Automated assembly of cockpit modules in the automotive industry

Micro-Epsilon: Fully or semi-automatic assembly of cockpit modules during automotive production processes requires the gripper tool to precisely position the assembly parts. Offering integrated profile calculation and due to their compact design, laser scanners from Micro-Epsilon are used for this task. They can be easily installed on a robot or manipulator.

Fully or semi-automatic assembly of cockpit modules during automotive production processes requires the gripper tool to precisely position the assembly parts. During assembly, the gripper docks with the cockpit on the vehicle chassis. When the cockpit is successfully docked on both sides, laser profile scanners from Micro-Epsilon measure the current position of the module in the Y- and Z-axes in the vehicle coordinate system. In order to determine the measurement values, reference points on the cockpit skin are used, which are e.g. defined via certain intersections. Subsequently, the measured values are compared with the predefined set point values in order to determine whether the cockpit has been positioned correctly.

When the values are calculated, the actuator is activated, which correctly aligns the cockpit module based on the reference points. In the next step, the cockpit is screwed onto the car body. As the laser scanners take over the measurement and positioning tasks, each cockpit module can be individually adapted to the respective car body.

Here, scanCONTROL laser profile scanners are used. The laser scanner evaluates the complete profile internally and transmits the measurement values via Ethernet to the control system. This enables the actuators to change the axis positions on the gripper in order to assembly the cockpit module in the ideal position in the car body. After the cockpit is fixed, the sensor determines the installation position of the cockpit which serves as proof of quality for each vehicle. For the entire process, including the fitting of the cockpit, a cycle time of less than one minute is required. Measuring independent of surface conditions, the sensors provide reliable measurement values whether bright or dark paints are used, different gloss levels, variable surface structures and in unsteady ambient light conditions.