Portfolio

Offline Programming

Adaptive Automation focusses on producing high quality robot programs. We understand the importance of high reliability, the reality of challenging time frames, and the necessity to work to standards specified by our customers.

To ensure what we produce always meets these goals, we have invested in the best and most widely-used simulation software, and created our own customisations and add-ins to facilitate the process and audit the result.

For example, in order to ensure that our Process Simulate studies have identical layout to the existing lines which they model, these lines have been laser-tracked. The resulting measurement data is imported into Process Simulate which automatically finds the best fit alignment of the models. This removes large potential risk when using a model which does not reflect the facility as built.

Other examples include a tool to ensure that collision zoning is effective. We enhance the “Swept Volumes” feature of Process Simulate, to automatically create the volumes for each of the collision zones. This removes the doubt, and proves that the zones are defined correctly before the programs are sent to site.

We have also created tools to check all relevant aspects of the program against customer-defined standards.

In managing larger projects, we understand the realities of data handling, effective communications within and between organisations, and the importance of issuing complete, accurate, audited deliverables within tight time constraints.

For details of the customer standards with which we are familiar, see this article

 

Flexible palletising of flat-packed boxes

We have recently completed the robot and controls work for a highly flexible palletising system for a packaging company.

The design brief was to provide a system capable of palletising flat-packed bundles of boxes, with a constant turnover of new product sizes.

The resulting system is driven by a single ABB IRC5 robot controller (without PLC), and comprises 2 robot arms with bespoke grippers, 5 conveyors, tamping systems, the usual safety systems and an operator control screen.

For new product, the operators simply choose a layout and enter the bundle dimensions, and the system automatically calculates all required parameters for efficient stacking.

 

Box Palletising

We provided a robotic solution to a palletising application for a major food manufacturer.

Read more »

 

Sack and Solids Depalletising

In order to load sacks and slabs of material into a hot melt mixing facility, 2 depalletising robots were installed at a chemical processing plant UK.

Read more »

 

Vehicle Glazing

We were the main robot sub-contractors on a project in 2003 to install a glazing cell at a General Motors plant in Bochum, Germany, producing the Astra and Zafira.

Read more »

 

Wax Cast Preparation

In order to prepare casts for replacement hip, shoulder and other joints, an ABB IRB2400 was used to mount wax parts efficiently for moulding.

Read more »