WEISS ENTERS THE OCTAGON
UNIQUE SHAPED DIAL PLATE ACCOMMODATES ROBOTIC INERTIA PERFORMANCE AND ERGONOMIC EFFICIENCIES
Author: Bill Eppich, Vice President WEISS North America
Publication Date: July 2016
Abstract: By collaborating with WEISS on their intricate medical part subassembly system, Jerit Automation was able to achieve its next-generation octagonal design and performance goals.
A pioneer of direct-drive pick & place and multiple-axis modules, industry leading specialist for rotary tables and automation, WEISS (Buchen, Germany), and its subsidiary WEISS North America, Inc. (Willoughby, OH), recently completed two chassis systems featuring a unique, octagon-shaped, 45.68” diameter dial plate. The plate footprint was properly sized to match the WEISS’ eight station TC 220 rotary index table, and was customized to achieve ergonomic, inertia loading, and index speed requirements for a next-generation medical parts subassembly operation for Jerit Automation, Inc. (Mesa, AZ).
TC 220 / OCTAGON CHALLENGE
Featured Image Headline
The semi-automated system involved the intricate process of gluing steel into a small diameter plastic part using UV glue into a subassembly− requiring a tight tolerance of +/- .005”. The pallet-based production system held four-up nests that were designed to allow the individual parts to be
easily loaded by an operator, while keeping parts confined to hold the tight tolerance addressed above.
These nests were approximately 12” wide, so the goal was to get the pallets closer to the operators to optimize ergonomics and work space around the
dial. Additionally, the pallets were designed with holding clamps, pins, cylinders, etc., that interact with both operators as parts are loaded and indexed to the next station.
THE ENTIRE SYSTEM INVOLVES A HIGH-LEVEL OPERATION SEQUENCE INCLUDING:
- Operator 1 loads part A, then part A is clamped
- Dial indexes...Operator 2 loads part B
- Dial indexes...Parts A and B are adjusted to assembly position in pallet
- Dial Indexes...Glue applied by Scara Robot
- Dial Indexes...Glue Drying
- Dial Indexes...Camera inspection of assemblies for PASS/FAIL
- Dial Indexes...Parts Pick and Placed with 6 Axis Robot
- If Fail assembly is present, Robot moves to reject chutes and discards failed parts
- If Less than 4 assemblies are present, Robot moves to staging area and either places or picks parts as needed, to ensure it has 4 assemblies ready for placement into trays
- Once Robot has 4 Passed assemblies, Robot moves parts to trays and places into the next position available.
- Dial continues indexing back to Operator 1
TC 220 / OCTAGON SOLTUION
Featured Image Headline
Now in its 3rd generation, WEISS’ TC220 series heavy duty rotary indexing tables feature a robust design combined with impressively fast switching. They also deliver a smooth, jerk and impact-free running and an extremely long service life.
Using this stalwart rotary table as the heart of the
system, WEISS took the project manager out of the equation for Jerit in designing the frame, oversized table plate, and its
associated machining. The frame work and large top plates were designed by Jerit to support all their automation devices for their specific application. Weiss manufactured the units and shipped them completed.
KEY TC 220 CHASSIS UNIT SYSTEM CONFIGURATION SPECIFICATIONS:
- There are two frames that make up a single chassis
- Each frame is built from structural tubular steel, welded, and powder coat painted white
- Frame one supports the Weiss index table and rotating tool plate
- Frame two supports some automation for loading/unloading stations
- The two frames connect to each other for alignment reasons
- The top plates are machined from aluminum cast tool and jig plate
- Frame one top plate = 1.00” thick x 84.65” x 89.25” with a hard coat anodize finish
- Frame two top plate = 3⁄4” thick x 26” x 118” long with a hard coat anodize finish
- The tool plate is machined from aluminum cast tool and jig plate
- The tool plate is roughly 45.68” in diameter and features a modified octagon shape. Different than typical round tool plates, this was designed by Jerit to achieve ergonomic efficiencies
- The tool plate is 3⁄4” thick w/hard coat anodized finish.
By collaborating with WEISS on their intricate medical part subassembly system, Jerit Automation was able to achive its next-generation octagonal design and performance goals.
According to Jerit’s President, Jerry Terlaan,“We normally would do these operations in-house, but WEISS provided a one-stop-shop that saved us time on project management. We recently completed the system’s final FAT (Factory Accepted Test) and are ready for shipping. We’ll use WEISS again for future units."
Here's what some of our other customers have to say about WEISS North America
"Ultimately, the engineers from Netafim were impressed by the quality that WEISS delivers. And for WEISS, close cooperation with customers has always been a key part of the company philosophy. After all, the company sells complete solutions and not just components."
Dale Beaver, President
Innovative Products & Equipment
"“We were able to connect the frequency inverter control on the TR 750 to our higher level machine control system with no issues. In fact, the binding machine was already up and running just a few hours after installation.”
Anton Jost, Product Manager
Kugler-Womako
“We enjoy working together with WEISS−particularly on special projects. Our companies share a similar philosophy as anyone can deal with normal cases. It’s only in special cases that a company’s consulting and service show how good it really is.”
Karl-Heinz Oberkampf, Production Manager
SHL
CORPORATE PROFILE:
An integral part of the Weiss global network, Weiss North America (ISO-9001 Certified) leverages over 45 years of reliable world-wide expertise to comprise an integrative, customer-specific approach to its vast array of electromechanical products. Our 100% vertical range of manufacturing ranges from rotary indexing tables, handling systems, and linear assembly systems−providing flexible technology for turnkey solutions that incorporate electronics, mechanical systems, software, and comprehensive engineering support. This enables us to provide pre-installed, intelligent, and highly convenient solutions for the entire field of kinematics.
WEISS North America, Inc.
3860 Ben Hur Avenue
Willoughby Ohio 44094
CALL 888-WEISSNA
AND SPEAK WITH AN AUTOMATION EXPERT TODAY
Copyright 2017 WEISS North America. All Rights Reserved.