Solutions for assembly automation with robots

The APA app evaluates information on the aspects of separating, handling, positioning, and joining, and determines the automation potential of a process based on this. (Source: Fraunhofer IPA / Photo: Alexander Neb)

An app to determine automation potentials and robots that can be programmed for demanding assembly tasks with just a few clicks: These topics are presented by the Fraunhofer IPA at the Motek trade fair in Stuttgart. The exhibits can be found there from October 7th to 10th in Hall 7 at Stand 7128.

Many companies are concerned with the question of to what extent they can automate their assembly tasks. A new app from Fraunhofer IPA now assists with this. It guides the user to analyze their own assembly processes in detail, evaluates the responses, and provides information about automation potentials.

The IPA experts have digitized their knowledge, which they previously provided in a personally conducted Automation Potential Analysis (APA), into the app. At the International Trade Fair for Production and Assembly Automation Motek, they are presenting the APAApp in the new version 2.0 and are looking for initial users and testers. These can try out the app with a simple license agreement.

Providing expert knowledge digitally

»With our APA app, anyone can become an expert in evaluating assembly processes«, explains Alexander Neb, who works as a research associate at Fraunhofer IPA and co-developed the app. The app is not limited to assembly. Often, instead of full automation, a human-robot collaboration (HRC) application can be meaningful. Therefore, the IPA researchers want to integrate this topic into the app. And it could also support inspection and maintenance in the future. Requests from interested companies are welcome for these further developments.

Hardware and software modules for assembly

Another IPA exhibit at Motek is the software solution pitasc for programming force-controlled assembly processes. It enables the economical automation of processes previously performed manually. »Until now, it was necessary to reprogram a robot system largely from scratch for each application. With our software, tasks modeled once can be quickly transferred to new product variants, products, and even robots from other manufacturers«, says Frank Nägele, group leader at Fraunhofer IPA. The software is structured similarly to a modular system: it contains many ready-to-use and reusable program building blocks that can be individually assembled and directly used when setting up a robot system. Pitasc is ready for use in pilot applications, which the IPA researchers would be happy to implement together with companies.

At Motek, the software will also be integrated into a robot system that can be quickly assembled from hardware modules. The modules, such as a robot arm, tools, or fixtures, are simply and precisely placed on perforated boards. The modules also include the program building blocks needed to execute an assembly task, as well as necessary information such as tool positions and geometries. This allows the user to build or retrofit a robot cell with minimal programming effort. This demonstrator is a result of the EU project »RAMPup«. The goal of the project was to integrate hardware and software into automation modules that allow for quick, application- and variant-specific assembly and retrofit of a robot cell.