Dedicated to robot solutions
As a specialist in automation processes, machining units, hand held power tools and abrasives, SUHNER expanded its wide product range with special tools, that can be mounted directly to the robot arm. Thanks to a quick-change tool adaptation system, a number of powerful machine tools can be connected directly to the robot, ready for continuous industrial use.
Active contact flange / Feedback
Specifically, for round and irregular shaped pieces and surfaces, a human sense of touch that helps to meter and monitor required forces will be needed. This can be seen in the grinding and polishing of a special shaped part in a car body shop or in a wood working shop. At all times, when a non-linear operation or movement takes place, the active flange or some type of force feedback will become necessary.
KEY information: Operations that were not suitable for automation in the past, can now be automated.
1. Process forces are programmable
2. Tolerances (shapes) will be balanced
3. Programming time and effort (at the robot) for complex parts will be reduced
4. Performance and process assurance compared to known systems such as load cells, can be drastically increased.
Quick Change Systems
Standardized connections at the robot arm and the tool are used to automate the quick-change system. Connections are made quickly and reliably between air and hydraulic mediums, electrical or sensor technology.
One of the key requirements for quick connecting components is to apply proven technology with a high degree of interchange reliability. Selected components meet this requirement.
Change of the abrasives
Abrasives typically have a short life cycle. A patented, simple quick change of abrasives system (dispose and reload) was added to the program to simplify the change of abrasives.
This quick change for abrasive system from SUHNER, for example, allows the use of 7 different abrasives in sequence to achieve a desired surface finish.
An automated abrasive change increases the flexibility and eliminates unproductive production hours.
Servo motor driven angle grinders
Today, most robot guided grinding and polishing machine tools are operated by air. Often, considering a 24 hours operating environment, these machines reach their limits. Frequent service interruptions plus extremely high air consumption adds to energy cost that also will affect profitability. In addition, air driven tools drop in speed when under load which can contribute to an adverse effect to the surface finish. Depending on surface quality requirements, the rotation of the grinding or polishing tool often requires clock- and counter clock rotation which an air driven tool can’t accomplish. All of these critical requirements can be met with the newly designed servo driven tools from SUHNER either in standard or excenter design version. Light weight and powerful servo motors are used to obtain high speeds up to 12,000rpm with timing belt drive components made for continuous operation. Adapter flanges facilitate exchange and attachment to all robot flange designs. Delivery includes a servo control module. All grinding tools are made with an M 14 – spindle to enable the use of commercially available grinding discs.
Just like SUHNER machining units, robots can easily be adapted to perform different tasks in an ever changing production environment. In the plumbing fixture industry, a large iron casting is being machined in a production line utilizing a SOMEX machining unit type MAX100 and a FANUC robot type 200iB. Applications even in a test laboratory. At one of the top engineering universities in the USA is conducting tests with a Kuka robot (KR-Fortec) and a SUHNER machining unit (BEX35-ISO) These material tests are made for one of the worlds leading aerospace companies. A load cell measures forces (stress) when machining different materials commonly used in the aerospace industry. Material can range from composites to titanium. The machining data is transferred wirelessly from the sensor inside the tool holder to the laptop for storage and analysis. Testing results are used to make improvements in material thickness or selection as well as understanding and predicting load limits. Our flexibility and adaptability make SUHNER your perfect partner for robot applications.
Tools
Air motor milling spindles, files, belt sanders and machining units. Diverse range of tools for deburring, polishing, cutting.
Robust machining units for demanding applications with or without automated tool change for complete factory automation.
For more information contact:
SUHNER Industrial Products Corp.
25 Anderson Road SW
P.O. Box 1234
USA-Rome, GA 30161
phone +1 706 235 80 46
fax +1 706 235 80 45
www.suhner.com
machining.us@suhner.com