yesterday
I did recon on an upcoming robot installation, in a company where we have already installed dozens of robots. One of the cells there is one of my first start-to-finish systems- I designed it, specified all the pieces, wrote all the code, tested the cycle time over all, installed and implemented it. it began to run in 1996 and has been pounding parts out ever since, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, weekends and holidays and yes, even Christmas. it makes a timing gear for diesels- big diesels have gears and not chains, since when lubed properly the gears don’t show any appreciable wear, and last, usually, longer than the engine. These gears go in N10 and N13 engines, if I recall correctly, and most International straight trucks you see out there have them.
The robot and the machines are still running fine, making parts in spec, no issues. I have no idea how many millions of parts it’s made. I know it will keep doing so for many years to come because the system has a built in high resistence to neglect. Grease and oil are delivered automatically to the machines, and they stop running when the oilers are dry.
A lot of those systems exist that I created or helped create. They run so robustly they will be going long after I’m gone. I’m always happy to visit them because it is a reminder that sometimes your actions are larger than they appear.
Here’s another of my babies that will most likely still be making stuff long after I’m gone
12 comments Og | Uncategorized
Whenever I see videos of robots in action I’m struck by how graceful they appear. I assume that’s what you do when you program them, make sure the part gets from point A to point B with minimum effort and without hitting point C by accident (which I presume would be a costly ooops).
Any luck with the fembots though? ;)
I agree with Mark, they are graceful. No wasted motion, but velvety smooth movements.
About those large objects being moved… Were those some kind of fixtures on the back side of that piece with the bolt holes in it? I kinda imagined those as the method to mount the work to the chuck.
That was a classy install, too. Really looks good.
Locomotive cylinder heads. The lathe chucks and the machine fixtures are all very custom.
Yes, its a point of pride among programmers to take all the herky-jerky motion out.
And thanks. That was a years hard work by a team of six people. Incidentally the first fully automated manufacturing system in the world to pass all data and i/o through ethernet. No discreet signal wiring. Using a spec i established and helped implement.
Kudoos. That is some fine work there.
MOAR PLEASE!
I guess that’s the pinnacle for machining isn’t it. Robots feeding machining centers. How much more automated can you get?
Og: Am I correct in assuming the elimination of “all the herky-jerky motion” is not just aesthetics? Seems to me if the motion isn’t smooth it creates a stress that can prematurely wear the machine, or cause the part to be dropped or mis-aligned?
Not only smooth motion but power saving. Up to 45% less juice used in smooth running bots.
Good work, Og! I’ve worked in a machine shop, done some small PLC systems years ago (15?), & worked around (but not with nor on) robots. Far beyond my capabilities, but I can appreciate a well-designed, functional system when I see one. Bravo Zulu!
Nice work!
I think I would have chosen different music for the clip, though. Chariots of Fire or perhaps Ride of The Valkyries.
Unfortunately they did not ask me. I think I would have gone right to “Oh! Fortuna!”
That was my third choice.