9451778 Erevelles A Flexible Assembly Cell (FAC) is developed for the Computer Integrated Manufacturing (CIM) Laboratory at GMI through the efforts of an industry-assisted inter-departmental team. This state-of-the-art assembly cell provides an experiential learning environment to support the core senior level CIM course. FAC seeks to challenge students by providing an environment with automated, instrumented, vision assisted, quasi-intelligent integrated assembly capability. This environment provides the opportunity for students to explore a variety of aspects of CIM through structured experiments, with ample opportunities for further exploration. An Adept One robot, controller, vision system, hand exchanger, overload and compliance devices, and various grippers serve as the primary work center of the cell. Allen Bradley sensors, programmable logic controller, and associated hardware and device drivers, along with a Worthington Auto ID package, enable the collection of data used to control the assembly process. Integration of these equipments into the existing CIM laboratory is accomplished using 486-based PCs. Assorted instrumented PHD pneumatic cylinders allow the construction of tooling required to support the assembly process.
