TECHNOLOGY
Leading the way - Applied Integration director Garry Lofthouse .
> Collaborative execution for all transportations > Repeatable 24 / 7 operation > Reduced errors ( with add-on technology ) > Intelligent multiple-simultaneous ask execution based on capacity and pick / place locations > Manage “ new normals ” ( social distancing ) > Provide process analytics / reporting > Operatives focused on value-added tasks
Lifting , picking and placing tasks Industrial robot and collaborative robots can easily be programmed and trained to execute repetitive tasks . Once trained , a basic robot can then execute tasks in accordance with a predefined process and is capable of repeatedly doing so 24 / 7 .
Intelligent manufacturing cobots are robotic arms offering a high degree of agility , can work collaboratively with humans and are ideal for executing pick / place / assembly , quality inspection tasks in a highly repeatable manner .
Cobots are versatile and adaptable to numerous applications : > Machine tending ( item transfers ) > Packing ( components , foods ) > Dispensing ( liquids ) > Polishing / finishing > Assembly tasks > Quality inspection > Combined with mobile robots for pick / place transfer and transport .
Inspecting with vision Machine vision innovation is a huge opportunity . Through integrating a range of technologies , Applied Integration can engineer solutions that go beyond simple tasks , such as grading food items in realtime , identifying the required item to pick in a mix , such as tote bins , identifying poor weld quality , reduce errors and track items .
Vision requires the following : > Image processing : To analyse the digitised image using complex algorithms
> Lens type / frame speed : For capturing highest-quality images at required rate
> High-resolution image sensor : To digitise the captured image
> Illumination : To aid identification of the object being inspected
> Bandwidth : To communicate data and triggers to third party technologies eg computational platforms ( PLCs , cloud servers )
Introducing the Industry 4.0 demo room Applied Integration ’ s new Industry 4.0 demonstration centre in Stokesley shows how smart digital technologies can be seamlessly combined to form truly adaptive manufacturing and process solutions that deliver on productivity goals and operational KPIs .
Industry 4.0 demonstration technology partners include B & R , ABB , Siemens , IDS , Techman , Universal Robots , Mir , Omron and AutoGuide , plus Deft and Hyve , products of a “ lab of the future ” run by Applied Integration ’ s sister company , Applied Scientific Technologies .
Applied Integration recently welcomed B & R Industrial Automation to the demo room to demonstrate their new technology .
The ACOPOS 6D ACOPOS 6D is a new solution to smart manufacturing whereby magnetic levitating shuttles float over the surface of electromagnetic segments , moving individual products of payloads of up to 14kg freely through the machine , eliminating the need for standard transport systems .
The shuttles also have the ability to combine using magnetic technology and are therefore able to carry heavier payloads of up to 50kg .
The shuttles can move freely in a six-dimensional space and reach speeds of up to two metres per second with precise control .
ACOPOS 6D can be used in any manufacturing , assembly or packaging process in which flexibility of material movement , accurate placement or compact footprint is required .
It is ideal for small-batch production involving frequent changeover between products of different designs and dimensions . Typical applications include medical device assembly and consumer electronics .
In the months ahead , Applied Integration plans to introduce its own ACOPOS 6D demo unit , automated vehicles and collaborative robots , as well as demonstrating Industry 4.0 digitalisation , showing how it can help technology and people to communicate effortlessly in a smart ecosystem .
Garry Lofthouse , CEO of Applied Integration , says : “ These are really exciting times for us .
“ We have successfully built a showcase for the north of England , where we can demonstrate future Industry 4.0 technologies , how they can be used in smart ecosystems and the benefits our customers can achieve from such technologies .”
To visit Applied Integration ’ s demo room or find out more regarding the technologies they have to offer , please call the team on 01642 717555 .
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