automotive extra

46 Yaskawa’s Motoman MA1440 for arc welding Guarantee for productivity The long-established Swiss company ROBOR has been producing lifting jacks for over 170 years. In the manufacturing process the quality of the welding seams is of crucial importance. What was formerly a manual task has long since been assumed by robots. Recently an older model was replaced by a Yaskawa Motoman MA1440. With the six-axis robot several plant planning goals can be achieved simultaneously: high stability in arc welding, low costs and a high level of resource savings. The robot thus offers decisive advantages. Companies such as ROBOR AG, located at Wünnewil near Berne, have become a rarity. Not only has the family business existed for over 170 years. Since its founding is has con- tinued to specialise in the same product group: jacks for various applications. That speaks for the quality of the products, which had already made a name for themselves in the early years. Initially, the main products were robust rack and pinion jacks made of oak. In 1935 steel jacks were added to the portfolio. The practical multi-talents are employed for a wide range of purposes, e.g. at construction sites, in craft trades, for rescue services or the floodgates of hydropower plants. Besides the standard products, specific special solu- tions are also available, whereby the custom- er receives support from the design stage to manufacture and installation. The advantages of such jacks compared to other lifting sys- tems are obvious: they are highly robust, sim- ple to operate, have a low deadweight and are independent of power sources. Premium products rely first and foremost on the high-quality of the welding seams. They were formerly manufactured by hand, but for the past 20 years robots ROBOR has been using a robot for the purpose. Now the time has come for the old model, which simply exceeded its life expectation, to be replaced by a new robot that satisfies current require- ments. The management opted for a solution by robot specialist Yaskawa. Precise and reliable The basic requirements to be fulfilled by the planned new robot at ROBOR were quickly specified. “It goes without saying that the new robot had to be at least as good as the old one. With this new acquisition we expected a tangible improvement in positioning accu- racy and process stability,” explains Stephan Lüthi, member of the management at ROBOR. Two rack and pinion jacks from the standard programme displayed in front of the company’s building. Left with a 1.5 t payload for general purposes, right with a 10 t payload following a number of years use in track-laying. The used lifting jack will be refurbished by ROBOR. Images: © ROBOR AG