RNA Automation: Increased productivity through the 6-axis welding and turning machining center (Part 1)

RNA Automation was established in Birmingham, UK in 1986 and has grown to become a reputable manufacturer of equipment and parts in the region. The company operates in a specialized automation engineering field, providing mechanical products serving a wide range of industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, electronics, food and metalworking, with seven production facilities across Europe and North America and sales network globally.

RNA is the only agent in the UK and Ireland to distribute the Robot System with Machine Vision technology integrated under SVIA. All of these systems feature robotic arms for easy material handling and machining operations. Robot camera system provides data and parameters of machining operations in real time, allowing operators to monitor the machine’s performance in each stage. In particular, the data milestones recorded by Machine Vision can be updated up to 1000 times per minute.

One of the most representative products of RNA Automation is the central 6-axis welding and turning system. The robot’s machining center is equipped with a 360° rotating robot arm and a modern probe with flexible clamping and touch capabilities integrated with Poka-Yoke. When a mistake occurs, the Poka Yoke tool will automatically disconnect the working system, and at the same time notify the relevant person. The timely detection of faults and breakdowns prevents defective products, at the same time minimizes costs of damage and warranty.

Recently, a leading global auto parts supplier approached RNA to design and develop an automated machining system with Poka-Yoke and some of the following conditions:

– Product completion cycle must be less than 120 seconds including loading and transport time to warehouse

– The constituent parts of workpieces need to ensure the possibility of shape change

– Ensuring high precision for machining operations at the clamping and welding position of the reinforcement panel

– Integrating all basic machining functions of a common 6-axis machining center

After a period of research at the factory, RNA engineers chose a fully automated system with a 6-axis welding and turning center to perform the whole process. The system is designed with 15 fixed clamps to achieve the highest possible accuracy during reinforcement welding.

RNA has developed an automated robotic assembly system for cutting and welding that combines clamping robot, welding robot with ultrasonic welding head, and advanced feeding system that speeds up the cycle while ensuring product quality assurance.

(To be continued)

Productivity and Quality Office