Precision Microfab designs and builds custom micro-manufacturing systems that support high-volume production of components for a wide range of industries.
Working with Spectubular Technologies, Precision Microfab created a fully-automated robotic manufacturing cell that produces up to 250 meters of laser-cut filter tube per day. This reliable, efficient system:
- inspects incoming material using a high-speed, high-precision optical micrometer (accurate to within 2 microns)
- cuts slots into tubes using two 1080 nm fiber lasers
- cleans the tubes in three stages: an ultrasonic cleaning bath, a rinse tank, and a high output dryer that can reach a temperature of 1200° F
- performs a final inspection using a 200x microscopic zoom lens mounted on a high-resolution, high-speed camera integrated with Machine Vision software
A mid-sized 6-axis robot control arm selects incoming tubes from a feeder bin, moves them from stage to stage, and ultimately deposits the finished filter in either the rejected or passed tube bin.
All components are mounted on an 80/20 modular T-slotted aluminum frame, with a TempTek portable chiller providing precise temperature control.
Watch the video to see the “Magic Machine” in action!
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The Epson C8XL 6-Axis robot control arm has a long reach, speed,
great overall performance with an extreme slim-line design.
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- The inspection system featuring a Keyence LS-9000 series high-speed, high-precision optical micrometer micrometer measuring instrument.
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- The system is fitted with two SPI 1000 watt 1080 nm fiber lasers and two cutting heads to process twice the workload.
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- These lasers were chose for improved line speeds, finer machining capabilities, reduced downtime and runs at a lower cost of ownership.
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- This system utilizes an industrial quality control machine vision with a high-speed camera and a 200x microscopic zoom lens for final inspection.
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- The Epson C8XL robot fitted with tube grippers for use in the automated tube handling system.
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- Incoming tubes are inspected for roundness and straightness to ensure a successful cut. All laser processed tubes are inspected to be within the required cut specifications.
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- The outstanding beam quality provides fast and precise burr-free cutting along with high cutting speeds with integrated distance sensors.
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- The cutting heads are for high-precision applications at laser power of up to 1000W.
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- The machine vision processes multiple measurements and concludes with a pass or fail grade. This inspection is for quality control of the product to ensure that all tubes are within the specifications of the customer.
Special thanks to Spectubular Technologies, a division of Synfuels Americas