See how the Robotics Manufacturing Hub team went from concept and problem statement to demonstrated robotics solution in eight weeks for a Pittsburgh area manufacturer.
The ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub provides free services for small and medium sized manufacturers in the Southwestern Pennsylvania region to help manufacturers assess their operations, understand where robotics can strengthen their operations, prototype custom robotics solutions at no cost with no commitment to installation, get their team hands-on with robotics solutions, and help manufacturers identify a path forward to full integration on their manufacturing floor.
In this use case, understand how our Robotics Manufacturing Hub team worked with Penna Flame, a family-owned and operated manufacturer in the Pittsburgh region, to customize a robotics solution at no-cost!
Problem Statement
Penna Flame, a third-generation a family-owned and operated manufacturer that performs flame and induction hardening of cast parts, wanted to find a way to automate their packaging process both to save cost and improve the safety of their employees, as each part weighs 30+ pounds each. Penna Flame already had a robot in their facility that was not being utilized to its fullest extent and wanted to modify its use for packaging. The size of the parts, the part shape, the limitations of their current robot, and the need to robotic coat parts with oil without impeding robot vision sensors created challenges to automating this process, creating the need for a custom robotics solution to address these pain points.
Our Process & Solution
The ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub team completed market research and tested robotic end effectors that could withstand oil exposure, successfully maneuver the parts, and fit the static and dynamic load capacity of the existing robot. Ultimately, the Robotics Manufacturing Hub team selected an off-the-shelf air controlled magnetic end effector and modified it slightly to meet the manufacturer’s requirements. The Robotics Manufacturing Hub team also completed an engineering analysis to identify successful part pick up techniques and safe operating parameters for Penna Flame’s existing robot. The team then completed a proof-of-concept of a robotic oil dipping process vs spray gun application to make the process a better fit for optimal robotic performance, customizing the robotic solution for Penna Flame’s specific needs.
This engineering solution (program code, bill of material, and calculations) was handed off to CapSen Robotics, a local ARM Institute Member company, so that the solution could be combined with CapSen’s AI software for automated picking and placing.
The robotics solution was successfully tested and demonstrated the ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub facility in Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood neighborhood. Penna Flame is actively working on implementation in their facility.
By doing a proof-of-concept, this manufacturer was able to identify an issue with their current robot’s capabilities that would have significantly degraded expected performance and obtain a proven solution before ever purchasing equipment or software. By leveraging this custom robotics solution, Penna Flame saved time, money, and effort that may have been wasted should this proof-of-concept not have come to fruition.
“It’s been incredible to see how rapidly we went from not knowing if this was ever going to work to having them produce a proof-of-concept and a real solid plan.” – Andrew Orr, Vice President of Penna Flame
Ready to See How Robotics Can Enhance Your Global Manufacturing Competitiveness?
Our Robotics Manufacturing Hub team is ready to help you explore robotics at no-cost! Our Robotics Manufacturing Hub acts as your free manufacturing research and development department. We’re not selling you services, but rather acting as an extension of your team to improve your global competitiveness and help you understand where robotics can play a role. We’ll help you get hands-on with robotics equipment you may otherwise not be able to access and prepare your workforce to work with a selected solution. We give you the exact solution you need to meet your goals.
You are eligible for this no-cost service if you are a small or medium-sized manufacturer with operations in one the following Pennsylvania counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Washington, or Westmoreland. Manufacturers must fit into the small and medium sized range, defined as having 500 or fewer employees and less than $100M in annual revenue. Not sure if you qualify? Contact us by emailing [email protected] and we’ll help you understand if you qualify for our free services.
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Get Started with the Robotics Manufacturing Hub
You can also contact us at [email protected].
ABOUT THE ARM INSTITUTE
The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-0004 and is part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute leverages a unique, robust, and diverse ecosystem of over 400 consortium members and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience. Based in Pittsburgh, PA since 2017, with a regional office in St. Petersburg, FL, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people and robots work together to respond to our nation’s greatest challenges and to produce the world’s most desired products. For more information, visit www.arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn and X(Twitter).