Midwest Engineered Systems designed and built a Robotically Loaded Custom Automated System. Customer’s cycle time decreased to one assembled part every 50 seconds.

The Challenge

Design a fully automated multi-station rotor assembly machine. The machine must automatically:

• Accept machined rotor shells (multiple types and sizes)
• Automatically load magnets (multiple types and sizes)
• Apply two part epoxy to shell and magnets using positive displacement dispensing system
• Provide magnet bonding with individual bonding force feedback and control
• Part cure storage and process control
• Individual part inspection
• Parts must then be placed on a transfer station to be shear tested and magnetized.

The Solution

The following methods, components and technologies were implemented and integrated to provide a comprehensive solution:

• Dual manually loaded magnet part slides
• Robotic part handling (magnets and rotor shells)
• Automatically loaded magnet holding tooling
• Automatic positive displacement glue dispensing on each magnet
• Individual part servo controlled bonding axis’
• Individual part force feedback bonding axis’
• Robotically controlled cure rack
• Part Inspection using laser line generator and Cognex Vision System

Impact to the Customer

• Part rate of one part assembled every 50 seconds or less
• Parts are automatically assembled
• All magnet pressing is verified using individual axis load cell feedback
• All parts are 100% inspected and verified
• Bad parts are automatically identified

For more information on this equipment or other web handling needs please contact MWES.