Changing workflow: Bringing work to the workpiece

Author Robert Weinstein
Published
May 23, 2018 - 04:00pm

Since the early days of Henry Ford’s assembly lines, the flow of manufacturing has moved a workpiece from machine to machine or from station to station. In the traditional job shop, that has meant a machine tool remains in place.

Developments such as CNC programming, robotics and other automation have improved and streamlined the process, making it more efficient and accurate, but have not changed the fundamental flow. 

Each move of the workpiece creates downtime and setup time. Quality is challenged by potential damage to the workpiece and repositioning at each new place.



The Picum One robot that can move along components and hold on to them while drilling, milling and grinding. Image courtesy of Picum MT.


Picum MT, a startup at Leibniz University in Germany, is collaborating to redefine workflow. The team intends to incorporate the principles of Industry 4.0, which looks to automation, the cloud, the industrial internet of things and data exchange among machines to advance manufacturing processes.

According to Dominik Brouwer, Picum MT’s managing partner and CEO, the company envisions a future of multiple mobile robots that can essentially crawl on workpieces—instead of the workpieces moving—and complete a broad range of manufacturing tasks.

The group’s goal is to integrate modern hardware, innovative software, sensors and intelligent algorithms, Brouwer said. “The result will reduce downtime and costs while increasing flexibility.”

The team’s efforts have led to the Picum One, a robot that can move along parts and hold on to them while drilling, milling and grinding. The Picum One weighs about 100kg (220.5 lbs.) and can dock with any desired component. It is fitted with a 5-axis kinematic system and a 7.5kW (10 hp) milling spindle. According to Brouwer, as it moves, it can determine its position to an accuracy of 15μm.

Already, Picum MT is looking forward to working with its first customers: large German automakers. The focus will be on rapid maintenance and modification of molds for deep drawing.

“As we continue to develop the platform,” Brouwer added, “we’ll be able to incorporate machining modules, welding, 3D printing and measuring. Because we include the complete process chain in one machine with an integrated software solution, we will be able to cut down the time for mold maintenance work from 2 weeks to only 6 hours. That’s a reduction of about 95 percent.”

For more information about Picum MT, Garbsen, Germany, call +0511-762-19937 or visit www.picum-mt.com.

Related Glossary Terms

  • computer numerical control ( CNC)

    computer numerical control ( CNC)

    Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.

  • gang cutting ( milling)

    gang cutting ( milling)

    Machining with several cutters mounted on a single arbor, generally for simultaneous cutting.

  • grinding

    grinding

    Machining operation in which material is removed from the workpiece by a powered abrasive wheel, stone, belt, paste, sheet, compound, slurry, etc. Takes various forms: surface grinding (creates flat and/or squared surfaces); cylindrical grinding (for external cylindrical and tapered shapes, fillets, undercuts, etc.); centerless grinding; chamfering; thread and form grinding; tool and cutter grinding; offhand grinding; lapping and polishing (grinding with extremely fine grits to create ultrasmooth surfaces); honing; and disc grinding.

  • milling

    milling

    Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.

  • robotics

    robotics

    Discipline involving self-actuating and self-operating devices. Robots frequently imitate human capabilities, including the ability to manipulate physical objects while evaluating and reacting appropriately to various stimuli. See industrial robot; robot.