Arenaproject PTC February 2017 AH-Automation Level 2

Purpose and goal

The purpose was to investigate whether it is possible to replace simpler tasks with collaborative robots. The goal was to identify a suitable production environment and to evaluate the possibilities with the aid of a physical demonstrator. Brushing of discolored welds was identified as suitable production environment and with the support of a physical demonstrator it was noted that there are good opportunities to replace the manual brushing with a collaborative robot.

Expected results and effects

There is a good chance to replace the manual brushing with a collaborative robot. A thorough risk assessment must however be carried out before the industrialization. Other findings were that this type of simple physical demonstrators works very well in the development and evaluation of various production applications with collaborative robots. Several possibilities for development of future applications in research projects have been identified.

Planned approach and implementation

The project was carried out in the form of telephone meetings and company visits at AH-Automation and Brogrens. A suitable production environment, brushing of welds, with the potential for collaborative robots was identified at Trestad Laser. AH-Automation developed the physical demonstrator that was evaluated at a meeting at the AH-Automation. The project results were presented at an automation seminar at Innovatum during the fall 2017.