Patent attributes
A virtual stop station is provided having a carriage straddling an assembly line operation. This provides an independently moving platform upon which one or more manufacturing robots are affixed. The carriage is coordinated with and tracked to the linear motion of the assembly line. A vision guidance system centers the workpiece, and lifting arms mounted on the moving carriage will locate the workpiece and lift the workpiece up off of the conveyor, while being coordinated with it. The workpiece and robots thus are now fixtured to the same frame, thus eliminating movement relative to one another creating a virtual stop station. Once subassembly is complete, the coordinated robotic gantry will disengage from the conveyor and return home. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
