ASSEMBLY
Case History
YK-Robotics Develops Tailored Robotic Solution for Multi-Variant Industrial Switch Production
The customer asked YK-Robotics to develop a robotic solution capable of handling three different variations of the industrial switch production. The goal was to optimize the production process and integrate a quality control station at the end. Additionally, the system needed to feature an intuitive and easy-to-use HMI, allowing general operators to interact with the robotic cell and seamlessly switch between different production types autonomously.
The solution
- A single software platform to control the entire robotic cell;
- A single object-oriented language that would allow to encapsulate the process complexity;
- The possibility to integrate all the sensors and actuators needed to execute the complex assembly.
- 3 vibratory feeders
- 2 Flexibowl handling
- >10 different components
- 3 industrial robots ABB
- 1 vision set with Real Sense Camera
- 2 presses
- 1 quality control station (Lucid + Edmund Optics)
- >6 laser sensors
- >10 pneumatic actuators and associated
The robotic cell is a sophisticated system where raw components are fed into the cell via 9 feeders located at the back. These feeders supply two Flexibowls, providing the flexibility needed for the system to manipulate components in quick succession. The first robot, R01, equipped with a camera, detects the position of the components and localizes the required part. R01 then picks the component from the Flexibowl and places it into the appropriate calibrator.
The primary goal of this stage is to supply the next two robots, which handle machine tending and assembly operations. During this process, the YK-Platform Editor (a no-code programming software by YK-Robotics) allows full access to open-source vision capabilities (using OpenCV) and includes high-level instructions like “Detect and Localize Object”, which can be applied across various processes.
Once the components are placed in the proper calibrator, the second robot, R02, picks them up and begins tending to the press machinery, which assembles the semi-finished components. After positioning the parts in the press, the system activates the press. Once the process is complete, R02 retrieves the semi-finished components and places them in the final calibrator, preparing them for assembly with the remaining components.
The core of the robotic cell lies in the seamless coordination between the robots and various elements, which can be complex to program and manage due to communication challenges between different brand machines. Here, the YK-Platform serves as the central hub, connecting all components through a universal language, simplifying the coordination, and significantly reducing integration risks.
The final robot, R03, completes the process by assembling the semi-finished product inside the plastic body of the industrial switch and securing it with a plastic cover. This robot performs highly precise operations, achieving an accuracy of 0.1 millimeters.
R03 then picks up the final product and places it in the quality control station to check for any defects. Once no defects are found, the finished product is stacked in piles, ready for the final stage.
The YK-Robotics cell represents the cutting edge of robotics, which can often be complex and challenging for non-expert operators. However, our solution is designed to be anything but difficult to use.
Every robotic cell comes with YK-Platform, a software with an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, making it accessible to both developers and general operators alike.
Anyone can interact with the robotic cell and understand its operations, as the platform features a simple, no-code interface. Additionally, users can create custom dashboards to monitor production insights, receive error notifications, view orders or receipts, and easily switch between production processes.
The results
The customer has successfully optimized and increased production using the advanced robotic cell provided by YK-Robotics. The company can now produce three different types of industrial switches with a single robotic cell.