The challenge represents an automation problem in wire harness assemblies: the robust handling of flexible components, such as cables and connectors having tolerances. The processing steps included identifying and feeding a socket housing into a holder in the correct position, inserting various contact parts into the socket housing in accordance with a specified configuration, and ensuring that the contacts were correctly latched in the end position.
More flexible components aren’t often available in large quantities, and newer technologies are not always an option for manufacturing operations or require long implementation times and technical expertise.
The concept submitted by ArtiMinds Robotics offers a flexible and robust automation solution that uses standard software and hardware (robots, cameras, grippers and force/torque sensors) already available on the market. The in-house software products ArtiMinds Robot Programming Suite (RPS) and ArtiMinds Learning & Analytics for Robots (LAR) ensure a smooth combination of the individual components to create a robust production cell. Despite the complexity of the individual sub-processes and the tolerances to be compensated for, it was possible to achieve a flexible cable assembly process with cycle times of less than 5 seconds per plugging process.
The solution can be designed for different product variants and can be reconfigured cost-effectively. The native program code generated by ArtiMinds RPS, which is executed directly on the robot controller, serves as an important basis. This allows the robot programs to be seamlessly integrated into existing standards and workflows.
