ATM robots on the vacuum cleaner production line

Citation

(2000), "ATM robots on the vacuum cleaner production line", Industrial Robot, Vol. 27 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2000.04927faf.003

ATM robots on the vacuum cleaner production line

Keywords: Robots, ATM

Dyson has become synonymous with groundbreaking vacuum cleaner technology. So it is not surprising that the company's recently unveiled in-house moulding shop relies on equally groundbreaking, state of the art robotics and automation technology supplied by ATM.

The two companies – both from the UK and internationally recognised leaders in their respective fields – have demonstrated how innovative design and technology can bring cost and quality benefits for manufacturers and consumers alike.

The latest development in the continuing Dyson success story stems from the company's work ethos which seeks to retain as many in-house functions as possible at its Malmesbury, Wiltshire, UK, HQ and manufacturing base (see Plate 3). Allied with a democratic management which encourages creativity, ideas and suggestions from the entire workforce, the result is a one-stop-shop of research, design, engineering, testing, manufacture and marketing.

Plate 3 The Dyson manufacturing base and HQ in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, UK

As part of an expanded R&D section, the new moulding facility – opened in May 1999 – represents a first for the vacuum cleaner manufacturer, obviating its former reliance on external moulding companies for plastic casings and inner components. The result is a more integrated production facility capable of producing on average 8,000 units per day.

Pivotal to this highly automated manufacturing process are 19 three-axes robots from ATM working in conjunction with 20 large 270-550 tonne injection moulding machines supplied by Sandretto. Injection moulded parts are removed from the moulding tools by ATM robots and placed on to conveyors for transportation to an assembly area; from here the finished, multi-coloured Dyson Dual Cyclone Vacuum Cleaner will emerge, ready to find its way into every UK high street.

The PC-controlled ATM robot line-up supplied to Dyson comprises four ES 1000E robots, 14 ES 2000 robots and one dual-moulding machine robot. This latter machine explains why there are 20 moulding machines and only 19 ATM robots: the dual robot is designed to work across two moulding machines.

ATM's ES range is designed and built in the UK and features integrated control systems and AC servo drive for enhanced speeds and positional accuracy. Other features include unlimited program storage, full positioning loop, full teach programmability and a link to quality control on the moulding machine. An optional remote diagnostic facility allows ATM engineers to ascertain any operating problems from ATM's Leicester manufacturing base.

ATMs involvement in Dyson's highly automated, hi-tech production line also extends to a service contract. This involves visiting the site every six to eight weeks to service and maintain the robots – a further demonstration of ATM's own "big enough to cope, small enough to care" philosophy.

For further information call: Robert Hopper, ATM Automation Ltd. Tel: (0) +44 116 277 3607.