Robots in time with speed requirements

Tag : fully adhered
Robots in time with speed requirements
Nick Buckley* examines new system technologies enablingsynchronised robots to deliver twice the speed in half the time.
EVEN though robotic solutions continue to prove their worth interms of shorter cycle times, increased throughput, improvedquality and higher accuracy, there are times when multiple robotsare needed to meet required production times.
Traditionally synchronising robots to work together had not beensimple. Robots need to work cooperatively, while at the same timeavoiding any collisions that could cause extensive damage which canbe extremely costly, both from a repair and a downtime perspective.
Although the welding industry was an early adopter of automation,it remains a process that is undergoing continuous refinement asrobotic welding still needs to be engineered differently from amanual system as there are many factors that need to be consideredwhen setting up an automated welding facility.
These requirements include considerations such as accuracy,controls, servicing, repeatability, reliability, area, rotations,fixtures, programming, tracking systems, maintenance, weldmonitors, welding process, positioners, loading/unloading and partstransfer.
Automated welding requires the robots to have themanoeuvrability/flexibility within the robot arm (axis) necessaryto complete a wide range of motion. This enables the robot arm toapproach the work from the correct angle so that the part/s can tobe welded correctly.
Welding systems that operate non stop also require appropriatemaintenance procedures to be adhered to. Continuous production lineinterruptions can be avoided or minimised with proper roboticsystem design. However due to the repetitive nature of the design,recalibration or reprogramming is required as set intervals.
In addition, other considerations must also be evaluated and thenallowed for if thought to propose a real risk to production. Anexample might be a manufacturing line where there are many robotsworking sequentially