How can robotic automation improve efficiency in manufacturing processes?

Our robotic automation solutions dramatically boost efficiency in manufacturing by enhancing speed, precision, and consistency. We focus on minimizing manual errors, accelerating production rates, and ensuring safety by handling repetitive and hazardous tasks.

What are the different types of robotic automation systems available for manufacturing applications?

We offer a range of robotic automation systems for manufacturing, including SCARA and Delta robots. SCARA robots are ideal for precision tasks requiring speed and compact design, while Delta robots excel in fast, repetitive actions like picking and placing.

What types of defects or issues can vision inspection systems detect in manufacturing?

Our vision inspection systems are adept at detecting dimensional inaccuracies, surface defects like scratches or dents, misalignments, and incorrect or missing components. They are also capable of verifying label accuracy, barcode readability, and color consistency.

What types of manufacturing tasks can be performed using a rotary indexing machine?Rotary indexing machines at Big Sky Engineering are highly versatile, designed to perform a range of precise manufacturing tasks. They are ideal for assembly, drilling, precision machining, and quality inspection. These machines excel in high-volume production environments, offering accuracy and repeatability.

Rotary indexing machines at Big Sky Engineering are highly versatile, designed to perform a range of precise manufacturing tasks. They are ideal for assembly, drilling, precision machining, and quality inspection. These machines excel in high-volume production environments, offering accuracy and repeatability.

Adhesive Applicator - Big Sky Engineering, Inc

SITUATION

The purchasing customer expressed the desire to improve its product with a prominently autonomous machine. This presented an opportunity to automate an adhesive application process for various varieties of lace material. The former antiquated process was predominantly manual and required a high degree of physical tasks. From its inception, the machine was considered research and development. Applying specific adhesives to various size lace materials while curing using UV curing lamps had many anticipated challenges. The customer specifications required a tight working area and safety protocols to protect the machine operator and bystanders from all machine hazards. Big Sky was able to produce a machine with an output that far exceeded customer expectations.

OPPORTUNITY & IMPLEMENTATION

The project requirements included the machine to be completely autonomous. At its core, the requirements of this project required complex part inspection with a packaging rate of 60’ Feet per minute. The Machine preparation & cleanup is not to surpass 30 minutes. The HMI (Human Machine Interface) must be programmed for multiple recipes. All machine guarding was required by NFPA 79 and OSHA standards. The machine was equipped with strategic service areas. The control system was UL-certified. All equipment met NEC standards as specified by the customer.

Final Station Summary:
Preheater Assembly- Pressure pots supply the adhesive applicators with glue material. Two pressure pots are used in the system. The pressure pots are located on each side of the machine table. Pressure relief valves ensure the safety of the machine operator and bystanders.
Lace In-Feed- The lace In-Feed utilizes a wire brush contact to keep the lace in the proper orientation while preventing snags.
In-Feed Dancer Pulleys- Dancer pulley mechanisms keep the lace taught before it enters the adhesive application station #1.
Driven Roller- Driven rollers make consistent contact with the lace to keep the lace material taught
Preheater Assembly- The preheater assemblies ensure the adhesive material is at the designed temperature prior to starting the machine.
Adhesive Applicator- The heater applicators feature touch series displays located above the working area of the machine table.
UV Lamp- The eight UV lamp units located on the machine table cure the adhesive material on each side of the lace. The UV lamps are adjustable through the machine’s HMI (Human Machine Interface).
Lace Out-Feed- Driven rollers make contact with the lace material to feed it into the completed material box located on the right side of the machine. Plexiglass guards protect the operator from nip roller pinch points.

DESIGN FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS

Dual Adhesive Applicators
Eight UV Lamp Assembles
Dual Pre-heater Assembles.
The HMI (Human Machine Interface) features dual language display capabilities.
60’ FPM (Feet Per Minute)
Stack Light Indicators and illuminated control buttons signal the machine operator of the machine’s current state.
The machine HMI uses customary pictures & buttons for control overrides. All machine sequences can be operated in manual mode on the HMI.
Keyence laser sensors detect the adhesive dot presence.

Approximate Machine Dimensions: 197” L x 38” W x 105” H

Power Requirements: 240VAC, 3 Phase, 60A

Pneumatic Requirements: 95 PSI – 2.0 SCFM