Sensors allow windscreens to be inserted “on the fly”

Abstract

Automotive windscreens are being inserted “on the fly” at the Dagenham, Essex, UK plant of the Ford Motor Company in what is being described as a world first in the technology. The technology reduces labour and capital equipment costs, as well as providing a more accurate “fit” of the windscreen in the aperture. The system uses robots and gripper‐mounted specular reflection sensors to locate the windscreen aperture and insert the windscreens.