QUALITY CONTROL AND ASSURANCE

Current production environments, with an increasing degree of automation and increasingly shorter product cycles, require an efficient, quality-assuring testing technology.

TESTING SYSTEMS FOR MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS IN PRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT

We are able to offer you a comprehensive range of system solutions, starting with fully automatic end-of-line inspection cells in automatic manufacturing plants, to manual test stations for small series, all the way to test stands for service-life tests and lab applications.

A modular structure with respect to hardware and software, with many configuration options and interfaces, permits efficient adjustment to individual requirements. The integration into a higher-level MES system (Manufacturing Execution System), in order to meet the requirements with regard to traceability and integrated production planning, can also be implemented.

ROBOT-CONTROLLED QUALITY ASSURANCE WITH FORCE-TORQUE SENSORS

Robot systems with 6-axis force-torque sensors are particularly suited for testing tasks because they directly capture, analyze and archive the interacting forces in all degrees of freedom. As part of an automated testing system, they make haptic tests possible, e.g. on control elements such as push buttons, switches or control pads – in addition to functionality, durability and loading tests. In this process, both the general functionality as well as the required tolerances are tested.

Thanks to the direct feedback of the sensor data into the robot’s motion execution, irregularities can be detected and corrected during the assembly process itself. The additional quality control step is therefore no longer necessary.

ADVANTAGES

Early error detection and determination of source of error thanks to software-based documenting and analysis
Automated testing using non-destructive testing methods
Standardized solutions and short setup times in the event of model changes
Various configuration and connection options

APPLICATION: FUNCTIONAL TESTING OF STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES

PRESENTATION OF PROBLEM

Previously, the functional testing of steering column switches for quality assurance in automotive production could only be carried out using expensive special machines or customized applications.

SOLUTION

With an F6D force-torque sensor, it is now also possible to implement successful functional testing of steering column switches using an industrial robot. The deflection forces required to operate the levers and rotary control switches are captured and recorded, thanks to the sensor’s electronic system, and compared to a previously defined master curve. The robot reacts to deviations and rejects the switch.