By Mtn Biakernore
Page 18
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A robot assembly line for cylinder heads, which costs around Elm is in the final stage of commissioning. An automated component storage and distribution system which uses a computer-controlled fleet of 14 unmanned agv (automatically guided vehicles) and eight cranes has been in opera tion for three weeks.
The robot assembly line is being used to assemble cylinder head sub assemblies for Perkins' high volume engines. the four-cylinder 4.236 and sixcylinder 6.354.
Eight computer controlled Pragma robot arms fit valves, valve springs, seals, collets, and studs to cylinder heads which have been automatically washed.
The fitting of the valves' split collets while the springs are held compressed was the most difficult assembly operation to automate because of the dexterity demanded of the robot.
Each assembled head is "valve popped" and pressure tested before being passed to manual assembly stations.
Two "recovery stations" on the robot line are used to correct out of tolerance components rejected during automated checks.
The robots check, for example, the depth of each valve head below the cylinder head face and, to ensure the correct fit between valve stem and valve guide is maintained, the force applied by the robot inserting each valve is carefully monitored. If the first valve is out of tolerance it is programmed to try two others before rejecting the head.
With the commissioning of the new robot line, supplied by Fairey Automation of Swindon, Perkins has automated about 60 per cent of cylinder head assembly of its fourand six-cylinder engines.
Perkin's managing director John Devaney confirmed last week that "a major piece of our strategy" is to further increase the level of automation at the Eastfield, Peterborough plant which is reckoned to be the largest single diesel engine factory in the world.