FANUC and Inbolt Automate Moving Assembly Lines With Robots

Assembly lines have been ubiquitous in manufacturing for over a century. Robots have been a “recent” addition, perhaps going mainstream 60 years ago with Unimate, the first industrial robot. Putting the two together is nothing new. However, a big challenge not met until recently is how to integrate a quick-thinking robot that can perform tasks on a moving assembly line.

A collaboration between FANUC and Inbolt has led to the development of a solution for this challenge. They have paired a CRX robot with 3D machine vision to make it possible to perform manufacturing operations on parts moving on a line.

FANUC and Inbolt’s collaboration combines advanced machine vision with precision robotics. Image used courtesy of Inbolt

Automating Moving Assembly Lines

Most manufacturing processes use assembly lines in a few specific fashions. When Henry Ford observed the meat packing plant’s assembly lines, workers pulled items from the line, performed operations, and placed them back on the line. The other option was to advance the line a little, let everyone perform their operations, and then advance it again. Outside of those options, conveyor lines were simply used to move products between workstations.

In later years, Boeing and others found the value in moving workpieces, such as airplane fuselages, while workers performed tasks on the move. Because of the specific skill sets and complex assembly and quality control tasks, it was more efficient to move the entire fuselage than to move workers, tools, and components.

Shutting down an assembly line uses resources and time. Often, parts are moved down the line and tagged if they are incomplete rather than stopping the line. Therefore, the ability to manufacture items on a moving line is a key challenge.

Inbolt’s real-time 3D vision software enables FANUC’s CRX cobots and industrial robots to operate production tasks on moving assembly lines. Image used courtesy of Inbolt

FANUC and Inbolt Collaboration

To make this possible, Inbolt and FANUC paired a CRX robot with 3D cameras and machine vision algorithms. This provides accurate tracking of parts on the line, making it easier to identify and manipulate these items. The use of these cameras reduces the need for custom lighting, specialized jigs for manipulating parts, and the need to stop the assembly line.

Inbolt’s proprietary 3D vision algorithms make real-time 3D navigation and guidance precise and quick. FANUC CRX cobots can be used for this system and have a small form factor that requires little space and no fencing, making it suitable for general assembly areas.

This system can be used to insert and tighten screws, install filters, rundown bolts, and perform several other mission-critical tasks that are difficult with traditional robotics. FANUC and Inbolt’s system has already been installed and tested at General Motors.

With Inbolt’s 3D vision, FANUC robots can insert and tighten screws, install filters, rundown bolts, and perform several other tasks on parts moving down the line. Image used courtesy of Inbolt

Automation in Motion

FANUC and Inbolt’s collaboration in performing robot operations on moving assembly lines hopes to open the doors to new possibilities in efficiency and line throughput. As this technique is further refined, it seeks to enable rapid assembly and reduce turnaround times. Another key use will be in quality control departments; instead of simply identifying problematic components, robots can quickly bring them into specification and place them back on the line for shipping.