Extrusion International 1-2020

33 Extrusion International 1/2020 ployee has to go search for it. The solution from Zwick- Roell has the ability to drive around obstacles, ensuring an uninterrupted chain of transport. Once having arrived at the intended testing machine, the AGV loads the tray with the new specimens into the testing system’s maga- zine. One of the recognized robotic testing systems from ZwickRoell, for example the roboTest L, assumes process- ing of the delivered specimens: equipping the testing ma- chine, the testing process and the transfer of data to the customer’s software systems and, of course, the remov- al of the destroyed specimen are fully automated. The identification numbers of the specimens are read by the cameras so that the test data can be correctly linked with the corresponding specimen. An AGV takes the empty trays and transports them back to specimen preparation. There they are refilled and the cycle starts over. Automating small series The work carried out successfully at a large scale saving a lot of time, up until now has not been economical at a small scale. The installation of stationary robotic testing systems is costly and requires time, as well as specialists who are familiar with their programming. In addition, de- pending on the system, a wide range of safety measures are necessary to avoid injuries and accidents: the power- ful industry robots are not intended for use in direct col- laboration with humans. They do not have the option to react to their environment such as through an emergency shut-off, if a person is within their working range. In most cases a safety barrier is required, which eliminates the direct interaction of man and robot. Therefore, up until now small series tests have been carried out by humans. Even if a task is extremely monotonous, it was much quicker to entrust an employee with 20 tensile tests or 50 Charpy impact tests, than to install a large robotic test- ing system. For the first time, with roboTest N, ZwickRoell is able to provide the possibility to automate series test- ing with a small number of specimens with a lower speci- men weight. Based on a smart robot, the system is fully integrated in ZwickRoell’s autoEdition 3 and testXpert III. Therefore, a robot operator terminal or special robot pro- gramming and operating knowledge are not necessary. Instead the roboTest N, in the truest sense of the word, is taken “by the hand” and taught the necessary point of reference. In regards to software, parameters are set in a familiar software environment. Not only is the setup of the smart robot easy and uncomplicated, its work speed and force are similar to human proportions. Sensors de- tect external influences and stop the system if something gets in its way. Therefore, once cleared with laboratory safety personnel, the roboTest N can work alongside per- sons without the need for additional safety measures – locked off work areas are unnecessary. Diverse application options The light weight robot is fastened to a movable table spe- cifically intended for the robot. With this mobile base, ap- plication options are widely expanded. The smart robot can be moved to the appropriate testing machine and connected to the system. This not only allows for uncom- plicated processing of alternating small series, but also automated performance of a variety of tests. Tensile and compression tests can be as autonomously processed as three-point-flexure tests, Charpy impact tests or hardness tests. The movable base also provides space for custom manufactured magazines – for example in a 3D printer – from which the roboTest N can automatically take addi- tional specimens. If started just before the end of a shift, the robot extends the workday by the contents in a mag- azine, and the results are available at the start of the next day. Automation of monotonous standard tests allows qualified employees to focus on more complex test ap- plications that require more attention. The independence from the operator that is achieved with the use of a ro- bot is also a benefit. The uniform movement sequences in feeding the testing machine and with that, consistent positioning of the specimens, eliminate user errors or in- accuracies and increase the reliability of test results. Conclusion Robotic testing systems provide the user with a number of benefits in series testing, from time savings all the way to improvement of the informative value of the test re- sults. With various roboTest testing systems ZwickRoell covers the full range of testing automation – from short- term support for continually changing small series in the lab, all the way to fully automated testing laboratories without human intervention. ZwickRoell GmbH & Co. KG August-Nagel-Str. 11, 89079 Ulm, Germany www.zwickroell.com