The Panda Cobot from Franka Emika is versatile. © TQ-Systems

The machine to which the cobot is connected at Moser processes a large product portfolio with many different article numbers. To teach the cobot, it was mounted on an appropriately stable table in front of the relevant lathe. "We were looking for a solution that would allow us to achieve significant time savings when setting up and retooling the various components. Therefore, a key requirement for the new application system was that it should be easy to operate and retool with little computer application experience. This is exactly the case. The system is designed so that users can quickly learn and reprogram it themselves - without any previous robot experience. After just one week of testing, everyone was able to operate the robot completely intuitively. I was surprised at how quick and easy it was," says Hannes Moser.

Amortization after three months

The specific application at Moser is as follows: The cobot removes the component from a parts chute, inserts it into the lathe, removes it from the machine again after machining and finally drops it into a box as bulk material. "The system runs smoothly," says Moser happily. When asked about the biggest advantages of the new installation, he explains: "Firstly, the quality is now consistently at the highest level, as the robot always carries out the process in exactly the same way and manual sources of error are eliminated. The robot also doesn't take a break and doesn't need a vacation. As a result, the company benefits from a significant increase in process speed and has been able to massively increase its productivity. "Looking back on the first three months, we can already say that we have been able to achieve a very high ROI. The robot has already paid for itself."

Maximum precision and consistent quality in the execution of processes. © TQ-Systems

The higher process reliability and speed as well as the increase in productivity are not the only advantages of the cobot system. The employees at the machine also benefit from the new solution in their day-to-day work: "The robot really makes our lives easier," confirms Jonas Fürst, machining mechanic at Moser. "The system is very easy to operate and it relieves us of heavy and monotonous tasks, such as the physically strenuous pressing on of sleeves, which used to be done manually. This process is now completely automated." The production team is also pleased with the relief and time savings during changeover. "I can simply program the robot to take over the changeover, which is much faster than if employees had to do it. We save a lot of time," says Fürst. His conclusion: "If you process large quantities and can cope with monotony and physical exertion, then cobots are definitely the future here, I'm sure of it. And the employees can then concentrate on the tasks that really require their dexterity and individual know-how".

Meeting delivery deadlines despite system failure

Another decisive factor in choosing the solution was the availability and reliability of the TQ service team. "We had a lot of telephone contact during the test week, as the team was familiarizing itself with the new solution at the time - it all worked really well," says Moser. The fact that the service also works smoothly in an emergency was demonstrated during a system failure. After a brief telephone clarification, Moser Zerspanungstechnik was immediately supplied with a replacement robot and was able to continue production as usual after just 48 hours. "At the time, it quickly became clear that only a replacement would make sense, as we had to continue working quickly in order to meet our delivery deadlines. We managed to do this, even though a lot had naturally built up in the two days. But that wasn't a problem, because the replacement robot simply worked longer into the night, so we were able to make up the time quickly," says Moser.

Moser is so satisfied that TQ has now received an order for a second Cobot. With the first robot, the company has already been able to combine the work of the original two machines and is currently using the system to produce all products that previously required two machines. The employees can easily program the changeover to other article numbers themselves. So why a second cobot now? "With the second robot, we have even more alternative options in case there is a problem with one of the machines. And in general, we can then map all the article numbers that we produce on two robots - that's our goal," explains Moser.