Automated blasting for e-transmission parts

For the expansion of its transmission production facility for electric vehicles (EVs), a German automotive supplier has purchased a new continuous-feed blast machine from Rösler that includes fully automatic workpiece handling. The customer chose the Rösler equipment, because it offered high productivity, is easy to maintain and has a long service life.

The workpieces in question consist of various toothed EV transmission components that are deburred using the Rösler continuous feed-wire mesh belt-blast machine. At the start of the deburring operation the workpieces are placed manually on two storage units, which are part of the component transport system. After an integrated camera system has confirmed the correct transport position, the parts are positioned precisely on the wire mesh belt in lots of three and continuously transported through the shot-blast machine. Upon completion of the shot-blast process, a powerful blow-off system completely removes any residual blast media from the workpieces.

In the next step, the now deburred components are transferred to a buffering station consisting of a conveyor belt. Here, the workpieces are precisely repositioned so that a robot can pick up four parts at a time and place them in layers into suitably staged workpiece bins. Whenever a layer is complete, the robot picks up an intermediate cardboard sheet and places it in the bin. Completely filled or, in case of a workpiece change, partially filled bins are automatically removed from the robot working area. This allows the operator to safely remove them from the manufacturing cell with a lift cart.

The shot-blasting machine was designed for three-shift operation allowing cycle times of less than eight seconds per workpiece.
For further information www.rosler.com

Intelligent workflows for gear grinding

Cost savings in high-volume production are today found within upstream and downstream process stages such as set-up, measurement and communication between machine and measurement equipment. Here, the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) puts forward the Kapp Niles platform, which can tie together and automate these processes to streamline productivity further thanks to open standards such as umati and GDE.

“Instead of integrated machines, we rather envision integrated production chains with as little manual handling between individual chain links as possible,” says Konstantin Schäfer, head of product management at Kapp Niles.

This ethos becomes apparent in the growing measurement technology sector, Kapp Niles Metrology. What’s more, the existing portfolio is being optimised for production systems to communicate with each other. In particular, through the new KN assist platform, Kapp Niles and ETG can support the user from project planning through to production with KN grind control system software.

As part of the project-related configuration, all required processing options are combined in one workpiece project. With the step-by-step intuitive user interface, concrete project data is collected. In a virtual set-up process, the user selects the gear type and suitable tools from a component set. Upon request, KN grind also offers technological suggestions.

Another factor has been the lack of consistent data transmission standards to allow for secure data integration. For this reason, Kapp Niles has developed solutions that no longer require the installation of invasive software and thus allow users to retain control over their data at all times. The result is the KN assist platform. Thanks to HTML5 programming, KN assist runs without any further software requirements on a PC and mobile devices alike. The only requirement for the user is to call up a single address on the Intranet, after which access is granted to the system through a browser or app.
For further information www.engtechgroup.com

Promotion at Bowers Group

Jordan Gould has been promoted to the position of central east sales manager at metrology specialist Bowers Group. Gould joined the company in 2020 as mobile metrology centre demonstration manager and enjoyed success delivering detailed product demonstrations across the UK for the full range of metrology products, as well as driving sales and acquiring new business. He has a strong background in metrology and engineering, extensive knowledge of applications engineering, and a wealth of experience providing front line demonstrations.
For further information www.bowersgroup.co.uk

£6.25m technology park investment

The £300m development of a Leicestershire enterprise zone has taken another major step forward after agreement was reached over investment in a new £6.25m gateway infrastructure project. Hundreds of new jobs are expected to be created after the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP) agreed to invest in new road and security infrastructure at MIRA Technology Park. Construction of a replacement gateway will begin later this year, subject to planning permission, and will immediately unlock development sites for new buildings scheduled for completion in late 2023.
For further information www.miratechnologypark.com

MTC secures award for innovation

A team of engineers from the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) has scooped a top innovation award for the development of a high-powered electric motor which is smaller and lighter. The Future Electric Motor Systems aerospace motor project, known as FEMS3, has won the 2022 3D Pioneers Challenge award. MTC’s team used additive manufacturing technology to combine three machined components, eight fasteners and three O-rings into a single part. The result was a motor which has a reduction in mass of more than 65%, is much simpler to assemble and has eliminated multiple seals.
For further information www.the-mtc.org