Week 3:- BiW Fixture Design Methodologies Challenges

WEEK 3 CHALLENGE

AIM

1. What is Design Methodology?

Design Methodology is the sequence of steps which we have to follow while doing design.

2. What are the inputs required from the customer to start designing a fixture?

• Functional Requirements: The purpose or the function of the fixture will be given as inputs from the customers like what are the process the fixture is going to do i.e., welding, riveting, gluing or whether it is a checking fixture, etc. Generally, function requirement means for what purpose we are going to design fixture like welding, gluing or riveting fixture and inspection fixture.
• Preferred Standard Components: While designing fixture, we have to use standard components as much as possible to save time, money and efforts to design, manufacture that non-standard components. As we know different companies follow different standards, we will be following the standards, we will be following the standards followed by the customers.
• Car Product: The inputs we get from car products are GD&T, part list, cad files of car part, clamp plan, product assembly process sheet. It consist of 3D, read files, geometric tolerance and PLP (principle locating points) of fixture.
• Layout: Layout is nothing but management of space which helps to understand process or flow of work of entire assembly line. Layout shows the entire assembly plan to understand the process. Layout provides the information of flow of parts, station pitch, robot stations, accessories like tool changers & tip dressers, sub assembly links, plat form height, loading/unloading sequence/height.
• Ergo data: Every company have standard ergo data and they provide it to fixture designer to design fixture considering that points Ex. height of fixture is decided according to ease while working on fixture. So, we have to design a fixture by considering safety, easy and fool proof design. As same as preferred standards, different companies follow different standards of ergo data. We have to follow the customer standards of ergo data. The inputs of ergo data will give by the customer mostly in case of manually operated fixtures/manual fixtures.
• Weld Study: Weld study is the important inputs given by the customer. It gives details about the study of particulars gun that we use for welding. Also, the dates like no/ of weld, position of weld in the components will be given. In short, weld study includes weld gun details, weld matrix & weld points. In this input, customer specify which type of welding (spot or seam) is required to join components according to which we have to design fixture.
• Standard Detailing Template: Customer gives us standard detailing template, so we can use that to detail or dimensioning components according to that template. These inputs include the detailing templates of 2D cad drawing as per the customer standards. So, we have to follow the detailing templates as per the customer standards.

3. What is the input we get from "Car Products"?

Car Products include:-

• GD&T - GD & T stand for Geometrical Dimensioning and Tolerance. GD & T of each part is given in car product in which information of locating pins, clamps, rest and slides are mentioned. Image provided below shows how GD & T is apply for particular part.

• Part list - It states about the parts and assembly style. Part list consist of unique part names of each and every parts in assembly and each part has its own part number which helps while assembly process to identify each and every part in assembly.

• Cad files - The 3D model of the car part will be given from customer. From that 3D model we will be developing our fixture design process. The 3D cad file will be in the format of step file (stp) or IGES file (igs).
• Clamp Plan - Clamp plan provides the information of location of pins, Rest units, clamp unit, dump etc. It is the important input from customer. The clamp plan/position should not be changed without the knowledge of customer. It is one of the important data while designing fixture because clamp plan mentions location of clamps in which component is going to clamp.

• Product assembly Process Sheet - It gives the information of stage wise assembly process like how the parts move from one assembly process like how the parts move from one assembly station to other after the completion of joining process. .

4. What is the Clamp Plan?

• Clamps are nothing but a mechanism or component used to hold or clamp job in fixture sucurely. Clamps are manual type, hydraulic type or pneumatic type depending on customer requirement. Clamp plan mentions or gives the location of clamps in which component is going to clamp. We can't change clamp location without customers approval, first of all we have to take permission from customers side to change clamp location.
• Clamp plan provides the information of location of pins, Rest units, clamp unit, dump etc. It is the important input from customer. The clamp plan/position should not be changed without the knowledge of customer. It is one of the important data while designing fixture because clamp plan mentions location of clamps in which component is going to clamp.
• We should never change the position of the particular clamp or the pin, which is given in these data and can change our design a little bit here or there, but we should not change the input design data about the clamp position or the pin position.
• In the Clamp plan there is clamp unit,pin unit and it is more detailed. It also gives the exact location of y and Z coordinates designing as well you can just input these coordinates and we can start designing from there.
• If the three coordinates,whole diameter and everything is already given to design the entire future design phase, and it sometimes ministry as well. It happens that another thought position, also given very close to the clamp, or the clamp location. So always ask to whether you have changed the clamp position.

