Requirement:
- Precise machining of molybdenum – a difficult high-performance material.
- Fully automated post-processing and inspection of each individual part.
- Integration of special cleaning and drying units.
- Laser marking for component traceability
- 100% optical measurement for quality assurance
- Automated packaging and delivery note creation
- Traceability of each component down to the pallet number
Considerations:
- Use of a SPINNER Microturn with special solutions such as a quick-change system for linear tools
- Development of an automated cleaning process with three cleaning tanks and drying
- Integrated laser marking for unique identification of each workpiece
- Use of two collaborative robots for component handling in various process steps
- Construction of an encapsulated optical measuring cell for automatic defect detection
- Direct connection of the production cell to the ERP system for automatic delivery note creation with component/pallet assignment
Solution:
The focus of the project: a fully automated production cell for highly sensitive components made of molybdenum – workpieces where every detail counts.
The basis is a custom-configured SPINNER Microturn, equipped with a quick-change system for linear tools for high-precision machining. Two robots then take over the workpiece and guide it through the entire post-processing and testing process:
- Robot 1 cleans the part fully automatically in three separate basins, dries it and performs laser marking.
- Robot 2 transfers the marked workpiece to an enclosed measuring cell, where the components are optically measured in their entirety. In addition to contour and roughness, the finest defects on the surface are detected – an indicator of tool wear.
Good parts are then automatically placed in pallets. At the same time, the delivery note is generated in the background, including a unique link between component numbers and pallets – so that they can be delivered directly to the end customer without repackaging.
The result is a production plant that virtually eliminates the need for manual intervention, while offering maximum traceability, quality and efficiency. This solution offers a clear technological advantage, especially for materials such as molybdenum and applications with extreme requirements.
