An automated fastener insert installation system for composite panels is provided. A first module receives and secures a composite panel with respect to an origin of a first coordinate system, wherein the composite panel has opposed major surfaces and defines an insert-receiving orifice extending through one of the major surfaces, and is secured such that one of the major surfaces is externally accessible. A second module engages each of a plurality of fastener inserts with an installation aide. Third module determines a configuration of the orifice defined by the composite panel, selects a corresponding one of the fastener inserts engaged with the installation aide, inserts the selected fastener insert into the orifice, and dispenses an adhesive material through the installation aide and into the orifice about selected fastener insert such that the adhesive material secures the selected fastener insert within the orifice. Associated systems are also provided.

A system for manufacturing a fan. The system includes a data collection device, a user input device, a data storage device, and an assembly subsystem. The data collection device has a display configured to present a first curb cap size and a second curb cap size. The user input device is in communication with the data collection device. The user input device is operable by a user to select either the first curb cap size or the second curb cap size. The data storage device is configured to store a selected curb cap size. The assembly subsystem is configured to receive the selected curb cap size from the data storage device and to manufacture an exhaust fan with a curb cap having the selected curb cap size.

An automated fastener insert installation system for composite panels is provided. A first module receives and secures a composite panel with respect to an origin of a first coordinate system, wherein the composite panel has opposed major surfaces and defines an insert-receiving orifice extending through one of the major surfaces, and is secured such that one of the major surfaces is externally accessible. A second module engages each of a plurality of fastener inserts with an installation aide. Third module determines a configuration of the orifice defined by the composite panel, selects a corresponding one of the fastener inserts engaged with the installation aide, inserts the selected fastener insert into the orifice, and dispenses an adhesive material through the installation aide and into the orifice about selected fastener insert such that the adhesive material secures the selected fastener insert within the orifice. Associated systems are also provided.

Provided is a method for allocating assemblies to placement lines for placing components on the assemblies, in order to achieve a minimum variation in components with a predefinable maximum capacity utilization in terms of time for each placement line, wherein the component variation is determined as the sum of the number of component types required on the placement lines and an expected production time is determined for each assembly type of the assemblies to be provided with components and for each placement line, taking into consideration each cycle time for the assembly type on the placement line, each reset time, the degree of utilization for each line and the expected number of pieces to be produced for each assembly type.

A transportation vehicle having a data interface for transmitting data to a robot, wherein the transportation vehicle includes a controller that produces control signals for controlling the robot for a specified working task and transmits the control signals to the robot via the data interface. Also disclosed is a method for controlling a robot by a transportation vehicle.

An automated assembly station includes a mobile platform for holding a first workpiece, a robot having a moveable arm, and a controller. The moveable arm includes a load cell and a gripper that is adapted to grasp a second workpiece. The robot is operable to use the moveable arm and gripper to insert the second workpiece into a locked position on a mating part of the first workpiece. The load cell is operable to measure an amount of insertion force used to insert the second workpiece into the locked position. The controller is configured to record the insertion force and trigger an alarm in response to the insertion force exceeding a predesignated threshold insertion force.

It is proposed to assemble a product on a modular basis from product parts to be assembled, wherein the product assembling being split into two separate operations, by (i) automated machine fetching as well as automated machine placing the product parts part-by-part from a delivery area on optically localized distribution fixtures at a hand-over area in the course of a logistic distribution operation and a distribution fixture placed product part from optically localized distribution fixtures at the hand-over area on optically localized assembly fixtures at an assembly workspace in the course of an assembly operation, (ii) computing and executing by automated machine motion generation primary kinematic machine-motion-sequences and secondary kinematic machine-motion-sequences, (iii) providing an automated machine architecture to enable or ensure, based on a world model for automated machines, a three-dimensional model of an assembly environment, information ANG, of the product and the product parts and an automated machine workflow.

A machine learning device includes a state observation unit for observing state variables that include at least one of the state of an assembly constituted of first and second components, an assembly time and information on a force, the result of a continuity test on the assembly, and at least one of position and posture command values for at least one of the first and second components and direction, speed and force command values for an assembly operation; and a learning unit for learning, in a related manner, at least one of the state of the assembly, the assembly time and the information on the force, the result of the continuity test on the assembly, and at least one of the position and posture command values for at least one of the first and second components and the direction, speed and force command values for the assembly operation.

A robot is provided, includes a hand configured to hold a workpiece, a floating unit having a tip-end part and a base-end part and having a joint configured to operate within a given operating range, the hand being attached to the tip-end part, and the tip-end part being movable with the base-end part, a robot arm is attached to the base-end part of the floating unit and configured to move the hand and the floating unit, and a control device having a robot arm controller configured to control operation of the robot arm. The robot arm controller moves the hand and the floating unit so that the hand is located at a temporary target position. The temporary target position is the hand movable to a target position by moving the tip-end part of the floating unit with the base-end part thereof, the tip-end part located at the temporary target position.

Disclosed wing-to-body join methods include commanding a wing to a first command position and then iteratively repeating a first-phase movement and/or commanding a wing to a second command position and then iteratively repeating a second-phase movement. The first-phase movement includes determining a real position of the wing, calculating a first-phase difference between the real position and the first command position, and commanding the wing to reduce the magnitude of the first-phase difference. The second-phase movement includes determining a real position of the wing, determining a real position of the body, calculating a second-phase difference based on the second command position and the real positions of the wing and body, and commanding the wing to reduce the magnitude of the second-phase difference. Some embodiments include performing a port-side move for a port wing of the aircraft and performing a starboard-side move for a starboard wing of the aircraft.