Historically, automotive assembly lines have been based on a continuously moving conveyor system. As a chassis is carried slowly through a number of work areas, workers follow it to install various components. However, when newer, more sophisticated automation methods are used, the continuously moving chassis becomes a big disadvantage. Robots and other automated systems must contend with a moving target, and heavy equipment for installing drivetrain components becomes needlessly complex. A number of manufacturers are reacting to today's automation requirements by adopting a new form of conveyor system based on linear induction motor (LIM) technology. The chassis can be advanced to a new workstation and halted, with a high degree of accuracy, allowing automated tooling to perform its operations. Once these operations are complete, the tooling controls tell the LIM system to advance the carrier to the next workstation. The article describes the LIM controls strategy used in the Ford Aerostar assembly plant in St Louis, MO.
Ford's high-speed LIM conveyor: a demanding controls task
Fords Hochgeschwindigkeits-Fließband mit Linearinduktionsmotor: Eine Regelungsaufgabe mit hohen Anforderungen
I&CS ; 63 , 10 ; 137-139
1990
3 Seiten
Article (Journal)
English
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