Grugliasco (TO) – July 8th, 2024 – During the Open House “Competences and Innovation” organized on July 3rd, 2024, Comau opened the doors of its Grugliasco plant – where the innovation, production and business departments are located – and welcomed several partners, customers, and system integrators. It was the chance to deliver live demonstrations and introduce the latest technological innovations which are empowering efficient and sustainable production processes, across diversified industries.
With 50 years of experience, 12 factories and 3,700 employees worldwide, Comau confirmed its role as a leading provider of advanced automation solutions in diversified industries: from automotive to logistics, food to pharmaceuticals, renewable energy to shipbuilding. “Our role goes beyond the usual delivery of products, yet it continues in a strategic partnership with customers, including custom projects design and local support for an increasing variety of application requirements“, Paolo Zola, Head of Customer Management Extended Europe – Advanced Automation Solutions BU at Comau, commented at the event opening.
Regarding technologies, the undeniable stars at the Open House were the brand-new S-Family six-axis robots, which was first unveiled last May, at Automate in Chicago, North America’s leading automation show. The S-Family robots combine high speed and high energy efficiency. These robots are available in two models, featuring a payload of 13 kg with reach of 1,730 mm (model S13) and 18 kg with reach of 1,960 mm (model S18).
Among the key benefits of S-Family robots, Giovanni Di Stefano, Head of Engineering – Advanced Automation Solutions at Comau, highlighted: the fully integrated dressings; the IP68 hollow-wrist, featuring high protection against water and dust, the integrated arc and Gigabit fittings; the energy consumption optimization, matching Industry 5.0 guidelines, due to robot’s lower weight; the multiple mounting positions (floor, wall, ceiling). “The S13 and S18 robots are designed for arc welding, handling, bending applications and other specific applications in food & beverage, foundry, automotive and battery manufacturing. They stand out for precision, repeatability, and speed,” Di Stefano reported.
In addition to the S-Family robots, the attendees could also appreciate new details of Comau’s innovative technologies. One of which was the MI.RA/OnePicker, a new intelligent vision-based piece picking solution powered by AI algorithms. MI.RA/OnePicker is designed to autonomously detect and locate several randomly placed multi-type objects from the same container. The system can calculate the best picking position in few seconds, without the need for CAD-based assistance or previous information on object’s size, shape or colour.
Comau also presented the demo releases of its Hyperflex mobile system for automated on-site solar blade installation, in.Grid, the digital platform for acquisition, monitoring and exchange of data, enabling predictive maintenance processes and a preview of the new teach pendant, which will be disclosed in the next few months.
The Open House also displayed the Racer-5 SE (Sensitive Environments) robot, which was showcased in June at the Battery Show Europe conference, in Stuttgart, Germany. Featuring a maximum payload of 5 kg with individual reaches of 630 and 800 mm, the Racer-5 SE robot is “MOCA” and “ISO-6 Cleanroom” certified. The Racer-5 robot is designed to be used in specific applications requiring good resistance to dust or other aggressive chemicals and to reduce risk of environment contamination, such as chemical, pharmaceutical and food production.
The visit in the Grugliasco plant was also a chance to try on the wearable robotics solutions MATE XT and XB, the upper and lower body exoskeletons that protect and improve a worker’s well-being.
Comau’s innovation and advanced automation go beyond the boundaries of industrial robotics, moving further to machine vision systems, artificial intelligence, software and IIoT platforms. Today the company can provide to customers, partners, and system integrators with standard or custom solutions and meet the needs of a growing variety of diversified markets.