Bringing Handling Technology to Life

February 8, 2021

A project, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, formed the basis for the research institute ICM e.V. to open a training and application center (“SchAz”) in Chemnitz. In the “KUKoMo” project, new robot solutions for collaborative assembly activities in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were tested for their feasibility and transferred to demonstrator solutions for cross-industry applications. Automation components were further developed in an application center created especially for this purpose, thus increasing acceptance in SMEs.

The ICM e.V. is a private, non-profit, application-oriented research institution (industrial research institute) whose primary objective is to open up new technical and technological possibilities for SMEs. In doing so, it draws on many years of experience and high competence. The knowledge in the field of automation and robotics has now been bundled in this training and application center to make it available to interested companies in the commercial and industrial economy. The focus is on the development of innovative automation solutions for production. Starting from the individual identification of productivity potentials, technical and technological approaches to solutions are systematically developed, evaluated and, if necessary, prototypically implemented. “Our training and application center is characterized by the fact that people and machines come together at one learning location, can deal with different problems and direct trial and error with professional feedback is made possible,” says Isabell Grundmann, research assistant and contact person for the SchAz on site.

The trend goes in the direction of small series

In the fields of automation and robotics or handling technology, there is a wide range of solutions and products. Particularly innovative and promising at present are developments with regard to the automation of small series – up to batch size 1. Mobile robotic systems and human-robot collaboration could become part of the development solution here. Unfortunately, such approaches are not so easy to realize, since the research and development efforts in this regard are still immensely high. At the SchAz in Chemnitz, however, corresponding demonstrators are available for demonstration and for further investigations and make it possible to test the latest technologies and examine the possible applications for one’s own company. The automation and handling specialist Zimmer Group, a long-standing partner of ICM e.V., is available to assist the institute’s experts and ICM GmbH with all issues relating to gripping.

Main content of the SchAz-Center

The training and application center concentrates on three main areas with regard to the extensive subject matter. In addition to automation for batch size 1, mobile robotics and human-robot collaboration are the main focus of the Chemnitz-based company. The latter two focal points will now be discussed in more detail here..

Mobile Robotics

Classic industrial robots are installed in a fixed position – but increasing plant flexibility requires mobile robot solutions. In SchAz, two variants of mobile robotics are compared as examples – a classic industrial robot on a mobile frame (mobile robot) and the combination of an hrc robot (cobot) with an automated guided vehicle system (mobile hrc robot).

Mobile Robot

The “mobile robot” consists of a classic 6-axis robot from Kawasaki Robotics mounted on a manually traversable frame. It is equipped with a tool change station and several grippers (GPP5008 + GEP2010) from the Zimmer Group for parts handling, as well as an FT sensor for investigating force-controlled processes for further feasibility studies. The mobile robot is designed so that the assembly can also be taken out of the cell and used as a stand-alone unit in a different environment.

Mobile hrc robot

In addition to the sensor technology, the “mobile hrc robot” demonstrator is mainly composed of a collaborative robot (CR-7iaL) from Fanuc, a track-guided autonomous automated guided vehicle (Beldrive AGV) and a hrc gripper (HRC-04-072810 ) from the Zimmer Group. The mobile MRC robot realizes the sub-processes transport and handling of perforated plates as well as the filling of a vibratory bowl feeder in the SchAz. The hrc gripper picks up the empty perforated plates, transports them to the robot, picks up loaded perforated plates and transports them to the manual workstation. Finally, a worker takes over the final assembly of the loaded perforated plates in a collaborative cooperation with the robot..

Human-Robot Collaboration [HRC]

In robotics, the term human-robot collaboration (HRC) refers to the cooperation on a component between the human and the robot at a shared workstation without separating protective devices. With a view to the safety aspects, the various interaction stages between the human and the robot are investigated at the SchAz Application Center using practical processes – from the classic robot cell to pure collaboration.

