WFL MOBILE ROBOT AUTOMATION

The factory of the future requires mobility and flexibility. Static production lines are giving way to the next generation of robots, and intelligent, mobile robot units are taking their place. Mobile robots can move around the space independently, providing absolute flexibility for industry. This is particularly relevant in the area of internal logistics.

Mobile robots move around completely autonomously with no need for cables or human input for them to work. An- other key advantage of mobile robots is that they avoid obstacles, meaning that they can also be used in halls where the set-up is constantly changing and where machines and people are moving around. Sensors help to ensure that the mobile robots navigate safely and efficiently between locations and work effectively alongside people, forklifts and other material-handling equipment.

Automation over the years

The ever-greater variety of models has meant that transfer lines have tended to be replaced by flexible line chains or by individual cells with a variable material flow. Using intelligent software in com- bination with the relevant automation solutions not only enables workpieces to be loaded and unloaded but also means that machining centres can be set up fully automatically through the automatic re- placement of tools and clamping devices. FRAI strives to be an innovative automation partner and has therefore developed a mobile robot system to respond to this trend. This concept has scope for various expansion stages, making it as future-proof as possible.

Advantages

• Access to the machine and the control unit, as the mobile robot (MRA) is only at the machine briefly to change the workpiece
• Improved access for service activities
• Manual loading is still possible
• Automatic replacement of jaws
• MRA can transport and replace both workpieces and tools
• In the case of long runtimes, several machines can be linked together and/or operated together
• Integration of upstream and downstream processes (cleaning, deburring, surface treatment, etc.)
• Intralogistics processes can be implemented
• The set-up station does not have to be next to the machine
• Process improvement and an increase in productivity: Using mobile, autonomous robots helps to automate workflows within the warehouse and means that spontaneous er- rands can also be carried out by the robots. This results in demonstrable improvements in throughput, efficiency and productivity, in both commercial and industrial environments

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