The project is intended to identify the feasibility of using robotic assistance in the manufacture of a range of industrial parts that are currently assembled and welded by a skilled technician. The aim is to identify a method for producing consistent, high quality welding/assembling robotic solution to perform tasks that will help improve manufacturing efficiency by increasing production capacity and production time whilst maintaining high safety standards. If the project looks to be feasible as an actual pilot case under the RobottNet Voucher scheme, it would be also be beneficial to use the concept with a robotic solution to help with the manufacture of other products produced by the company.
Russell Finex Limited
Established in 1934, Russell Finex have enjoyed 80 steady years of successful growth to become an international group employing over 200 direct employees with annual sales exceeding £25 million ($40m).
As worldwide leaders in fine mesh separation technology, designing and manufacturing vibratory sieves, separators, ultrasonic mesh deblinding systems and liquid filters for use throughout the processing industries, our equipment is engineered for a global market and is supplied to over 140 countries. We have companies in the UK, USA, Belgium, India and China, as well as a far reaching network of experienced agents and distributors across the world.
Contribution from RTOs
MTC
Identify suitable integrators.
Research into different, modular fixturing methods that will be suitable to the application.
Feasibility study including robotic welding automation technology and economic potential.
Fraunhofer IPA
Feasibility of sensing technology for robotic welding.
Investigate how a point cloud can be made from CAD, to determine process tolerances.
Investigate motion planning technology.
Impact (expected)
After an analysis of the current production process, conclusions can be drawn as to the areas that will benefit from automation. These areas, when automated will be more efficient, as a robot will be able to manufacture 24 hours a day at a much higher level of accuracy and repeatability than a skilled technician, and at much lower cycle times. This will also free-up the skilled technicians to work on different products that may be more difficult to automate or are manufactured in smaller batches, so would not see the benefits of an automated system.
