Efficiency, high quality, ergonomics and innovation. The engineers at SCHURTER Input Systems in Germany and the Netherlands have successfully implemented more collaborative robots (cobots) for the production of complete HMI systems into production. In order to meet the increasing demand in the market, SCHURTER is investing in the use of robots in the production of customized input systems.

Automating repetitive work steps is one of the most important advantages of using cobots in manufacturing. Productivity is thereby increased, operating costs are reduced and quality is guaranteed at a consistently high level.

At the production sites in Germany and the Netherlands, collaborative robots are used as support in flexible and universal assembly lines. The new cobots make production processes easier and offer advantages. Above all, the use of cobots reduces the workload for employees through automated and precise process steps such as loading, fixing, assembling, etc. and frees up space for activities during production.

The field of application is universal and freely programmable. The cobots are not only used for assembling steps, but also for lamination processes, dispensing and quality inspection. Upstream and downstream processes can be used flexibly and parallel work is made possible. Another advantage is that complex project-specific devices are no longer necessary.

Basically, the use of cobots leads to an increase in quality assurance, e.g. through lower tolerances in positioning accuracy and constant parameters in processing through e.g. defined press-in forces and controlled volumes during dispensing. An important advantage for the customer: The time saved by using cobots reduces the time-to-market for small and large series and enables prototypes to be produced promptly.

At SCHURTER GmbH, for example, the integrated cobot as an universal assembly machine is equipped with a manual changing system. A wide variety of tools such as vacuum grippers, potting dispensers, lamination rollers or test stamps are picked up with it. The main advantage is extremely short changeover times for the production of different customer-specific products.

At SCHURTER Electronics B.V., a PCAP assembly line was set up for the automated bonding of glass with housings. The new cobot and additional dispensing robots support the operator during recurring process steps. This simplifies production, increases flexibility and minimizes changeover times. This production process ensures even more precise manufacturing and shortens throughput times.