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To demonstrate its know-how in the field of Industry 4.0, Mitutoyo presents at the Global Industrie exhibition a fully autonomous robotic measuring cell. This 28 m² cell is composed of four Mitutoyo automated measuring machines offering various measurements, a TAG Lens system (varifocal lens with great depth of field) as well as a conveyor system and three Fanuc collaborative robots.
Inaugurated at Global Industrie, this new concept, unprecedented in Europe, in the continuity of the self-service measurement system, exhibited in previous editions, presents the next level in terms of automation of measurement flows.
Where an operator was needed to drop off their pallet machine after machine, robots now load fully autonomously. The Mitutoyo machines only have to start the control process and report the measurement results directly.
A platform to oversee all operations
The operator, using a single screen and platform, can consult all the measurement reports on MeasurLink 9 (Mitutoyo's statistical software) and view each report in detail of the different machines. In addition, it can also check the status of the robots, the conveyor and the progress of the measurements of the Mitutoyo MiSTAR and MiSCAN machines with Fanuc's Field system. Thus, the entire production is analyzed in real time.
This new application concept proposed by the Japanese manufacturer aims to demonstrate that the Mitutoyo Group, thanks to its full compatibility and the great user-friendliness of its machines and software with the communication protocols of robot and machine tool manufacturers, can be established in structures where many connected equipment communicate with each other.
The Japanese manufacturer assures this: it is able to develop "tailor-made" solutions for connected factories (industry 4.0 type) for its customers wishing to take the next step in terms of automation of controls.
An automated cell offering various measurements
Mitutoyo's automated cell is composed of four measuring machines, MiSTAR 555 (3D measurement by scanning probe), MiSCAN (non-contact measurement by vision and tactile probe scanning), Formtracer Avant (roughness and profile measurement), HR-600 (fully automated hardness tests), allowing varied and complementary measurements in this flexible integration. Thus, any type of parts of medium sizes (and of all sectors) can be controlled on the production line or in the workshop. The Taglens varifocal system included in the cell allows inspection of defects with a very large depth of field and very high sharpness.
Full compatibility with loading robots
Fanuc collaborative robots are versatile, they can load small or medium-sized parts on each of the four machines, the conveyor system brings the parts, the robots only have to load the machines. The loading and unloading of parts is facilitated by the user-friendliness of the Komeg modular clamping system.
As the device is optimized, the robots can swap parts between machines to maximize control times. Thus, when one machine is occupied, another can take care of measuring a part (depending on the type of measurement desired). Multiple combinations are then possible to improve control times.
A totally secure cell
The Fanuc loading robots and the conveyor, all collaborative, have a system of sensors allowing an emergency stop in case of crossing their safety zone. No operator can therefore be injured. Emergency stop buttons also make it possible to completely stop the cell if necessary.
Mitutoyo machines can thus be used without a cab system as close as possible to production (according to the required degrees of precision).
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