5. What is the purpose of a layout?

• Layout is nothing but management of space which helps to understand process or flow of work of entire assembly line. Below image is one of the example of layout.
• Layout is used to achieve more efficiency or coordination of 4 M's (Men, Material, Machine, and Methods). Plant layout is simply floor plan for arranging machinery and equipements present in plant and these things are arranged according to its usage, easy for everyone to use particular equipements or machinery, should not disturb flow of material. Actually, layout is very helpful to save time and money in plan.
• Layout provides the information about:
  • Flow of parts - It shows the flow of the parts/panel in the assembly line or shop floor like how component move from one station to other station after the completion of process.
  • Station Pitch - The distance between two stations is known as station pitch. It shows the space constraints between the two stations, which shows in layout.
  • Robot Station - It shows the position where the robots & their accessories placed, which is shown in the layout.
  • Sub-Assy links - Sub assembly link is nothing but the link between the assembly fixtures & the main assembly line. It shows that how the sub assembly fixtures are linked with the main assembly line
  • Accessories like tool changer and tip dresser - Availability of multiple tools for plan of action.
  • Platform heights - Maintained with suitable safety measures for safer and efficient working.
  • Loading / Unloading sequence / heights - Be in par of human limits, otherwise machines needed to be used for that like conveyors of hoppers.

6. What is Ergo Data?

• Every company have standard ergo data and they provide it to fixture designer to design fixture considering that points Ex. height of fixture is decided according to ease while working on fixture. So, we have to design a fixture by considering safety, easy and fool proof design. Ergo Data is used to reduce human errors, increase productivity, human comfert and safety.

• Lets take examples to understand what is ergo data. Height of base unit is desided according to workers posture, height and his comfert. This data related to height is one of the ergo data and there are several data like this example which are decided by considering human comfert, safety.
• OBJECTIVES OF ERGONOMICS:
  • The fundamental objective of the study of ergonomics is to optimize the integration of man & machine so as to improve the productivity & accuracy. In short, the objective of ergonomics is designing for human use & optimize working & living condition.
  • Benefits of Erogonomics: -
    • Improved working condition.
    • Reduce physical workload.
    • Improved work postures.
    • Reduced efforts of certain movements.
    • Better reading instrument displays, handling of machine levers & Controls.
    • Reduced unnecessary information recall efforts.
    • Below, I have given a basic example of ergonomics in the workstation.
  • Two main objectives of ergonomics are:
    • To enhance the efficiency and effectiveness with which the work is carried out so as to increase the convenience of use, reduced errors & increase in productivity.
    • To enhance certain desirable human values including safety, reduced stress & fatigue and improved quality of life.

7. What do you understand by Weld Study?

Weld study is the important inputs given by the customer. It gives details about the study of particular gun that we use for welding. Also, the datas like No. of weld, position of weld in the components will be given. In short, weld study includes weld gun details, weld matrix & weld points. Generally weld points will be given in spheres. Weld Study includes: -

• Weld Gun Details - to study which type of gun is suitable for particular fixture and selected gun where to use and how to use.

• Weld Matrix and Weld points - Weld points are the points where welding is to be done.

• Geo weld points and Re-Spot weld points - Weld Points are divided using color code, one of them is red color points and remaing points has green color. In these, red color points indicate geo weld points which are going to weld in geo tool and green color points indicate re-spot weld points which are going to weld in re-spot tool.

8. What are the criiteria of % completion in the designing stage. Explain?

• To complete design in time we have to create schedule or time plan called Percentage Completion Criteria. In this we mention all activities related to design and time required to complete that task like concept design, final finished design and 2D of all units in fixture etc. The percentage completion criteria is as below: -

• The four stages of percentage completion criteria are as follows:

  • Input & concept design - If the project is in the stage of Input and concept design then the PCC of the project will be 0-25%. After the completion of input & concept design then the project will be moved to concept approval & simulation check which is the second stage in percentage completion criteria.

  • Concept approval & simulation check - the percentage completion criteria of the project will be between 25% - 40%. After the completion of concept approval & simulation check then the project will be moved to design freezing & detailing which is the third stage in percentage completion criteria.

  • Design freezing & detailing - the percentage completion criteria of the project will be between 40% - 85%. After the completion of design freezing & detailing then the project will be moved tp check & final dispatch which the fourth & the last stage in percentage completion criteria.

