PRODUCT REVIEWS
12-axis welding robot system at Essen show
European welding robot integrator , Valk Welding , will present a large 12-axis welding robot system for the robotic welding of heavy and long products of up to 20 tons and workpiece lengths of up to 25m at the Schweissen & Schneiden trade fair ( Essen , Germany ) this September . As a trade fair highlight , it is offering the welding robot system for sale from now with the option of installing it at the buyer ’ s premises shortly after the trade fair . It therefore offers a solution for companies with a shortterm need for an automation solution that can weld very large workpieces in very small batches ( up to single pieces ). “ Of course , the large welding robot installation is also intended to show what we can do in terms of welding robotisation for companies with high-mix , low-volume production . In fact , the cell is equipped with the latest developments in welding seam tracking with Arc-Eye Adaptive that adjusts welding parameters in real-time in case of seam deviations as well as automatic wire change ; integrated fume extraction ; full offline programming and CE protection ,” explained CCO , Peter Pittomvils .
Robotic welding installation of up to 20 tons .
“ We have developed innovative solutions so that we can [ offer ] a continuous process . Companies that make bulky parts in small numbers and large variations for offshore , heavy transport and heavy machine building , among others , have mostly already automated the welding production of large batches , but want to be able to do the same for small numbers . This is where we distinguish ourselves from traditional welding robot integrators ,” he added .
Valk Welding serves small and large companies , as demonstrated with its compact FRAME-E welding robot cell . With
two side-by-side workstations of 3100mm on a torsion-free frame , this concept is one of its most widely used systems designed for low-downtime workpiece changes .
At previous Schweissen & Schneiden trade shows , visitors could learn about the integrator ’ s Offsite Teaching , in which the welder manually programs workpieces using VR ( virtual reality ) glasses . During the trade fair , Valk Welding will demonstrate the latest version of its Offsite Teaching powered by VRPS . Its new ARP ( Automatic Robot Programming ) automatically programs the robot ( including searching ) after users click on the weld seams .
As welding consumables largely determine the continuity of the robotised welding process , Valk Welding will also showcase its latest developments such as welding wire ; wire transport ; robotic torches ; cable assemblies and custom solutions at the exhibition on booth 3B67 in Hall 3 . n
www
. valkwelding . com
Data management of machine monitoring
Marposs has announced the availability of its data management software , C-THRU4.0 , designed to collect and process data from metalforming equipment ( such as stamping presses and cold forming machines ) equipped with Brankamp devices or T1 terminals . It enables a direct connection between a production-level process monitoring system or T1 terminal and production control with an overarching ERP system to deliver machine ; operating ; order ; maintenance ; quality and process data in real-time to all departments of the company . The data collected can be used to reduce set-up and downtimes ; optimise cycle times ; increase machine utilisation and document as well as evaluate process data for enhanced productivity and profitability .
“ The direct interconnection with process monitoring provides the production planning with well-founded and detailed information which is not available to conventional production control systems .
This interconnection supports automation of workflows ; automated report generation ; identification of stop reasons ; minimisation of set-up times and optimal planning of intervals for orders or maintenance . Production costs and quality are always transparent and traceable through the statistical recording and evaluation of performance indicators ,” explained the company .
“ Before this software , we had to review data manually ,” said Joe Bortolameolli ,
Product Specialist , Brankamp . “ With C-THRU4.0 , the machine monitoring information is available in real-time through the company network , providing a transparent connection between machine , process and production .”
To initiate C-THRU4.0 , data collected from the monitoring processes is coordinated with the customer ’ s cost and resource information to provide a dashboard designed to meet the customer ’ s needs . Any changes coming in from the customer side can be fed back to the forming machine . This interconnectivity and data flow supports the move towards the Industrial Internet of Things ( iIoT ) and Industry 4.0 .
Marposs offers a selection of real-time , in-process monitoring solutions that are designed to optimise standard , as well as very complex , production processes for metalforming machine tools . n
www . marposs . com
106 | ismr . net | ISMR September 2023