Automatica 2010, the trade fair for automation and mechatronics, will be held at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre from June 8-11, 2010. The expo will see a wide range of companies present solutions from various technical fields, including robotics, assembly and handling technologies, for a wide range of industries, including a high concentration of companies specialising in automotive production equipment.

Here are some of them, as described by the companies themselves:

Beckhoff, Hall A2, Stand 103
Beckhoff will present its core technologies at the Automatica event, including PC-based control, EtherCAT-based control technology, Motion Control, Safety and XFC. For the first time, the company will present the robotic kinematics integrated in TwinCAT. This system enables the integration of robots, covering interaction and synchronisation within the existing Motion Control functions. This results in seamless integration in the overall control system, dispensing with additional robot CPUs. The ‘TwinCAT Kinematic Transformation’ software supports the following kinematics:

• cartesian portal
• shear kinematics
• roller kinematics (H-Bot)
• SCARA • 2-D kinematics
• 2-D parallel kinematics
• 3-D delta kinematics

www.beckhoff.de

Carl Zeiss, Hall A2, Stand 309
The theme of Carl Zeiss’ stand at the fair will be ‘Increasing a production line’s quality and efficiency through automated inline surface inspection’.

The company will be showing its SurfMax, the first configurable inline surface inspection unit for 3D parts. Results are described as objective, reproducible and not subject to fluctuations. It enables previously-established inspection criteria to be transferable to other locations. SurfMax’s scope includes matte and gloss surfaces for metal, plastic lacquer and ceramic coatings. Additionally, it is applicable on plain and curved surfaces, permitting testing of different surfaces on the same test piece. SurfMax also allows automatic inspection reporting.
www.zeiss.de/oim

Cloos, Hall B2, Stand 329
A highlight of the Cloos display will be the automation concept called Qirox, part of a completely new generation of Cloos robots. The new welding robots are available in five variants, suitable for loads up to 15kg and feature a distinctive modular design. An optional integrated 7th robot axis provides an extension of the working envelope of up to 550mm (1,100mm extension of the working envelope in total) which guarantees higher flexibility in workpiece processing. Due to the biotechnically optimised design, the travel speed can be increased by a factor of two without any loss of positioning accuracy. Newly-developed positioning units which are adapted to the different application ranges complete the Qirox program.

Several versions of the new, modular welding power sources in the Qineo series will also be presented at the Automatica event. The infinitely variable pulsed arc power allows Qineo Pulse to deliver a power range of between 350 and 600A, suitable for automated welding operations. A unique innovation is the optimization of the weld parameters, which are stored as synergy characteristic curves by means of two fine adjustments: The ´Arc Length´ function offers users the opportunity to fine-adjust the arc length, while the arc dynamics can be fine-tuned with the ´Arc Dynamic´ function.

The new inverter power source Qineo Tronic (350 - 600A) is suitable for manual and automated welding. The welding machine is provided with infinite voltage pre-selection in synergy mode and is multifunctionally suitable for the processes MIG/MAG, TIG and electrode (manual). The operating modes 2-cycle, 4-cycle, super 4-cycle and external (robot operation) are available. Depending on the version, up to 999 jobs can be generated and saved.

The newly developed synergy-controlled AC pulsed arc power sources in the Qineo Champ series (350 - 600A) offer optimum convenience during cold weld, high-capacity welding of thin plate in universal applications. Operation is said to be very simple. After calling up the suitable characteristic curve, the welding process can be regulated individually colder or warmer by using the rotary knob. The CW process is characterised by a particularly low heat input into the weld seam, which considerably minimises component distortion. Further benefits are improved gap bridging as well as considerably higher weld speeds, even when using aluminium.

The newly developed Vari Drive function enables troublefree CW welding of coated plate, preventing drop shortcircuit with undesirable spatter formation. The CW mode is not only suitable for MIG/MAG processes but also for MIG brazing.
www.cloos.com

DSM Messtechnik, Hall A1, Stand 506
DSM will show its range of manual and automated final assembly tools, concentrating on individual technical solutions for both hardware and software. The company prides itself on a varied standard range, but also in having the ability to produce special designs and completely new products for their customers. Working extensively in automotive, DSM can develop tailor-made solutions for applications in screw technology, joint technology and quality assurance. Products on show will include manual and automated screw technology products, both digital and analogue, and handling systems with torque support incorporating weight balance plus workstations, joint technology and its QS-Box compact, versatile countermeasure device. This provides the technician with a digital measurement system via the DSM Digital channel and features:

• Exchangeable plug-in modules for analogue and digital measurement signals: DSM-Digital, ±1 mV/V, ±2 mV/V, 4–20 mA, ±5 V, ±10 V, ±10 V
• Measurements possible online and offline
• Exchangeable CF data memory
• Synchronisation input for rotation angle and path testing
• Measurement record with graphic monitoring
• Interfaces: USB, RS 232, TCP/IP, profibus (optional)
www.dsm-messtechnik.de

EWAB, Hall B1, Stand 117
EWAB will be featuring its integration of industrial robots, designed to demonstrate the same modular development as all other equipment within EWAB Flow Technology. The company integrates several brands of robots, depending on end-user preferences, with the most common brands being ABB, Kuka and Fanuc.

The company specialises in automating handling tasks such as the loading and unloading of machinery, stations and containers and material flow systems. Being all-rounders in the machinery fleet, robots can also handle whole process units, such as deburring, cleaning, assembly or packing products.

