Keywords
Citation
(1999), "Italian robot manufacturer wins Volvo order worth £18 million", Industrial Robot, Vol. 26 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1999.04926bab.006
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
Italian robot manufacturer wins Volvo order worth £18 million
Italian robot manufacturer wins Volvo order worth £18 million
Keywords Robots, Volvo
The Italian robot manufacturer, Comau SpA, has received a 50,000 million lire (£18 million) order from Volvo to supply 297 robots to the Swedish car maker's new plant in Gent, Belgium, where the S70, V70 and S80 models are to be assembled.
Virtually all the robots will be of the same type, called SMART H4 (see Plate 4), offering certain features which no competitive robots currently provide. Unlike all other articulated-arm robots on the market, which have trailing hoses and cables, the Comau product routes air, water and electrical supplies entirely within the frame of the robot from its base through the forearm right to the end of the hollow wrist.
The benefits are threefold. First, there are no loose hoses and cables to become snagged and damaged, so maximising up-time and enabling Comau to take the unusual step of guaranteeing the internal cabling for three years. Second, the design improves access into confined spaces such as car interiors, providing increased dexterity. Third, the overall dimensions of the robot are reduced and more exactly defined, making it easier and quicker to prepare programs off-line.
Plate 4 Comau's SMART H4 has all cables and hoses housed within the robot, allowing greater dexterity and easier programming. Nearly 300 have been ordered by Volvo for its new car plant in Belgium
The SMART H4s at Gent are to be used for the full range of car assembly tasks including spot-, stud- and laser-welding, gluing and handling. Pre-production trials will start next August (1999), with full production expected to commence at the end of the year.
Contact John D'Angelillo, UK Manager, Comau UK Limited, Unit 3, Hortonwood 32,Telford, Shropshire, TF14EU. Tel: +44 (0) 1952 670396; Fax: +44 (0) 1952 670398.