IMPLEMENTATION OF ROBOT WELDING IN THE CONTEXT OF INDUSTRY 4.0 DEVELOPMENT
Authors:   University Polytechnica of Bucharest, Doctoral School of Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotics, Splaiul Independenţei, No. 313, RO-060042, Bucharest, Romania, Coman Mihăiță-Nicolae , Rontescu Corneliu ,   University Polytechnica of Bucharest, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotic, Department of Quality Engineering and Industrial Technologies, Splaiul Independenţei, No. 313, Corp CE, RO-060042, Bucharest, Romania, Cicic Dumitru-Titi ,   University Polytechnica of Bucharest, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotic, Department of Quality Engineering and Industrial Technologies, Splaiul Independenţei, No. 313, Corp CE, RO-060042, Bucharest, Romania, Bogatu Ana-Maria ,   University Polytechnica of Bucharest, Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotic, Department of Quality Engineering and Industrial Technologies, Splaiul Independenţei, No. 313, Corp CE, RO-060042, Bucharest, Romania, Pirvu Valentin ,   University Polytechnica of Bucharest, Doctoral School of Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotics, Splaiul Independenţei, No. 313, RO-060042, Bucharest, Romania
Published: January 2024

The manufacturing of welded structures plays an important role in industrial processes. The new requirements related to the quality of the products and the productivity of the technological processes have led to the analysis of the possibility of implementing robotic processes. The use of mechanized/automatic/robotic production systems offer a more accurate control of the production process quality, but also the possibility of real-time monitoring and modification of process parameters with the aim of keeping the production process within functional limits. The industrial revolution offers the possibility of interconnecting industrial equipment used to monitor, analyze and improve production processes. The present paper analyses the possibility of implementing robotic welding in automotive industry. To weld the STEP E P 40 longeron, manufactured from S355J2H base material, using GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding) robotic welding, it was necessary to establish the welding technology as well as design, calibrate and validate the orientation and fixing devices. The design of the welding devices was based on the geometric and dimensional characteristics and considered the dimensional deviations of the assembly as well as the number of component parts of the longeron. The prototype of the device was used was used to fix the longeron during welding with the aim of validating it. After completing the welding, the longeron was subjected to the dimensional control process with the help of a measuring arms with four wavelengths of labor and six-axis. The characteristic dimensions of the longeron were measured in accordance with the quality requirements of the beneficiary. As a result of the measurements and analysis of the obtained results, it was found that a series of nominal dimensions do not respect the dimensional tolerances imposed by the designer. Considering the dimensional deviations, the orientation and fixation device was modified in terms of introducing new modular fixation elements and adjusting the dimensions of the seating elements. After modifying the device, the welding and dimensional control of another longeron was carried out. Analyzing the values obtained from the measurements, resulted that the dimensions fall within the dimensional deviations imposed by the designer and meet the quality requirements of the beneficiary. As a result of the values obtained, it was decided to validate the device and use it within the newly implemented robotic cell.