Pallets positioned with 0.2 mm precision
Task
A mechanical engineer was faced with the task of developing an automated machine for the surface treatment of ball and roller bearings for a customer. A conveyor system that fulfilled several requirements was needed in order to guarantee the type of automation the customer wanted. It needed to be able to position the customer’s pallets (weighing ca. 5 kg) stably and with millimetre precision so the robot in the processing cell could remove the workpieces with precision. Additionally, the conveyor system needed to be designed so that automated guided vehicles (AGVs) could easily drive up to the conveyor and transfer or remove the pallets.
The system also needed to be durable and function reliably in an environment containing oil. Since the workpieces come into contact with oil during the surface treatment process and drip, the system had to be able to function flawlessly under these conditions as well.
Solution from mk
mk has customised a Versamove pallet system with a ZRF-P 2045 timing belt conveyor that makes automatic acceptance and transfer of pallets, as well as precise positioning of them, possible. The pallet is first transferred from an AGV to the conveyor and transported to the processing cell. Then, in the middle of the belt, the pallet is stopped and raised using a lifting unit. It is then pressed into a specially constructed die. mk has adapted the lifting unit to the individual structural properties of the customer’s pallets for this purpose. In the raised position, the pallet is then decoupled from the vibrations of the belt conveyor and is positioned with a tolerance of a mere 0.2 mm. This stable placement allows the robot to load and unload the pallets without malfunctions. After the processing, the conveyor transports the pallet to the transfer area outside of the cell, where an AGV is waiting and ready to perform further transport.
So that the AGV can drive up to the conveyor system, its feet are positioned inwards. That way the AGV has enough space to transfer the pallet to the timing belt conveyor.
The timing belts, wear strips, initiators and bearings of the pallet system were evaluated to make sure they were suitable for the existing conditions and optimised accordingly or implemented in the standard design. The conveyor was also equipped with a drip pan, drip edges at relevant locations and protective covers.
Benefits for the customer
- Modular construction of the Versamove pallet system enables perfect adaptation to the production environment
- High precision and reliability during transport and positioning tasks, even in rough industrial environments involving direct contact with oil
- Close collaboration between the customer and specialists at mk and quick response times
Products used
