Automated assembly of elastomer and thermoplastic hoses by industrial robots

A technique has been developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing and Automation in Stuttgart, IPA, which enables automated assembly of elastomer and thermoplastic hoses. One of the essential problems is the compensation of tolerances of the parts to be joined. The development work carried-out includes both experimental and theoretical investigations. Various CAE aids simulated systems and processes. Component subsystems are illustrated like the pilot cell for assembling elastomer radiator hoses on the VW Golf II engine and a cell assembling PVC-hoses.