Collaborative Robots at Ward Automation

Cobots are one of the latest types of robots being implemented in industrial applications. When use in a suitable application they can be integrated to work safely alongside operators in a factory environment. They are typically suited to low speed, low load operations and a thorough risk assessment of the application is critical before design commences and again on completion to test that the system is safe and operates as it was intended to.

Our team integrated the pictured dual arm ABB YUMI cobot into an assembly machine.

The cell includes a collaborative robot and two external part feeding systems with vibration platforms located either side. The application consists of the cobot selecting and assembling two plastic medical device components which require a considerable amount of dexterity to accurately assemble together.

Each 7 axis robot arm has an integrated Cognex camera in the wrist to locate the products and provide vision guidance to the robot. The servo grippers on each arm pick the parts from the feed systems and assemble them together at a set force.