Importance

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Abstract

A method for changing the tooling in a robot-based material transfer system is disclosed as well as a system utilizing the method. The tooling is changed to accommodate the transfer of material such as automotive parts having different configurations within the system. Initially, end effectors of gantry robots and/or transfer beds of the system are placed in at least one container which is indexed through the work envelopes of the robots. Then, at least one specially designed container containing new tooling is indexed into the work envelopes. The robots are controlled to remove the new tooling from the containers and to place the new tooling in operative positions in the system. In the disclosed embodiment, one of the robots utilizes a special transfer bed gripper to replace the old transfer beds with new transfer beds. Preferably, an automatic guided vehicle system (AGVS) moves containers to and from loading and unloading stations in the material handling system.

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First Claim