The Academy of Robotization is addressed at manufacturing companies interested in the robotization of manufacturing processes, which operate within practically all manufacturing industries. It is particularly focused on these companies where the packing and palletization of finished products constitutes an important element in the production organization. The issues being discussed at the Academy concern engineers and managers directly participating in planning and activating robotized systems, as well as their further daily operation.
This year’s edition was focused on the practical aspects of robotization. Our priority was to specify and discuss the key factors determining an effective robotization implementation. Effective – namely safe and efficient. Such that meets all the goals assumed by the investor within the budget assumed. Additionally, was wanted to choose fairly universal information, useful to any facility, regardless of its specific nature. ¬
In the first theoretical part, we paid a lot of attention to problems associated with the proper preparation to the robotization at the planning stage. We indicated the key aspects, which should be analyzed at this stage, so that the implementation of the project was not encumbered with errors and proceeded efficiently. We focused on business, technical, financial, staff, and organizational matters (goals).
An important topic was the role of the integrator, whose competences may help avoid many surprises during the investment project. An experienced integrator is able to guide the investor safely through all the areas related to the robotization. We also gave specific guidelines on how to choose the supplier of the system.
Our next goal was to demonstrate alternative approaches to the robotization. In their own interest, any investor (manufacturing company) should consider more than one path, and select the best option –one best matching the budgetary resources of the plant and the conditions related to the production technology, the space available, the human resources, but also the development plans.
One evidence for the broad choice, when it comes to the scope of automation, is the range of additional solutions, among which we presented: an autonomous transport platform (AGV), automatic smart equipment re-fitting, predictive diagnostics, or line remote servicing in augmented reality. The determination of the optimal solution should follow a careful analysis of the current and future needs.
This year, we were supported by great partners who cooperate with us daily within our robotic projects. The companies FANUC, Festo, and Turck are world-recognized manufacturers of modern industrial solutions in the field of robotics, automation, and controlling, who boldly enter the areas of 4.0, IIoT, and artificial intelligence. Among other things, through continuous contacts with these suppliers, we may offer projects most up-to-date in the technical and IT terms to our clients.
FANUC presented the latest trends in industrial robotics. In addition to a presentation of a family of cooperating robots which are increasingly common in projects for the manufacturing industry, the representatives of the company described the process of creating smart production environments. They discussed the factors which directly influence the investment return period (ROI) for robotized systems, e.g.. the ways of optimizing manufacturing processes, selecting technologies, actions in the scope of human resources, the need to integrate the infrastructure (IT and OT), and also the essence of cost analysis.
On the other hand, Festo focused on new possibilities of increasing the productivity thanks to one of their latest products Festo AX, which uses the capacity of artificial intelligence.
Turck also addressed the issues of supporting the effectiveness. But they did so using a different tool, which is Sensor to Cloud, a cloud solution, which makes it possible to effectively analyze the production efficiency and the reliability of machines.
It is worth noting that the conference hosted experts from enterprises which have already entered the path of robotization and have acquired valuable experience in this area. Experts answered questions of participants, sharing their knowledge and comments resulting from their own practice.
The second part of the Academy of Robotization constituted workshops, at which our guests could see how the devices equipped with the features presented in the theoretical part operate in reality.
Within the workshops, Wikpol presented a complete cardboard box palletizing line, made up of a palletizing robot, a picking and packing system, an automatic pallet feeder, and a novelty in our offer– an automatic transport platform, the role of which in this particular case was to deliver empty pallets to the system and to pick up loaded pallets. The vehicle executed both jobs precisely, this confirmed the high quality of the equipment designed and manufactured at our company.¬
A very interesting element of the workshops were stands presented by the businesses invited. They emphasized the high technical level of the Academy.
Turck focused on IIoT solutions: access devices, network sensors, and cloud services. The manufacturer presented technologies such as IO-Link, RFID, and Ethernet, which multiply the amount of data from the machine environment. They also introduced cloud services which offer mobile access around the world at any time of day. Other examples of the company’s potential were network sensors, Edge controllers, and simple cloud solutions, which make it possible to separate significant information from the internet of things – without overloading the network or disclosing sensitive contents.ink, RFID i Ethernet, które wielokrotnie zwiększają ilość danych ze środowiska maszynowego. Przybliżył także usługi w chmurze umożliwiające dostęp mobilny na całym świecie o każdej porze dnia. Kolejnymi przykładami potencjału firmy były czujniki sieciowe, kontrolery Edge oraz proste rozwiązania chmurowe, umożliwiające wyodrębnienie istotnych informacje z Internetu rzeczy – bez przeciążania sieci lub ujawniania chronionych treści.
Equally interesting for the workshops’ participants was the offer of Festo, which presented a complex solution based on AI, which makes it possible to analyze data in real time. This solution is a result of Festo’s cooperation with Resolto, within which Festo’s experience in a broadly understood production process was coupled with Resolto’s experience in the preparation and deployment of AI solutions. Thus, the Festo AX system has been created.
Festo AX transfers up-to-date information upon the occurrence of an anomaly, which helps solve the problem before it occurs. The system can be installed in a production hall (on-edge), on a server (onpremises), or in a cloud. It is the customer who decides which solution is best for them.
The key benefits resulting from Festo AX include:
- Shorter standstill times
- Lower energy consumption
- Improved equipment capacity
- Higher product quality
- All the information within the reach of a hand
FANUC presented the participants with the newest model of CRX – 10iA, a six-axis cooperating robot. This device, resistant to dust and machine oil, is used in a broad range of industrial robotized applications. And additionally, due to its low weight (only 40 kilograms), the robot may be installed on AGV platforms.
During the Academy, there were additional attractions. At the entrance, our guests could disinfect their hands using a sanitary robot. The participants, who felt thirsty, would go to a bartender robot which serves (alcohol-free) beer. Throughout the whole duration of the Academy, VR goggles were available through which interested persons could watch our robot-based packaging and palletizing lines designed in the Visual Components software.
The Academy of Robotization was traditionally held at the seat of Wikpol. The event ended with a banquet at the Hampton by Hilton hotel.
The Programme of the Academy of Robotization
THEMATIC BLOCKS
- WIKPOL From the Design to the Result – how to plan and implement a robot-based line effectively
- FANUC The latest trends in industrial robotics
- FESTO AX – higher productivity with artificial intelligence
- TURCK Sensor to Cloud – effective solutions for analyzing the production efficiency and the reliability of machines
WORKSHOPS
- WIKPOL A robotized cardboard box palletizing system with a mobile AGV platform
- WIKPOL Robot-based lines in Virtual Reality
- FANUC A robotized station – FANUC CRX a new generation cooperating robot
- FESTO FESTO AX station – artificial intelligence in real time
- TURCK Diagnostics for the drives and machines in automated lines