FEATURE INDUSTRY 4.0
KAWASAKI ROBOT WINS UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE
The University of Chester’s Innovation to Commercialisation project (I2C) has installed a Kawasaki robot as part of its industry-leading project to introduce Cheshire & Warrington based SMEs to the advantages of the latest advances and practices in automation and manufacturing
L
ocated at Thornton Science Park near Chester, the University’s Faculty of
Science and Engineering features purpose-built laboratories and industrial facilities designed to deliver hands-on, practical guidance and advice covering a wide range of technologies. Part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the project boasts a number of unique features, one of which is that masterclasses are run by practising manufacturing professionals and suppliers with significant experience in their chosen specialist subjects. I2C beneficiaries are offered a range of
masterclasses, including a two day foundation workshop examining product innovation and concept realisation, an overview of product and process development strategies and commercialisation. Senior I2C project engineer Barry Gleave says: “The aim of this initial stage is to allow beneficiaries to develop their own organisational tools, templates and structures.” Following the Foundation phase,
beneficiaries move into stage two which Gleave describes as the ‘Technical
34 FEBRUARY 2019 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT
Intervention’ part of the project, which is designed to take the first steps towards the actual production of an approved product or process. At this stage, delegates have access to I2C’s specialist equipment, engineers, academics and bespoke support services. These combine with a jointly agreed innovation plan, which also sets out the wider scope of further development together with desired timescales and deliverables leading to the production of a working prototype. Included at this stage is access to I2C’s on-site CAD, FEA, CFD, 3D visualisation and full prototyping facilities using a variety of processes. The last stage in the I2C project is
described as the ‘Advanced Intervention’ stage in which the critical final elements of manufacturing a new product and introducing it to market are covered. Of especial value to delegates is that this stage of the project can include introductions to other advanced manufacturing facilities and further fabrication or manufacturing experts as well as prototype manufacturing businesses. Kawasaki’s duAro is an interesting choice
I2C beneficiaries are offered a range of masterclasses, including a two day foundation workshop examining product innovation and concept realisation, an overview of product and process development strategies and commercialisation
for the I2C project because it is one of the very latest generation of SCARA robots and is designed to co-exist in the workplace alongside human personnel. DuAro can be speedily programmed to perform an almost limitless number of tasks which are typically undertaken on production and assembly lines, including ‘pick and place’, the dispensing or application of adhesives and sealants, material removal, machine tending and materials handling. The entire self-contained duAro unit has been designed to use the same workstation space as a person would. “This means that, unlike most robots, especially those involved in assembly, positioning or placement tasks, the latest duAro robot has a wheeled base and can thus be moved around the factory floor at will, plugged in to any nearby standard 13amp 3-pin socket and put to work in an instant,” says Kawasaki Robotics’ Ian Hensman. Hensman points out that thanks to the
introduction of new ‘teaching’ software, using either a standard tablet or Android mobile phone, tasking the duAro robot is simple and quick allowing its twin-arm, 4-axis capability to get to grips with work swiftly and without specialist training being required for supervisory personnel. “This is especially important for many SMEs of the type that are embracing the I2C project at Chester,” he continues. “Many SMEs involved in manufacturing or assembly have multiple production runs and might need to change projects frequently during a working week, so they need a robot that can change with them. DuAro can do so with the minimum of downtime for reprogramming. This is precisely the environment that the new duAro was designed for, and its unit cost means that most operators can see a 100 per cent return on investment measured in months rather than years – another vital consideration for all businesses but especially so for SMEs”. Gleave concludes: “Working with
Kawasaki is a great opportunity for our I2C beneficiaries, our Kawasaki duAro robot has only recently been installed, our engineers and beneficiaries have been delighted with its arrival and its obvious ability. It is a real asset to our project and we are delighted to have such a pool of practical robotics knowledge accompanying it which is also made available to us.”
Kawasaki
www.robotics.kawasaki.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54
