Laser Welding with Robotic Tending
Automate the assembly, welding, testing and marking of a fuel valve within an extremely small (1.5 x 2.0 meter) footprint. This product was the first of its type for the plant and they desired a machine design that would be easily adaptable to future business that they were bidding.
Solution
Abandon the "walking beam" style machine design used elsewhere in the plant in favor of high-speed robotic handling. The use of robots allowed a more modular machine design that will be easier to adapt to future part numbers.
Key Features
- Custom-designed, highly flexible laser mount allows a large range of adjustment for future part numbers.
- Quick-change details on grippers, nests and clamps.
- Modular infeed can be replaced for future parts.
- Modular testing stands to allow a swap if future product testing requirements are significantly different.
- Flexible outfeed method requires only a software change to accommodate new parts.