  • Check & final dispatch - If the projects is in the stage of check & final dispatch then the percentage completion criteria of the project will be between 85% - 100%. After the completion of design freezing & detailing then the project will be moved tp check & final dispatch which the fourth & the last stage in percentage completion criteria.

9. Brief about "Output" in Design?

Design Output consist of lots of data like 3D and 2D documents, VMC IGS files, STEP files, gas-cut or laser-cut files in dwg format and BOM, etc. We have to give these data to our customer as design output.

• Unitized Tools: - An index of units and their placements on the tool base.It will have an orthogonal view of the fixtures including a numbered balloon drawing mentioning the units. On a common base of multiple units as like of Key sheet and Layout sheet.
  • Key Sheet - An index of units and there placements on the tool base.
  • Layout Sheet- A detailed drawing of individual units to include all of their components.For the Non unitized tool no need of key sheets. As they can stand alone, the drawing can be detailed completely on a layout sheets.

• Non-Unitized tools: Tools that can stand alone and can be detailed completely on a layout sheet. Non unitized tools are basically tools like Stands and tool changers is also an example of an non unitized tools where you don't need key sheet, you can actually used to layout sheet and complete the entire documentation of the particular component. So this is as known non unitized tools.

The Design output should have: -

• Approved standard components are to be used wherever possible.
• Design must be as simple & economics as possible.
• Design must be comply with all current safety & ergonomic requirements.
• Design must provide for controlled & damage free handling of product.
• Adequate error proofing provision must be incorporated into each design by proving proximity switches, rough locators, etc.
• The weight of the moving parts must be kept to a minimum while maintaining maximum strength.
• Frames & structures are to be simple & study.
• Design clearance & accessibility for routine maintenance & service.
• Motion control must be considered on any moving equipments.
• Designer is responsible to validate clamps & weld guns.

10. What do you understand by structuring a design tree? How it reduces errors during the design process?

Structuring a design tree is very necessary while designing fixture because it help to identify all manufactured part in whole fixture. Every customer company have there own standard. This will help us during design study, manufacturing and inspection to avoid errors. If we ignore structuring a design tree it will crete confusion to understand design and may errors will appers in fixtures.

• Structuring a design tree implies to process where all the assemblies & parts are named in a specific standard. Different customers have different set of standards to structure a design tree.
• It is an important process which helps us to identify a specific part or assembly as to which project, tool/unit, it belongs to.
• This helps us to avoid the errors during design, manufacturing, assembly, inspection, etc.
• If the parts or assemblies are not named properly or the design tree is not structured properly, it will create confusion to understand the design & may create major possibilities of making an error.
• Naming of a fixture or a unit or a part, gives the information as to which project or zone or assembly do they belong.
• It can help us to identify the quantity of items of same types or different types that are being used in the assembly.
• While start designing a fixture, the first unit will be the base unit.
• In structure tree all the manufacturing parts should be first and the standard parts should be at the last.
• Structure tree helps to study or understand the parts in the assemblies easily.

Steps of Structuring:-

• Step 1: -Create new à Product à click OK (by clicking ok now you will enter into a product window)
• Step 2: Then right click product in a structure tree à go to properties à rename in part number (As we created a product we have to mention the total assembly name of the fixture) à click ok.

11. What are Units? Mention 5 types of units.

Unit is nothing but a assembly having specific function like clamping, location or resting. In fixture there are number of units. According to 3-2-1 principle of location fixture is designed having two major purpose of clamp and locate the component for which fixture is designed. Image shows fixture consist of different units:

• Fixed Pin Unit: Fixed Pin Unit is non movable locating unit which arrest movement of component in fixture. Fixed pin unit is a unit designed to locate the car panel using pins.table, retainer, shims, blocks, blade, riser are the part of fixed pin units. Typically, the locating pins are used to locate a body part in a position sufficiently accurate to execute a welding process. The body part is constrained by a set of appropriately locating pin so total constraint by locating pin should be fully constrained at all times to prevent any movement.

• Retract Pin Unit: Retract Pin Unit having retracting unit which is used to move pin to ensure proper loading and unloading of component. It is designed to locate the car panel using pins, but the entire pin package parts will be mounted on the retractable pneumatic cylinder. Retractable pin unit is the opposite of fixed pin unit which can be moved up & down also which can be retracted till certain distance. It is mainly used for unloading the complex panel after welding.

