Robot Automation Soars with MQL
Overview
Leading the way to a ‘lights-out’ aircraft manufacturing future, Wilder Systems uses robots to automate complex aerospace processes such as drilling, riveting, fastening, defastening, and inspection.
Problem
Holes drilled in aerospace manufacturing must meet high quality standards. Reworking nonconformity is costly and laborious. While Wilder successfully automated the drilling process, their in-line lubricators struggled with supplying precise lubrication to the tooling. Pumping from the robot’s base to the end-of-arm tool, lubrication was erratic with pooling and dry spells.
Solution
Understanding Wilder’s dilemma, Unist recommended a single output Coolubricator™ per robot. The Coolubricator’s™ coaxial tubing separates air and fluid until atomization at the spindle nose piece, ensuring accurate and consistent output. Utilizing the Coolubricator™ Wilder is able to actuate the pump with the robots IO.
Results
After several months of testing, Wilder is an avid proponent of Unist’s Coolubricator™ system. Minimum quantity lubrication has allowed Wilder to improve fluid savings by 50% while increasing tool life and hole quality. Taking advantage of on-board controls, setup and adjustment is now easier than ever.