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Automation and Manipulation

Our technology increases the speed and efficiency of automated production lines.

Composite Automation and Manipulation Structures

Transferring parts or materials with lightweight carbon composite frame grippers and manipulation structures brings a step change in process speeds. Composite structures are typically 40% lighter and 50% stiffer than traditional steel structures with high natural frequency and increased damping. This means process speeds are increased up to 40%.

Frame components and beams are manufactured from winding both carbon and Ultra-High Modulus (UHM) pitch fibres. The beam structures are then pressed for high quality surface and corner finish. The standard section profile design can include braced corners, allowing for aluminium threaded inserts. Assembled structures can use simple bolted connection can be made without bonding whilst adding stability to the whole section.

End of Arm Tooling systems (EOAT) for automotive automation:

  • Lighter payload of 6-axis robots
  • Ultra-High Modulus (UHM) composite beam profiles to satisfy industry standards
  • Low profile sections for smaller press opening requirements

Bilsing Automation

The Leader in EOAT Robotic Tooling Solutions – Bilsing Automation. CompoTech has worked with Bilsing in the automotive automation sector since 2000. This partnership has resulted in composite components being produced for automotive manufacturers worldwide.

These parts have increased productivity in the automated press room, body shop, injection moulding and other processes listed below:

  • gripper frames for body shop transfers
  • de-stacking beams
  • transfer press beams
  • telescopic crossbars

 

7 8 9 Axis Cobra

CompoTech developed the composite EOAT with additional axis of moment. Composites solution offers:

  • Light weight linear (7th) axis, Shift (8th) axis, Tilt (9th), Tilt (9th) axis
  • Increased payload of part
  • Increased acceleration
  • Lower profile – reduced press height

Composite side panel automation frame

  • CompoTech developed a large, heavy-duty, gripper frame for BIW automated bonding of a side panel. The payload was heavy due to use of heat lamps and clamps. The design accounted for stiffness in part acceleration and for pressure of adhesive bonding.
  • The aluminium jig became too heavy for robot payload of 650kg and not stiff enough for the application.
  • Composite assembled beams meant the frame came under the weight limit.
  • Cost of next size (1000kg) far outweighs the cost of the composite gripper frame.
  • Stiffness requirements were achieved with use of standard beam design with FEA work to define the stiffness design of each beam and stress in connections.
  • The functional reinforced corner section gives good torsional stability and connected frame to heat lamps and clamps.