Flexible robotic workcell accelerates mobile device assembly development
Project snapshot
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Challenge
Rapidly test multiple assembly processes with minimal capital investment
The development team needed to validate tight-tolerance assembly processes—including adhesive dispense, vision-aided alignment, cable insertion, and sequence testing—without the expense of building separate workcells for each process. Hard fixturing would have limited flexibility and slowed iteration on a changing product design.
Innovation
Multi-purpose, flexible robotic workcell
We delivered a small, adaptable robotic station to support rapid process experimentation and validation.
Key elements of the solution included:
- Small safety enclosure with a single robot capable of multiple end effectors.
- Quick-change tooling for adhesive dispensers, assembly gripping, on-end-effector vision, and other process fixtures.
- PC-based control with graphical user interface, data collection, and simple operation.
- Enabled the manufacturer’s team to validate processes and produce small product quantities for evaluation.
- Flexible platform that could be reused for multiple iterations of the product and later scaled into high-volume equipment.
Result
Validated assembly processes while minimizing equipment costs
The flexible workcell allowed the development team to confidently test and optimize assembly processes, providing proof of concept for high-volume production equipment without incurring the cost of multiple specialized workcells.
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