Automise integrates Yaskawa HC10 cobot with robot functionality at Nooteboom Trailers

To be able to weld the many parts or steel constructions used in the trailers, Nooteboom Trailers has chosen to purchase a Yaskawa HC10 cobot from Automise B.V.

Automise specializes in automating production processes. This may involve providing personal and independent advice, developing welding jigs or robot tooling, or integrating software to program (welding) robots. It is also possible to have (welding) robots programmed on- and offline by Automise or to train your own personnel in programming robots.

The collaboration between Nooteboom and Automise came about in late 2019, with a request for Automise to provide a cobot installation to weld trailer parts. A cobot or co-robot is a robot designed to work together with humans in a shared working environment.

Smaller investment, big benefit

Nooteboom has chosen a Yaskawa HC10 cobot. The HC10 has all the functions that are also present in a normal welding robot. This makes it possible to search and follow welds, multilayer welding and offline programming from a computer. In addition, it is possible to grab the cobot, put it in the right place and program it in the cobot way. This is possible with the "Welding Wizard" application that comes standard on the HC10. With the Yaskawa HC10, Nooteboom has the programming ease of a cobot and the functionalities of a robot.

At Nooteboom Trailers, the cobot is mounted on a mobile workbench on the side of a steel column. The reach on the welding table is thus optimal, but it is also possible to turn the steel column around and place the cobot above a product or trailer. This makes it possible to weld trailers with the cobot per segment, which would otherwise require the purchase of a large robotic installation.

Raymond Belderink, COO at Nooteboom Trailers: "For the investment amount of one large welding robot for welding our trailers, we can integrate several cobots in the future. Instead of one welding torch, we will then have four or five welding torches which can weld on trailers or parts of trailers."

The setup is height adjustable, so ergonomic for any worker. It can also be coupled with a welding table to increase the working range. The controller and the Fronius welding machine are concealed in the mobile workbench. On the back one only needs to connect the plugs, welding gas and a compressed air line.

Safe and flexible working environment through smart safety features

A cobot may perform its work alongside the employee, however, this still does not eliminate the risks of the welding process. In consultation with an RIE expert, several safety features have been integrated. A flashing light lets you know when the cobot is moving. If there has been a collision or the cobot is malfunctioning, a siren makes this clear. To minimize the dangers of welding light or stray light, some welding screens are equipped with a cord with plug,

these welding screens must be connected to the controller in order to weld. With this facility, welding screens are guaranteed to be in the vicinity of the welding light. With the combination of all these facilities, maximum attention has been paid to employee safety.

The cooperation between Nooteboom and Automise was very important in this project. In consultation, the design was created, Nooteboom produced all parts and Automise installed and integrated the cobot. Sander Oude Vrielink, CEO of Automise: "We like to work together with our customers, so everyone can do what they do best. By working together in this way, the parts are immediately in the right place and Nooteboom itself is in control of the costs. Of course, if a customer prefers to outsource everything, that's no problem with us either."

Programming ease; both online and offline

Nooteboom has now been able to work with the cobot for several months. The initial findings are very positive. Niels Verbeet and Vanya Staalman, robot and cobot programmers at Nooteboom, have been involved in programming the new Yaskawa HC10 cobot from the beginning.

Niels and Vanya, on programming the Yaskawa HC10 cobot: "We have used the cobot to date to weld smaller products. Programming is easy and we soon had several programs ready. The welding parameters are easy to set and the products come out well. It is also very convenient to weld small weld assemblies on the cobot which are later welded into a larger product on the welding robot." To also program the cobot offline in the future,

it has been fully integrated by Automise into the offline programming software Delfoi. Nooteboom already uses the Delfoi software on the large Yaskawa portal welding robot. Especially when programming large products or trailer segments, the offline programming of the cobot comes into its own. Nooteboom thus has the ability to program the cobot both on and offline.

Would you like to know more about this project? Feel free to contact Automise without obligation.  www.automise.nl