End Change / Rotate and Tilt Welding Turntable....

INTRODUCTION :

Sub-contract fabrication requires ingenuity and flexability. Many of the fabricated components are complex and require a considerable amount of welding. To remain competetive in todays marketplace, fabrications must be produced accurately and quickly. Robotics ( Robotix ) provides the answer ! The video shows a fast and flexible MIG welding system using a Fanuc S100 6 Axis Robot and Orbit End Change / Rotate and Tilt Turntable under developement at Robotix works..

Welding system under developement at Robotix works :

SOLUTION :

Leicester based Robotic Machines Limited, asked Robotix to re-engineer their existing ABB welding robot system. Electronically, the existing system was considered irrepairable as was the ABB robot, although mechanically the turntable was sound. Robotix offerred to re-build the system, incorporating a Fanuc S100 Karel robot together with the latest safety requirements. The turntable was stripped of existing electrical equipment, and fitted with high resolution optical encoders allowing a repeatability of better than 0.05mm at 1000mm radius. The turntable was then completely re-wired and fitted with the latest 4 axis motion controller from Delta Tau Limited. For maximum flexability, the welding system incorporated three welding stations - the turntable and two fixed tables. Operator control panels were included for each of these stations, together with guard interlocks for the fixed stations and light curtains to safeguard the loader at the turntable station. Each welding station is provided with facilities for automatic fixture identification and pneumatic clamping and unclamping. Robotix fitted an OTC XS350 350 Amp welding power source and wire feeder, Binzel welding torch, shock mount and torch cleaner. The robot has full control of the welding conditions via a special elecronic interface designed and developed by Robotix Limited.

Turntable teach pendant :
The turntable has been provided with a teach pendant style control for setting purposes. The teach pendant provides a simple operator interface for setting up jobs on each of the work stations. The display area shows the user detailed information about the current system status. The teach pendant also allows manual operation of the rotate, tilt and end change functions.