Metal Work has developed applications for the automation of the assembly process together with producers of co-operative robots. These are robots of the very latest generation, designed to interact with humans in total security. They integrate perfectly with the handling products of Metal Work’s V-Lock series, marked by the fact that they can very easily be assembled, disassembled and reconfigured.
The V-Lock system is a complete system for manipulation. All components are equipped with a standardised dovetail interface, which makes the assembly, design, configuring and reconfiguring processes easier and faster when building kinematic assemblies. Each component is connected to the other by means of V-Lock brackets that adhere to the dovetail profile; the locking of the brackets occurs through the clamping of two easily accessible lateral screws using a common Allen wrench.
This intuitive system equipped with V-Lock allows the user to make the most of the potential of a co-operative robot and enables the operator to change diverse collet sets, rotary and linear actuators in a fast and simple way. Moreover, through the utilisation of universal adaptors called V-Lock Transformers, it is possible to add components coming from other producers, such as suction cups and gripping systems.
Among the applications developed so far, there is a recent and very interesting one, concerning the assembly of components for industrial automation. In this case, a two-arm Cartesian SCARA type robot carries out the assembly of two different components. Each component is picked from a departure stand by means of a Metal Work P4K type gripper belonging to the V-Lock series, together with a mechanical compensator which can counteract eventual mismatches with the stands.
What specifically characterises this application is the fact that the two arms, besides obviously being synchronised, can interact with humans without constituting any source of danger. The robot is equipped with sensors that immediately stop it in case of collision. The cycle time is minimised thanks to the optimisation of the motion trajectories.
XPlanar aids innovation in laser processing Beckhoff Automation
Robotics & Mechatronics
Aalborg University is among the first in the world to test Beckhoff’s XPlanar intelligent transport system in advanced laser processes, opening the door to faster, tool-free production of metal parts.
Read more...PC-based control in minimally invasive surgery Beckhoff Automation
Robotics & Mechatronics
Researchers at the University of Basel are using Beckhoff PC-based control technology to develop a miniature laser robot for minimally invasive bone surgery.
Read more...Automation without the mega factory
Robotics & Mechatronics
Mid-sized South African manufacturers are turning to targeted, low-risk automation to solve specific bottlenecks rather than chasing full factory transformation, helped by retrofit-friendly robotics and advanced simulation software.
Read more...OMRON Robotics demos next-generation autonomous mobile robots
Editor's Choice News & events Robotics & Mechatronics
Advancing smarter material flow with the all-new LD-150 and LD-300 AMRs, OMRON Robotics demonstrated the next generation of its flagship LD series autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) at Automate 2026 in June.
Read more...Humanoid robots are moving faster
Robotics & Mechatronics
A humanoid robot has exceeded the world’s best human half marathon time, offering a glimpse into the industrial potential behind this spectacle.
Read more...Trends in humanoid robots
Robotics & Mechatronics
Humanoid robots are increasingly viewed less as futuristic prototypes and more as a practical route to bring artificial intelligence into human-designed environments.
Read more...The future of robotics
Robotics & Mechatronics
Research into robotics and autonomy uncovers some of the up-and-coming industrial uses and applications within the sector, including for automotives and logistics, as well as for personal and commercial use.
Read more...How vision-guided robotics is transforming South African manufacturing
Robotics & Mechatronics
In South African manufacturing, the final stages of production need more than manual labour or conventional automation. For many, vision-guided robotics is becoming the solution to smarter, more flexible end-of-line processes.
Read more...The future of robotics
Robotics & Mechatronics
Research into robotics and autonomy uncovers some of the up-and-coming industrial uses and applications within the sector, including for automotives and logistics, as well as for personal and commercial use.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version