Exhibition decision proves lucrative for Panasonic

A Nexus Media Communications product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 14, 2004

Panasonic chose to exhibit at Weldex 2003 to promote its wide range of robotic applications such as the PerformArc series.

Panasonic has a primary aim of contributing to European Industry through an "all-in-one" robot and welding solution.

With this goal in mind, the company chose to exhibit at Weldex 2003 to promote its wide range of robotic applications such as the PerformArc series.

This decision proved lucrative as a well-established customer was prompted to purchase further robots as a result of visiting Panasonic's stand at the show.

Automotive pressed metal component and welded subassembly specialist RSM Industries of Coventry had previously taken delivery of three Panasonic PerformArc ET welding robot systems, selected from the Panasonic PerformArc Robot system range, to manufacture a range of seat runner assemblies for a leading automotive company.

The systems chosen were based on a modular design platform concept incorporating the latest high-speed PanaRobo VR006 G2 robot with Windows CE operating system and graphical user interface, improving ease of operation and providing higher utilisation.

As standard the robots enhanced features including seam overlapping function during weld interruption, multiple arc start retry in the event of arc start failure, software for touch sensing feature, automatic wire burn off in the event of wire stick in weld crater, flying arc starts providing reduced welding cycle times, preprogrammed interruptions for tip changes and tip clean procedures and digitally calibrated weld set to ensure correct welding output.

The robot is integrated digitally to the latest Panasonic RF350 II inverter controlled welding equipment, enabling the robot to control the inverter welding power source in real time.

In addition to the robot and welding power source, each of the RSM systems incorporates a two station electrically driven end-changer system, complete guard system with interlocked access door and light fence protection to the operator station.

A built-in torch clean station allows the robot torch to clean while the operator is working at either station.

PerformArc systems also benefit from an integrated maintenance access station allowing maintenance on the torch to be executed simply and surely from outside of the cell without the need for the operator to enter into the cell or interrupt the automatic operation.

Using preprogrammed procedures controlled from the operation panel both tip change and torch calibration check can be executed.

As part of the integration service, Panasonic fitted all of the cell's systems and components including the courtesy lighting and the fume extraction covering.

Commenting on the manufacturing cell, RSM's Plant Manager states: "Panasonic was chosen to supply these systems as they proved that they were able to provide a cost-effective single source supply for robots, welding equipment, tooling, systems design, configuration and testing, the new cells have provided RSM with both a cost effective and low technical and commercial risk solution to our high volume production requirements".

"Since installation RSM have benefited from dramatically reduced welding times per component and improved, more repeatable and higher quality welding techniques".

As a result of Panasonic's success with RSM, when the company visited the stand at Weldex 2003, it was a natural progression to purchase further robots based on new levels of controller and power sources which were displayed at the show.

Richard Parrott (Business Manager UK and Rep of Ireland, Robot and Welding Group) at Panasonic felt that overall Weldex 2003 was worth the money spent: "I have always rated Weldex highly and I am looking forward to the show in 2006".

"Considering what we got out of it - and taking into account the state of the industry at the end of last year - it was a pretty good ratio".