The demonstrator here is a system that ICM has largely designed and assembled itself. A Stäubli robot (TX2-90L) with a tactile sensor skin from the company Airskin, which has a maximum load-bearing capacity of 20 kg, was placed on the base frame. The sensor skin acts as a kind of air cushion in which the pressure applied inside is permanently monitored. In the event of a change in pressure, for example in the event of a collision, the system reacts and stops safely. Safety is also a top priority for the gripper.  For example, the Zimmer Group’s HRC03-072844 electric gripper, which is specially designed for hrc use, has no sharp edges and is constructed in such a way that, with its rounded shape on all sides, accidental snagging is virtually impossible. This feature, combined with mechanical self-locking of the gripper jaws – even in the event of an emergency stop or power failure, the gripper will not lose the workpiece – provides maximum safety in any application. All hrc grippers from the Zimmer Group meet the high requirements of the protection principles according to ISO/ TS 15066 (hrc standard) and are BG/ DGUV certified..

The MRK system from ICM is intended to illustrate the collaborative assembly of a measuring tape (2 m), which is composed of three parts (tape, actuator, shell). Two components are pre-assembled by a worker at a mobile work table. After the assembly is transferred to the robot, it is visually inspected by the robot using a camera system (Balluff). The third component is then inserted into the fixture by the worker. The final collaborative joining process and function test is then again performed by the robot or the hrc gripper of the Zimmer Group..

Success of the SchAz-Center also thanks to the many supporters

The fact that the opening of the Chemnitz Training and Application Center is a resounding success was reflected not only in the large number of visitors to the opening day, but also in the many interested companies and, above all, in the numerous external supporters: “In addition to modern, well-equipped training rooms for working out creative ideas, in our Application Center you will find a wide range of automation technologies for exploring and experimenting with new solutions. However, without the support of technology leaders such as the Zimmer Group from Rheinau, among others, these innovative solutions would not be able to be presented so impressively,” explained Marcel Ott at the first demonstration in November 2019, who is a software developer and technical contact for the application center.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Festo Didactic Showcases Technical Education and Training at Hannover Messe 2025

    Festo Didactic Showcases Technical Education and Training at Hannover Messe 2025

    May 20, 2025 By Krystie Johnston Hannover Messe 2025 was an extra special event for Festo. The Festo Group celebrated their 100th anniversary, Festo Canada celebrated their 50th anniversary, and Festo Didactic celebrated their 60th anniversary. Festo Didactic, the education arm of the company, understands how important education is for empowering individuals, driving economic growth,… Read More…

  • EtherCAT in Boost Mode

    May 14, 2025 EtherCAT and PC-based control in test bench technology EtherCAT is by far the fastest Industrial Ethernet technology. Nevertheless, the data acquisition process at Kraus & Naimer’s cam controller test benches called for an even shorter bus cycle. To achieve the required performance, Beckhoff specialists reduced the previous cycle time from 100 µs… Read More…


Featured Article

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

Revolutionizing Material Movement with Autonomous Mobile Robots

In today’s fast-paced manufacturing and logistics industries, the need for efficient and flexible material movement solutions has never been greater. Traditional methods like conveyor systems, forklifts, and manual pushcarts have served us well, but they come with limitations.

That’s why Omron is thrilled to announce the launch of their game-changing MD Series of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs). Read more


Products

  • Electromate to Offer UR7e, UR12e & UR15 Collaborative Robots from Universal Robots

    May 20, 2025 Electromate is expanding its lineup of collaborative automation solutions with the addition of three advanced models from Universal Robots: the UR7e, UR12e, and UR15. These robots provide enhanced options for payload, reach, and precision in demanding collaborative applications. The UR7e delivers a 7 kg payload, 1300 mm reach, and ±0.03 mm repeatability. Positioned between the UR5e and… Read More…

  • Redefining Non-Invasive Temperature Measurement

    May 14, 2025 iTHERM SurfaceLine TM611 provides accuracy and response time comparable to invasive temperature measurement. The non-invasive thermometer iTHERM SurfaceLine TM611 by Endress+Hauser can be used across all industries for a wide range of demanding industrial applications. The surface-mounted thermometer measures process temperature without the risk of leakage and flow disruption. A specially designed… Read More…