Case Studies

Member Since 2013

Midwest Engineering Systems Inc. provides custom machines, integrated systems, automation/robotic solutions, and production lines to manufactures globally. Our engineering staff has technical expertise, a diverse knowledge base, and has built thousands of integrated automation systems over the last 20+ years. Not only does MWES provide the new equipment, but also new process development, training, support, service, maintenance, and retrofits for all of a factory’s manufacturing equipment. Our design and build solutions include: customized robots, specialized End of Arm Tools (EOAT), cable solutions, vision systems, safety enclosures, process monitoring, control systems, and automation systems.

Content Filed Under:

Industry:
Automotive Automotive

Application:
Arc Welding , Assembly , and Material Handling Arc Welding , Assembly , Material Handling , and Spot Welding

Automated Assembly System

POSTED 01/09/2014

Midwest Engineering Systems Inc. provided a water outlet assembly system for an injection molding & prototyping company. The final system was a completely automated system that moved unassembled parts through three (3) assembly operations.

Automated Assembly System The Challenge

System must perform the following (3) operations:
- Spin weld injection molded port to water outlet body
- Install multiple brass compression limiters in water outlet base
- Perform leak testing of completed assembly
System must include capacity for future additions
System cycle time of 35 seconds or less part to part

The solution

After a full evaluation of the project’s challenges and goals, Midwest Engineering Systems provided the customer a complete solution, which included:

Robotic Dunnage Unload: Material handling Robot uses 2D vision system to roughly locate part in dunnage and pick part from dunnage. Robot places part in re-grip stand and re-grips part.
Spin Welding Station: Robot moves part to spin welder to weld port onto assembly
Pallet Load Station: Material Handling Robot loads spun welded part onto pallet conveyor system, pallet is lowered and released into the assembly and inspection system
Compression Limiter Install Station: Pallet is raised and locked into position. Limiters are blow fed to a Gantry robot gripper. The limiter is then pressed into position. A total of 4 limiters are installed.Â The pallet is unlocked, lowered onto the conveyor, and released.
Leak Test and Marking Station: Pallet is raised and locked into position. All necessary ports are automatically plugged and the part is subjected to pressure testing for leaks. Laser will mark part with a date code for good assemblies. The pallet is unlocked, lowered onto the conveyor, and released.
Vision Camera System: Pallet is raised and locked into position. 2D vision system inspects part for correct assembly and gross material defects. The pallet is unlocked, lowered onto the conveyor, and released.
Unload Station: Pallet is raised and locked into position. Robot will unload the assembled part from the pallet conveyor system and place good parts into outgoing dunnage. Parts that fail the leak test or vision inspection are loaded into a reject chute for disposition by an operator.