The Danish Technological Institute (DTI) based in Grasten – Danfoss has initiated testing as a part of a pilot project with the European robot network ROBOTT-NET. Several robot technologies such as manipulation using force sensors, simple item separation and a 3D-printed three-in-one gripper which will be apt for handling capacitors, nuts along with a socket handle.
The Technology Manager at DTI, Søren Peter Johansen says the set-ups intend to demonstrate various techniques, thus providing cheaper solution, robustness and higher operator safety
He explains it by giving an example that fitting a force-torque sensor in the robot which is used to keep things carefully into place will boost the confidence and increase the ease of the operators. The force-torque sensor will easily sense and avoid collisions with people before the built-in safety features of the robot stop the robotic arm. Through this we can increase operational safety by working with collaborative robots or cobots. A report by Value Market Research which studied the torque sensor market highlights that innovative technologies and increasing usage of torque sensors in robotics will lead to higher growth in the next few years.
Highly Effective
The robots were tested for frequency converters in connection with the company’s production at Danfoss.
Frequency converters have an array of capacitors assembled in groups of either two or four among other things. This process has been automated in which a robot picks up a capacitor and places it into a fixture. This requires the electrodes to be placed in correct direction, so that the capacitor is correctly placed in the fixture. Thus a camera identifies the orientation of the electrodes in the gripper, and orients it correctly before it is being placed in the fixture.
After this a nut is picked that has to be placed on and the robot picks the socket handle and tighten the screws of the nut thus, giving time to the operator to complete some other work and help in increasing the efficiency.
Three reasons to automate:
The automation is intended to provide better ergonomics and reduce heavy lifting. Using robots will enhance the product quality as uniform work is being done. This will increase not only the product quality but also maintain safety and reduce cost and time.
Naira Shekhawat has been into Content Writing just after completing her Graduation in English Literature. Her love for words has won her many accolades in her respective jobs ever since. Naira covers business sections for VMR News. She is a traveller by heart and loves writing on food blogs as a freelancer.