At PROFACTOR's main stand in Hall B2 (Stand 131), the group will be exhibiting new solutions for picking unsorted and complex parts. The iRob Feeder system is one of the highlights. It can identify and pick different workpieces of different lengths and position them correctly for subsequent processing.
iRob Feeder saves complex part preparation
The integrated handling system impresses with flexible system deployment, a short breakeven time, and its compact footprint. The major benefit is that there is no need to presort and arrange the parts fed to the system. "Because the system can identify the 3D position of the workpieces, even in nonstandardized environments, it removes the need for the industry to invest in timeconsuming part and workspace preparation", says DI Dr. Andreas Pichler, Head of Robotics and Adaptive Systems. The system also adapts quickly to new ambient conditions, reconfiguring itself in the shortest possible time to be able to handle new parts.
"Last year, we exhibited iRob Feeder for the first time at the Hannover Fair. Now, at AUTOMATICA we are exhibiting the robot system with a shorter cycle time", explains Pichler.
Precision assembly: costeffective lot size 1 production in mass manufacturing
As another focal point at the main stand in hall B2, PROFACTOR will be demonstrating two solutions in the field of precision assembly for handling unsorted and complex parts: accurate picking of extremely small parts in an unsorted state, and automatic magazine filling. These solutions for the assembly of small and complex parts allow for reliable, costeffect lot size 1 production in mass manufacturing. This requires intelligent picking, feeding and handling systems. From feeding and separation through to assembly and automated final quality control - everything is included. PROFACTOR doesn't just supply individual modules, but implements the complete production process. Thanks to an optimized combination of automated and manual assembly processes and the integration of upstream and downstream processes we create a lean production concept for costeffective production.
OptiSilence: a solution for active noise control
PROFACTOR also has two smaller booths in Hall B1. Visitors to cooperative stand 239 in the mechatronic cluster can escape from the bustle into the Quiet Zone and experience how special mechatronic systems cause noise to vanish into thin air. OptiSilence is an electronic device for active noise control applications. This solution actively suppresses noise and impresses with its flexibility. It is easily transported and simple to install as it does not need to be integrated with existing components. Typical applications for the device include operator consoles on processing machines where it suppresses machine noise, or creating quiet areas in meeting rooms. The system can just as easily suppress noise from pump and ventilation systems. OptiSilence is based on an intelligent control unit which processes microphone signals and targetedly actuates loudspeakers. The loudspeakers create counteracting sound fields which are superimposed on the noise and thus cancel it out.
Right next door, the innovative think tank from Steyr will be exhibiting an intuitively programmable picking demonstrator. The technology for this is currently under development in the scope of the AHUMARI FIT-IT project.