Advanced Solutions in Industrial Automation and Precision Manufacturing
A host of applications can benefit from fast actuation systems equipped with precise metrology for controlling both force and position accurately. These include:
- Fast production testing of touch- and force-sensitive and haptic components;
- Delicate, high-speed automated assembly procedures where position vs. force is important;
- Testing of physical characteristics such as compliance, damping or other material parameters;
- Highly accurate pick-and-place applications of sensitive componentry at high speeds.
Precision Actuation and Motion Control
PI’s innovative new V-273 PIMag™ Voice Coil Linear Actuator and compact C-413 PIMag™ Controller provide a revolutionary combination of capabilities for high-throughput generation of precision forces and positions. A 100nm position encoder is integrated into the mechanism; a force sensor with 5 mN (Milli-Newton, equivalent to 0.5 g force) resolution is optional. The C-413 controller allows swift position or force control and offers combined force-and-position control. Switching between force and position mode should be transparent, and smooth, without loss of position information. This unit utilizes the same General Command Set that all PI controllers do, so you can communicate with it via simple ASCII strings– ideal for legacy automation controllers often found on factory floors.
Automated Process Monitoring and Fastening
FreeSet® RK-Roboriv is optimized for process monitoring in automated robotic operations for Poka-Yoke implementation in production lines. Using a load cell combined with a stroke sensor, it’s possible to measure the installation force to detect and avoid inconsistences in clamp load as a result of human-error, maintenance, or set-up. A force controlled strategy prevents spin-out and improves mandrel life caused by over or under tightening. This empowers management to standardize the training process, promote work improvement-oriented actions, unburden quality control staff and prevent/detect/eliminate defects before reaching customers.
Key Specifications of Automation Components
| Model / System | Capacity / Resolution | Max Force / Speed |
|---|---|---|
| RK-ROBORIV | 3/8″/M10 Capacity | 4000 lbs / 35mm/sec |
| V-273 PIMag™ | 100nm position encoder | 250mm/sec speed |
| MPS500 Cell | 6-axis ABB robotic arm | 1200W Infrared Laser |
Additive Manufacturing and Robotic Integration
The MPS500 is a fully integrated, turnkey robotic metal 3D printing cell developed by Force Automation. It uses Meltio’s wire-laser Directed Energy Deposition (DED) technology and a 6-axis ABB robotic arm to produce high-quality metal parts with speed, precision, and repeatability. By integrating Meltio’s wire-laser DED technology with ABB’s proven industrial automation platform, each cell offers precise multi-axis movement for complex geometries and large-scale additive builds. This synergy enables high-performance part production with optimized path control, consistent layer deposition, and reduced material waste. These systems support a wide range of welding wire materials, including stainless steel, mild steel, titanium, Inconel, aluminum, and copper—ideal for aerospace, energy, defense, and repair applications.
Strategic Research in Digital Manufacturing
The Air Force Research Laboratory, or AFRL, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate celebrated the opening of the Manufacturing, Industrial Technologies and Energy Division’s Collaborative Automation for Manufacturing Systems, or CAMS, Laboratory. The facility will support the research efforts of its Digital Manufacturing Research Team, or DMRT. These efforts toward digital transformation sync up with the Air Force Material Command’s, or AFMC’s, 2023 AFMC Strategic Plan to deploy Digital Materiel Management, or DMM. This technology will enable rapid refitting of systems in the field for quick turnarounds, allowing for resilient basing and agile combat employment. Our strategic research outlook targets necessities like point-of-need manufacturing and forward-deployed manufacturing assets.
