SHOWCASE enter 803


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proprietor, Gregory Epps, in 1997. “I firmly believe that there are no limitations in design or in the possibilities of turning a design into a real-life object,” explains Epps.


new ways to create single piece curved surfaces first started about 17 years ago. In particular,


High Bay KNX


Detection from CP Electronics


C


P Electronics, the UK market leader in lighting controls has launched the EBDHS-KNX, a high sensitivity PIR suitable for high bay luminaires.


As


part of the new KNX range, the new sensor provides the end user with scene recall, dimming and constant brightness control, all via a simple to use logic controller. Main features of the KNX range of PIRs include two switch inputs, programmable logic block, full scene setting via a handset and set up via KNX ETS software. The EBDHS-KNX operates at a mounting height of 15 metres and offers a 40m detection range due to its high quality lens making it ideal for applications such as warehouse/industrial or manufacturing facilities. For flush mounted ceiling installations,


CP’s


EBDSPIR-KNX has been designed to provide a range of 7 metres to provide flexibility for use in a variety of applications.


CP Electronics Tel: 0333 9000671 Web: www.cpelectronics.co.uk


enter 802 L


demonstrates the art of robotics


ondon-based design consultancy RoboFold is quite literally demonstrating the art of robotic technology.


The company is using two ABB IRB6400 industrial robots to help architects and designers to explore new ways of bending and forming metal, opening up new possibilities for architectural and furniture design.


More usually


employed for cast cleaning and pre-machining in metal industry applications, the two IRB6400 robots are used by RoboFold to produce single- piece metal objects customised to a customer’s specific requirements. Both six-axis robots are fitted with vacuum cups, which hold pre-scored metal sheets,


ranging from 60-80cm2 up to


1.5m2, as they are curved and folded according to instructions supplied by RoboFold’s own robotic CAD system. The CAD program dictates the movement of the robots,


which move


simultaneously according to the pre-determined trajectories needed to fold the metal into the desired shape or shapes. As all of the information for the folding process is contained in the data from the CAD system, there is no need for any hard tooling.


The use of the robots is the culmination of a quest started by RoboFold Enter 15 MEDIA PARTNERS Sensors & Instrumentation


for Test, Measurement & Control 30th Sept & 1st Oct 2014, NEC, Birmingham


The UK’s ONLY national Sensors & Instrumentation exhibition


•Network with leading industry professionals •Free Comprehensive seminar programme


•Supported by leading journals, institutes and groups in the industry


•Integrated marketing campaign backed by UK's leading technical publications


www.sensorsandinstrumentation.co.uk


To find out more, discuss your requirements and to book your place at this important national event, call Kathy Ambrose on 01622 699129 or Jack Burrows on 01822 614671


6 co-located shows the


Machine


Building Show


Online


registrations NOW OPEN


RoboFold


“My interest in finding I


became very interested in how to develop a system for producing curved folded metal panels. My search for ways to do this is what eventually led me to the ABB robots.” A key benefit of using the robots is their inherent flexibility, which enables them to handle any design programmed into the CAD system. “Before I bought the robots I had made previous attempts at developing my own machines that could bend metal along a curve. However, none of them could be readily adapted to handle different jobs,” says Epps. By using the robots, this problem has been overcome. All information about the shape and form for the metal is contained in the CAD instructions, which direct the movement of the robot to produce the object required. Furthermore, RoboFold also has the ability to simulate the process before it has been carried out, enabling any areas for fine- tuning to be identified and rehearsed before the physical production process begins. The ability of the robot to work directly from the CAD file has also helped to overcome another problem typically encountered in metals fabrication processes, specifically the need to produce a mold. “As almost all of the work we do is bespoke and non-standard, it would be both impractical and uneconomical to produce a mold for every object we make,” explains Epps. “With our robotic system, the CAD file is effectively the mold, but, unlike a traditional mold, it can be readily changed and adapted whenever necessary.”


For more information, email robotics@gb.abb.com or call 01908 350300 ref. ‘IRB1200’.


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