Vision sensors error-proof oil cap assembly

Supplying parts to the world’s leading automotive companies leaves no room for error. That’s why Miniature Precision Components (MPC; Prairie du Chien, WI) uses three vision sensors from Cognex (Natick, MA) to error-proof the automated assembly of oil-caps. The MPC oil-cap assembly system installs o-ring seals into molded thermoplastic caps, and then prints on top of the caps. The system uses two vibratory bowl feeders, about four feet in diameter. One feeds o-rings and the other feeds oil caps into the process. A vibratory bowl feeder consists of a large bowl with a spiral ramp up the side. As the bowl vibrates, the parts work their way singly up the ramp, to an inline conveyor. At the end of the inline conveyor a pick-and-place arm transfers o-rings to the first station on a rotary assembly dial. After an o-ring is loaded onto the dial fixture, it indexes to the second station. There, another inline conveyor feeds blank caps from the other vibratory bowl feeder to a second pick-and-place arm that presses the caps on top of the loaded seals. Then the assembled cap and seal continue on the rotary dial through the pad printing and final inspection stations to complete the process. For more information, go to: http://www.cognex.com/ApplicationsIndustries/NewApps/default.aspx?id=440&langtype=2057