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The Future of Factory Automation is:

Robotics

Say the word "robotics" and many different mental images will be conjured up - depending on to whom you say it.

The picture at the far left is of a 6-axis robot performing a transfer application.  A transfer application could involve moving parts or containers from work cell to work cell, and from one line to another, or it could be a palletizing or pack-off application.  Given the proper design considerations, the robot can be installed and functioning in a foundry with the grit and heat associated with that industry, or in the freezer in a food service industry.

New advances in servo-pneumatics brings robotic work cells into many more mainstream applications (see bottom left photo).  Pneumatics have always enjoyed a low cost, high power-to-weight ratio, and the ability to have rigid, long axes; but suffered in speed,  accuracy and repeatability. New advances have made handling high loads at fast speeds, with accuracies of +/- .2mm a reality.  An 18 foot long axis with positioning capabilities of .06% of span, speeds of 100"/sec. and capable of generating 170 lbF is now possible. In fact, 80% of robotic applications fall into the accuracy and capability range of servo pneumatics.  For simpler applications, standard pneumatic actuators and grippers are readily available to integrate Pick-n-Place modules into work cells.

Finally, robotics can take the form of Cartesian and SCARA robots.  The above picture on the right, shows a dispensing system utilizing an X-Y Cartesian robot.  The Cartesian robots are ideal for coordinated motion and circular interpolation.  SCARA robotics, due to the control method, and the jointed elbow, are ideal for high-speed assembly workstations, but not circular motion.

The key to successful implementation of robots is the material handling into and out of the work cell.  With our experience in conveyor and storage systems, NovaMek is in a unique position to provide a unique, turn-key solution. If you would like more information on automating through robotics, click on the "Contact Us" link or the button to the left. We will email you the list of information that will be required for our site survey, and set a date for that survey.

This application involved re-tooling an existing 6-axis robot, to vacuum grip steel blanks, and insert them into a fixture controlled by a servo-pneumatic robot (SPR).  The SPR had four basic tasks: move the fixture out to receive a blank, index forward for the first hit, index forward for the second hit, and discharge the finished part.