PECM Issue 28 2017 | Page 16

Human-robot cooperation: KLARA facilitates greater diversity of versions in production at Audi • Expansion of human-robot cooperation • Safe collaboration between man and machine without protective fence • Rapid implementation due to integration as a module Ingolstadt, August 3, 2017 – New robot colleague in the assembly of Audi A4/A5 models: People and robot now work there side by side without a protective fence. 16 PECM Issue 28 With this human- robot cooperation (HRC), the smart factory comes closer to reality at the Audi plant in Ingolstadt. “Adhesive application with robot assistance,” abbreviated from the German as KLARA, provides support with the installation of roofs made of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in the new Audi RS 5 Coupe (fuel consumption combined in l/100 km: 8.7; CO2 emissions combined in g/km: 197*). So for the first time, Audi is using an HRC light robot in its main plant for applying adhesive in final assembly. Similar robots are already integrated into production in the body shops in Ingolstadt and Brussels as well as in engine assembly in Győr. As the first step, an employee places the carbon-fiber reinforced polymer roof on a rotary table and tilts it. The application of adhesive is triggered by pressing and holding a button. An illuminated ring indicates when KLARA has precisely