Speedeburr: CNC/robotic edge deburring tools

Citation

(1998), "Speedeburr: CNC/robotic edge deburring tools", Industrial Robot, Vol. 25 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.1998.04925ead.005

Speedeburr: CNC/robotic edge deburring tools

Speedeburr: CNC/robotic edge deburring tools

Keywords ATI, Robotics

Speedeburr is a family of robust, high speed air tools that incorporate a floating head for edge deburring and chamfering of aluminum, plastic, steel, etc. with a robot or CNC machine (see Plate 3).

Plate 3 A Speedeburr CNC/robotic edge deburring tool

Normally, edge deburring is a difficult problem for robots and CNC equipment. Even though robot sales have been at record shipments for the last three years, robot deburring and chamfering applications have been rare owing to problems caused by robot stiffness, and robot and workpiece inaccuracy. The majority of edge deburring is done manually, which can cause a variety of safety and health issues (carpal tunnel syndrome, white finger, etc.). The popularity of robots and the problems with manual deburring have pushed manufacturers to review robotic deburring as a possible solution. Robot edge deburring applications have involved the use of controlled compliance (devices that changeposition based on force feedback), but these solutions have been extremely difficult to implement and have had poor results owing to chattering or abnormal equipment failure. Speedeburr robotic edge deburring tools have been invented and proven to provide a robust and reliable solution for robotic deburring and chamfering.

While spinning at high speed, a rotary file (tungsten carbide, PCD- or CBN-coated cutting burr) on a Speedeburr tool rides on a cushion of air that provides ±4mm of compliance and maintains a constant force ­ causing the cutting file to "hug" the edge of the part even as the robot path deviates from tracking the edge precisely. Because the rotary file has a 45° conically shaped head, the ±4mm of compliance is both axial and lateral. This compliance allows for workpiece and fixture inaccuracy while deburring or chamfering. The patented force control system produces a very high stiffness in the path direction and a low stiffness in the contact force direction, thus avoiding chattering (a common problem with robotic deburring). Speedeburr tools machine a smooth, chatterless chamfer on parts. Owing to the extremely low inertia of the floating rotary file, Speedeburr can rapidly deburr and chamfer parts, greatly reducing cycle time.

Product highlights and specifications:

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  Fast cycle time. Speedeburr's unique floating head allows for quick edge deburring, as fast as 12 inches per second, with burr rotation from 18,000-25,000 rpm and an air consumption of 14 cfm.

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  Compensates for workpiece and fixture inaccuracy. Speedeburr has up to ±4mm of compensation with a constant force that can be set (with a pressure regulator) from 0.20lb to 6.0lb.

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  Programming time is greatly reduced owing to Speedeburr's built-in compliance.

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  Deburr and chamfer aluminum, plastic, steel with robot or CNC machine using specially designed rotary files. These files are made of tungsten carbide and have been designed for long life. Some Speedeburr models allow PCD- or CBN-coated rotary files to be used, necessary for tough materials such as hardened steel.

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  Low weight. The heaviest Speedeburr tool weighs 1.1lb.

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  Prevents the common problem of chattering. Speedeburr machines a smooth, chatterless chamfer of 0.01 to 0.10in. on part edges.

Contact Robert Little, Product Manager, ATI Industrial Automation, 503-D Highway 70, East Garner, NC 27529. Tel: 919-772-0115 ext. 122; Fax: 919-772-8259.