• Rough Locator Unit: This unit help operator for correct loading of component.

• Rest Unit: As name suggest, rest unit is used to rest the component.

• Base Unit: All the units in fixture are placed on this base unit. Base unit is the unit designed to mount all other units such as clamp unit, pin unit, rest unit etc., of tool, also other parts necessary for a tool like pneumatic valve box, trunk cable path will also be mounted on to be a base unit.

12. Describe Fixed pin units and their purpose?

Fixed Pin Unit is non movable locating unit which arrest movement of component in fixture. Fixed pin unit is a unit designed to locate the car panel using pins.table, retainer, shims, blocks, blade, riser are the part of fixed pin units. Typically, the locating pins are used to locate a body part in a position sufficiently accurate to execute a welding process. The body part is constrained by a set of appropriately locating pin so total constraint by locating pin should be fully constrained at all times to prevent any movement.

Purpose of Fixed Pin Unit are as below:

• Main purpose of fixed pin unit is to locate component
• This unit is used arrest 6 degrees of freedom of component
• Two pins are used to locate component. First pin restricts 4 translational motion and other one restricts 2 rotational motion.

13. What are the different parts of a fixed units?

Fixed Pin Unit is non movable locating unit which arrest movement of component in fixture. Fixed pin unit is a unit designed to locate the car panel using pins.table, retainer, shims, blocks, blade, riser are the part of fixed pin units. Typically, the locating pins are used to locate a body part in a position sufficiently accurate to execute a welding process. The body part is constrained by a set of appropriately locating pin so total constraint by locating pin should be fully constrained at all times to prevent any movement.

• PIN - Pin are main part in this type unit because it is used to locate conponent as 2 pins are used to restrict 8 degrees of freedom. In this type of fixed pin unit, pins are fixed or non movable.
  • It is used for the location purpose of the panel. Typically, the locating pins are used to locate a body part in a position sufficiently accurate to execute a welding process. The body part is constrained by a set of appropriately locating pin so total constraint by locating pin should be fully constrained at all times to prevent any movement.
  • There are dozens of styles of locating pins that can be utilized in a design. One of the most common pins is a stepped pin with either small or large head.

• PIN RETAINER - Pin retainer is used to hold the locating pins firmly. Pin retainer is designed to hold the pin in its place and is also used as a rest for the pin. A counter hole drilled on which pin is fit.

• BLOCK - Block can be machined in any desired shape according to fixture. It may be simple square or rectangular block or it may be L shaped block
• SHIMS / SPACERS - In general, a shim is a thin and often tapered or wedged piece of material, used to fill gaps between objects. Shims are typically used in order to support, adjust for better fit, or provide a level surface.
  • Shims may also be used as spacers to fill gaps between parts subject to wear. Shims are the small parts which comes with the thickness of 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.5mm, 1.0mm etc. These will compensate the stack up tolerance which reflects at the mylars.
  • We give tolerances to all parts of the fixture. Due to this tolerance the mylars will either lift up moves down from its defined position. To adjust the mylars for getting the defined position we use shims. Shims will be added above the mylar for adjusting according to tolerance.

• BLADE - Blade are the plates which are attached to raiser. Blade is also attached or mounted with cylinders, arms etc.

• RISERS - Riser is a manufacturing part used to raise / height the assemblies of fixture. One end of the raiser will be attached to the blade. Raiser can be of two types. They are,

  • ‘L’ type risers - Are of welded type. Where the stiffner will be added at the centre for support, as shown in the below figure the wedge shaped structure is known as stiffner which is used as a support/to withstand load.

  • Square tube risers - Square tube risers are of frame type.

14. What is the purpose of making Rest unit and describe its parts?

• Rest unit is unit designed to support car panel using Mylar/ NC block/ rest. Component is rested only, no upper clamp or force applied there.
• It is the simplest unit to design because it has fewer parts to design & the purpose is only resting of the car panel. Because of this simplicity the rest unit is combined with other unit to reduce the cost of the overall project. It can be combined with clamp unit to clamp as well as to rest the car panel.
• It can be combined with locating unit to locate as well as to rest the car panel. Also locating, clamping & rest unit can be combined together in one unit to reduce cost. There is no cylinder attached to it. It has rest Mylar, blade & riser & below is different parts of rest unit.
• Rest unit is also divided into simple support unit, multiple support units & retractable support unit.

