What is forging automation?
Forging automation integrates automated systems, machinery, and technologies into a forging process. Metal in a forging process is shaped and formed, commonly producing components and parts with enhanced strength and durability for various industries, including automotive, aerospace, construction, and more.
Benefits of Automation Your Forging Process
Automation in forging aims to enhance your forging process’s efficiency, accuracy, and consistency while reducing human injury and error. The benefits of integrating automation in your forging facility include increased productivity, improved product quality and consistency, reduced labor costs, enhanced safety, and the ability to handle various part shapes and geometries.
How We Can Help You
Under the guidance of the industry’s leading forging automation experts, Adaptec proudly has a team of engineers and technicians dedicated to the forging industry. Combined with our status as a Level V integrator in FANUC’s ASI network, Adaptec can engineer and integrate a custom forging automation solution for various steps in the forging process. These processes include:
- Bin Picking
- Furnace Unload/Load
- Trim Press Unload/Load
- Die Spraying
- Billet Feeding
Our years of experience in the forging industry have allowed us to build key partnerships, ensuring quality products and technologies are integrated into our forging automation solutions. From end-of-arm-tooling to vision systems and software, our engineers have the necessary tools to develop a custom solution for you.
Forging Automation Components
FANUC FoundryPro Robots
Heavy-duty FANUC FoundryPro robots are built for forging applications with better seals on robot joints, durable two-part epoxy paint, and stainless fasteners. All motors are covered to prevent overspray from sticking to the motor/encoder. To accommodate various billet sizes, custom end-of-arm tools are designed to work in conjunction with the robot. For forge loading robots, a two-jaw gripper provides the flexibility required to handle a variety of billet diameter ranges.
End-of-Arm Tooling
End-of-arm tooling is essential in forging due to the environment and temperature of parts. Engineers will design the tool to survive hot parts by understanding the temperature, managing ambient conditions, selecting quality components and materials, and applying cooling or lubrication when necessary. Efficient tooling design allows for easy change-over and simplistic repairs.
Vision
Vision systems can be implemented, specifically in bin-picking solutions, to determine location data for pickable billets before a robot places the end-of-arm tool over a pickable billet.
Essentially, vision systems enable robots to see, making them smarter, more precise, reliable, and efficient to identify, inspect, and guide parts along the process. Adaptec can integrate 2D or 3D vision with a wide range of sensors for increased capability.
Robotic Bin Picking
Key benefits include:
- Increased productivity
- Reduced manual labor
- Improved accuracy
- Ability to handle a wide variety of objects, shapes, and sizes
- Rapid addition of new parts to automation cells with offline programming capabilities
- Increased speed for emptying bins
- High percentage of completely empty bins
- Remote support options for troubleshooting
- Increased safety with less operator interaction
Key Components of Robotic Bin Picking
FANUC Industrial Robot
Vision & Sensing
Object Recognition
Path Planning & Collision Avoidance
Pick & Place Operations
Quality Control
Bin Replenishment
Cranes & Hoists
Industrial cranes play a vital role in the operations of forging companies, as they are essential for moving heavy and often hot materials during the forging process. Adaptec has over 40 years of experience in the material handling industry, engineering, installing, inspecting, and servicing crane systems.
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