Assisted Manipulator arms play a crucial role in automotive dashboard installation. Through pneumatic balancing or intelligent control systems, they achieve labor-saving handling and precise positioning, significantly improving assembly efficiency and safety.

Dashboard Characteristics and Installation Challenges: Automotive dashboards (instrument panels) are typically 1400-1600 mm long and weigh between 60-80 kg. Structurally, they rely on metal reinforcing beams for support, and the front end is fixed to the vehicle body with two M6 bolts (one of which is a positioning hole), supplemented by sheet metal and a central mounting point for stability. Due to their large size, heavy weight, and relatively flexible structure, manual handling is difficult to align and prone to bumps or deformation; therefore, labor-saving equipment is necessary for installation.

Assisted Manipulator Workflow

The installation process mainly includes the following steps:

1. Workpiece Pickup: The robotic arm moves to the dashboard position, and the operator picks up the workpiece using a gripper or suction method. After the system confirms the grip, it enters the loading state.

2. Handling and Synchronization: The robotic arm lifts the dashboard and moves it to the assembly position. Once the vehicle arrives at the installation station, the operator presses the “Synchronize” button, and the robotic arm moves with the vehicle, aligning the workpiece with the vehicle body.

3. Positioning and Installation: The dashboard enters the vehicle (usually through the front door, and the tilt angle is adjusted to avoid interference). The robotic arm assists in bolt fixing and other installation operations.

4. Removal and Reset: After installation, the robotic arm releases the clamps, retreats to a safe area, and automatically returns to its initial standby position, ready for the next cycle.

Advantages and Technical Features

The core advantages of the manipulator arm include:

Improved Installation Accuracy: High-precision sensors and control systems ensure accurate dashboard positioning, reducing human error.

Enhanced Safety: Reduces the risks of manual handling, avoids workplace accidents, and minimizes workpiece bumps, improving product quality.

Improved Production Efficiency: Shortens the installation cycle, accelerates the production line pace, and reduces reliance on manual labor.

Adaptability and scalability: This technology is not only suitable for dashboard installation, but can also be extended to the assembly of large components such as the cockpit of commercial vehicles, adapting to different vehicle models through customized grippers and path planning.