Adaptable-programmable assembly research technology transfer to industry, phase 2

The development of an adaptable-programmable assembly system (APAS) that was designed to automate batch assembly is discussed. The pilot APAS endbell system is a closed loop assembly line approximately 35 feet long and 6 feet wide. It consists of six stations organized around a power-and-free buffered conveyor, which moves endbelts through the stations at the rate of one every 10 to 15 seconds. Seven different styles of endbells can be processed with a total of 18 different parts and 2 lubricants. Appendixes contain pressing force measurements and a description of the operation of a numa-logic programmable controller.