How Medium & Small Manufacturers Can Automate (Robot) Metal Fabrication Processes
In today’s competitive market, one of the challenges found in all areas of North America is the inability to FIND/GET/TRAIN/KEEP high quality personnel for the purpose of surface finishing in the Metal Fabrication market. Aerospace, automotive, appliance, structural, oil & gas, hardware, etc. have seen this issue over the past 3-4 years, we know that we have MORE opportunity than we have qualified to grow our businesses. We have seen the positive results of businesses that have obtained smaller robot systems, that are designed with them in mind. These systems have a common thread of programming SIMPLICITY for the end user. Once programmed this system could be operated by a semi-skilled operator to give growth to the business.
Mike D. Shappell - Norton/ Saint-Gobain Abrasives
Mobile Robot Strategies for the Automation of Large and Heavy Parts
The manufacturing of large, heavy parts, sometimes in small batches, has always been challenging, even with automation. Over the last decade, however, new, more flexible automation technology has been developed to enable more companies to automate their production. One such solution is the mobile robot, platforms with or without robots that are capable of transporting, processing and measuring heavy, big parts. It is now possible to precisely maneuver mobile platforms, carrying up to 100 tons of payload. These mobile robots make it possible to process or check the quality of large parts without the need for big, complex installations. The presentation will show how mobile platforms and robots can be used to increase the flexibility of automation projects in the manufacturing environment. Several examples will be presented to illustrate the implementation of these technologies with main focus on large and heavy part production.
Denise Ebenhoech - KUKA Robotics