US 11,883,908 B2
System and method with floating welder for high rate production welding
Larry Koscielski, Lasalle (CA); Gregory I. Heuchan, Windsor (CA); Eric Michaud, Amherstburg (CA); Matt Branoff, Lasalle (CA); and Darcey D. Renaud, Lasalle (CA)
Assigned to DOBEN LIMITED, Windsor (CA)
Filed by Doben Limited, Windsor (CA)
Filed on Oct. 31, 2019, as Appl. No. 16/670,136.
Application 16/670,136 is a continuation of application No. 15/120,901, granted, now 10,471,549, previously published as PCT/CA2015/050614, filed on Jul. 2, 2015.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/020,064, filed on Jul. 2, 2014.
Prior Publication US 2020/0061759 A1, Feb. 27, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B23K 37/04 (2006.01); B65G 47/24 (2006.01); B23P 19/04 (2006.01); B23K 11/11 (2006.01); B23P 19/00 (2006.01); B23K 11/00 (2006.01); B21J 15/32 (2006.01); B21J 15/10 (2006.01); B65G 19/02 (2006.01); B65G 47/244 (2006.01); B23K 37/047 (2006.01); B23K 11/14 (2006.01)
CPC B23K 37/0408 (2013.01) [B21J 15/10 (2013.01); B21J 15/32 (2013.01); B23K 11/0053 (2013.01); B23K 11/0066 (2013.01); B23K 11/115 (2013.01); B23K 11/14 (2013.01); B23K 37/047 (2013.01); B23P 19/00 (2013.01); B23P 19/001 (2013.01); B23P 19/04 (2013.01); B65G 19/02 (2013.01); B65G 47/24 (2013.01); B65G 47/244 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A securing system comprising:
a robot configured to transfer a workpiece to a home position;
a securing station includes:
a frame;
a gun supported on the frame, the gun includes first and second members movable relative to one another, the gun is configured to secure a component to the workpiece in a securing position during a securing operation; and
a float assembly interconnects the gun to the frame, the float assembly configured to permit the gun to glide relative to the frame between the home position and the securing position, wherein the gun comprises a locating pin, and wherein as the locating pin advances on the workpiece, the float assembly is configured such that any misalignment between the locating pin and a hole or attribute of the workpiece will cause a force on one side of the locating pin to urge the gun to move relative to the frame into a compliant position corresponding to the securing position;
a homing assembly configured to hold the gun in the home position, the homing assembly configured to release the gun and permit the gun to move from the home position to the securing position during the securing operation.