Robotic Manufacturing Cells

In a factory with a future the cell will be the key manufacturing system design element in developing a truly integrated manufacturing system. Most cells in place today are manned, but they are evolving toward unmanned systems that are totally computerized, robotized, & automated for autonomous operation.

In manufacturing & assembly cells, machines & operations are placed next to each other to permit one-part-at-a-time movement within the cell. Decouplers are placed between the machine in the cell, improving the cell flexibility.  The decoupler is so named because it reduces (i.e., decouples) the time &/or functional dependency of one machine on another within the cell. Moreover, it frees (decouples) the worker (or robot) from the machines so that the worker (or robot) can move to different machines in the cell. In fact, the workers can move in the opposite direction to the movement (flow) of the parts within the cell. The decoupler also carries production control information through the cell. Decouplers usually hold one part & are not storage queues. Decouplers in robotic cells have many additional functions, including inspection, part manipulation, inter-cell transportation, & process delay. ...Learn more?