INTEGRATION OF MECHANICAL TESTING WITH AUTOMATED PARTS HANDLING IN A PRODUCTION ENVIRONMENT

With the emphasis on zero defects, 100% inspection is becoming a norm in manufacturing industry. In addition to dimensional and functional t ests, particular mechanical tests are conducted by applying a load-def ormation cycle on a component/assembly. Traditional off-line technique s, using Instron-like test machines, are not suitable for 100% inspect ion. Automated parts handling, using devices such as robots, is being used increasingly in production lines. The present paper examines the possibility of conducting mechanical tests with industrial robots, use d for parts handling. These proposals are based on the authors' resear ch in the area of fabric testing using robotics. This paper extends th ese into the wider arena of parts handling. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.