Automated Assembly Workcell

Overview

From concept to production, a machine was designed and built to automatically make the medical tube assemblies shown here.

The automated machine had the ability to make various configurations of the product, which consisted of a precise length of poly tubing coiled in a precise shape and held in that shape by a number of extruded poly clips.

The operator first placed a tool into the machine (quick-change, no tools required), which provided a channel for the tubing and slots for the clips. The machine automatically identified the tool and configured itself for that assembly type.

A roll of poly tubing was placed onto a tubing unwind servo feed mechanism. This servo unit fed tubing through a rotating cutter and into the tool. The tubing was fed a precise length, then cut by the rotary cutter.

Once in the tool, the tool would rotate and position the clip slots below an escapement from the bowl feeder, and escape a clip into the tool. The tool would then be compressed to snap the clip over the tubing.

The tool would continue rotating until all clips were placed, then open to eject a complete assembly. The operator only needed to keep a supply of poly clips in the bowl and tubing on the feeder.

System Features