In large-scale manufacturing, where drilling through various material stacks is routine, SigmaTau provides the precision and rigidity needed for a secure, efficient process. The ability to use the same spindle for both drilling and trimming within the same setup enhances operational efficiency and reduces downtime.
The SigmaTau robot series by Cognibotics brings transformative solutions to the challenges of vibration drilling in large-scale manufacturing projects, such as those seen in aerospace construction. Here’s how SigmaTau excels in this demanding environment:
Design Modularity: The modular design of the SigmaTau robots facilitates easy configuration in diverse orientations, making it highly adaptable to different manufacturing needs and workspace layouts.
Control & Software: The full integration of spindle control with the machine controller ensures precise manipulation and functionality, enhancing the overall efficiency and quality of the drilling operation.
Seamless Integration: The robot features a simplified spindle end-effector setup enabled by its full parallel robotic technology. This seamless integration allows for straightforward adaptation to various drilling tasks without the need for extensive reconfiguration.
Vibration Technology: SigmaTau integrates advanced vibration technology that assists the drilling process. This innovative approach ensures that chips are broken down into small fragments, reducing the risk of entanglements that can compromise hole quality and the efficiency of the drilling process.
The SigmaTau robot, equipped with the VibiCore vibration spindle and Seco cutting tools, offers operators advanced control over the drilling process. In tests, this spindle has demonstrated optimized NC-controlled drilling patterns tailored to each material layer, producing precise and clean holes.
A controlled pressure foot helps to stabilize material layers during drilling tests, reducing the risk of separation and allowing for efficient removal of sharp chips, which helps maintain the cleanliness and integrity of the workpiece. The pressure foot also includes an integrated linear encoder, enabling precise control of axial depth and countersink—results that show promise for consistent, high-quality holes.
Oscillation curve of a typical vibration drilling with the Vibicore spindle. In the figure above, it is possible to see the vibration movement overlaying the feeding movement of the drill. This vibration-pattern is different from what has been used in the market so far and optimizes the time in cut with uniformed and controlled chip thickness.
The process facilitates dry drilling, allowing for the creation of flawless holes in a single setup, eliminating the need for post-processing or cleaning. This method supports efficient one-way assembly.
Vinnova funded project: The Vinnova-funded project VIBIDRILL, a collaboration between Cognibotics, VibiCore, and RISE, focuses on improving drilling precision and efficiency through advanced technological integration. This initiative utilizes VibiCore’s vibrational drilling technology, which is operated using SigmaTau’s robotic systems. The project's goal is to enhance the effectiveness of robot-mounted vibrational drilling technology, aiming to improve hole quality and accelerate production processes in large-scale manufacturing environments. The VIBIDRILL project aims to develop and validate this technology to meet industry needs for precision and efficiency.