Learn here how the extensive mk conveyor range was used to provide a compact conveying solution for bulky car body parts through a robot cell.
Vehicle manufacturers fit side impact beams in the car body to ensure that drivers are protected in the event of a lateral impact. To mitigate the noise and vibration that these elongated metal reinforcements cause, they are generally coated with a damping material. In many cases, this process is now automated. In a robot cell, the side impact beams are transferred to a granulating machine and removed. A complex process, in which the precise interaction of numerous automation components is vital.
A crucial factor is the conveyor technology, which supplies the side impact beams to the cell in a cycled manner and transports them away again after processing. In this case, finding a suitable supplier proved to be a challenge for the manufacturer of the robot cell because the conveyors not only have to position the beams, which are up to 1,250 mm long, with repeat accuracy and precision so that the robot can pick them up, but also to allow for a buffer of twelve components, so the line can run autonomously. Finally, the conveying path needs to be compact and adaptable to achieve a seamless transfer to a customer-side conveyor offset by 90°.
To solve this, mk’s experts implemented two individually configured conveyor systems. An SPU 2040 accumulating conveyor, a 5,500 mm long and 800 mm wide, two-track chain conveyorwith aluminium pallets, to transport the parts into the robot cell. The pallets of the left and right tracks are connected by a beam, forming a rigid and stable connection. The corresponding sensor system allows the precise stopping, separating and positioning of the pallets at a cycle time of approximately 30 seconds. The workpieces are manually placed on the pallets of the SPU 2040. After removal by the robot, the pallets then travel back to the starting position on the underside of the conveyor. This creates a space-saving recirculation system that allows up to twelve side impact beams to be buffered without additional conveying levels or complex lifting and lowering mechanisms.
After granulation, the robot places the side impact beams on another conveyor system from mk: a ZRF-P 2040 dual-lane timing belt conveyor, 5,600 mm long and 500 mm wide, with customer-supplied workpiece holders on the top side of the timing belt. The solution boasts one special feature: at the end of the conveying path, mk has fitted a compact GUF-P Mini belt conveyor between the two lines, 400 mm long and 200 mm wide. The cross conveyor lifts the side impact beams with a pneumatic lifting device and transfers them to a belt conveyor provided by the customer. This realises the 90° corner transfer.
Thus, a continuous and compact material flow solution was developed that reliably buffers the side impact beams, delivers them to the robot in a cycled manner and discharges them safely after processing.
As the only UK and Ireland distributor of the mk conveyor range, please visit AdaptTech’s website for more information.
