Robots at Danfoss demonstrate techniques for safe and cheaper cobot implementations

At Danfoss in Gråsten the Danish Technological Institute (DTI) is testing, as part of a pilot project in the European robot network ROBOTT-NET, several robot technology techniques: Manipulation using force sensors, simpler separation of items and a 3D-printed three-in-one gripper for handling capacitors, nuts and a socket handle.

The special thing about the robot set-up is that it demonstrates various techniques that at the same time provide a cheaper solution, increased robustness and increased safety for operators, says Søren Peter Johansen, who is Technology Manager at DTI.

- For example, there is a force-torque sensor in the robot which is used to manoeuvre things carefully into place, and also to increase the confidence of the operators. The force-torque sensor will sense and prevent collisions with people before the built-in safety features of the robot stop the robot arm. Thus, we can also increase safety and confidence by working with collaborative robots, he says.

Increased effectiveness
Danfoss in Gråsten has tested the robot in connection with the company's production of frequency converters.

- A frequency converter contains, amongst other things, capacitors assembled in groups of two or four. We have automated this process in that a robot picks up a capacitor and puts it into a fixture. In order for the capacitor to be correctly placed in the fixture, the electrodes must point in the right direction. Therefore, a camera sees how the electrodes are oriented in the gripper, so that the capacitor can be oriented correctly before it is placed in the fixture, explains Søren Peter Johansen about the process.

- Then we pick a nut that has to be put on and the robot picks up the socket handle and screws the nuts tight. And meanwhile the operator can do something else and thus increase efficiency, he elaborates.

Three reasons to automate
Peter Lund Andersen, Senior Manufacturing Specialist at Danfoss, says that Danfoss is automating for three reasons:

- It is primarily about work and environmental considerations - better ergonomics and less heavy lifting. We believe that with robots, that can do the work uniformly each time, we can increase the quality of our products while maintaining safety and reducing costs, he says, adding:

- The cooperation with DTI gives us the opportunity to come out and try some new things. Some things that aren't quite mature yet and can't just be taken off a shelf. That way we are at the forefront with everything.

Do you want to see how the robot process of collecting capacitors in a set takes place? Take a look at the two videos above.