Keywords off-line programming, arc-welding, spot-welding
Start Date: 01-JUN-92 / Duration: 36 months
[ contact / participants ]
To develop an off-line programming method for automatic welding of large structures (as train carriages, bus chassis, bogies etc.). It will be used to program a mobile robot with an automatic gun changer to make up to several thousand of arc welding spots.
The novel approach to be adopted is to subdivide structure to be welded into cubs, where each cube contains all the required data for the welding process. Communication requirements have been specified, to enable an effective exchange of process data within the automated workcell. A prototype will be made in order establish an appropriate CIM system architecture. Finally an integrated sensing system will be tested in industrial conditions, to determine the suitability for automated welding cells, basically dedicated to railways manufacturing (waggons) and further to caches and heavy trucks.
Several intermediate results can already be exploited, like a new automatic tool changer, new criteria to design jigs and fixtures for large structures; how bogies can be correctly clamped in spite of their complex geometerical configuration, and a software tool applied to the cubes 'subdivision method. A pilot demonstration is foreseen aiming to link all elements of the welding process by a network i.e protocol for data interchange, data transmission high speed, reaction to deviations from the planned working process.
Mr Luciano Bisiach
Bisiach & Carru SpA
Corso Piemonte 36
I - 10078 Venaria
tel: + 39 / 11-407-5317
fax: + 39 / 11-455-1280
telex: 221528 BICATO I
BISIACH & CARRU SPA - I - C
APS - D - P
SOREFAME - P - P
WAGGONFABRIK TALBOT - D - P
FIAT FERROVIARIA SPA - I - P
ROPROG - 6661, December 1993
please address enquiries to the ESPRIT Information Desk
html version of synopsis by Nick Cook