tatwood
01-08-2007, 10:12 PM
Many are curious about what is going on in industrial robotics, and this thread will touch on such topics.
Automotive Industry Robotics - Encore Automation Robotic Cells
Dassault Systèmes, a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, announced in December 2006 that Encore Automation had selected DELMIA Robotics as its simulation tool for development of sophisticated robotic systems in the automotive industry including a paint quality inspection system and a polyurethane (PUR) foam application system.
DELMIA Robotics is an integrated solution that will enable Encore Automation to design, simulate, optimize, and program robotic workcells in a 3D digital factory environment. “Without simulation, it would be nearly impossible to verify that the robots can perform so many functions within the target cycle times and physical parameters,” says Encore Automation proposal manager, Curt White. “With DELMIA V5 Robotics, we can clearly illustrate to our customers via 3D animations that the cells will, indeed, perform exactly or even better than intended.”
Encore Automation’s paint quality inspection system automates what has historically been a manual process by using robots and vision technology to measure paint thickness as well as examine general paint uniformity and overall appearance. Each robot is equipped with up to three inspection tools on its end-of-arm device. There is a tool for implementing film build thickness using pulse-echo technology and a separate tool for paint appearance that relies upon wave scan technology. Encore is currently in the process of adding color match determination. A laser-positioning sensor will determine where the robot needs to locate in order to gather the various measurements.
The Encore Automation PUR foam system (shown in simulation and in a factory setting in stacked image on left), used to fill automotive body and pillar cavities with polyurethane material, is designed to meet Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) targets while achieving lower costs and increased throughput in the foam application process. The end-of-arm tooling includes both a laser and a dispense gun. The laser is used to accurately locate the body position and then transmit the position offsets to the robots. The dispense gun then automatically positions the 12 mm spray nozzle within the 13 mm body panel hole to spray the PUR foam.
THE PLAYERS
Encore Automation
www.encoreautomation.com
Encore Automation and its divisions/precursors have installed and integrated over 700 robots and 30 bell stations in various paint, powder, sealing, and material handling applications for customers DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, PSA, and others.
DELMIA
http://www.delmia.com
DELMIA Automation provides solutions to digitally design, test and validate the control of a machine, workcell, or entire factory line throughout the entire product lifecycle.
Dassault Systèmes
http://www.3ds.com
As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 90,000 customers in 80 countries. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing and ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, including ENOVIA VPLM, ENOVIA MatrixOne and ENOVIA SmarTeam. CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA and SolidWorks are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries.
Automotive Industry Robotics - Encore Automation Robotic Cells
Dassault Systèmes, a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, announced in December 2006 that Encore Automation had selected DELMIA Robotics as its simulation tool for development of sophisticated robotic systems in the automotive industry including a paint quality inspection system and a polyurethane (PUR) foam application system.
DELMIA Robotics is an integrated solution that will enable Encore Automation to design, simulate, optimize, and program robotic workcells in a 3D digital factory environment. “Without simulation, it would be nearly impossible to verify that the robots can perform so many functions within the target cycle times and physical parameters,” says Encore Automation proposal manager, Curt White. “With DELMIA V5 Robotics, we can clearly illustrate to our customers via 3D animations that the cells will, indeed, perform exactly or even better than intended.”
Encore Automation’s paint quality inspection system automates what has historically been a manual process by using robots and vision technology to measure paint thickness as well as examine general paint uniformity and overall appearance. Each robot is equipped with up to three inspection tools on its end-of-arm device. There is a tool for implementing film build thickness using pulse-echo technology and a separate tool for paint appearance that relies upon wave scan technology. Encore is currently in the process of adding color match determination. A laser-positioning sensor will determine where the robot needs to locate in order to gather the various measurements.
The Encore Automation PUR foam system (shown in simulation and in a factory setting in stacked image on left), used to fill automotive body and pillar cavities with polyurethane material, is designed to meet Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) targets while achieving lower costs and increased throughput in the foam application process. The end-of-arm tooling includes both a laser and a dispense gun. The laser is used to accurately locate the body position and then transmit the position offsets to the robots. The dispense gun then automatically positions the 12 mm spray nozzle within the 13 mm body panel hole to spray the PUR foam.
THE PLAYERS
Encore Automation
www.encoreautomation.com
Encore Automation and its divisions/precursors have installed and integrated over 700 robots and 30 bell stations in various paint, powder, sealing, and material handling applications for customers DaimlerChrysler, Ford, GM, PSA, and others.
DELMIA
http://www.delmia.com
DELMIA Automation provides solutions to digitally design, test and validate the control of a machine, workcell, or entire factory line throughout the entire product lifecycle.
Dassault Systèmes
http://www.3ds.com
As a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management solutions, Dassault Systèmes brings value to more than 90,000 customers in 80 countries. The Dassault Systèmes portfolio consists of CATIA for designing the virtual product - SolidWorks for 3D mechanical design - DELMIA for virtual production - SIMULIA for virtual testing and ENOVIA for global collaborative lifecycle management, including ENOVIA VPLM, ENOVIA MatrixOne and ENOVIA SmarTeam. CATIA, DELMIA, ENOVIA, SIMULIA and SolidWorks are registered trademarks of Dassault Systèmes or its subsidiaries.