African Fusion August 2016

INDEX TO ADVERTISERS Today’s technology components results in significantly faster cycle times in spot welding ap- plications than with conventional solu- tions. At the same time, the design of the robot-positioning cell is so compact that it requires up to 40% less space than a comparable unit. A high degree of rebuilding flexibility fromone product to the othermakes for additional flexibility in production. The frontal ‘robot-on- board’ positioning of the manipulators allows simple removal of the component without interference contours. Y askawa has developed a compact and flexible systemfor high-speed robot-based spot welding. The modular solution comprises a cell with a positioner and two spot welding robots, particularly lightweight spot welding guns, a nut welding machine and a full range of accessories. A combination of high-performance

Yaskawa’s Robot-based spot welding systemwith two 7-axis units: an all-in-one solution. High speed robotic spot welding

Compact robots and spot welding guns

The heart of the unit is the 7-axis Motoman VS100 robot with a pay- load of up to 110 kg. The model has an additional tilting axis and offers a highly flexible work- ing range. It can work close to workpieces and other robots, thus enabling flexible and space-saving system design. The additional axis and resulting added degree of freedom permits reorientation of the manipula- tor axes without changing the position of the spot welding gun. This enables the robot to reach deep into confined spaces or perform longer linear move- ments. The interference contour of the entire manipulator can be adapted by programming. This robot also contrib- utes towards Yaskawa’s improvement

The heart of the new unit is Motoman’s 7-axis VS100 compact robot, the industry’s first 7-axis spot welding robot.

The robots are supportedby thenew generation of spot welding guns, which are distinguished by their extremely light weight. They operate without a compressed air system and are of lightweight construction, making them an ideal complement to the compact robots. Energy consumption is accord- ingly lower. The deliberately simple design of the gun body, transformer and motor nevertheless guarantees a high degree of robustness. The lateral routing of cables improves the turning capacity of the robot hand and the standard version can be configured in many different ways. A nut-welding machine that was also newly developed by Yaskawa rounds off the new range for robot- based welding processes. It consists of a welding construction that can be set in multiple positions and has an adjustable welding head. A Motoman MH5 handling robot automatically feeds the items to be welded, such as nuts, bushings andpins. This integrationof all components in a standardisedmachine offers numerous advantages in terms of autonomy, performance, reliability, maintenance-friendliness and flexibility of the unit.

strategies by downsiz- ing tools, extending the working range in the direction of the robot body and us- ing energy-efficient motors.

Yaskawa’s high speed robot spot welding system comprises a cell with a positioner and two spot welding robots, particularly lightweight spot welding guns, a nut welding machine and a full range of accessories.

Afrox........................................................................ 8 Air Liquide............................................................ 26 Air Products.......................................................... 19 ESAB ..................................................................... 30 Lincoln Electric..................................................OBC

Renttech SA.......................................................... 32 SAIW........................................................................ 2 Specialised Exhibitions. ...................................... 15 voestalpine Böhler Welding . ....................OFC, IBC Welding Alloys SA................................................IFC

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August 2016

AFRICAN FUSION