The challenge: Semi-automated production of a component in the automotive sector with process integration of various automation components (punch, testing devices, camera systems, etc.)
The solution: Semi-automated process with integrated rotary indexing table in the SGM area and a flexible test cell with a modular test table for adding new components
The system personnel insert the prepared punching grids into the lower part of the punching tool. The rotary indexing table cycles and the contacts are punched free by the integrated press. At a manual workstation, the personnel place the parts in fixtures that map the arrangement and orientation of the injection mold before a six-axis robot ensures automatic contact removal of the prepared parts. Once the finished parts have been removed, the contacts are inserted into the mold of the injection moulding machine. Once the sprue has been ejected, the robot places the good parts on a conveyor belt. Bad parts are discarded via a separate ejector. The injection-molded parts are now packed in trays.
In the end-of-line area, which can be operated as a stand-alone system, parts are fed in by another employee. A robot transfers the fed parts to a 12-station inspection table. The components are then inspected at the occupied stations (optical nest detection, electrical inspection, pin height inspection using a measuring probe, wobble circle inspection using an integrated image processing system, DMC marking using a marking laser, DMC quality control using a scanner and component cleaning). Meanwhile, a dummy part station is used to requalify the components. The good parts are output via a conveyor belt and manually removed plus packed. Bad parts are sorted out according to their type of defect. The relevant process data is logged for each component and made available to the customer for production data acquisition.
Highlights at a glance
Standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces
Modularity for possible product extensions
Partial automation of manual workstations
Integration of various external systems
Access to a wide range of system information and parameters via the control panel
Option for cobot integration and further expansion stages