Automation Platform

SEMI AUTOMATED IN-CLAIM STATION

TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Compact station footprint [mm]:
    H: 2.100, W: 3.070, D; 1.260
  • Ergonomic design for 3 sedentary work operations
  • Automatic torque controlled screw driver
  • 100% part & fixture traceability by data recording of RFID & DMC
  • Integrity control
  • Conveyor for automated part movement.  Programmable stop positions without hard stops
  • Wide product range
  • Use for different products in parallel possible
  • Suitable for medical products
  • Capable of being integrated into automated system
  • Intuitive HMI design

The IMSTec Semi-Automated In-Claim Station (S-AIS) is a subset of an automated production line for coating (plasma spraying) of orthopaedic implants.  For transfer and identification the parts are assembled onto a transfer fixture by screw fitting in an automated kitting device. The process is torque monitored and logistically controlled by MES. The part/fixture identification is provided by reading the data of a carrier integrated RFID and part DMC. After kitting the assembled part will be loaded manually to a transport system which interacts between part-/fixture kitting followed by two manual tape-masking work places, part control & ID- and the automated unload position.

 

 

IMSTec’s Semi-Automated In-Claim Station targets fast, safe and operator-friendly part-fixture assembly operations. A torque monitored automatic screw driver fits fixtures to parts so that they can be handled by an automated system. Parts and fixtures are inserted by an operator.


One essential part of the AIS is the part kitting operation. Parts and fixtures are loaded, identified and assembled physically by screw-fitting and logistically by data recording.

 

Integrated traceability techniques (RFID, DMC) ensure single part traceability as well as batch clearance and integrity control. A tape application protects the surface quality of the product. The system can be adjusted to almost every type of product and fixture.

To minimize the risk of contamination part and fixture can be inserted one-handed. The part-touching area of the kitting station is equipped with a tape application in order to protect the part’s surface. Therefore the system can also be used for medical applications. After part and fixture are inserted into the receivers the operator confirms loading and pulls a handle down to the part. Screwing starts automatically when the position and presence sensors give the signal. A torque monitor assures that the part is fixed properly to the fixture without damaging the screw.


The kitting station can be adjusted to a wide range of product types with a height up to 400mm. Furthermore it can be built to be used for different sample types in parallel. The part clamping device is connected with linear micro pulse transducer which provides a length measurement of the used part model. This measurement is performed simultaneously during part/fixture kitting. The read part length data will be compared to the defined length of the product in the station controller (recipe). This process ensures that the clamping device is in the right position.

Additional to the Kitting Station an Unkitting Station with the same operating principle can be provided. It is also possible to use one station for both operations.

The kitting station is followed by two manual work places were the parts are taped manually in order to protect certain areas from grit blast and coating.
When the tape application is completed the associate places the part-assembly into the puck-fixture at conveyor position. The conveyor moves the puck with part-fixture-assembly to the ‘check-masking position’. After positive tape detection, provided by a colour identification sensor, the puck carrying the part-fixture-assembly gets released to move to ‘read part-fixture-ID’-position‘.


The LAS is updated with the part-fixture-ID and triggers the conveyor to move the puck to ‘unload position’. In case the ‘unload position’ is in use, indicated by presence sensor, part waits in the ‘AIS-buffer’. When the robot has unloaded a part-fixture-assembly the empty puck is moved back to conveyor position ‘kitting’ for re-load with a new part-fixture assembly.