Powerlink control technology simplifies and speeds automotive parts production

摘要

Ethernet-compatible Powerlink motion and machine control hardware from Baldor is at the heart of a new automatic cell by Unison for manufacturing tubular automotive parts. The Powerlink system controls four axes of motion, plus the I/O needed for the continuous operation of the process. Called Univercell, Unison's machine includes a complete end-to-end loading/end-forming/bending and vision inspection process in the space typically required for a standalone tube-bending machine. Performance and compactness have been improved by exploiting an articulated robot arm to manage all the intervening movements and transfers. The arm eliminates the need for the conventional carriage of a tube-bending machine, and also optimises manufacturing precision because it retains the part for the duration of the process, eliminating a lot of previously required hardware.