An Integrated and Flexible System for Automatic Tool Assembly and Disassembly

Abstract The concepts of automation and integration have now almost invaded all sectors of modern mechanical industry. The sector dedicated to the management and manipulation of tools is not exempt from this innovative process; however, important functions as the assembly and disassembly of tools from their respective innovative process; however, important functions as the assembly and disassembly of tools from their respective holders, are today still done by manual intervention. Taking into account such considerations, the possibilities of automating these operations through the use of one or more manipulating robots, was analyzed by developing and testing a prototype plant able to realize the assembly and the disassembly of tools in the toolholder for NC machining centers. Parallelly, a assembly software package was disassembly developed of in order to identify the list of objects to be manipulated, to plan the optimal sequence software package of the operations, to represent the view of the components on a graphic terminal, and to create the necessary part-program to control the robot movements. The various cases examined, from which some examples are reported, set forth the validity of the procedure followed and point out the problems encountered and the technics adopted for their solutions.