Productive Robotics introduced an augmented intelligent, vision-enabled, teach-by-touch 7-axis cobot production welding system at IMTS. The company demonstrated a two-station welding system and a single station welding system with an 8' long table for extra-large parts. The single station model has the largest table on the market, according to the company. Productive Robotics designs and produces its line of cobots in the U.S.
"Conventional robot-run welding systems use a Lazy Susan mechanism to rotate parts into the welding zone while an operator sets up another part. We have eliminated the Lazy Susan from our design," said Zac Bogart, President of Productive Robotics. "We designed a 4 ft. by 8 ft. table that is separated into two halves and fully enclosed. The operator sets up one part, shuts the door and moves to the other side to set up the second part while the cobot welds the first one. Simultaneous part set-up and welding supports high volume production without interruption."
Productive Robotics' 7-axis OB7 cobots can automate repetitive tasks, reduce set-up time and perform a variety of machine operations. A proprietary, "no programming" user interface allows operators to teach OB7 by simply showing it each step of a job. Booth visitors were able to see 20 OB7 cobots performing a wide range of end user applications, including deburring, machine, lathe, mill and EDM machine tending as well as gluing, bonding and part marking.
In early 2022, Productive Robotics introduced OB Vision. "Our goal has always been to simplify the use of cobots on the shop floor by eliminating the need for software and programming," Bogart said. "Now we have made OB7 even easier to use by giving it sight. The sighted cobots eliminate the need for fixtures and staging parts for pickup-two of the largest bottlenecks when it comes to implementing collaborative robots. Fabricators can deploy the cobots faster and produce more complex parts while reducing costs."
Each of the OB7's joints can rotate 360° in both directions. The cobot can sense collisions at every joint-a function that triggers a safe stop. The OB7 can also be stopped with an operator's hand and restarted with a tap on one of its joints. When running at collaborative speeds, guarding is not required. For high speed operations, a laser safety scanner is available.
To automate OB7, fabricators can add a Productive Robotics parallel electric gripper/end effector, patented robot rolling stand and work table. The cobot is also compatible with other grippers, cameras and accessories. Data collection is supported by Productive Robotics' cloud analytics system, making it easy for small- to medium-sized job shops to implement real-time reporting on cobot activity. Installation of the OB7 can take approximately two hours.
For more information contact:
Productive Robotics
1035 Cindy Lane
Carpinteria, CA 93013
805-244-9300
sales@productiverobotics.com
www.productiverobotics.com