Pressure monitoring method for roller hemming

Abstract

A pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus includes a roller hemming tool having a compressible fluid shock absorber. A control panel is in fluid communication with the shock absorber. A pressure monitor is in fluid communication with the control panel and the shock absorber. The pressure monitor is operative to monitor pressure in the shock absorber.

1 . A pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus comprising:
 a roller hemming tool including a compressible fluid shock absorber;   a control panel in fluid communication with said shock absorber; and   a pressure monitor in fluid communication with said control panel and said shock absorber, said pressure monitor being operative to monitor pressure in said shock absorber.   
   
   
       2 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said control panel includes a pressure relief valve in fluid communication with said shock absorber, said pressure relief valve being operative to adjust the pressure in said shock absorber. 
   
   
       3 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said control panel includes a fluid input in fluid communication with said shock absorber, said fluid input allowing for charging of said shock absorber. 
   
   
       4 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said fluid input is a quick disconnect fitting. 
   
   
       5 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said roller hemming tool includes:
 a support member;   a guided slide member received in said support member and slidable relative to said support member, said shock absorber connecting said slide member to said support member; and   a hem roller rotatably mounted to said slide member.   
   
   
       6 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said control panel is mounted on said support member. 
   
   
       7 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 5 , including a robotic tool exchange head operatively connected to said support member, and said control panel being mounted to said robotic tool exchange unit. 
   
   
       8 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , including a multi-axis controllable robot arm, wherein said roller hemming tool is operatively connected to said robot arm and said control panel is mounted on said robot arm. 
   
   
       9 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said pressure monitor is electronically operated and includes a digital pressure display. 
   
   
       10 . The pressure monitoring robotic roller hemming apparatus of  claim 1 , including a multi-axis controllable robot arm, wherein said roller hemming tool is operatively connected to said robot arm, and wherein said pressure monitor is electrically connected to said robot arm;
 whereby said pressure monitor stops operation of said robot arm when pressure in said shock absorber is outside of a predetermined range of pressures.   
   
   
       11 . A pressure monitoring method for robotic roller hemming comprising the steps of:
 providing a pressure monitor;   providing a roller hemming tool including a compressible fluid shock absorber;   connecting said pressure monitor in fluid communication with said shock absorber; and   monitoring pressure in said shock absorber with said pressure monitor to obtain pressure measurements.   
   
   
       12 . The pressure monitoring method of  claim 11 , including visually displaying said pressure measurements. 
   
   
       13 . The pressure monitoring method of  claim 11 , including adjusting the pressure in said shock absorber based upon said pressure measurements. 
   
   
       14 . The pressure monitoring method of  claim 13 , wherein the pressure in said shock absorber is adjusted such that said pressure measurements are maintained within a predetermined range of pressures. 
   
   
       15 . The pressure monitoring method of  claim 11 , including halting use of said roller hemming tool if the pressure in said shock absorber is outside a predetermined range of pressures. 
   
   
       16 . The pressure monitoring method of  claim 11 , including providing a control panel, wherein said pressure monitor is mounted on said control panel. 
   
   
       17 . The pressure monitoring method of  claim 16 , including mounting said control panel on said roller hemming tool. 
   
   
       18 . The pressure monitoring method of  claim 16 , wherein said control panel includes a fluid inlet for charging said shock absorber.