately, the feeding issues were resolved by careful attention to details in the feeder track, and the addition of redundant senors in the pick nest.