OEM & Lieferant Ausgabe 2/2019 - OEM & Supplier 2/2019 by VEK Publishing

155 ceiling, where a high-performance 2D im- age processing system is mounted. The lat- ter communicates with the YASKAWA robot via the process control, developed in-house. In this way the robot receives the precise po- sition data of the blanks and can automat- ically pick up the parts in a predetermined sequence. This compelling solution was one of sev- eral decisive reasons for the selection of a YASKAWA six-axis robot: “To ensure smooth communication and data transmission be- tween image processing and robot we had to intervene deeply into the control unit of the MH24. In the case of robots of other manufacturers this would have been either impossible or extremely complicated. With the DX200 controller, YASKAWA offers all options that make our work a whole lot easier,” says Kösters. But let us go back to the workflow: with a gripped plastic part the MH24 passes through the open loading door of the machining cen- tre to the workpiece holder. Here the six-axis robot removes a completely machined part with its finished part gripper; the gripper sys- tem then rotates 180 degrees and places an unfinished workpiece in the holder. The MH24 deposits the finished part and fetches a fur- ther blank from the workpiece drawer. During this processing cycle, the system operator can fill the two other drawers of the loading cell while the machining is in process. Set-up in record time The speed inwhich the system can be retooled in practical operation at ISO-TECH is demon- strated every time a version change is due. “The operator only needs to enter the dimen- sions of the new part variant in the graphic display of the system control andmechanically set the gripper jaws of the raw and finished part gripper to the corresponding dimensions. Thanks to a quick clamping mechanism, this setting can be completed within a few min- utes,” Kösters points out. This impressive flexibility, that can be real- ised with simple means, enables ISO-TECH to economically handle batch sizes as small as a dozen or even less parts. A setup time of less than ten minutes makes this possible. ISO-TECH as a user and Kösters as the man- ufacturer of the robot loading cell are equally pleased with the high availability of the pro- totype cell. So far there have been no down- times, so that there is actually no need for the anticipated amendments. Nevertheless, minor optimizations will take place before this system is launched on the market as the standard cell. In future standard cells it is planned to re- place the MOTOMAN MH24 with the newer MOTOMAN GP25. All YASKAWA robots are the first choice for use in the robot cells: “The new GP25 is also perfectly suited to use on machine tools. Thanks to its slim design and media lines inside the arm, the six-axis robot performs well in a confined space. Further- more, the wrist is optimally protected against the penetration of shavings. And high avail- ability has always been one of YASKAWA’s strengths,” says Kösters. With the pilot cell that passed the acid test at Iso-Tech with flying colours, Kösters Maschinenbau has established a new busi- ness sector. “We are convinced that with this trailblazing standard cell we have introduced a perfect loading solution for machine tools and machining centres. The main advantage of our cell is its unique flexibility and easy operation that requires no knowledge of robotics,” says Kösters. For retooling, only the jaws of the raw- and finished part gripper have to be adjusted to the dimensions of the new part. The slim design of YASKAWA robots makes it ideal for installation in a confined space. The loading of the workpiece drawer takes place manually during the machining operation. The loading cell can be easily controlled by means of a touchscreen. Kösters Maschinenbau GmbH www.koestersmaschinenbau.de YASKAWA Europe GmbH www.yaskawa.eu.com Websites