Automation for cylindrical precision tool production

PHOTO COURTESY UNITED GRINDING NORTH AMERICA

The Automated Tool Production (ATP) system offers an automation solution for cylindrical precision tools. ATP is available on WALTER grinding, eroding, and measuring machines, as well as machines from other system partners upstream and downstream in the production process.

Increased efficiency demands, stronger competition, and a shortage of skilled workers make a higher degree of automation in industrial production essential. The ATP system requires no additional floor space, can be integrated into existing system layouts, and is also suitable as an interface for machines from other manufacturers.

The system control is based on the OPC-UA data model FLAMES. It consists of at least one robot cell (ATP ROBOCELL) accessible from the front for automatic loading and unloading of the machines, plus at least one autonomous, mobile transport robot (ATP AMR) for transporting the workpiece pallets and individual parts between the storage and processing stations. This also includes a standardized communication model between the machines and the ATP AMR, as well as a control system for higher level data and process control.

WALTER customers can retrofit the ATP system in their existing production facilities without having to change the existing system layout.

A separate removal station for the in-process exchange of individual parts between the measuring and processing machine enables automatic correction, and thus, complete closed-loop processes. In the ATP ROBOCELL, a multi-range gripper contributes to the high flexibility of the system. It covers a large workpiece diameter range without changing the gripper unit and can exchange the collets at the same time.

United Grinding North America Inc.
https://www.grinding.com