Best in Show 2023 Winners
More than 150 exhibitors displayed the latest manufacturing products and services at the inaugural ASSEMBLY Show SOUTH in 2023 at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN. Fasteners, power tools, adhesives, dispensing equipment, conveyors, robots, software and, of course, automated assembly systems are among the myriad new products on display.
To draw attention to the breadth and quality of new technologies on display, we held a “Best in Show” contest at the event, and you—the attendees—were the judges. Below are the winners.
High-Speed Automation Assembles Connector
A global supplier of automotive electric components needed a custom machine capable of assembling nearly 5 million connectors annually. Each four-component connector required validation after every assembly step, a detailed final dimensional inspection, and laser marking before final pack-out. The system needed a compact footprint and simple change-out capabilities to accommodate more than 100 connector variations.
MS Automation designed and built a system to do the job. A servo ring indexer with two independent sets of 16 nests provided a fast, accurate and flexible transport system. Four vibratory feeder bowls with hoppers, four SCARA robots, and quick-change end-of-arm tooling allowed for rapid part feeding and assembly with automatic change-out capabilities. A combination of tactile probes and 2D vision cameras validated assembly at each step. A fiber laser was employed for marking. A fifth SCARA robot segregated rejects from finished product at final pack-out.
The finished system assembles two connectors every 1.6 seconds at better than 90 percent efficiency—more than 10 percent faster than the target cycle time of 1.8 seconds.
Booth 341
MS Automation
www.msautomation.com
Roller Forming With Servo-Controlled Articulation
The Electric EA30 is the first roller-forming machine with servo-controlled articulation. With three individually programmable servos, the Electric EA30 can execute a variety of profile shapes in a single stroke. The forming capabilities include traditional roller forming, articulating roller forming, 3D articulating roller forming, and crimping.
Servo-controlled radial motion delivers higher precision and control compared to conventional equipment, which requires manual adjustment of a mechanical stop. All three servo motors are aligned within the unit, giving the machine a slim design. As a result, the machine is well-suited for integration into automated production lines with limited space. It can also be used as part of a stand-alone work cell for prototyping or low-volume production where frequent changeover of nests and programs may be necessary.
HPPi software allows programming and quick adjustment of the forming process using the HMI. The software monitors all aspects of the forming process and stores the process data. The data can be exported through an industrial data interface (OPC/UA), enabling integration into higher-level production management systems.
The primary advantages of the technology are flexibility in forming; programmability and control of the vertical, radial and rotary motions; and real-time feedback of the forming process parameters. Additionally, this technology can reduce cycle time compared to conventional machines, which may require multiple forming steps to produce the same part.
Booth 511
BalTec Corp.
https://baltec.com/
Fast SCARA Robots for High Payloads
The GX4 and GX8 SCARA robots are equipped with Epson’s patented Gyroplus technology to provide fast speeds, smooth motion control, and high payload capabilities. The robots are available in multiple arm configurations, with maximum reach of 650 millimeters. They can handle a maximum payload of 8 kilograms. The robots have a slim design for easily integration into clean room and static-safe environments.
Epson’s RC+ software works seamlessly with the GX Series robots. With battery-less encoders, a built-in Ethernet cable, and other useful features, the GX Series have a low total cost of ownership.
Gyroplus technology provides real-time velocity feedback directly at the end of the robot arm. This feedback is incorporated into the servo control loop, allowing the robot to achieve high precision and reducing vibration and settling time.
Traditional robot controls use angular velocity feedback located on the robot’s motor. But the true angular velocity at the end of the robot arm often differs from the motor’s angular velocity due to mechanical tolerances, friction, and the influence of peripherals, such as end effectors and wiring. Previously, the most effective ways to reduce vibration were to increase rigidity by using a larger robot or to reduce acceleration and deceleration time. But these solutions mean increasing the robot’s footprint and cost or reducing cycle time and throughput.
Gyroplus technology addresses these problems by mounting an angular velocity sensor at the end of the robot arm. Now, the robot controller receives information about the behavior at the end of the arm and can deliver motion commands to address the exact movement and position of the robot arm, rather than an estimate based on the motor’s velocity. This means more precise positioning control and significant vibration reduction.
Booth 535
Epson Robots
epson.com/usa
