Analyses of peg‐hole jamming in automatic assembly machines

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate theoretically the process of jamming in the peg‐hole type parts and to derive a mathematical model of jamming.Design/methodology/approach – The mathematical model of the jamming of the peg‐hole type parts in assembly process was performed and its boundary conditions, which lead to jamming, defined.Findings – The equation of the critical angles of declination for the peg, which leads to the peg‐hole jam, was derived. The boundary condition of the angles of declination and the depth of the peg insertion into the hole were defined.Research limitations/implications – A mathematical model is developed for rigid parts with a hole and for the peg clamped in the rigid assembly mechanisms. The research has not considered flexible deformations and stiffness of the assembly mechanisms, which result in the peg's declination in the assembly process.Practical implications – The results are represented in the form of the peg's critical angles of declination and criti...