Robotic tape applicator and method
A method of fastening a first curved part to a second curved part comprises placing the second part into a specified orientation in relation to a robotically controlled tape applicator, applying two-sided adhesive tape along a non-linear path over the surface of the second part, and placing the first part into registry with the second part to adhere to the adhesive tape. A robotic tape applicator comprises a computer adapted to control a robotic arm, guide means, tensioning means and cutting means.
1 . A tape application head comprising:
means for receiving tape from a tape supply;
means for applying said tape to a substrate when said tape application head is moved along said substrate; and
a cutting assembly for cutting said tape after a predetermined amount of said tape has been applied to said substrate, said cutting assembly comprising a blade movable through said tape in a direction not substantially towards said substrate.
2 . The tape application head of claim 1 further comprising means for driving said tape through said tape application head.
3 . The tape application head of claim 2 wherein said means for driving is a tape drive unit.
4 . The tape application head of claim 1 further comprising an outfeed roller for guiding a removable tape backing to a disposal system after said tape has been applied.
5 . The tape application head of claim 1 further comprising at least one guide roller for guiding said tape from said cutting assembly to said means for applying.
6 . The tape application head of claim 1 wherein said means for applying tape to said substrate is a nose.
7 . The tape application head of claim 1 wherein said side cutting assembly further comprises:
means for cutting said tape; and
at least one sensor for monitoring the amount of tape which has been laid down on said substrate;
wherein after said at least one sensor determines the correct amount has been laid down, said sensor transmits a signal to said means for cutting said tape to cut said tape.
8 . The tape application head of claim 7 wherein said means for cutting said tape is a knife blade.
9 . The tape application of claim 1 wherein said guide roller is an idler roller.
10 . The tape application head of claim 1 further comprising a compliance cylinder assembly.
11 . The tape application head of claim 10 wherein said compliance cylinder assembly comprises:
an air cylinder;
a compliance brake;
a brake mounting block, housing said compliance brake; and
a compliance alignment coupler.
12 . A robotic tape applicator comprising:
a means for mounting a roll of tape;
a tape application head;
means for guiding the tape from the means for mounting the roll of tape to the tape application head;
the tape application head comprising:
means for receiving tape from a tape supply;
means for applying said tape to a substrate when said tape application head is moved along said substrate; and
a cutting assembly for cutting said tape after a predetermined amount of said tape has been applied to said substrate, said cutting assembly comprising a blade movable through said tape in a direction not substantially towards said substrate.
13 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 12 further comprising:
a tape drive unit for drawing said tape from said means for applying tape.
14 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 13 wherein said tape drive unit is motorized.
15 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 12 further comprising an outfeed roller for guiding a tape backing to a disposal system.
16 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 12 wherein said means for applying tape to said substrate is a nose.
17 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 12 wherein said side cutting assembly further comprises:
means for cutting said tape; and
at least one sensor for monitoring the amount of tape which has been laid down on said substrate;
wherein after said at least one sensor determines the correct amount has been laid down, said sensor transmits a signal to said means for cutting said tape to cut said tape.
18 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 12 wherein said means for cutting said tape is a knife blade.
19 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 12 wherein said guide roller is an idler roller.
20 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 12 further comprising a compliance cylinder assembly.
21 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 20 wherein said compliance cylinder assembly comprises:
an air cylinder;
a compliance brake;
a brake mounting block, housing said compliance brake; and
a compliance alignment coupler.
22 . A method of applying tape onto a substrate comprising the steps of:
positioning said substrate in a predetermined position, relative to a robotically controlled tape applicator; and
applying said tape, via said robotically controlled tape applicator, to said substrate.
23 . The method of claim 22 wherein said step of applying said tape is along a non-linear path.
24 . The method of claim 22 wherein said step of applying said tape comprises the step of passing the tape past a tensioning means and a cutting means.
25 . The method of claim 24 wherein said tensioning means is a nip roller.
26 . The method of claim 24 wherein said cutting means is a knife.
27 . A method of applying a length of tape to a substrate comprising the steps of:
positioning the substrate in a predetermined position; and
applying tape via a robotically controlled tape applicator, said robotically controlled tape applicator comprising:
a means for holding said roll of tape;
a tape applicator head; and
at least one guide roller for guiding said tape from said means for holding said roll of tape to said tape applicator head.
28 . The method of claim 27 wherein said step of applying tape comprises the steps of:
guiding an end of said tape from said means for holding said roll of tape via said at least one guide roller to said tape applicator head;
laying said tape on said substrate along a predetermined path; and
cutting said tape after said tape has been laid down against said substrate along said predetermined path.
29 . The method of claim 28 wherein said step of laying said tape further comprises the step of providing a vacuum to provide sites of negative pressure against which the tape is slideably held.
30 . The method of claim 27 wherein said means for holding said roll of tape is a roller.
31 . The method of claim 27 wherein the substrate is an automotive part.
32 . The method of claim 27 wherein said tape applicator head comprises a knife for cutting the tape.
33 . The method of claim 27 wherein said tape applicator head further comprises means for applying tension to said tape.
34 . The method of claim 33 wherein said means for applying tension is a nip roller.
35 . The robotic tape applicator of claim 4 wherein the disposal system is a vacuum system.