What to prepare before requesting a cell.

The part

• CAD or photos. With the CAD we design the gripper and simulate the cycle. If there is no CAD, photos with a ruler and the main dimensions.
• Weight. Of the part and, if it already exists, of the gripper. It determines the size of the robot.
• Part numbers. How many different parts go through the cell and how often it changes over.
• Real parts. A few to test the gripper and, if there is vision, good and bad parts.

The rate

• Cycle time or strokes per minute. What the cell has to produce, not what the manual operation produces today.
• Parts per stroke. On presses, whether one or two parts come out per stroke.
• Shifts. How many shifts the line runs. It is also used to calculate payback.

The site

• Layout. A drawing of the area, in DWG or PDF, showing columns, aisles and forklift access.
• Photos and a video of the current operation. One minute of video explains more than many meetings.
• How material arrives and leaves. Conveyor, container, rack or pallet, with photos or drawings of each.
• Utilities. Where compressed air and power are available.

Plant standards

• Robot and PLC. Whether the plant requires a specific robot, PLC or HMI brand.
• Safety. Internal rules for guarding, doors and interlocks.
• Data. Whether the cell needs to send data to the MES, and which data.

Dates

• Planned shutdown. If the cell goes into a line already in production, when it can be stopped and for how long.
• When it has to be producing. The production date sets when the FAT has to be completed.
• Acceptance. What the cell has to demonstrate at the FAT and at the plant to be accepted.

You do not need everything to get started. With the layout and the part we already send you a first proposal free of charge, and the rest is completed during the site visit.

What happens when something is missing

Without the real part weight, the robot may be undersized. Without the container, the gripper does not place the part where it should. Without the shutdown dates, the installation does not fit. Every piece of information that arrives late turns into a design change or an extra day on site.

Frequently asked questions