PARTS OF REST UNIT:

NC Block / Mylars	Mylars are the part which are holding the panel from top & bottom. It is a jaw type, during welding it wont deforms from its position. It is also known as fingers. It wont allow the deformation of the part due to welding stresses.Only resting mylars can be seen in rest unit. Mylars are of two types, they are Clamping mylars Resting mylars
Risers	Riser is a manufacturing part used to raise / height the assemblies of fixture. One end of the raiser will be attached to the blade. Raiser can be of two types. They are, ‘L’ type risers - Are of welded type. Where the stiffner will be added at the centre for support, as shown in the below figure the wedge shaped structure is known as stiffner which is used as a support/to withstand load. Square tube risers - Square tube risers are of frame type.
Blade	Blade are the plates which are attached to raiser. Blade is also attached or mounted with cylinders, arms etc.
Shims	In general, a shim is a thin and often tapered or wedged piece of material, used to fill gaps between objects. Shims are typically used in order to support, adjust for better fit, or provide a level surface. Shims may also be used as spacers to fill gaps between parts subject to wear. Shims are the small parts which comes with the thickness of 0.1mm, 0.2mm, 0.5mm, 1.0mm etc. These will compensate the stack up tolerance which reflects at the mylars. We give tolerances to all parts of the fixture. Due to this tolerance the mylars will either lift up moves down from its defined position. To adjust the mylars for getting the defined position we use shims. Shims will be added above the mylar for adjusting according to tolerance.

15. What are the basic fundamentals of designing a Sensor unit?

• Sensor is a device which detect or measure a physical property. The unit which is built to sense the component or car panel using electrical sensors called Unit Sensor. The output signal of sensor is then send to PLC (Programmable Logic Control) for further process. There of different types of sensors such as proximity sensors, laser sensors.

• A sensor unit is a unit designed to sense the car panel by using electrical sensors. This signals from the sensors will be fed to the PLC and so the next process will be executed by the signal.

FUNDAMENTALS

• Each components which are welded in fixture should be sensed. So, we manufactured or assemble component free from errors. Consider an example of car panel having multiple components to assemble using welding. These multiple components are going to sensed by sensor to assure correct component is placed at correct position.
• Every single loose panel which are being welded in a tool should be sensed. Each panel should be sensed by 1 or 2 sensors depend on the size of the panel, preferred to be in diagonal opposite ends of panel. Every sensor should be mounted in a 3 direction adjustable way in general.
• We should try to minimize the size of sensor as much as possible. Some major sensor manufacturers are IFM, Pepperl – fuchs, sick, OMRON, etc.

TYPES

• Proximity Sensor - A proximity sensor often emits an electromagnetic field or a beam of electromagnetic radiation and looks for changes in the field or return signal. The object being sensed is often refered to as tge proximity sensors target.

• Laser Sensor - These laser distance sensors use a focused, coherent light to measure distance to a target object. In factory automation applications, the target is usually a product or a machine elements.
  • They detect any solid object and produce an output proportional to the measured distance – independent of material, color and brightness.
  • The high resolution output provided by laser distance sensors is used to provide position or displacement, usually to the input of some type of industrial controller such as PLC.
  • The output signal is often highly accurate, and it includes temperature compensation to enhance stability. There are several types of laser distance sensors including diffuse, background suppression and retroreflective.
  • These sensors use CMOS or transit time technologies providing accurate distance measurements.

• Photo-electric Sensor - A photoelectric sensor or photo eye is an equipment used to discover the distance, absence or presence of an object by using a light transmitter often infrared and a photoelectric receiver. They are largely used in industrial manufacturing. There are three different useful types opposed, retro-reflective and proximity sensing.

16. What is Rough locatir and hat are the basic fundamentals to consider while designing it?

• Rough Locator are the parts used to locate component correctly in fixture, basically it guide the operator while loading component in fixture. Figure shows an example of Rough locator and different locators we can used. It may be standard part or we can designed it according to our component.
• Rough locator unit is a unit designed to guide the operator to locate the car panel on the oins accordingly. A rough locator can be standard part or make part.

FUNDAMENTALS

• Rough locator should be placed at the edges of the car panel, which has to guide.
• Rough locator should be placed in the same angle of the car part edge with a minimum distance of 2 – 5 mm from the edge of car part.
• Rough locators should guide the panels in a pin assemble direction in general.
• Entry angle should be 30 to 45 degree and rough locator should start guiding component before 10 to 15mm to start the pin engagement.
• Rough locators should be designed with entry angle for car part entry as shown in the above figure.
• Rough locators should be designed with two slots to mount for easy adjustment in general.
• The slots should be in the direction of car part guiding.

