What seemed like a game at first glance was a good example of gluing complex shapes: With the help of an ABB robot, parts were glued together to form a cube at the Robatech stand: reproducibly and with repeat accuracy. René Gnos, Industry Manager Automotive at Robatech, started the program sequence with a light touch of the robot arm. "Collaborative robots work hand in hand with humans. But we also use 360° Gluing, that means gluing combined with robots, for fully automated processes with industrial robots," explained René Gnos at the trade fair stand. "The principle is the same for both types of robot: our integration kit connects one of our adhesive application systems, which we configure individually depending on the application, with a robot, such as those from ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots or Fanuc."
But what prior knowledge does the user need to program the movement pattern and adhesive application? "None," said Christian Sühwold, Managing Director and CEO of the German mechanical engineering company fsk industries. The company, which specializes in automation solutions, has developed a system for lightweight robots that combines the specially designed SAEP handle with the function for controlling external axes. The patented Smart Application Extension Package (SAEP) is supplemented by coordinated process software and a user-friendly user interface - in this case SmartGlue for gluing applications.
"Users guide the robot arm manually over the handle and save the individual positions or paths at the touch of a button," explained Sühwold. "The robot then takes over the entire process. The adhesive is applied fully automatically – including all parameters relevant to the process."
Perhaps in the near future, cognitive robots equipped with cameras, microphones, loudspeakers and sensors will work together with adhesive application systems from Robatech. Then operation and programming will become more interactive, in the sense of an all-in-one device like a smartphone.
"The collaboration with robot manufacturers and machine builders in the field of automation solutions and adhesive application remains exciting," summarized René Gnos at the end of automatica. "Together, we can offer customers efficient and flexibly adaptable solutions for gluing challenging parts."