Flexible robotic assembly system for automated disk drive manufacturing

Abstract

This paper describes a computer-integrated assembly system used in the disk drive manufacturing environment for complex assembly and rework operations. The software, hardware and architecture for communication and execution of robotic assembly are introduced. The assembly line is a flexible system for assembling the major components of a high-capacity disk drive. It consists of three robotic cells, which include robots, vision systems, a conveyor system, part feeders, and several distributed computers. A network of computers, including one cell controller for each cell, direct the normal assembly and rework tasks. The major components in this disk drive assembly system are presented along with the automation issues associated with the application. The various factors essential to successful acquisition and implementation of the assembly system are also discussed.