Six freely-programmable axes permit movement in all degrees. The grab systems are specifically designed and produced in line with the application. When they are used to pack work pieces, containers or tools, every individual requirement is described as being ´met to perfection´. Robot types are selected according to customer wishes and application. These are primarily industrial robots that EWAB equips and integrates in line with the relevant application. They include controllers (hardware and software), gripper systems, safety equipment and peripheral units, such as deburring, flushing, aligning or suction devices. Automatic workloading equipment makes it possible to access several grabs within one cell.
www.ewab.de

Festo, Hall B1, Stand 309
Festo will be highlighting its automation safety control products at the Automatica fair, including its new MS6-SV soft-start and exhaust valve. These valve vents are critical safety areas in the event of an emergency stop. Exhaust performance amounts to 6,000 litres per minute, which is 50% more than standard pressurisation performance. As an example, the valve can be connected to a safety cover at an assembly station and if an employee opens the cover, the system is exhausted. An additional safety feature, the singlefault safety, is achieved through the redundant two-channel valve design. Even in the event of a fault, safe exhaust of the system is automatically ensured.

Another example of products and solutions to improve safety for automated systems are the braking units and clamping cartridges for drives. Regardless of the cause, power failure, intermediate stops for servicing, pressure drops or pressure failures, the new KEC-S braking units decelerate and stop the motion of Festo drives within precisely specified tolerances with the help of a clamping element acting upon the rod by means of spring force. Furthermore, this function is carried out over lengthy periods of time with changing loads, independent of fluctuating operating pressure and regardless of leaks. The DNCKE-S series cylinder, with braking unit and the KEC-S braking unit, are approved as holding devices and brakes for use with safety-oriented control systems. If appropriate, additional control measures can be implemented for use in higher categories. These units have passed the relevant BGIA certification.
www.festo.com

Fronius, Hall A2, Stand 308
Fronius will present several robotic test areas featuring the following products/processes: • TransSteel 5000 Robotics • DeltaSpot • TransPuls Synergic 3200 CMT • TransTig 4000 Plasma Module • CMT Pin • CMT Advanced.

TransSteel Robotics are designed to be robust, reliable and efficient, offering time-saving functions while delivering perfect weld properties for steel, with gas or water cooling. Steel Transfer technology and the fully-digital TransSteel inverter power source form the basis of a new robotic welding system. TransSteel Robotics is available in the 350A and 500A categories and delivers significant user benefits. The Fronius System Connector (FSC) conveys all the required media for the welding process, with a precise current transfer to ensure maximum process stability. With the new robot interfaces, the developers have managed to solve two problems with one solution: the interfaces can now be easily attached to both the power source and the cell wall. Versions that stop and start the arc via an automated interface and transmit analogue or digital signals across different bus networks (DeviceNet, CanOpen and Interbus) are available for robot integrators

Fronius will also be showing its new CL central inverter series that combines high-yield power electronics with a unique modular system design using the Fronius MIXTM concept. The result is maximum yield along with the highest reliability. The market introduction of this equipment is expected in mid-2010. Fronius CL central inverters will be available in 36, 48, and 60kW power classes, making them suitable for use with PV systems of up to several hundred kilowatts. Following market introduction, the equipment will be available worldwide.
www.fronius.com

Matrix Vision, Hall B2, Stand 303
Matrix Vision will show its latest Gigabit Ethernet camera series, mvBlueCOUGAR-X. The camera is packed with e-X-tra hardware-based smart features and design highlights. The compact and high quality housing is suitable for industrial use and features lockable connectors and a wide range of highly-sensitive CCD-/CMOS color and grayscale sensors. The camera series has a 14-bit ADC converter and 64 MB camera memory. The camera offers hardware-based preprocessing and fast resend mechanisms with adjustable bandwidth limits. Further innovative features include flat field correction, auto gain/shutter, direct driver outputs, etc. Like all Matrix Vision GigE cameras, the mvBlueCOUGAR-X is compliant to GenICamTM und GigE Vision.
www.matrix-vision.com

Motofil Robotics, Hall B2, Stands 330-331
Motofil Robotics will be showing its new H type indexing table on its stand, shared with Fanuc Robotics. With a complete offer of peripherical equipment for a wide range of MIG/MAG, TIG and plasma welding processes, Motofil was recognized and certified by some main automotive OEMs and suppliers, including Auto- Europa, MCC Group (Batz), CIE Group (Norma), Faurecia and Kirschhoff. The company’s equipment integrates some world-renowned brands such as FANUC, Kemppi and Miller.
www.motofil.pt

Schmersal, Hall A2, Stand 303
The Schmersal Group will present the entire series of new Protect-SRB 211 safety-monitoring modules at Automatica, plus other innovative switch gear.

The Protect-SRB 211 safety-monitoring modules have proved popular over the past few years as a universallyapplicable series for safe signal evaluation in various applications. The company will now introduce a new generation of this series, featuring enhanced functionality and improved comfort at a budgetfriendly price, with all improvements made possible by standardisation. Until now, each time a different safetymonitoring module had to be used for the signal evaluation of convention switchgear, magnetic safety switches and optoelectronic safety devices (AODP´s). With the new SRB 211 series, all three types of safety switchgear can be connected to the same safetymonitoring module.

This means a reduced number of variants need to be produced, so the customer gets the final advantage through standardisation. The new SRB 211 safety-monitoring modules from Elan - the Centre of Competence of the Schmersal Group for safety-monitoring modules and safetyrelated control systems - can be manufactured more costefficiently, and this advantage is passed on to customers.

The Schmersal Group, which has already produced millions of its popular AZ 16 series switch, now presents a new safety sensor, designed to help users make the step from electromechanical to non-contact guard door monitoring. Although the CSS 16 has the latest sensor technology, its basic size is exactly the same as that of the AZ 16, with the key difference being that in the CSS devices, the mechanical actuator is replaced by a compact target.
www.schmersal.com