Automation & Services modernized a plastic fabrication workshop with a Fanuc robot, enhancing production through automated tool changes and optimal inter-machine coordination.
Automation & Services transformed a plastic fabrication workshop by replacing an obsolete KUKA robot with a state-of-the-art Fanuc robot, optimizing production through advanced inter-machine communication and an automated tool-change system. The CNC machine can now operate for hours without human intervention, making night-time production possible.
Specialized in plastic fabrication, this workshop recently partnered with Automation & Services to modernize its production facilities. The goal was to replace an aging KUKA robot that had been maintained with temporary fixes over the years. These adjustments led to frequent breakdowns, rendering the robot unable to function autonomously as originally intended.
Automation & Services’ experts first conducted a thorough analysis of the old system to understand its operation and the workshop’s specific needs. Following this assessment, the technical documentation was fully updated to ensure traceability and rigorous tracking of future interventions.
The first concrete step in the project was to dismantle the old robot and replace it with a model meeting today’s standards for precision and speed. Most importantly, the new robot provides greater reliability for the maintenance team. Once installed, the workspace was completely rewired to meet safety standards and accommodate future automated processes.
The Fanuc robot’s programming enabled coordinated interactions with various production equipment, including a saw, CNC machine, laser engraver, and conveyor. Automation & Services also designed a tool storage system with automatic tool change functionality, allowing the robot to adapt tools for specific operations without human input. A custom gripper was also added to handle the workshop’s unique materials and products.
Through this collaboration, the workshop now benefits from a modernized production space, ready to meet future production challenges.
Proud of its expertise in revamping, Automation & Services deployed its full range of design and integration skills to successfully execute this project. One of the major challenges was gathering information on an outdated and often improvised system to extract clear, actionable data crucial for programming. The integration of communication between the robot and various machines was also complex. The robot must interact seamlessly with the saw, CNC machine, laser, and conveyor throughout the process, acting as the true conductor of production. Finally, the design of the tool-changing station and the tools themselves highlights the full expertise of our mechanical department.
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