Customer Requirement
An automated robotic machine that could pick up and place a shock-absorber rod with washer stack from the input dial, present it to an orbital riveter for nut retention, and load a part transfer dial for finished goods exit of the cell. The cycle rate was proven at 8 seconds per part.
Performance Criteria
- 100% verifiable orbital riveting force
- Correct path and proper stroke
- Locked bin for rejects
- Poke Yoke features
Automation Equipment
- GEN 1 MAC Cell with MAC controller consisting of a Rockwell CompactLogix L30ERM PLC with PanelView Plus 6 1000 HMI and dual Ethernet safety PLC
- Yaskawa MH12 six-axis robot
- RNE-331 BalTec Radial Riveter with force reading, path measurement, and spindle stroke
- Servo adjustable riveter entry height
- Two dial feed and finished goods mechanisms with a mechanism to handle diameters (12mm – 25mm) without change parts
- Locked reject bin
- Dual robot gripper to maximize cycle rate
- Servo axis for height adjustment with a range of 100mm to 450mm, enabling quick change and verifiable machine settings
Final Project Outcome
- Productivity: Cycle rate of eight seconds per part
- Quality: 100% verifiable orbital riveting force, correct path and proper stroke with locked bin for rejects and Poke Yoke features
- Uptime/Maintenance: The cell achieved an OEE of greater than 85%
- Changeover Time: Less than 5 minutes
- Other: Customer ordered a second MAC Gen 1 cell for another assembly project
