Shaping Industry 4.0 with Smart Manufacturing
The Shaping Industry 4.0 with Smart Manufacturing seminar co-hosted by Creatz3D, Universal Robots, and Skymech Automation, was held on 29 March at the Suntec City Convention & Exhibition Center.
Mr. Ix Lee, Regional Sales Development Manager at Universal Robots Singapore, got the seminar rolling by presenting how collaborative robots (cobots) of today can make automation accessible and easy to use for any business.
Companies of today’s economy are pressed to produce quality products in large quantities yet seeking to do it at a low cost at the same time. But they are heavily hampered by market conditions in terms of high operating capital, as well as a lack of skilled labor and space.
The deployment of collaborative robots can, however, resolve all of the issues faced by traditional industrial robots. With their lightweight and small footprint, collaborative robots are flexible to be deployed within limited spaces. At the same time, collaborative robots can work safely alongside humans, with the latter not required to be an expert in programming. Finally, collaborative robots are not only easy to set up but are also cost-effective.
3D printing of today has already gone beyond prototyping, and that was the presentation focus by Ms. Sally Chuen, Application and Sales Manager of Creatz3D. With rapid advances in technologies and materials over the years, 3D printing is showing their true potential in terms of customization and the ability to keep zero product in stock.
This potential was highlighted in the collaboration between Creatz3D and Universal Robots. The Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) End-of-Arm-Tooling resulted in not only a lightweight tooling that diminished equipment loads but also promoted greater robot efficiency. Massive savings in time and cost were also enabled as a result.
With Industry 4.0 fast becoming a key focus for many companies, Assistant Software and Control Manager at Skymech Automation and Engineering, Mr. Ang Beng Seng, explained how companies can work better with the easily accessible data and make timely decisions to cut out downtime, with smart automation and integration with applications.
Last but not least, Mr. Cheong Zhi Sheng, Applications Engineer with Creatz3D, presented on the collaboration between Creatz3D and Universal Robots, for their 3D printed vacuum and gripper end-of-arm-tooling using Stratasys Fused Deposition Modeling and PolyJet plastic 3D printing technologies respectively.
Besides showing how 3D printing can help to produce a lightweight tooling that saves time and costs, subsequent feedbacks from Universal Robots resulted in further optimization that includes a modular design bracket for future application developments.
Thus, 3D printing allows for design iterations to be made as and when required. From the initial concept design of the 3D printed end-of-arm-tooling that put fingers at risk of getting stuck during operations, a more effective solution with bent fingers was derived by leveraging on the design freedom of 3D printing.
During the seminar, invited guests were also able to view a demonstration of the 3D printed vacuum end-of-arm-tooling at work, and witnessing the potential of 3D printing.
Creatz3D would like to thank everyone who had attended the seminar. Please visit our website for more information about the different types of 3D Printing solutions and technologies that we offer. Alternatively, you can drop us any inquiries via our email at info@creatz3d.com or a call at (65) 6631 8555.