How Can We Repurpose Four Used Robots Into A State-Of-The-Art Welding Cell?
How Can We Add Production Lines That Make The Most Of Robotics?
What Our Client Said
Due to an increase in demand, we need to significantly ramp-up our production of hardwood flooring. We need new production lines, and we need robots, but our experience with robot cells has not been positive.
What We Heard
Build us robot cells we can count on and put them to work on additional production lines that can help us grow.
What We Did
As always, LSI started by listening.
The client told us that they valued our 25-year relationship and that our ability to develop Siemens automation and Integrated Drive Systems gave them confidence. Then they described their goals, their challenges and their desire to utilize a unique combination of technology from a variety of manufacturers – something LSI specializes in.
Together, we decided on new IRB 7600 series robotic cells and coordinated supervisory controls for each additional production line. Supervised processes included dust collection, OEM equipment and all the robot cells.
LSI provided:
- The complete electrical design and schematics
- Custom design and fabrication of electrical and controls enclosures including an Ehouse
- PLC hardware and software
- Eight robot cells (base, tooling, setup, programming and HMI)
- Safety system design and implementation, including master E-stop control over all systems (regardless of manufacturer)
- Production Line Supervisory control, communications and monitoring master control and status to all OEM equipment per line
The control system consisted of:
- Siemens PLCs
- Siemens and Yaskawa Drives
- ABB Robots
- SICK safety control
The Results Speak For Themselves
Product flexibility means new lines can evolve
- Quick-change palletizing or de-palletizing of multi-size products
- Recipe-driven configuration and on-the-fly pattern changes
Efficiency built into the process
- Optimized robot movements for a changing stack height
- Pick and place on pallets while in motion with accurate precision
- No downtime during pallet changes
- Stack lights for quick identification of equipment status
Safety for workers and equipment
- E-stop control centrally located and integrated with control system and HMI
- Automatic contextualized HMI popups on each OEM screen when an E-stop occurs
Simplicity makes robot cells easy to manage
- Simplistic control, no complex buttons or procedures … just Start, Stop, Pause or Reset
- Easy maintenance with intuitive HMI screens and password protected robot adjustments
- Straightforward troubleshooting for plant personnel; no remote support required
- Consistent, easy-to-follow code structure
LSI Listened
LSI listened then developed a custom solution by utilizing products and knowledge from global vendors best suited to the project. Because LSI is independent and not owned by a manufacturer, we were able to put the customer’s needs first – selecting the best technology for the job. The simplicity and uptime on these systems have given the customer confidence in the operation and maintenance of their new equipment.