VGR Systems Benefits
Traditional automation means serial production with large batch sizes and limited flexibility. Complete automation lines are usually built up around a single product or possibly a small family of similar products that can run in the same production line. If a component is changed or if a complete new product is introduced, this usually causes large changes in the automation process-in most cases new component fixtures are required with time consuming set up procedures. If components are delivered to the process by traditional hoppers and vibratory feeders, new bowl feeder tooling or additional bowl feeder tops are required. It may be that different product must be manufactured on the same process line, the cost for pallets, fixtures and bowl feeders can often be a large part of the investment. Other areas to be considered are space constraints, storage of change parts, spare components, and changeover time between products.
VGR systems can run side-by-side with very little mechanical set up, in the most extreme cases a gripper change is the only requirement, and the need to position components to set pick-up position is eliminated. With its vision system and control software, it is possible for the VGR system to handle different types of components. Parts with various geometry, can be fed in any random orientation to the system and be picked and placed without any mechanical changes to the machine, resulting in quick changeover times. Other features and benefits of VGR system are:
- Switching between products and batch runs is software controlled and very fast, with no mechanical adjustments.
- High residual value, even if production is changed.
- Short lead times, and short payback periods
- High machinery efficiency, reliability, and flexibility
- Possibility to integrate a majority of secondary operations such as deburring, clean blowing, washing, measuring and so on.
- Reduces manual work
Read more about this topic: Vision Guided Robotic Systems
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