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Transformative Pick and Place
The latest machine tending solutions foster shorter cycle times and raises productivity. The post Transformative Pick and Place appeared first on Fabricating & Metalworking.
The implementation of innovations, such as AI, enable machine tending robots to pick and place parts with remarkable accuracy. Learn what the latest machine tending solutions can do for your shop.
Deep Learning-based Part Detection for Machine Tending Cobots
The pioneer of collaborative robotics, Universal Robots (UR) (Novi, MI), unveiled a new AI-powered machine tending solution at IMTS 2024, which demonstrated faster batch changeovers by eliminating the need for fixtures. “AI isn’t just hype,” said Ujjwal Kumar, group president of Teradyne Robotics, parent company of UR. “We’re seeing significant interest in physical AI. By adding high-performance compute hardware to our control systems and investing in targeted software upgrades, we’re establishing UR as the preferred robotics platform for developing and deploying AI applications.”
At IMTS, UR demonstrated a machine-tending application with AI-based perception capabilities running on NVIDIA Jetson and Isaac acceleration libraries integrated into UR’s new PolyScope X platform. This combination enables dynamic path planning, ensuring the robot takes the most effective, collision-free paths in and out of the machine without requiring extensive user configuration. This technology is available in a range of applications, including machine tending. Kumar said these deep learning solutions will significantly impact manufacturing, especially for high-mix, low-volume production, which is increasingly common in machine tending.
Smart Automated Bin Picking and Machine Tending
KUKA Robotics (Shelby Township, MI) featured its KUKA.SmartBinPicking software at IMTS 2024, working in tandem with advanced 3D vision technology from Roboception in a smart bin-picking cell that used two KUKA industrial robots, two of the company’s autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), and a standard machine tending solution from MAIROTEC. Addressing the needs of both small and large manufacturers, the cell allowed for precisely locating then performing collision-free picking and placing of randomly organized parts from bins, and the loading/unloading of a machine tool.
In the demonstration, one KR CYBERTECH nano robot from KUKA using the Roboception vision system and KUKA.SmartBinPicking software picked 3” long x 2” diameter steel billets from a randomly assorted bin and placed them onto portable part trays. The second KR CYBERTECH nano machine-tending robot picked the steel billets from the part trays for processing through a CNC turning center.
KUKA’s KR CYBERTECH nano series features compact, streamlined, agile and flexible robots, with reaches that include 1,820 mm, 1,620 mm and 1,420 mm. For material handling applications, this nano product family is also available in a High Protection version, where the entire robot has a protection rating of IP65 for protection against contaminants.
Robot Loader Series Increases Productivity
The Factory Automation Division of Okuma America Corp. (Charlotte, NC) offers a new line of automated robotics – the Okuma Robot Loader (ORL) series. The series consists of three products which seamlessly load and unload workpieces from both new and pre-existing Okuma machines to increase productivity and aid operators’ efficiency.
The ORL-Drawer is a drawer-style workpiece storage unit with a standard template that holds up to 92 workpieces. An optional template holds up to 180 smaller workpieces. The ORL-Rotary is a disc-style workpiece storage unit with a variety of template options that can hold up to 166 workpieces. And the ORL-Machining Center is a workholding and workpiece storage unit for up to 288 workpieces. The patented MultiGrip
workholding allows users to automate multiple OP10/OP20/OP30 part numbers in high-mix, low-volume manufacturing.
The ORLs are designed with a compact footprint, requiring between 8’ and 9’ of floor space. Each product features FANUC industrial robot arms and grippers that can hold a payload of up to 25 pounds.
Flexible Automation for Laser Tech
TRUMPF Inc. (Farmington, CT) announced new automation solutions to increase the productivity of laser technology. One popular automation solution consists of a TruLaser Station 7000 for welding, a TruMark Station 7000 for marking, and a mobile robot cell. The robot independently loads and unloads the welding system and the laser marking station. The lasers weld and mark three-dimensional components, such as electronic components, pacemakers or watch cases.
“Once the automated production process has been implemented, human error is virtually eliminated,” explained TRUMPF Inc. Laser Technology Key Account & Industry Manager Yama Fedai. “The robot independently recognizes the correct component and inserts it into the laser system. A camera checks the component and, if requested by the user, confirms the exact position again, and the laser then processes it.”
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