CASE
Largest robot in Switzerland automates steel shaft production
An industrial robot on an 8-metre-long travel axis has succeeded in automating the thermal hardening of steel shafts up to 10 meters long. Thanks to its payload of 900 kilograms, the shafts are moved precisely and safely.
The challenge
As part of its new hardening shop in 2019, Gewinde Ziegler AG fully automated the salt bath hardening process. By introducing new processes such as induction hardening and core hardening, our long-standing customer is now able to thermally treat shafts up to 10 meters long. With the use of an industrial robot on a travel axis, the processes were to be carried out in a more targeted and safer manner.
The solution
At the heart of the new robot system is a FANUC M-2000iA industrial robot with a flexible hanger. It moves gently but firmly from A to B. With a payload of 900 kilograms and a reach of 4.5 meters, the installed industrial robot is the largest in Switzerland - and it stands on an 8-meter-long traversing axis and a 1-meter-high base. This gives it a huge working area, both vertically and horizontally. A master control system directs the many process steps.
With these dimensions, it was essential to include the building in the planning of the automation. The impressive robot installation was therefore brought into the hall first. The peripherals were then added. Today, the system runs around the clock and enables Gewinde Ziegler to carry out all production processes in-house.
“Thanks to the impressive robot on an 8-metre-long linear travel axis, we have succeeded in automating the unusual processes in steel shaft production.”
The project
The Robotec team included Rolf Kalt (project management, design, on-site assembly) and Reto Brumann (software programming).
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