Cabinet Hinge Assembly & Test

Challenge: Build a second-generation machine to assemble and test cabinet hinges, after an initial application built several years ago for this customer greatly exceeded expectations.

Solution: The machine consists of a rotary dial, a pair of bowl feeders, an exit conveyor, and several synchronous pick and place units. The assembly and testing tasks are divided into steps performed at different stations around the dial. The dial has two rows of nests, with the outside row used for assembly operations and the inside row used for an inspection operation. The machine incorporates vision inspection cameras at two stations to verify component placement and presence. Inspection hardware includes Cameras, LVDTs, and a hinge actuation simulation that times the hinge closing under load.

The outside row dial positions are:

• Loading Station / Transfer Station
• Feed, singulate and grease damper assemblies.
• Feed, singulate, and install plastic locks.
• Place damper assemblies into hinges
• Press damper into hinge
• Inspect damper position for proper assembly
• Hinge Assembly Station
• Unload Station

The inside row dial positions are:

• Transfer Station
• Damper Test
• Unload Station

The machine assembles and tests over forty hinges per minute.