Keywords
Citation
(2000), "KUKA is in top gear with latest order success", Industrial Robot, Vol. 27 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2000.04927aaf.008
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
KUKA is in top gear with latest order success
KUKA is in top gear with latest order success
Keywords: Robots, KUKA, Technology
KUKA, one of the leading UK integrators and suppliers of industrial robots, has installed a high technology robot cell for use in the production of lightweight bonded aluminium chassis for the Lotus Elise sports car.
KUKA has supplied a KR125 inverted robot, KL1500 10m linear track, and synchronous positioner to a new factory in Worcester owned by Hydro Raufoss Automotive, the world's largest supplier of extruded aluminium components and assemblies to the car industry (see Plate 6).
The six axis, 125kg payload robot bonds aluminium extrusions using the latest hoseless adhesive-laying technology. The robot applies the adhesive to the sub-assembly components which are positioned within the robot working envelope using a KUKA synchronous positioner.
Plate 6 A KUKA KR125 inverted robot bonds a Lotus Elise aluminium chassis
The KR125's high precision, servo-controlled adhesive dosing system is filled via a docking station instead of the traditional method along the robot arm.
The cell is controlled by KUKA's powerful, hand-held, Windows-based control panel which enables the operator to program and edit the bonding process easily.
Another key feature is KUKA's special laser perimeter personal protection system which was added to complement the state-of-the-art design of Hydro Raufoss Automotive's new showpiece factory.
Hydro Raufoss says the installation of a KUKA robot offers greater production efficiency levels for the company which aims to produce in excess of 10,000 vehicle bodies a year by 2001.
Further details on KUKA's range of robots and automated production systems can be obtained from Susan Beddows, KUKA Welding Systems + Robot Ltd, Hereward Rise, Halesowen, West Midlands B62 8AN. Tel: (+44) 0121 585 0800.