On Mfg - June 2013

Aqueous Cleaning System

What: The Midi, a fully automatic, customizable, self-contained aqueous cleaning system.
Who: MecWash Systems (mecwash.com)
Important to note: The system cleans without solvents or emissions; it is effective for various-sized components, complex geometries, and components that require special fixturing as well as those that can just be contained within a basket. “The Midi technology is proven in companies like Rolls-Royce Aerospace, UTC Aerospace, GE, Parker, Eaton, and others,” said Bill Westbrook, MecWash Systems North American Operations manager.
Pertinent data: The standard size cleaning chamber measures 65 in. wide, 110 in. deep, and 89 in. high. For exceptionally long components, the chamber can be extended to a 60-in. length. The chamber can be fitted with hundreds of high-volume jet nozzles that apply the aqueous cleaning solution at 130 gallons per minute.

MecWash Midi performs aqueous cleaning of parts of different sizes, geometries, materials, and more.

Industrial Robots for Complex Applications

What: The F-series industrial robots for complex applications
Who: Mitsubishi Electric Automation (meau.com)
Important to note: One of the challenges for the deployment of robots in various applications—including material handling, machine tending, assembly, picking, packing, kiting, dispensing, and inspection—is that there is an increase in complexity in the operations. So the F-series of industrial robots—both SCARA and articulated-arm types, both vertical and horizontal configurations—has been designed and engineered to handle complex tasks. According to Aravind Durai, robotics product manager for Mitsubishi Electric Automation, “The new F-Series is a total automation suite, with well thought out control architecture, simple interfaces to business systems, and a comprehensive approach to problem solving.”
Pertinent data: The SCARA robots are available with 3-, 6-, 12-, and 20-kg payload capacities. The articulated arm robots are available with 2-, 4- and 7-kg payload capacities. The robots feature internal routing of cables and hoses, automatic collision avoidance, coordinated motion, and force torque sensors.

The F-Series robots are available in both SCARA and articulated-arm designs with various payload capacities.

Robotic Toolchanger

What: Sigma NexGen line of robotic toolchangers
Who: Applied Robotics (arobotics.com)
Important to note: To address changes in operations like robots operating at increased speeds and robots carrying heavier loads (up to 1,500 kg), the Sigma NextGen line of toolchangers has been developed. There is a driver/cam geometry design that provides increased moment and acceleration capabilities. What’s more, the toolchanger has a coupled mechanism that helps assure safety, even in cases where there is a loss of compressed air.
Pertinent data: The Sigma line supports a wide variety of servo tools and bus communications, including the SmartComm communications module. What’s notable about SmartComm is that not only does it support industrial buses including DeviceNet, Ethernet IP, Profibus, CC-Link, and Profinet, but it also offers diagnostics. Diagnostics are available via a webpage. Users can view, track and download IO status, set and read maintenance counter functions, view timing of functions, and view and download cycle time statistics.

The Sigma NextGen robotic toolchanger is designed to handle higher dynamic loads in robotic applications.