IP Library Granted Patent US 8,561,290
Granted Patent B2
US 8,561,290 · App. 12/920,261 · Granted Oct 22, 2013

Work line module and work facility

Inventors: Tsugumaru Yamashita (Ritto, JP); Noritaka Fujimura (Ritto, JP); Kenichiro Hirao (Ritto, JP)
Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,561,290
App. No.
12/920,261
Granted
Oct 22, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Work line module comprises a plurality of machines ( 103 - 106 ) having a plurality of working functions and non-work facility ( 107, 108 ) such as a conveying machine can cooperate so as to produce a necessary amount even if the necessary amount is varied. A plurality of work machines ( 103 - 106 ) for mechanically working a workpiece ( 124 ) and non-work facility ( 107, 108 ) for processing the workpiece ( 124 ). One work machine ( 106 ) is a multifunction furnishing machine having a function of measuring the workpiece ( 124 ) in addition to a function of mechanically working the workpiece ( 124 ). A conveying machine ( 109 ) having robots ( 185 - 187 ) for conveying the workpiece ( 124 ) between the work machines ( 103 - 106 ), and between the work machines ( 103 - 106 ) and the non-work facility ( 107, 108 ).

Claims (25)

1. Work line module, comprising:

a combination of a plurality of work machines for mechanically working a workpiece, non-working facility for not mechanically working the workpiece, wherein

at least one work machine in the plurality of work machines is a multifunction work machine mechanically working the workpiece and measuring the workpiece, and a conveying machine including a robot for conveying the workpiece among the work machines and the non-work facility and the workpiece are continuously operated in a series of operations with respect to the workpiece in the work line module,

wherein the conveying machine comprises a rail provided along the work machines, the non-work facility; and a carrier on which the workpiece is mounted and a robot having seven axes,

wherein the robot is arranged at a location between the work machines and a non-work facility and moved along the rail, and the workpiece is conveyed between the carrier and the work machines or a non-work facility, the work machines and between the work machine and the non-work facility,

the conveying robots have no moving function for moving over a floor,

the conveying machine has a gripper for gripping and releasing the workpiece by opening and closing fingers, and

an arm portion for being gripped and released by the gripper provided at a carrier,

wherein in the case that the gripper of the robot cannot directly grip the workpiece on a carrier, the gripper of the conveying robot grips the arm portion provided at the carrier trucked on a rail and conveys the carrier so as to move the workpiece to a location where a conveying robot having a moving function can directly grip the workpiece on the carrier.

2. The work line module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the multifunction work machine has a function of furnishing and a function of measuring.

3. A Work Facility comprising:

a plurality of work line modules, wherein

each work line module is claimed in claim 2 .

4. Work line module as claimed in claim 1 , wherein

the non-work facility includes at least one of an assembling device for assembling a workpiece and a cleaning device for cleaning the workpiece.

5. A Work Facility, comprising:

a plurality of work line modules, wherein

each work line module is claimed in claim 4 .

6. A Work Facility, comprising:

a plurality of work line modules, wherein

each work line module is claimed in claim 1 .

7. A Work Facility, comprising:

a plurality of work line modules, wherein

each work line module is claimed in claim 1 .

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 24, 2010
From: YAMASHITA, TSUGUMARU; FUJIMURA, NORITAKA; HIRAO, KENICHIRO
To: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 025041/0764 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2008-243620 · Sep 24, 2008 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20110000082A1 · Jan 6, 2011