Keywords
Citation
(2000), "Robot cracks a pace in woodworking industry", Industrial Robot, Vol. 27 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ir.2000.04927daf.005
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2000, MCB UP Limited
Robot cracks a pace in woodworking industry
Robot cracks a pace in woodworking industry
Keywords: Robots, Wood
Swedish wood manufacturer Evert Johansson, is the latest industry to benefit from a unique combination of two Comau robotic cells (see Plate 5).
The making of wooden goods, which includes coffins, was originally perceived as a handcrafted industry due to the natural flexibility and vagaries of wood and the accuracy required for mitring joints. Traditional mechanical methods were quite rightly considered to lack the stability and precision required (see Plate 5).
The development of the Tricept/cell combination created the solution to the machining and assembly application problems previously encountered and increased output. The two Tricept cells are stable and fast, accurately handling 300mm saw blades rotating at 6,000rpm with processing speeds of up to 0.8m/s wit. The robots saw at an angle from both sides. They then saw a splint from which the boards are joined with a spring. Deburring and polishing applications are also a feature. The cell also contains a conventional robotic arm, which drills holes for the handles, hinges and locks.
Plate 5 Wood
manufacturer Evert Johansson benefits from a unique combination of two Comau
robotic cells
Current annual volume of 40,000 units is predicted to climb to 100,000, with an average of 12 seconds to manufacture each component.
Although only installed in late 1999, interest from other wood manufacturers has been considerable and has been reported in Sweden as revolutionising the industry.
Evert Johnsson's Guy Fagerstrom states:
From being very sceptical about a conventional robots ability to perform efficiently, we are very impressed with the Tricept/Comau performance. This innovative development will change the wood manufacturing industries' perception of robotic control systems.