Industry Focus Automotive Supply Chain
Energy chain system increases up-time for Jaguar Land Rover
The Triflex RS energy supply system from igus UK has helped Jaguar Land Rover reduce the down-time on one of its factory robots by 66%
cialists igus for a solution. igus recommended its Triflex RS 6- axis robot energy chain, which has been developed specifically for appli- cations in harsh industrial environ- ments. Since the robot has been equipped with the new energy chain system, Jaguar Land Rover has achieved a significant increase in up- time as the Triflex RS universal module pulls the energy lines back after every movement, keeping the working range free.
T
he Triflex RS is a compact multi- axial energy supply system that safely houses energy cables, and as a result, enables manufacturers to increase reliability and make opera- tional cost savings.
Jaguar Land Rover was experiencing a high rate of problems on a robot in its car factory. This was caused by the cable management hose, as it kept falling into the robot’s working range. The company identified a need to reduce the down- time, and called on energy chain spe-
Above and below: the igus Triflex RS system is
compatible with more than 100 robot models and brands
Benefits igus’ Triflex RS energy chain is light- weight, cost effective, has a high tor- sional stability and a small bend radius and pitch, which all combine to solve the common design problems for
applications in confined spaces to safely carry the energy supply. Compatible with more than 100 robot models and brands, the igus Triflex RS system is versatile, user friendly, easy to install and provides and long service life. The internal retraction force prevents loops form- ing in the working area of the robot and keeps the energy chain close to the robot’s arm for smooth running. It also allows easy cable access and visibility at all times, ensuring easy maintenance. Together with all the other parts in the Triflex R range, as well as the igus CFRobot cable range, this system offers a complete energy chain solution for virtually any robot application. “We are delighted to have worked with Jaguar on this application and to have achieved such positive results,” said Justin Leonard, director at igus. “At igus we can provide our customers with technological advances in the robotics industry, enabling them to reduce process costs and with the Triflex RS system, all the requirements from large welding robots to small pal- letising robots can be met.”
igus
www.igus.co.uk T: 01604 677 240
Enter 202 Volkswagen invests in mobile virtual measurement
manufacturer Volkswagen Group has fitted its plant in Wolfsburg, Germany, with a virtual measurement room equipped with Creaform measurement technologies, as part of a pilot project. Launched in May 2012, the C-Link functionality mobile measurement solution allows the set-up of virtual measurement rooms in any location and to inspect complex set-ups, fixtures, tools or prototypes quickly and easily through probing or 3D scanning. The integrated TRUaccuracy technology guarantees high accura- cy, regardless of instabilities, vibrations or thermal variations in the environment. Volkswagen Group’s Plastics BF has chosen to use a pilot for the tactile mea- suring version and intends to use the virtual measurement room in the future for in-line measurements in the cockpit and front end production of the new Golf series. They plan to measure individual parts on the production line, which moves four metres forward within 56 seconds. In those 56 seconds, the cockpit and the front end will be submitted to a tactile inspection with the HandyPROBE. For this purpose, two pairs of two C-Track dual camera sensors are linked via the C-link functionality, while a fifth C-Track is used as a separate measurement workstation. The Creaform solution’s flexibility was a key factor for Volkswagen Group’s
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rovider of portable 3D measurement solutions and 3D engineering services, Creaform, has announced that the Plastics business field (BF) of automotive
Plastics BF, as it can be easily adapted to meet future and/or changing needs. Plus, model changes can be easily and simply linked via the software, and there is no need to change the hardware. Creaform
www.creaform3d.com T: +49 711 1856 8030 Enter 203
JUNE 2013 Automation
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