Success Stories
Crown uses FASTSUITE Edition 2 for offline programming of welding cells
Robot welding: More efficiency for programming and fixture construction
Project Details
The forklift manufacturer Crown relies on the use of robot cells for welding production at the Roding site. There are several complex systems with up to 13 axes. In order to use the robots even more efficiently, Crown has commissioned CENIT to replace the time-consuming manual teaching with simulation-based offline programming. The result: Instead of several days, programming a new workpiece or a new part variant takes only a few hours. Because the programming is done in the simulation environment of FASTSUITE Edition 2, i.e. parallel to the productive operation of the plant, the downtimes of the plant have been considerably reduced. The OLP project has a positive impact on development and design: The toolmaking department is able to find the appropriate device more quickly because the system with all kinematics is available as a simulable 3D model. The virtual device can be checked for accessibility in advance. New components can be optimized during development for subsequent welding production.
Solution:
- Features of FASTSUITE Edition 2 that were in demand for this project:
- CAD data-based weld path generation (CAD-to-path algorithms) with automatic approach and departure strategies
- Weld path generation includes control commands for welding technology; easy adjustment of parameters
- Simple operability
- Implementation in three phases:
- Configuration of the software for the requirements of the plant
- Development of a digital plant model with robots, tools, collision-relevant interference contours and plant components; incorporation of reference, TCP and plant zero points, kinematization robots with traversing axes and positioners
- Calibration of the real system with the digital system model: Measurement of real reference points and TCP's by means of a measuring tip on the robot; correction of the values in the software.
- Handover of the OLP-capable system and user training on site
- Practical experience and detailed knowledge of the CENIT team ensure transfer of quality standards for welding production into automation solutions
- Consulting and training of the Crown team ensures acceptance and satisfaction
- Final acceptance of the OLP solution for the first welding cells in summer 2017
- Freedom for new ideas: FASTSUITE is open and scalable
Project Objectives & Difficulties
- Introduction of simulation-based offline programming for increased plant efficiency and higher productivity in fixture construction
- Robot welding system with up to 13 axes
- Workpieces: high variety, partly difficult to access seams and/or many welding seams on a small area
- High Crown quality standard for production and high employee satisfaction must be guaranteed
Crown uses FASTSUITE Edition 2 for offline programming of welding cells
Confirmed Results
- Increased plant efficiency
- Programming of new workpieces/parts in a few hours instead of several working days
- Significantly reduced downtimes due to programming parallel to production operation
- Increased development and design efficiency
- Virtual prototype of the device can be checked for accessibility in a simulation environment, since the system is available with all kinematics as a simulable 3D model
- New components can be optimized during development for subsequent welding production
- Very good welding quality according to Crown standard
- Florian Braun, project manager in manufacturing engineering at the forklift manufacturer, praises the cooperation. The highly motivated Crown team could always rely on CENIT as a partner when obstacles had to be overcome: "When they were needed, they were there and they stayed there until it worked".
Crown
One of the world's largest material handling companies. In addition to an extensive range of forklift trucks, Crown develops automation and fleet management technologies. Crown has been producing forklifts in Roding since 1986. For more than 30 years, this has been the starting point for innovations in production in the family-owned USA company.
Main Challenges
- Robot welding system with up to 13 axes
- Workpieces: high variety, partly difficult to access seams and/or many welding seams on a small area
Key to Success
- CAD data-based weld path generation (CAD-to-path algorithms) with automatic approach and departure strategies
- Weld path generation includes control commands for welding technology; easy adjustment of parameters
- Simple operability
Results
- Increased plant efficiency as well as development and design efficiency
- Very good welding quality according to Crown standard
Contact person:
Dieter Konrad, Senior Account Manager - Linkedin
CATEGORIES & TAGS
Success StoriesArc WeldingWelding EquipmentDigital ContinuityOffline ProgrammingDesign to operate
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