Jason H
Stainless
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2006
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA.
I am in love with this new forum. Thanks to all who contribute here.
I have a widget that I need to automate for sewing. It is a piece of fabric that is extremely stiff, almost like cardboard. It is cut into many different shapes based upon customers need. This is done on a die cutter ( think giant cookie cutter ). The maximum size is 18" X 18". Widget weight is under 1 pound each. the cutting part will be done by hand.
From there it is sewn around the edge. The sewing time is extremely long based upon the cost of the unit. I want to automate the sewing part, here is what I have thought of:
From Die cutting it is placed into a stack. It is picked up through suction, and moved over to the sewing machine. PLC is timed to lift sewing foot and widget is placed underneath. The arm needs to move at about 1 inch every ten seconds ( based upon sewing speed ). There are some starts and stops as it turns corners or makes a radius. The arm will need to maintain a perfect plane so that it is sewn straight. Sewing cycle is over and the widget is moved from under sewing foot to drop box.
Here are my questions. Please also note budget is an issue. My Factory is outfitted with 440V @ 1200 amps. My machine shop is for MRO and R&D. I have two Monarch 10EE's, two Tree 2uvrc's, and a clausing 5914. All parts will be made by hand.
For some of the other operations, I will want to use a PLC, can a robot arm integrate with a PLC?
What arm would be suitable for this application? Size is not important, this will be all caged off once operational.
I will have a motor directly driving the sewing machine. It will have to start, quickly stop, and change speed. It will also have to know position to help translate if the needle is up or down. What type of motor is best for this?
Where can I see the different types of attachments for robot arms?
Can the arm path be controlled by an autocad layout?
Please treat me like a two year old, I am just starting out with this stuff.
Jason
I have a widget that I need to automate for sewing. It is a piece of fabric that is extremely stiff, almost like cardboard. It is cut into many different shapes based upon customers need. This is done on a die cutter ( think giant cookie cutter ). The maximum size is 18" X 18". Widget weight is under 1 pound each. the cutting part will be done by hand.
From there it is sewn around the edge. The sewing time is extremely long based upon the cost of the unit. I want to automate the sewing part, here is what I have thought of:
From Die cutting it is placed into a stack. It is picked up through suction, and moved over to the sewing machine. PLC is timed to lift sewing foot and widget is placed underneath. The arm needs to move at about 1 inch every ten seconds ( based upon sewing speed ). There are some starts and stops as it turns corners or makes a radius. The arm will need to maintain a perfect plane so that it is sewn straight. Sewing cycle is over and the widget is moved from under sewing foot to drop box.
Here are my questions. Please also note budget is an issue. My Factory is outfitted with 440V @ 1200 amps. My machine shop is for MRO and R&D. I have two Monarch 10EE's, two Tree 2uvrc's, and a clausing 5914. All parts will be made by hand.
For some of the other operations, I will want to use a PLC, can a robot arm integrate with a PLC?
What arm would be suitable for this application? Size is not important, this will be all caged off once operational.
I will have a motor directly driving the sewing machine. It will have to start, quickly stop, and change speed. It will also have to know position to help translate if the needle is up or down. What type of motor is best for this?
Where can I see the different types of attachments for robot arms?
Can the arm path be controlled by an autocad layout?
Please treat me like a two year old, I am just starting out with this stuff.
Jason