Integration of an automated guided vehicle system with a robotic welding cell

An automated materials-handling system is designed which integrates a Clark GP-540 Series pallet-handling guided vehicle with a General Electric P50 robot. A coded steel pallet with a surface containing a matrix of locational holes provides the flexibility needed to process low-volume, high variety workpieces while achieving high robot service time. Operators fixture parts onto the pallets and code each pallet for automatic job initiation. Pallet transfer through the fixturing process is manually controlled. Pallet transfer into and out of the robot's workspace is automatic. The transfer system will interface directly with the guided vehicle system.