TPT November 2011

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70 November 2011 ›
Technology Update
The mandrel as such is equipped
with a servo motor, like the entire
system, and thus permits the user to
perform any required motions in X-,
Y- and Z-directions. The bending tool is
additionally equipped with an integrated
punching tool, so that subsequent
processing of the pipes at a separate
station is not required. The flexible
placement options of the robot mean
that the punching can be integrated in
the process at nearly any pipe position.
The robot presents more than pure
handling in these plants: it acts as
a fixed component of the bending
machine and replaces all axes of a
conventional bending machine except
for the bending unit.
In contrast to a common bending
machine, the TWISTER® can release
the component and grip it again in
any other position. Attachment parts
like flanges, nipples, valves and even
flexible hose elements can now be
WITH the TWISTER®, Rosenberger
produced a bending system that offers
best precision, flexibility and process
safety, as well as extraordinary operating
comfort. Furthermore, the system with a
KUKA robot at its core provides the
operator with lots of freedom for set-up
and number of the bending heads or
automation modules within a production
cell. The robot proves that it can do the
perfect bend in an example bending
process for a seat bracket for industrial
vehicles.
To take up the components, the
six-axle device uses part-specific
pneumatic exchangeable mechanical
grippers developed for the individual
applications. The KR16/KR30 collects
the respective pipe at the upstream
unit for welding seam alignment
independently, moves to the X-, Y- and
Z-coordinates servo-controlled and
therefore highly precisely, operates the
bending head and places the part on the
removal belt. This way, it links bending
to other processes. This still rather
simple production line can be assembled
according to individual customer wishes
and expanded as desired. The flexibility
of such Rosenberger production cells
contributes greatly to efficient and
economic production.
Right after loading of the pipe
hopper, precise work commences in
the system when supplying the pipes,
which are transported up with a sliding
plate and separated. The separated
pipes are taken to an alignment and
placement station. The weld seams
are recognised, turned to a defined
position and the part is pushed onto
a fixed stop. Now the production part
is optimally prepared for assumption
by the robot. The collection position
can be programmed individually and
thus adjusted to the work piece at all
times. A choice between mandrel and
mandrel-free bending can be made
in the project named. When using the
mandrel, the pipe is precisely gripped
by the robot in the hundredth millimetre
range and strung up to be supplied to
the connection of the bending station.
installed as straight pipes and fastened.
The TWISTER® assumes bending
of the ready-installed lines and thus
enables smooth production process
while dispensing with many previously
required interim layers of the “semi-
finished parts”. Potential error sources
like subsequent bending or manual
bending operations are also dispensed
with.
Rosenberger AG has been
designing and producing production
cells for companies from the area
of automotive, including supplier
industry, climate, sanitary and heating
technology, furniture and illumination
industries, aerospace technology, ship
construction, chemical industry, motor
construction, medical technology and
defence technology for many years.
Rosenberger AG – Germany
Email:
Website:
High demands and economic pipe
processing
The TWISTER from Rosenberger