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Melton Machine overcomes supply chain shortages
by Melton Machine & Control Company
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Multi-Robot Systems and Robot Supplier for flexible OLP Solution
FASTSUITE brand-agnostic simulation and offline programming (OLP) software allows a system integrator to substitute different robot brands when supply chain shortages cause long lead times. The software’s powerful simulation tools help prove out complex automation concepts upfront and eliminate rework later. Cost savings yield a strong return on investment.
About the customer
Melton Machine & Control Company is an established leader in automated arc welding systems. With 50-plus years of experience designing and building premium-quality, value-focused equipment and fixtures, the system integrator is trusted by its partners around the world to develop precise, efficient solutions for factory automation.
To the customer website
Business challenge
Need reliable, easy-to-use simulation software to help integrator’s customers visualize concepts for complex arc welding fixtures and systems
Supply chain shortage led to potential project delay
Customer goals
Require simulation and offline programming software platform able to handle fully coordinated motion of multi-robot cells, workpiece positioners and external axes.
We went live with FASTSUITE simulations in 2019. Within the first couple applications, we caught three things that probably would have been missed in engineering. Saving those mistakes paid for the two seats of software.
Melton Machine & Control Company
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Approach
Melton Machine is using FASTSUITE Edition 2 Advanced Integrator software, which enables everything from concept planning, cell layout and simulations, to robot reach studies, cycle time estimation and offline programming.
The Advanced Integrator package also allows for digital twinning of custom-designed part fixtures, including modeling behavior of clamps and part proximity sensors.
An exact geometry, Parasolid based CAD kernel allows users of FASTSUITE software to exchange tooling and even whole cell layout data with external CAD systems, without losing that valuable project data while programming parts using true curves or surfaces, instead of tessellated or split segments, which are common with other software.
CENIT’s software reduces programming time by using automated weld seam search and torch angle orientation strategies, thus avoiding tedious point-by-point programming.
FASTSUITE software provides accurate 3D process simulation, including collision detection and avoidance, axis limits, and singularity monitoring, saving Melton Machine the time and cost of rework.
Results and conclusion
FASTSUITE provides accurate 3D process simulation, including collision detection, axis limits and singularity monitoring.
Full control of multi-robot cells and dynamic workpiece positioners
Brand-agnostic software supports a comprehensive library of robots, machine tools, process technologies, and control connectors to native robot controllers/PLCs, enabling users to perform all activities of a typical integration project and swap out different brands as needs change or supply chain shortages dictate
Related topics
Offline programming of production robots minimizes production downtime and shortens program implementation intervals. Result: Time and cost savings of up to 80 percent.
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