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“Plug & Produce” functions for an easily reconfigurable robotic assembly cell

Yusuke Maeda (Division of Systems Research, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, Yokohama, Japan)
Haruka Kikuchi (Mobile Software Laboratory, DoCoMo Communications Laboratories USA, Inc., Palo Alto, California, USA)
Hidemitsu Izawa (Information System Services Department, Bank of Japan, Tokyo, Japan)
Hiroki Ogawa (Denso Corporation, Kariya, Japan)
Masao Sugi (Department of Mechano‐Informatics, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan)
Tamio Arai (Department of Precision Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan)

Assembly Automation

ISSN: 0144-5154

Article publication date: 7 August 2007

670

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to develop an easily reconfigurable assembly cell.

Design/methodology/approach

Some functions are implemented to resolve problems associated with physical reconfiguration of an agent‐based robotic assembly cell, such as position calibration and workspace allocation.

Findings

The implemented prototype assembly cell is composed of industrial manipulators and a belt conveyor. Installation of a new manipulator and assembly execution are successfully demonstrated on the prototype cell.

Practical implications

In the developed assembly system, installation and removal of assembly devices are easily performed so that it can adapt to changes in the manufacturing environment quickly.

Originality/value

The developed system does not use specially designed hardware. Easy reconfiguration is enabled using conventional devices such as manipulators and belt conveyors.

Keywords

Citation

Maeda, Y., Kikuchi, H., Izawa, H., Ogawa, H., Sugi, M. and Arai, T. (2007), "“Plug & Produce” functions for an easily reconfigurable robotic assembly cell", Assembly Automation, Vol. 27 No. 3, pp. 253-260. https://doi.org/10.1108/01445150710763286

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2007, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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