SMW Autoblok's Larry Robbins talks workholding

1. What is automation in workholding? Automation could be as simple as having a palletized base system, coming on and off, and accurate within 5µm. The other end of the spectrum has unattended robot loading, unloading, inspection, and electronic sensors to identify where the partvs are in the production and assembly process. For more than 30 years now, grippers have been pneumatic, that’s been the industry standard, but we made our electric gripper that doesn’t require you to hit the part at the force you want to clamp at. There’s measurable movement of the jaws, a linear positioning system tells you exactly where you are, and you’re able to grab a thin-walled glass bottle up to a 40lb metal part.

2. What type of workholding can be automated? Any type of workholding, – manual, hydraulic, electric, or a combination of all the above. You can automate as much or as little as you want. There are three basic kinds of automatable workholding; standard air sensing, water sensing, and hybrid clamping. I have electric sensors inside of a hydraulic chuck, so I can actuate it as I did in the past and get sensor feedback to let me know where I am. A fully automatable system can hold parts in a chuck, rotating workholding, or a stationary workholding.

3. What are the benefits of quick-change workholding in a robotic machine application? It gives a predictable location where your fixture, vise, and workpiece are going to be. The part can become its own fixture because with a zero-point system, you can screw a pin into the bottom of the part, and if you space everything correctly, you can use the part as a fixture. It gives you flexibility to automate across a broader spectrum of components.

4. How should you introduce this new technology to existing employees? Generally, it starts with an engineering team because they’ll come to you with a specific application for a problem. And the first thing I say is, “Who’s going to run this part?” Because that person needs to know what we’re doing, “Who’s the manager?” He needs to know what we’re doing. Is the president buying in? You need to get a buy-in from the top to the bottom and that’s the most important part. You also must make sure that what you’re doing now is as efficient as it can be.

For more information: smwautoblok.com