The new assembly system paradigm

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe an assembly line paradigm that exploits the latest trends in handling and assembly technologies. Mobile robotic units, flexible and exchangeable end effectors, equipped with automated integration capabilities are used to achieve a highly reconfigurable and autonomous line as opposed to the existing fixed assembly lines, which are difficult to be reconfigured. In a study for the automotive assembly case, the benefits of the new paradigm over the traditional assembly schemes are quantified with the help of different simulated operational conditions.