A method and system for an automatic parts conveying system includes a parts feeder configured to receive parts from a receiving bin, a linear conveyor for conveying parts away from the parts feeder to an installation robot. The installation robot includes a robot arm controlled by a controller and a parts handling device coupled to a distal end of the robot arm. The automatic parts conveying system also includes one or more vibrating elements positioned along at least one of the linear conveyor, the parts feeder, and the receiving bin to impart vibratory motions to the at least one of the linear conveyor, the parts feeder, and the receiving bin for stimulating the parts into motion. The automatic parts conveying system also includes an air assist portion configured to provide pressurized fluid to the parts to facilitate moving parts through the automatic parts conveying system.

A method and system for an automatic parts conveying system includes a parts feeder configured to receive parts from a receiving bin, a linear conveyor for conveying parts away from the parts feeder to an installation robot. The installation robot includes a robot arm controlled by a controller and a parts handling device coupled to a distal end of the robot arm. The automatic parts conveying system also includes one or more vibrating elements positioned along at least one of the linear conveyor, the parts feeder, and the receiving bin to impart vibratory motions to the at least one of the linear conveyor, the parts feeder, and the receiving bin for stimulating the parts into motion. The automatic parts conveying system also includes an air assist portion configured to provide pressurized fluid to the parts to facilitate moving parts through the automatic parts conveying system.

A conveyor includes a trough with a floor having an upper surface configured to receive items to be conveyed in at least a first direction from a first end to a second end. The conveyor also includes a platform with at least one exciter attached thereto. The at least one exciter has at least one shaft with an eccentric mass attached thereto, the shaft having an axis of rotation about which the mass is rotated. The conveyor also includes a base. At least one first toroidal resilient member is disposed between the trough and the platform, and at least one second toroidal resilient member disposed between the platform and the base.

A parts accumulating section is constituted by a cylindrical center member; and a hose helically wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical center member, and connecting predetermined two steps of a parts production line to each other. The hose has an inner diameter dimension which enables parts to pass, in a predetermined attitude, through the hose with only each one of the parts disposed in the hose in the radial direction of the hose. A vibration generating section applies torsional vibrations to the parts accumulating section so that the parts are fed in the hose. The parts discharged from the upstream step are accumulated in the hose in the same order as they are handled in the upstream step. The parts are fed in the hose without generating surface damage to the parts due to their collision against each other, and are supplied to the downstream step.

A parts accumulating section is constituted by a cylindrical center member; and a hose helically wrapped around the outer periphery of the cylindrical center member, and connecting predetermined two steps of a parts production line to each other. The hose has an inner diameter dimension which enables parts to pass, in a predetermined attitude, through the hose with only each one of the parts disposed in the hose in the radial direction of the hose. A vibration generating section applies torsional vibrations to the parts accumulating section so that the parts are fed in the hose. The parts discharged from the upstream step are accumulated in the hose in the same order as they are handled in the upstream step. The parts are fed in the hose without generating surface damage to the parts due to their collision against each other, and are supplied to the downstream step.

Methods and systems for controlling a vibratory feeder are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: a controller module including a graphical user interface for selecting operating parameters to be communicated to a bowl drive that causes a feeder bowl to move, monitoring algorithms stored in non-transitory memory for processing motion data to monitor motion of the feeder bowl, and adjustment algorithms stored in non-transitory memory for determining and automatically adjusting the operating parameters, and a motion sensor module configured to mount with and sense motion of the bowl drive, the motion sensor module including an accelerometer, a digital signal processor (DSP) microcontroller, and a transmitter. The DSP microcontroller samples output data from the accelerometer, determines motion data of the motion of the bowl drive, and transmits the motion data via the transmitter to the controller module.

A system for controlled distribution of components, the system including a vibrating bowl provided with an enclosure having a wall extending right around an axis of revolution of the bowl and in which the components are placed in bulk, and an articulated gripping arm provided to distribute the components to the automatic assembly installation, the vibrating bowl including an ascending helical ramp extending along an internal face of the wall between a base and an upper edge of the vibrating bowl constituting an exit of the ramp, the components being able to travel along this ramp towards a supply platform, particularly a slide, on which at least one component is arranged in advance of its seizure by the articulated gripping arm, the supply platform being connected to the exit and extending above or in the enclosure of the vibrating bowl.

A system for controlled distribution of components, the system including a vibrating bowl provided with an enclosure having a wall extending right around an axis of revolution of the bowl and in which the components are placed in bulk, and an articulated gripping arm provided to distribute the components to the automatic assembly installation, the vibrating bowl including an ascending helical ramp extending along an internal face of the wall between a base and an upper edge of the vibrating bowl constituting an exit of the ramp, the components being able to travel along this ramp towards a supply platform, particularly a slide, on which at least one component is arranged in advance of its seizure by the articulated gripping arm, the supply platform being connected to the exit and extending above or in the enclosure of the vibrating bowl.

A unit cell alignment apparatus that includes a base member, on the upper surface of which unit cells constituting an electrode assembly are stacked parallel thereto, a first guide member located at one side of the base member, the first guide member being disposed so as to be perpendicular to the upper surface of the base member, a second guide member located at the base member, the second guide member being disposed so as to be perpendicular to the upper surface of the base member while being at right angles to the first guide member, and an inclination adjustment member configured to adjust the inclination of the base member.

A unit cell alignment apparatus that includes a base member, on the upper surface of which unit cells constituting an electrode assembly are stacked parallel thereto, a first guide member located at one side of the base member, the first guide member being disposed so as to be perpendicular to the upper surface of the base member, a second guide member located at the base member, the second guide member being disposed so as to be perpendicular to the upper surface of the base member while being at right angles to the first guide member, and an inclination adjustment member configured to adjust the inclination of the base member.