Robotic routing reduces car kit trim time by 95%

KMT Robotic Solutions said that a robotic routing system has helped a component car kit manufacturer to improve part quality by over 200% and reduce trim time by more than 95%.

KMT Robotic Solutions has supplied a robotic routing system to Factory Five Racing, one of the world's largest manufacturers of component car kits, to improve part quality by more than 200% and reduce trim time by more than 95%.

Aat the Factory Five Racing plant in Massachusetts, USA, the company used to trim fibreglass and reinforced plastics kit car panels using manual routers working with trim fixtures.

The hand trimming process and accidental fixture movement created inconsistencies in quality and contributed to a high reject rate.

* Robotic router system - the fully enclosed KMT Robotic Solutions robotic router system offers the flexibility to trim each of Factory Five's seven unique parts.

The robotic system has a rail-mounted M-710iB FANUC robot.

Parts are presented to the robot on a fixture cart equipped with a uniquely-encoded ID tag.

The tag identifies the trimming program for the part, greatly improving quality and reducing production time.

The interchangeable router bits are powered by a 7kW electric spindle.

With the help of the KMT Robotic Solutions system, the process of trimming four sets of panels (eight doors, four bonnets and four boots) now takes just 24 min.

It used to take that used to take 7.5h by hand.

This achievement has allowed Factory Five's moulding department to increase quality and productivity.

"This robotic trimming system is an extension of the trend we began when we started Factory Five Racing, Inc," said Factory Five Racing's owner, Mark Smith.

He added: "We are on the leading edge of engineering and technology and will continue to make improvements that lead to higher quality, world-class parts and innovative designs.

By using technologies of CAD/CAM and automated robotic trimming, we have been able to reduce the costs of manufacturing while improving the accuracy, strength and finish of the product".

* About KMT Robotic Solutions - the company was formed in December of 2006 through the union of KMT Cutting Systems in Ronneby, Sweden, and Robotic Production Technology in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA.

KMT Robotic Solutions has more than 1500 systems installed around the world and more than 30 years' experience developing, designing, building, servicing and supporting robotic automation solutions for manufacturing customers.

With locations in Europe, the US and China, KMT is strategically positioned to serve the global market.

* About KMT Group - KMT is a leading producer of advanced production solutions in waterjet cutting, precision grinding, and robotic solutions for engineered products.

Industries served include aerospace, appliance, automotive, composites, bath/shower, consumer goods, marine and plastics.

KMT creates value through precision - from design and delivery to the customer's end product.

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