FAS (Foundry Automation System)
Foundry Automation Systems (FAS) leverage robotic technologies to improve the efficiency, precision, and safety of foundry operations. These systems automate various processes involved in casting and molding metals, which traditionally involve significant manual labor and exposure to hazardous conditions. Here are the key details about robotic applications in Foundry Automation Systems:
Key Components of Foundry Automation Systems
Robotic Arm
- Function: Perform tasks such as pouring molten metal, extracting castings, and handling molds.
- Application: Capable of operating in high-temperature environments, robotic arms improve precision and reduce the risk of injury.
Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)
- Function: Transport materials and components within the foundry.
- Application: Streamline the movement of molds, cores, and castings, ensuring timely and efficient material flow.
Mold Handling Systems
- Function: Automate the preparation, handling, and assembly of molds and cores.
- Application: Improve consistency and reduce defects in the casting process.
Casting Inspection Systems
(CIS)
- Function: Use machine vision and sensors to inspect castings for defects.
- Application: Ensure quality control by identifying and rejecting defective parts early in the process.
Benefits of Foundry Automation Systems
Increased Efficiency
- Explanation: Automating repetitive and labor-intensive tasks speeds up production cycles.
- Application: Robots can operate continuously without breaks, significantly boosting productivity.
Enhanced Precision and Consistency
- Explanation: Robots perform tasks with high precision, reducing variability and improving product quality.
- Application: Automated systems ensure consistent handling and processing of molds and castings.
Improved Safety
- Explanation: Automation reduces human exposure to hazardous environments, high temperatures, and molten metal.
- Application: Robots take on dangerous tasks, minimizing the risk of workplace injuries.
Cost Savings
- Explanation: Reduction in labor costs, decreased material waste, and lower defect rates lead to significant savings.
- Application: Long-term ROI from improved efficiency and reduced operational costs.
Better Quality Control
- Explanation: Automated inspection systems identify defects early, ensuring only high-quality castings move forward.
- Application: Consistent quality control measures lead to better end products and customer satisfaction.
By leveraging these robotic applications and trends, foundries can achieve significant improvements in efficiency, quality, and safety, positioning themselves for future growth and competitiveness in the industry.
What We Do
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The harsh conditions common to foundries, forge shops, steel mills, and many automotive plants are well-suited for robot automation. Foundry robots increase safety, productivity and efficiency. Designed to work in hot, hazardous environments, they can withstand high levels of dust as well as exposure to harsh chemicals and high- pressure including but not limited to: die-casting, gravity-sprays. Foundry robots can perform a variety of applications, casting, sand-casting, finishing, water or chemical cleaning, and forging.
- Sand-casting
- Deburring
- Fettling
- Die-casting
- Gravity-Casting