Determination of the robot location in a workcell of a flexible production line

Location of components of a manufacturing cell is apparently an easy task but even during the constructing of a manufacturing cell, in which is planned a production of one, simple component it is necessary, among others, to check access to all required points. The robot in a manufacturing cell must handle both machine tools located in a manufacturing cell and parts store (input and output one). It handles also transport equipment and auxiliary stands. Sometimes, during the design phase, the changes of robot location are necessary due to the limitation of access to its required working positions. Often succeeding changes of a manufacturing cell configuration are realized. They occur at the stages of visualization and simulation of robot program functioning. In special cases, it is even necessary to replace the planned robot with a robot of greater range or of a different configuration type. This article presents and describes the parameters and components which should be taken into consideration during designing robotised manufacturing cells. The main idea bases on application of advanced engineering programs to adding the designing process. Using this approach it could be possible to present the designing process of an exemplar flexible manufacturing cell intended to manufacture two similar components. The proposed model of such designed manufacturing cell could be easily extended to the manufacturing cell model in which it is possible to produce components belonging the one technological group of chosen similarity level. In particular, during the design process, one should take into consideration components which limit the ability of robot foundation. It is also important to show the method of determining the best location of robot foundation. The presented design method could also support the designing process of other robotised manufacturing cells.