17. What is a Base unit and describe its parts?

• Base unit is the unit designed to mount all the other unit like clamp unit, pin unit, rest unit, etc. of the tool, also other parts like pneumatic valve box, trunk cable path will also be mounted on to a base unit.
• Parts involved in Base Unit are: -
  • Floor Plate
  • Weld Bars and Pedestal
  • Eyebolt
  • Measuring Hole cover
  • Base Plate
  • Valve box and Trunking Channel

• Floor Plate - Plate which is used to join fixture and floor called Floor Plate.
• Weld Bars and Pedestal - Pedestal is support or base on which fixture is mounted.
• Eyebolt - Eyebolt is used to move fixture or placed fixture on its place using cables or ropes. This threaded eyebolt is sustain 45 degrees of angular forces.
• Measuring Hole cover - Measuring Holes are also known as tooling hole, from which other holes on base are drilled. So, measuring holes are basically referance holes. These measuring holes are covered using measuring hole cover.
• Base Plate - The plate on which all units are mounted called base plate. Base plate is machined on both to achieve parallism. Thickness of base plate is too thich to sustain load of all units.
• Valve box and Trunking Channel - Pneumatic Fixture consist of solenoid valve and these valves are placed inside valve box. Trunking Channel protects all pressure inlet tube which are attached to pneumatic devices such as cylinders, clamps.

18. What is a Dump unit and describe its functions?

• Dump unit is used due to lack of space on fixture to built an unit. So, this is a complex unit consist of dump cylinder used for clamping or unclamping of car panel or component.
• Dump unit is where you assemble component if you have certain constraint. Here you will have clamp unit, pin unit attached & panel will be assembled. So if you have certain constraint you cannot assemble in normal way.
• Dump unit use in different way. It has dump cylinder & complex design. It consists of dump cylinder to perform the operation of clamping & unclamping car panel. A dump unit can have more than one cylinder to perform such operation.
• The first cylinder dumps the assembly carrying clamp mylars, pins and then this assembly performs the required operation. In this unit, we should make sure that in the open position of panel, we should be able to remove the panel. Below fig show dump unit.

FUNCTION - Due to space constrain dump unit used in fixture. It has dump cylinder having open and close position for better understanding of design. It also has clamp cylinder used for clamping purpose. Hence this is too complex unit to built.

19. What is a Slide unit and Mention where they are commonly used?

• Slide Units are positioning units used to posiotion fixture, units, weldgun and robots. This unit consist of sliding rail on which entire unit is slide in direction of rails for further operation. Sliding unit consist of open and close position.
• These sliding unit is commonly used in automotive industry for different similar components. Following is an example of slide unit provided for welding purpose.
• Slide units are positioning units, which are used to position the car part or panel, units, weld gun, robots for further operations. Slide units may be classified into two types based on the type of guide ways. They are,
  • Hardend guide way
  • LM guideway
• Slide units may further classified into three types based on the prime mover. They are,
  • Manual slides
  • Hydraulic/pneumatic slides
  • CNC slides.
• It may be further classified depending on the application as
  • Horizontal slide unit.
  • Vertical slide unit.
  • Angular slide unit.

FUNDAMENTALS

• Reverse stroke o 10mm to be considered in both forward & retracted condition.
• Cylinder & LM guides to be validate for load & stroke.
• Master guideway should be constrained & the subsidiary guideway to be free.
• Mechanical hard stop to be considered for both extended & retracted condition.
• Shock absorber should be used for both extended & retracted condition to reduce impact load.
• Slide to be locked/clamped in the working position.
• Slide to be locked with a safety pin in the retracted position during transportation.
• The two end limits to be sensed externally by a proximity switch.
• The design should be checked for screw accessibility, ease of assembly, machinability of parts.
• The LM guide & rails are integral assemblies and should not be separated at any cost.
• LM guide ways to be lubricated for long life.

COMMONLY USED

• Slide unit is found mostly in complex fixture, where the sliding mechanism will be involved.
• This type of unit used when there is some space constraints in locating the panel.
• Slide application will be easy for welding.
• Slide unit can be minimize the cost of robot as slide unit provided to move weld gun from one weld spot to other weld spot instead of weld robot.