To demonstrate its expertise in Industry 4.0, Mitutoyo is presenting a fully autonomous robotized measuring cell at Global Industrie. The 28 sq.m. cell comprises four Mitutoyo automated measuring machines offering a wide range of measurements, a TAG Lens system (varifocal lens with large depth of field), a conveyor system and three Fanuc collaborative robots.
Inaugurated at the Global Industrie show, this new concept, unprecedented in Europe, follows on from the self-service measurement system exhibited at previous shows, and takes measurement flow automation to the next level.
Where an operator used to be needed to deposit the pallet on machine after machine, the robots now load completely autonomously. The Mitutoyo machines simply launch the inspection process and send back the measurement results directly.
A platform to oversee all operations
Using a single screen and a single platform, the operator can consult all the measurement reports on MeasurLink 9 (Mitutoyo's statistical software) and view each report in detail from the various machines. In addition, he can also check the status of the robots, conveyor and measurement progress of the Mitutoyo MiSTAR and MiSCAN machines with the Fanuc Field system. In this way, the entire production process is analyzed in real time.
This new application concept proposed by the Japanese manufacturer aims to demonstrate that the Mitutoyo Group, thanks to the full compatibility and user-friendliness of its machines and software with the communication protocols of robot and machine-tool manufacturers, can establish itself in structures where numerous pieces of connected equipment communicate with each other.
The Japanese manufacturer asserts that it is capable of developing "tailor-made" solutions for connected factories (such as Industry 4.0) for customers wishing to take their control automation to the next level.
An automated cell offering a wide range of measurements
Mitutoyo's automated cell is made up of four measuring machines - MiSTAR 555 (3D measurement by probing scanning), MiSCAN (non-contact measurement by vision and touch-scanning probe), Formtracer Avant (roughness and profile measurement), HR-600 (fully automated hardness testing) - enabling varied and complementary measurements to be taken in this flexible integration. As a result, all types of medium-sized parts (in all sectors) can be inspected on the production line or in the workshop. The Taglens varifocal system included in the cell enables defects to be inspected with great depth of field and clarity.
Full compatibility with loading robots
The Fanuc collaborative robots are versatile, and can load small or medium-sized parts onto any of the four machines. The conveyor system brings the parts to the machine, and all the robots have to do is load the machines. Part loading and unloading is facilitated by the user-friendly Komeg modular clamping system.
As the system is optimized, robots can swap parts between machines to optimize inspection times. So, when one machine is busy, another can take over measuring a part (depending on the type of measurement required). Multiple combinations are then possible to improve inspection times.
A totally secure cell
Both the Fanuc loading robots and the conveyor, all of which are collaborative, are equipped with a sensor system that provides an emergency stop if the safety zone is exceeded. This means that no operator can be injured. Emergency stop buttons can also be used to bring the cell to a complete stop if necessary.
This means that Mitutoyo machines can be used without a cabin system as close to production as possible (depending on the degree of precision required).
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