New cells installed for robotic welding of vehicle components

Citation

(2001), "New cells installed for robotic welding of vehicle components", Industrial Robot, Vol. 28 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2001.04928daf.001

New cells installed for robotic welding of vehicle components

New cells installed for robotic welding of vehicle components

Keywords: Robots, Welding, Automotive

Two robotic welding cells have been supplied by Motoman to the Birmingham factory of Lander Automotive to automate the manufacture of complex assemblies for the new Jaguar saloon car, code named X400, due for release later this year. Anticipated production volume at Halewood is in excess of 130,000 per year.

The larger of the cells is based on two Motoman UP-series, six-axis robots and two auto-indexing workstations, each of which has a horizontal, 250kg capacity manipulator. It is a standard configuration called "Arc System 6000" which has been customised with the addition of light guards and a PLC to Lander specifications for part sensing and controlling the pneumatic clamping. The cell carries out 49 MIG welds on the tubular rear seat frame for the X400 (Plate 1).

The second cell, called "Arc System Batchweld", is based on a single Motoman UP-series, six-axis robot with a manually indexed turntable having 100kg capacity per station. A total of 12 arc welds are completed automatically on an X400 radiator support cross member and other components.

Plate 1 The larger of the two Motoman robotic welding cells at Lander Automotive carries out 49 MIG welds on the tubular rear seat frame for the Januar X400

PWO near Strasbourg, Lander's trading partner in Germany, is also a user of Motoman robotic welding systems and recommended them to the Birmingham company. The electrically actuated robots are built by Yaskawa, Japan, and feature a large working envelope and a flexible conduit which routes all services from the base upwards, eliminating trailing hoses and cables.

Lander, a first- and second-tier automotive supplier, is on record as being very pleased with the short delivery time for the Motoman cells as well as the supplier's general response to the project. It was also impressed with the group's Swedish headquarters where final buy-off took place. The Motoman training in Banbury was easy for semi-skilled operators to follow and, although the supplier wrote the original programmes, the course enables easy program modification by Lander staff using the teach pendant.

There have been few problems with the new robotic welding cells since they were installed at the end of last year. In particular, ignition failures are minimal mainly due to the first-class interface between the robot suppliers XRC controllers and the Kemmpi weld sets.

For further information, contact: John D'Angelillo, Managing Director, Motoman Robotics (UK) Ltd, 1 Swan Industrial Estate, Banbury, Oxfordshire OX16 8DJ. Tel: +44 (0)1295 272755; Fax: +44 (0)1295 267127; E-mail: johnd'angelillo@motoman.co.uk; Web site: www.motoman.se