The future belongs to human-robot cooperation. System builder BEC has developed such a collaborative solution for Siemens Healthineers. It precisely inserts coils weighing several tonnes into the magnets of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines. Electric cylinders from Festo, which ensure the coils are securely gripped, play a crucial role here.
Total precision when handling objects weighing 1.5 tonnes might seem like an impossible task, but it’s all part of BEC's core competency. “It is vital that the coils do not twist or slip when the gripper picks them up and inserts them into the magnets; the tolerance for inserting the coils into the magnets is no more than 0.5 millimetres,” explains Nusseck.
This is precisely the task of four supports driven by electric cylinders EPCC from Festo. After entering the coil, the electric cylinders guide the supports to the inner wall of the coil. “The electric cylinders from Festo have proven to be the right choice. They have a compact design, but at the same time provide a large working area and thus have the necessary flexibility for 13 different coil dimensions,” says automation expert Nusseck.
Siemens Healthineers uses the system to assemble its MRI machines. It makes the process steps involved in inserting the coils into a magnet significantly safer and more efficient. The real highlight, however, is that the system’s process steps with the articulated arm robot are automated. Thanks to sensor technology with 3D scanners and touch-sensitive sensors, the system moves freely and safely in the workspace as a collaborative human-robot solution. A safety barrier is not required. The role of people consists solely of monitoring this first step in the production of an MRI machine. The sensors in the system ensure safety.
“It is precisely this human-robot cooperation that we consider to be our USP,” explains Nusseck. He also mentions other applications in medical technology where BEC systems are used, such as in radiation therapy for the highly precise positioning of patients at the radiation source, or a robot with seats on an articulated arm that simulates riding a roller-coaster.