Robotic Cleaning Cell for Machined Parts

Fabrit designed and implemented a robotic cleaning cell for automatic handling and cleaning of machined parts. The workstation integrates part transport, a collaborative robot and a three-chamber cleaning machine into one automated production process.

The system receives components directly from the machining area, transfers them automatically to the cleaning machine and carries out the cleaning cycle without manual handling between operations.

Challenge

The cleaning process after machining had previously been performed manually. The operator collected parts from the lathe, transported them to the cleaning station, loaded them into the machine and supervised the cleaning process.

The customer required a solution that would reduce manual handling, increase workstation throughput and improve the repeatability of the cleaning process.

Implemented solution

• Conveyor receiving parts directly from the machining process.
• Collaborative robot transferring components between the conveyor and the cleaning machine.
• Three independent cleaning chambers allowing parallel processing.
• Part rotation inside the working chamber during the cleaning cycle.
• Cleaning with compressed air to remove machining residues and contamination.
• Integration of material handling, robotics and cleaning within one automated cell.

Results

The implementation eliminated manual transport of parts between operations and significantly reduced operator involvement in the cleaning process.

The three-chamber cleaning system increased workstation throughput by allowing several cleaning cycles to be carried out in parallel, while automation improved process repeatability and reduced unnecessary downtime.

FABRIT scope

• robotic cell concept development,
• mechanical design of the workstation,
• selection and integration of the collaborative robot,
• integration of the part conveyor system,
• integration of the three-chamber cleaning machine,
• commissioning and process optimisation.