Vision at the cutting edge More power to production claimed for Vision robot system.
robot system is finding growing favour among shipyards willing to invest in a cutting edge technology designed to offer consistency of weld and higher productivity. Maintaining a competitive edge at
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shipyards requires efficient production, the Finnish company says. “Improvement in cost effectiveness frequently means an increase in automation. Pemamek can offer complete, modern and productive production lines for manufacturing of flat panels, double hulls, subassembly panels or just sections of them.” Te “Pema” shipbuilding production automation range is comprised of:
• plate- and profile prefabrication systems • flat panel production lines
• double-bottom production lines, vertical welding
• robotised panel lines or production cells for welding, “Vision” systems
• subassembly production lines (micro, bulkhead)
• robotised profile cutting lines, milling and shot blasting systems for profiles
The ‘Vision’ robot system is best suited for the welding of panels that are largely similar, yet still individualised. Pictured: a VRWP-8000/1 robot portal at the STX Europe Turku shipyard.
Pemamek says it has placed a special
• production logistics and data collection soſtware.
Te patented machine vision-based Vision
robot system represents “the very cutting edge” of Pemamek welding automation solutions, the supplier says. “Vision practically demonstrates how the job description for welders is moving more toward that of an operator and how this change enhances productivity in processes, where the form, type and number of a given workpiece requires easy and flexible programming.” Key characteristics claimed for the Vision
approach are user- friendliness and fast workpiece programming. Te programming required for an entire 8 hour welding shiſt can be done in 30 minutes. During a single shiſt, one Vision robot makes approximately 160metres in welds and based on testimonials from shipyards it can even be programmed to continue welding during the night shiſt. In addition to this, the quality of welds is consistent.
The Naval Architect February 2009
emphasis on the ease of system programming. Professional welders trained as operators can use the system independently aſter just a few days of training. Te “Vision” system is based on camera
scanning of the workpiece. All the necessary data on the scanned workpiece is obtained. Tis is an especially significant advantage over an offline system, says Pemamek, which requires an in-house programmer to do labour-intensive CAD modelling. Te Vision system operator can independently handle the entire programming process, which results in exceptional production flexibility and efficiency. “Vision’s other advantages over an
offline system include: ease of workpiece calibration; the absolute position of the panel is ascertained during scanning,” the company says. Changes to the welding order or the addition of a new seam can be done easily. Furthermore, “Vision” produces an image of the actual workpiece that also shows the various support structures used by welders that do not appear in CAD images.
Te Vision system is also said to improve
work motivation, as the welder who assembled and tack-welded the workpiece is its operator. Te system’s high arc time ratio frees the operator to also take care of other production-related tasks which has a major impact on work productivity. Customers for the Vision robot are
typically shipyards which, build highly demanding cruiseships or warships. Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri Riva Trigoso and Spanish builder Navantia el Ferrol have both purchased the Vision system. Fincantieri has also ordered one and el Ferrol two new Vision robot portals. A similar application has also been delivered e.g. to Croatian shipyard 3 May. STX Europe’s Turku shipyard has
improved its production efficiency with a Vision robot systems. It currently has several Vision robot portals in use and among others a bulkhead line with two twin-robot welding stations. STX Europe’ head of robots, Tommi Reponen, says: “Te ease of robot programming that the Vision system provides saves on resources and enhances productivity in panel welding.” NA
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ndustrial work-piece handling, welding mechanisation and automation specialist Pemamek Oy Ltd says that its ‘Vision’
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