A modular roller conveyor system is disclosed having a first and second pair of elongated vertical supports. The first pair of vertical supports are adjustably secured together so that the first pair of supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at a user selected spacing between the first pair of vertical supports. Similarly, the second pair of vertical supports are also adjustably secured together so that the second pair of vertical supports are spaced apart and parallel to each other at the same user selected spacing. A first elongated rail is then secured to the upper end of one of the first pair of vertical supports and to the upper end of one of the second pair of vertical supports. A second rail is then secured to the upper end of the other of both the first and second pair of vertical supports so that the rails are spaced apart and parallel to each other. A plurality of spaced roller assemblies are then disposed between and supported by the rails thus forming the conveyor path along which articles are conveyed.
The present invention provides an enhanced method and apparatus for locating a valve stem aperture in a wheel. The invention includes a locating station having an overhead camera to scan the wheel. The scanned image of the wheel is received by a controller and is divided into radial zones. The controller locates the radial zone that defines the valve stem aperture from the scanned image of the wheel. The wheel then moves along an assembly line to a stemming station. A robot is positioned at the stemming station. The robot supports a valve stem insertion tool and a valve stem aperture locating sensor. When the wheel reaches the stemming station, the robot moves the valve stem insertion tool and the valve stem aperture locating sensor to the radial zone that defines the valve stem aperture. The robot moves the valve stem aperture locating sensor along the radial zone that defines the valve stem aperture and locates the valve stem aperture. The robot then moves the valve stem insertion tool into position and inserts a valve stem in the valve stem aperture.
A valve stem installation system includes a robotic arm for moving a valve stem insertion device around the lip of wheel. The system also includes a pair of valve stem aperture sensors positioned on the robotic arm adjacent the valve stem insertion device and moveable around the lip of the wheel. The sensors can be positioned on opposite sides of the valve stem insertion device. When the first sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be slowed. When the second sensor locates the valve stem aperture, movement of the robotic arm can be stopped. The conveyor unit can include an identification station to sense the configuration of the wheel. A controller can select the appropriate valve stem to insert in the valve stem aperture in response to the sensed configuration of the wheel.
A transfer device is provided for transferring tires from a tire conveyor line to a wheel conveyor line. The transfer device includes first and second surfaces rotatable with respect to one another. The first surface can receive tires from the tire conveyor line. A rotating device rotates the first surface to induce movement of the tire to the second surface. The second surface can receive the tire from the first surface and rotate toward the wheel conveyor to position the tire to engage the wheel.
A tire assembly line including a wheel soaping work station, a tire soaping workstation, a tire and wheel assembly station, and a tire inflation station. The assembly line is formed from a plurality of modules that are interchangeable and releasably connected to one another. The modules support an endless conveyor member for circling movement. The endless conveyor member moves wheels and assembled tires and wheels along the assembly line between the work stations
