Universal Robots: Automotive seat quality inspection applications

The global market is fiercely competitive, and in order to be able to stand out from the crowd, outstanding quality will play a decisive role; In addition, many companies face a shortage of skilled workers. In this harsh competitive environment, many companies are looking to be able to win high-quality products at a low price.

Universal Robots: Automotive seat quality inspection applications

　　Product shortcomings bring worries

Given this reality, quality assurance is becoming a serious challenge, as manual mission can lead to errors. The first battle of the car industry. The market is demanding an increasingly demanding profession that must bring innovative products to market in a short period of time.

While companies can take all measures to ensure quality, shortcomings in functionality or safety can have devastating consequences. If shortcomings are found after the product is delivered, the company will not only have to bear the expensive cost of recall, but also lose the trust of customers in the brand; Worse still, a defective product can be a danger to the user, such as a problem with the brakes or airbags.

Automation enables you to achieve consistently high quality

Headquartered in Germany, GÖPEL Electronics is committed to supporting manufacturing companies with high-quality production, and its main customer base is car manufacturers and car seat manufacturers. Thomas Schöppe, Team Manager of the Car Test Solution Program at GÖPEL Electronics, explains why they chose the automation program:

"We were faced with the challenges of our customers every day, until we realized that automated end-of-line testing might be the most effective solution." He said. "We want to develop a solution that can be considered to be a consistent high-quality product for our customers."

Solution plans that can be sensitively integrated into the production line

GÖPEL ELECTRONICS HAS DEVELOPED A SYSTEM THAT MEETS THE CUSTOMER'S INDIVIDUAL TESTING REQUIREMENTS. Universal Robots cobots are at the center of this solution.

After two years of intensive research into robotics, GÖPEL chose the UR10e, the longest working radius cobot in Universal Robots' e-series line. Philipp Kießlich-Köcher, engineer for the GÖPEL Sedan Test Solution, explains why the company chose Universal Robots:

"The e-series has powerful features, such as a force sensor system that monitors the robot's movements. In addition, Universal Robots is happy to collaborate with us on system development. ”

Previously, GÖPEL Electronics had opted for a manual process for testing general equipment. The system generates a variety of stimuli that affect the seat of the car to simulate the behavior of the driver of the vehicle. The system requires a single worker to operate all seat buttons and switches to measure voltage, current, and other BUS system values integrated into the device.

Since the quiz process often touches lateral movements, it is not easy to replace skilled workers with robots to perform quizzes.

The presentation of Universal Robots cobots changes all that. The UR 6-axis multi-articulating robotic arm can reach all switches and buttons and perform all movements with the same force. Unlike manual input, cobots don't get tired and can work throughout the shift without any interruptions. In this way, workers can eliminate the heavy manual input tasks and let the UR10e perform the following tasks with common precision:

● Apply a common ground force to actuate the buttons and switches of the car seat.

● Adjust the power and manual seats at various endpoints.

● Position the seat occupancy tool.

● Insert and release the seat belt deadbolt.

The cobot comes with a range of different end-of-life tools that allow customers to safely and reliably test parts according to their own processes. GÖPEL Electronics has not only developed this state-of-the-art system, but it is also able to integrate the system or provide a complete solution for the customer on site.

　　"Thanks to automated quality assurance processes, customers will be able to deliver products of the same quality," says the manager of the GÖPEL testing team. "In addition, by freeing up our employees from tedious tasks, they will be able to engage in other valuable tasks that will give our customers a clear competitive advantage."

The UR10e is equipped with Robotiq's UR+-certified clamps, which easily actuate buttons and switches on the sedan seat.

Universal Robots: Automotive seat quality inspection applications

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