Kitron seeks to provide modern and efficient automation methods for customers by constantly applying the latest knowledge and technologies. Automation methods can significantly increase efficiency and save resources, enabling us to support successful manufacturing strategies with higher productivity.
Kitron Lithuania engineers recently accomplished a remarkable project, the Automated Assembly and Testing Line.
Delivering more than just a project
The Automated Assembly and Testing Line was developed to address challenges for one of our customers: increasing manufacturing capacity, reducing costs, and ensuring quality. In collaboration with the customer team, Kitron designed an automation concept that balanced capacity and budgetary requirements. The result is an eight-meter-long line of six separate units connected to nine fully automated processes.
Kitron Lithuania’s highly skilled engineers managed every aspect of this ambitious project, from an initial idea to after-support. By keeping the entire development process in-house, we helped customers optimize costs and reduce development time while improving the quality of products.
Applying our extensive experience in advanced automation, Kitron offers tailored solutions designed to meet our customers' unique needs.
How does it work?
The Automated Assembly and Testing Line operates using a specially designed product carriage for fixtures and conveyor system. At the start of the process, operators assemble product components, which are sent to the automated line via a conveyor system. Conveyor sliders positioned on the line manage the flow of fixture carriages, ensuring precise control of their entry and exit from each process.
The process in the first cell begins with the application of the product label, followed by rivet application. Rivets are fed from a bowl feeder to a riveting gun, ensuring accurate and consistent placement.
The second automated cell inspects the previous processes by using a machine vision camera. Then, a six-axis robot picks and inserts a required part into the product, followed by a screw application with high precision and control.
In the third automated cell, products are tested by connecting the fixtures to external test equipment, which is specially designed and developed by Kitron’s test engineers. Then, plastics are welded precisely, using an ultrasound welding device.
Once the product is assembled and tested, the conveyor system returns the fixture carriers back to the operators. These carriers can accumulate in a buffer until the operators are ready to receive and disassemble them, ensuring a continuous and efficient workflow.
This seamless integration of automated processes throughout the whole line ensures high-quality production, reduced manual intervention, and enhanced operational efficiency.
Summary
This advanced automation project presented numerous engineering challenges, all of which our skilled team successfully addressed. Through support and close collaboration with our customers, we ensured the highest project outcomes.
Automation and testing are a few of the key technical services at Kitron, offering modern, efficient tools to increase production capacity and quality while saving our customers’ resources. We provide tailored solutions that meet customer demands and ensure future success.
