KUKA Robotics recently featured multiple industrial robots working in tandem with autonomous mobile robots and advanced 3D vision technology from two KUKA Partners-Photoneo and Waybo. The demonstration highlighted innovative solutions for manufacturers to gain extreme flexibility, precision, and agility by automating bin picking and machine tending operations.
For robotic bin picking, KUKA demonstrated a KR CYBERTECH-2 robot using a Photoneo vision system with a PhoXi 3D scanner. The KR CYBERTECH-2 series offers high-performance industrial robots designed for handling, assembly, and machining applications with enhanced speed, precision, and flexibility. Featuring compact designs and a payload capacity up to 22 kg, these robots are optimized for space-saving operation in various manufacturing environments.
Using Photoneo's Bin Picking Studio software, the KR CYBERTECH-2 picked partially machined spur gear parts from a randomly assorted bin and place them onto portable part trays. A KR AGILUS-2 machine-tending robot picked the parts from the part trays for simulated processing through a SYIL X7 3-axis vertical milling machine equipped with a SIEMENS SINUMERIK 828D controller and 15" touch panel. After the parts are processed through the CNC mill, they are inspected by an OGP SmartScope SP 332 measurement system. The operation uses a PartNR cell designed by System Partner Waybo that is compact and enables high-mix, low volume production. SCHUNK brand tooling, controlled by FESTO brand valves, is utilized on the robot cells for the part gripping operations.
Managed by KUKA's AMR.Fleet software, two KMP 1500P mobile units from KUKA traveling between the part station and machine tending station handled trays and part totes. The tray-handling KMP 1500P uses an integrated elevating module for unloading and loading trays at both robot cells. The tote-handling KMP 1500P incorporates a conveyor module for unloading and loading of totes at both robot cells and at the tote staging area. KMP 1500Ps are differential driven, mobile platforms that navigate autonomously and eliminate the need for predefined routes and rigid processes. KUKA's diffDrive technology enables precise and highly maneuverable movement by independently controlling the speed of two or more wheels on either side of the robot. By varying the relative speed of these wheels, the robot can move forward, backward, turn in place, or navigate complex environments with smooth and efficient motion. This drive system enhances agility, making KUKA mobile platforms well-suited for dynamic industrial applications such as autonomous material transport and flexible manufacturing. Banner brand sensors, IO-Link and wireless communication technology is used through the cell for discrete control and monitoring of a variety of the system functions.
For more information contact:
KUKA Robotics Corporation
51870 Shelby Parkway
Shelby Township, MI 48315-1787
800-459-6691
robusinsidesalessupport@kuka.com
www.kuka-robotics.com