Case Studies
Member Since 2017
Güdel Inc. is the US subsidiary of Güdel Group, a global manufacturer of robotic automation products, systems and services. Güdel supplies linear motion modules, robot track motion units, gantry robots and components to OEM’s, systems integrators and machine builders serving the automotive, aerospace, logistics, heavy industrial and power generation industries. Güdel Inc. Is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in a dedicated 45,000 square foot facility, providing North American customers with engineering, design, production, and, customer service support. Güdel Group was founded in 1954. Headquartered in Langenthal, Switzerland, today Güdel operates in 21 locations worldwide.
Content Filed Under:
Industry:
Aerospace
and Military/Defense
Aerospace
and Military/Defense
Application:
N/A
75-ton Turbine Requires Güdel Gantry for Precise Robot Measurement
POSTED 12/03/2014
The Challenge : Automate inspection of large, complex geometry of a 75-ton turbine
Manual inspection of a 75-ton turbine is a time consuming, difficult task that takes teams of workers up to two weeks, requires high levels of precision and is prone to human error. Precision and repeatability are the highest priority; however a complex, large-scale geometry defies traditional automation.
The Solution : Gantry mounted robot for precision and extended work envelope
A 2-axis Güdel gantry carrying an inverted ABB IRB 4600 robot with a laser based sensor and tracking system.
MFG Automation Prefers Modular Gantry from Güdel
MFG Automation of Ashford, Connecticut, is an elite integrator of exotic and one-of-a-kind robotic systems, with an emphasis on demanding, high precision projects. When an application is especially unconventional, MFG is the systems house of choice for reducing complex challenges into simple, reliable solutions.
MFG’s latest project was to develop a flexible robotic based metrology system for detailed precision measurements on a 75-ton turbine. Their solution? A 2-axis Güdel gantry carrying an inverted ABB IRB 4600 robot with a laser based sensor and tracking system. MFG integrated the robot, sensors and controls into a data driven system that is programmed offline in Robot Studio. The Güdel gantry robot expands the robot’s work envelope, allowing complete access to the complex turbine geometry.
“The degree of difficulty for this job, and the fact it mandates absolutely no errors, led to our first system with a Güdel gantry,” said John Phelps, Commander, MFG Automation. “As an exclusive ABB integrator, we deal only with the best, and gantries and tracks from Güdel are always on our short list.”
Don't Miss These Industry-Leading Events!
Reducing Cycle Time
The turbine is 16 feet in diameter and has traditionally been measured by hand, a drawn out and demanding process that can take up to two full weeks with multiple technicians. One gantry mounted robot system works faster and is more repeatable for each path measured compared to the manual method, reducing cycle times from 14 days to eight hours.
There may be 12 or more cycles every time the turbine arrives for inspection, so the improvement in time savings combined with accuracy and repeatability is an order of magnitude.
“Güdel is the global leader in precision linear automation. Gantry robots and robot tracks are Güdel’s main business,” said Joe Campbell, Vice President, Güdel US. “We support all robot models, and offer every conceivable size, mounting orientation and configuration. We were happy to support MFG on this system, and consider them one of the best integrators for demanding complex projects.”
Partnership Expedites System
For initial testing, MFG had its 300-square-foot work cell in a corner of Güdel’s 45,000 square-foot manufacturing facility in Ann Arbor to expedite matters. Now, according to Phelps, chances are good for an even larger follow-on order.
For more details on single and multi-axis linear motion for robots and automation see the specifications and drawings online, email or call (734) 214-0000.