Mechanical engineer Severin Bobon and electrical engineer Simon Karl are successful start-ups. Together, they set up their own part-time business, BoKa Automatisierung, in 2014. An initial balance sheet in 2016 showed a turnover of 320,000 euros; now, three years later, it will probably be 1.8 million euros.

Platform concept in special machine construction
The company is based on four pillars: personnel services, programming of control systems, special systems and control cabinet construction and a fourth division: service. Severin Bobon describes the company's mission: "The focus of our goals is always to offer our customers the best possible service and the best possible solution." A maxim that was also followed in the development of CodaBot, the latest product from BoKa.

CodaBot stands for Collaborative Discharge Assistant Robot. A special machine with which different customer requirements can be implemented quickly and flexibly. A machine platform with a perforated grid forms the basic construction. Various devices can be anchored within the grid, such as robots, measuring machines and similar components. A mobile modular system that can be expanded into a complete machine. Severin Bobon explains the idea behind it: "A special machine based on a series machine and a standard modular system. Car manufacturers do the same thing in the form of equipment lists."

Two-jaw gripper in detail. © Röhm

More is possible with modules
Users can configure and create their desired production solution themselves. They simply combine the various modules until the special machine is complete and perfect for their application. Because different workpieces have to be handled in different applications, flexibility is also the top priority for the grippers. "We rely on products from Röhm," explains Bobon. Grippers that he knows from his many years of professional experience and whose technology he is familiar with. The Managing Director appreciates the partnership and the competent cooperation, and Röhm employees are always available.

Robot works collaboratively
Cube system is the name of the platform of the latest BoKa development, which is based on a sheet metal bending and welding construction in the shape of a cube and in which such cubes can be lined up as required. With the cube system and the corresponding robots on it, mass products can be handled directly at the machine. A system located near Hamburg shows how such a process can take place. There, medical products - namely titanium bone nails - are automatically removed from the lathe. A titanium chip is then removed from a frontal threaded hole so that the bone nails can be cleaned in an ultrasonic bath. A device then cleans and blows the bone nails dry so that the sensitive workpieces can then be set down free from damage and scratches.

This is also a challenge for the gripper. Production is carried out from the classic three-meter bar, and the workpieces can have a diameter of 100 millimetres. This system uses a two-jaw gripper, the PPP50 from Röhm, modified with special technical features according to customer requirements. Depending on the workpiece dimensions, smaller or larger grippers are used, which can be controlled electrically or pneumatically and are designed to be self-retaining.

High gripping force, low weight
These two-jaw grippers are available from Röhm in different versions. Equipped with two parallel fingers, they are particularly suitable for gripping round and angular workpieces. They have a compact design, a low dead weight and a high gripping force - properties that are particularly useful for handling on robots or gantries. Versatile connection and fastening options also ensure maximum flexibility. Further features of this design are the high gripping force with low dead weight, the high torque support when installing long gripper fingers thanks to extended jaw guidance, as well as a long service life and high reliability thanks to specially ground base jaws in T-slot guidance. Inductive and magnetic sensors support position monitoring, and Röhm's range also includes versions with FKM seals for higher temperatures, up to 150 degrees Celsius. as