Leveraging the Robotics Manufacturing Hub, Ductmate was able to rapidly solve technical challenges with their existing robot cell that was failing to add business value. With a refreshed design, Ductmate has the solution in hand that will bring the business value needed to enhance their operations and provide even greater opportunities.
For more than 40 years, Ductmate has supplied the nation with the HVAC parts and accessories needed to make HVAC installation easier, make HVAC systems more efficient, and lower the costs of construction and building operations. Ductmate products are proudly manufactured in the U.S. in three facilities across the nation, making the organization one of the largest HVAC accessories manufacturers in the world.
Ductmate had already purchased a robot to strengthen their operations, however, their robotic system had issues that made it unable to perform at the level needed to add true business value. Working with the ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub, Ductmate was able to solve their challenges by leveraging the institute’s internal team of engineers and the institute’s robotics facility to complete and get hands-on with a robotic proof-of-concept that corrected these issues all without a commitment to purchasing equipment.
By using the Robotics Manufacturing Hub, Ductmate saved their internal team’s time, strengthened their robotic operations, captured greater business value from their robotic investment, and were able to get back to what they do best.
The Problem
Ductmate had already purchased a robot to perform machine tending of a press brake used to make insulated HVAC doors, but the robotic system was having issues that made it unable to perform at a level that added business value. Specifically, their system had issues with flatsheet metal parts sticking to each other due to cut grooves, slower than ideal cycle times, and press machine accessibility to change out tooling.
Our Robotics Solution & Proof-of-Concept
Following a site visit and the resulting Automation Assessment, the ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub Team started engineering design changes to tackle these problems. Our team explored an offset robot with longer reach, modified end effector, fixturing setup that drastically reduced robot working envelope, and adding a magnetic part separator to the system, solving each of the existing issues and giving the robot greater value. Our Robotics Manufacturing Hub team analyzed the entire process to ensure integration with upstream and downstream processes, simulated the process to ensure cycle times and robot reach, and built a physical proof-of-concept to show a solution that improved speeds and part picking.
Following our team’s exploration process, the team at Ductmate was able to see and get hands-on with the proposed proof-of-concept at our robotics facility in Pittsburgh, PA. With a tested and proven proof-of-concept, Ductmate can feel confident that the changes they implement for their system will tangibly improve their operations.
Because Ductmate is located in Southwestern Pennsylvania, these services were all provided at no-cost thanks to a Pittsburgh regional grant from the Department of Commerce. Free services will continue to be provided for small and medium sized manufacturers in the Pittsburgh region via this grant for the next 12 months. Learn more here.
Get Started with the Robotics Manufacturing Hub
Ready to solve your manufacturing challenges using robots and artificial intelligence (AI)? The ARM Institute’s Robotics Manufacturing Hub helps manufacturers of all sizes across the nation evaluate their current operations, identify where robotics and AI can strengthen their global competitiveness, and complete proof-of-concept testing using the institute’s team of robotics experts and our world-class facility all without a commitment to installing the system or purchasing equipment.
This process begins with your Automation Assessment. Through this visit, our team will help you objectively evaluate how robotics can help you.
Learn more about the Robotics Manufacturing Hub here or by emailing [email protected].
To get started with your Automation Assessment, contact us at [email protected] and a member of our team will be in contact regarding next steps and to answer any questions.
Impact for Manufacturers & the Nation: Strengthening U.S. Manufacturing & the Defense Industrial Base
Our Robotics Manufacturing Hub program provides a critically needed service to strengthen U.S. manufacturing and the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Manufacturers are interested in leveraging robotics, automation, and AI to improve their global competitiveness, but getting started can be overwhelming. The Robotics Manufacturing Hub removes the perceived risks associated with adopting robotics and AI. Our team acts as a neutral expert – we aren’t working to sell equipment, rather we help you objectively identify where robotics can solve your challenges, grow your business opportunities, and augment your workforce.
This work has never been more important as the nation looks to re-shore manufacturing and decrease reliance on off-shore supply chains. Our Robotics Manufacturing Hub program leverages a proven process to further our nation’s global manufacturing competitiveness.
ABOUT THE ARM INSTITUTE
The Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing (ARM) 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 consortium of 450+ 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, the ARM Institute is leading the way to a future where people & 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 (formerly Twitter).