Bäumer to present robotic system for foam processing at Interzum 2013

B-Bot is an industrial robot used as a handling system in a foam cutting system. The robot stands between two contour cutting machines arranged in parallel, grips and transports foam sheets, waste strips or cut-offs. Controls of the robot and the vertical and horizontal CNC cutting machine are interconnected, enabling a fully automatic process. The B-Bot uses a needle gripper system as its tool in this case.

The special feature of the robot is that it can be installed individually and universally, making numerous functions possible. According to the company, both the robot‘s tool and programming can be specially adapted by Bäumer for the specific application and combination with various cutting machines.

Bäumer will present the following scenarios at the Interzum trade show:

• Sheets are cut from a single block on the horizontal contour cutting machine OFS-H Twincut. B-Bot picks up the sheets individually and lays them, perfectly aligned, on the vertical contour cutting machine OFS-VS. In the multi-sheet mode, it stacks the sheets with precisely aligned edges.
• The sheets are trimmed on the OFS-VS. B-Bot grips the waste strips and disposes of them.
• A contour programme is cut on the OFS-VS and unloaded by the B-Bot.

According to Bäumer, in comparison to conventional handling systems the robot offers many advantages

• The edges of the stacked sheets are perfectly aligned, so vertical contour cuts produce little waste.
• B-Bot replaces a height-adjustable conveyor belt since it can remove individual sheets from the block.
• With machines aligned in parallel, B-Bot replaces the shuttle for transporting sheets.
• B-Bot removes the waste strips or sheets produced during trimming on the OFS-VS, without altering the position of the material being cut. So far, this application is only possible with the B-Bot and, until now, had to be carried out manually by additional operating personnel, says Bäumer.
• The required space is very small and the equipment is therefore suitable for production areas with limited space.
• Installation of a quick change system for different grip and vacuum tools is also possible.
• Despite its versatility, this system requires little maintenance compared to mechanically complex handling systems.

Fast reaction times and virtually unlimited application possibilities also permit adaptation of the B-Bot to very diverse production tasks, says Bäumer.