Linear Tracks for Robots Offer Dynamic Solution for Integrator

As its name implies, Dynamic Robotic Solutions (DRS) believes in flexible, fast and reliable customer service. This approach has helped the company (formerly KMT Robotic Solutions) find success as a specialty integrator of robotic material-removal systems.

Based in Auburn Hills, MI, DRS designs and builds high-pressure waterjet- and laser-based systems for 3D trimming, cutting and cleaning applications. The company also makes a robotic automation system that cuts, mills and drills the root ends of utility-scale wind turbine blades. Over the past 30 years, DRS has installed more than 1,500 turnkey systems to serve manufacturers in the automotive, aerospace, white goods, plastics, composites, marine, renewable energy, commercial truck, off-road vehicle and consumer products industries.

This past spring, a Tier 1 automotive supplier came to DRS with a problem. It needed a more durable and reliable linear track for a material handling robot in a waterjet-cutting workcell. The track it was using often needed repair, resulting in downtime and lost production. Even worse, the workcell supplier wasn’t a track specialist, lacked technical support and was slow to deliver tracks and spare parts.

After some discussions, DRS agreed to design and build a replacement system. Steve Himmelsbaugh, project manager for DRS, selected Güdel Inc. as the track supplier. Güdel is headquartered in nearby Ann Arbor, MI, where it manufactures automation products such as robot track motion units, linear modules and gantry robots.

The DRS system features a six-axis FANUC M-900iB robot mounted on a TrackMotion TMF-4 track. With a 350-kilogram payload, the robot moves 2.5 meters back and forth along the track to perform waterjet cutting. It is mounted directly to the baseplate of the track’s carriage unit.

Besides providing a seventh linear axis for the robot, the track extends its work envelope. Himmelsbaugh says this enables the supplier to use a shorter-arm robot arm for the job and save money.

The TMF-4 handles static loads up to 5,200 kilograms. Maximum speed of its carriage unit with mounted robot is 210 meters per minute. Maximum acceleration is 5 meters per second squared.

Series TMF-1, TMF-2 and TMF-3 have static load capacities of 1,200, 2,500 and 4,000 kilograms, respectively. Maximum carriage speed is either 210 (TMF-3) or 240 (TMF-1, TMF-2) meters per minute. Maximum acceleration is 7 (TMF-3, TMF-2) or 12 (TMF-1) meters per second squared.

All four series come in lengths of 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 meters. Versatile adaptor plates that attach to the baseplate handle more than 600 different models of robots.

For more information on linear tracks for robots, call 734-214-0000 or visit www.gudel.com.

Jim was a senior editor of ASSEMBLY and has more than 30 years of editorial experience. Before joining ASSEMBLY, Camillo was the editor of PM Engineer, Association for Facilities Engineering Journal and Milling Journal. Jim has an English degree from DePaul University.

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