Analysis of Model Specific Features for the Development of a Non-Contact Reference Point System on a Flexible Gripper

Abstract

The increasing diversity of models and variants in the automotive industry is leading to new challenges in the flexibilization of the body shop production process, especially the gripper systems. One way of making the component handling process more flexible by using type-variable grippers is to replace the mechanical reference point pins with virtual sensor technology, which ensures positionally and repeatedly accurate handling per component.One major challenge in using sensory technology for type-variable components is determining the necessary measuring range, which depends on the varying position and size of the reference points per model. In order to design a sustainable solution, the definition of a measurement range for both current and future model types is essential as well.According to the current state of the art, no optimal sensor parameters are known for the use case described. Additionally there are no existing studies that provide a guideline for the recommended position of reference points depending on the sensor technology used.This paper presents the approach of investigating characteristics of various reference points with regard to their position and geometry in order to define a measurement range for the usage of sensor technology. To optimize the determined measuring ranges, various scenarios of component alignment are examined and their influence on the sensor parameters identified. Here the example of interior door parts of different vehicle segments is applied as a use case.In the result, a system framework for positioning reference points is defined based on the investigated use case and a recommendation is made for the parameters of the sensor technology to be used. Furthermore the systematic alignment of components leads to a reduction of sensor parameters. These results can be used for positioning reference points in future models.