The mobile robot demonstrates team spirit

Dynamic automation - ideal for one-piece flow systems

"Since we presented the mobile robot at the trade fair, interest in this promising innovation for assembly automation has grown continuously," explains Matthias Roth, one of the two managing directors of the company based in the Thuringian technology triangle. The advantages over conventional stationary or gantry robots cannot be overlooked thanks to the simple linking of machines, systems and workstations. When used to load CNC machining centers, the mobile robot performs tasks that are constantly encountered in everyday workshop work: It brings raw parts from a feed belt to a machining center in order to load it and removes the finished part at the end of processing in order to place it back in a tray on a double belt conveyor. Even tasks that are difficult to automate, such as blowing off the workpieces and the fixture and correctly aligning the parts, are performed by the mobile robot. The CNC machining center is a conventional machine for manual loading, which the mobile robot feeds automatically without any major retooling. Once the order peak has been processed and the robot is needed on another production line, it is possible to switch back to manual loading without any further effort.

Almost as flexible as a worker - as reliable and precise as a gantry or stationary robot

With these features, the mobile robot is an attractive automation solution for use in workshops with highly fluctuating call-off quantities that do not require continuous automation, but rather automation that can be "switched on" as required for order peaks. The mobile robot developed by HENKEL + ROTH can be used flexibly and alternately in different production lines and can also be subsequently integrated into existing production lines without irreversible modifications. A modern navigation solution guides the mobile robot completely free of inductive, magnetic or optical guidelines and also enables it to react quickly to changes in the process. The integrated energy supply is designed to meet the requirements of shift operation and also allows the interlinking of production stations that are far apart and have long travel distances.

At AUTOMATICA 2014, a further step in development will be presented:

In addition to the 5-sided automatic assembly machine and a test station, the mobile robot now also operates a manual workstation for the first time. Previously, an employee had to take care of the time-consuming material provision and machine loading in addition to the assembly work. The mobile robot now takes over this task, while the employee can concentrate solely on assembling and preparing the components. Hand in hand, this not only reduces the manual assembly time, but also promotes the health of the worker through a constant, ergonomic working posture.

Close cooperation and collaboration between humans and robots requires a sophisticated safety system. The mobile robot is equipped with laser scanners and numerous safety elements for this purpose. This allows protected areas and zones to be defined that the robot avoids completely or processes at reduced speeds. During assembly work in the vicinity of the robot, it comes to a safe standstill so that it can then continue with order picking. External sensors monitor the entire work area and can stop the machine in good time in the event of an error. This means that the physical separation of the two partners can be relaxed for the first time and productivity greatly increased.

Innovative safety systems for close human-machine cooperation

"We are working on ever better and closer cooperation between worker and machine," affirms the Managing Director of the innovative Ilmenau-based plant manufacturer. While the major robot manufacturers are still treating the trend towards mobile assembly robots as a concept study in research projects, the "mobile robot" from HENKEL + ROTH has already proven itself in its first industrial use and is looking far into the future.