7th Axis Robot Solution

Arizona Manufacturer of OEM Semiconductor Test Equipment

We recently worked with a customer in Arizona to facilitate the implementation of a standalone 7th Axis solution tailored to their unique requirements. While they had identified a suitable solution in Europe, they recognized the need for local support to align it with their system specifications. Taking the helm of this project at IP Tech was Noah Weiss, who brought his extensive experience from a similar undertaking. Collaborating closely with the client, Noah worked with our internal IP Tech application team to leverage a Universal Robot UR5e and Parker HMR Series actuator to realize the 7th Axis solution.

This innovative solution was designed to be efficiently operated by a single robot, a significant departure from their current setup, which relied on three robots. Our primary objective was to optimize cost savings for the client by streamlining their robotic resources to accomplish the same tasks as before. In addition to delivering the final solution, we were committed to expediting the project’s timeline, ensuring swift completion.

Parker Linear HMR Series Specifications:

✓ Max. Travel Length – 5800mm
✓ Max. Payload – 8800N
✓ Repeatability up to ±20 microns
✓ Timing Belt and Ballscrew options
✓ Reinforced Profile for extra support
✓ Pairs with virtually every Gearbox Manufacturer
A. Parker
B. Carson
C. Stober
✓ Pairs with virtually every Stepper and Servo Motor Manufacturer
A. Parker
B. Novanta IMS
C. And more

✓ Configurable motor mounting position options.
✓ Standard and Customizable Options for any robot manufacturer:
A. Universal Robots
B. Mecademic
C. Dobot
D. And More
✓ Standard and Customizable Options End of Arm Tooling:
A. Robotiq
B. Schunk
C. Weiss Robotics
D. And More

Challenges

The biggest challenge that our team was facing was time. The goal was to implement our ideas with help from a few of our partners, to get the job completed within the customer’s timeline. We couldn’t have achieved this goal without the local support from Kredit Automation, who helped us designed custom bracketry, and Advanced Metal Fabrication and Machine, Inc., who helped us with plate fabrication.

Conclusion

We successfully finished the project well below the budget, significantly cutting costs. The European solution the customer intended to implement was priced at 16,550 euros (equivalent to 18,000 USD), but with our local US-based support and manufacturing, we managed to slash approximately 5,000 USD from each machine system, resulting in a substantial 25% cost reduction. As an OEM currently managing more than 10 ongoing systems, this translates to a total savings of 50,000 USD across these ten machines.