Page 35 - Industrial Technology magazine February 2021 issue

Technology Update What’s New

Omron exhibits new technologies in a Ultrasonic device raises accuracy
virtual interactive platform of re-lubrication of bearings

Omron has launched a virtual A unique ultrasonic device, which ‘listens’ to the sound of grease
exhibition that enables visitors to filling a bearing, makes the re-lubrication process more accurate
walk through a 360 degree virtual and effective. By overcoming problems associated with over- or
tour, guiding them around ‘the under-lubrication, the Ultrasound Lubrication Checker TLGU 10
factory of the future’ – one in from SKF can help to extend bearing lifetime. Re-lubrication is
which different innovations have critical in prolonging the life of bearings and must be applied at
been introduced to increase the right time – and in the right quantity. However, this often
flexibility, enhance efficiency and relies on a technician’s experience, machine manufacturer’s
boost productivity. The virtual recommendations or theoretical calculations.
exhibition highlights, in particular, six new technologies that can be used to “The TLGU 10 makes re-lubrication a more practical,
achieve industrial transformation, with collaboration between people and condition-based process, by delivering the correct amount of
machines taking a progressive leap forward. lubricant to a bearing at the right time,” says Sylvain Humbert,
The solutions that are highlighted in the tour include all new robotics, vision product development manager for instruments at SKF. “While under-lubrication
and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. These are all based around Omron’s can cause premature failure, or allow contaminants into the bearing, over-
‘Innovative-Automation’ concept, which seeks to revitalise the manufacturing lubrication is wasteful and expensive and can cause grease spills. Both over- and
industry by enhancing cooperation and understanding between machines and under-lubrication can reduce bearing lifetime.”
people, using intelligent, integrated and interactive solutions. www.skf.co.uk
Omron says the demonstrations show a leap forward in how people and
machines can work together in a new type of harmony, by illustrating how
manufacturing innovations can be put to practical use in collaborative
production. Innovations such as those shown can be used to improve the lives of Coupling range is anything but standard
both factory workers and consumers, and contribute towards building a better
society. For precise equipment,
Among the exhibits, visitors are ensuring an optimum coupling
shown an intelligent High-Mix Low- is vital for performance and
Volume (HMLV) Cell Line Control reliability. For over 50 years
System that combines AI with the Huco has offered a wide range
Internet of Things (IoT) and 3D vision, of standard couplings
intelligent sensing and control, and designed to meet the needs of
robotics, with the aim of optimising the precision automation,
production and minimising errors. motion transfer, medical and
Visitors will also experience 3D bin laboratory sectors. However, as application demands for couplings in these
picking, which is used to automate complex picking operations during assembly. industries can vary widely, Huco offers machine builders a dynamic
The tour continues with demonstrations of safe machine tending with cobots, AI customisation service based on this proven range.
inspection of potential defects in products, and the high-precision alignment of The Huco catalogue is made up of a series of different coupling styles, each
items. It concludes with a demonstration of laser machining technology, which one designed to accommodate varying degrees of misalignment and perform to
can improve laser processing times by over 35%. different levels of precision. While all offer zero-backlash characteristics to ensure
Fernando Colas, general director for marketing at Omron Europe, comments: positional accuracy, different couplings utilise different mechanisms to suit
“While many trade shows cannot take place in these difficult times, we wanted specific misalignment scenarios.
to bring our latest technology to customers in the virtual exhibition and give them
www.hucodirect.com
the opportunity to experience the factory of the future online, wherever they are.
This underlines the commitment of Omron to further advancing and promoting
the future of productive manufacturing.”
Installation and commissioning made
Cell Line Control System for HMLV
With manufacturing facing issues such as rising labour costs, labour shortages, easy on heavy-duty cable carrier
the aging of skilled engineers, the issue of technology transfer, and the
improvement of productivity in variable-type and variable-quantity production, For the heavy-duty cable carriers in
Omron’s solution is an intelligent cell line in which humans and machines the TKHD series, Kabelschlepp
collaborate, bring out the potential of humans and achieve the same quality and Metool has taken the next
the same productivity anywhere in the world. development step and presents a
You’ll also find a demonstration of 3D bin version where the rollers are already
picking. Assembly machines often rely on integrated into the carrier – an
humans in complex applications where large efficient solution for applications with
variety of objects need to be picked and placed. particularly long travel paths, such as
A robot would need to be equipped with eyes in crane or bulk goods systems. For
that can recognise multiple items, as well as the model TKHD90-R, Kabelschlepp Metool builds on the proven design of the
calculate the needed force and movements to cable carrier type. The rollers with stainless steel bearings ensure lower wear and
pick it up correctly. As a solution to these are maintenance-free. The great advantage for customers lies in the now even
challenges, Omron has developed a very light, small-size 3D camera that can be easier installation – for retrofits, for example, the cable carrier can run in existing
mounted directly on the robot hand, along with smart vision algorithms. These guide channels. This reduces conversion costs to a minimum, saving time and
tools are built on top of Omron’s vision system, so you can mix the new ones money. The TKHD90-R cable carrier was thoroughly tested before its launch,
with the standard ones. including in the Kabelschlepp Metool outdoor test facility.
industrial.omron.co.uk www.kabelschlepp.co.uk

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January/February 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY