Congratulations to all of the On team in the successful launch of the innovative LightSpray technology this summer.

We are so proud to be a part of this project!

Cyan Tec are able to use all of their experiences and expertise to implement complex collaborative and industrial robot dispensing systems. 

Often driven by the demands of the client’s products and cycle time requirements, robots are frequently the equipment of choice where the manipulation of a processing head around the customers workpiece is needed. Whether the process is dispensing, spraying, using laser or inkjet technology or material handling, robotic arms lend themselves perfectly to reliably present the processing equipment in the same position for each machine cycle. Occasionally, the robot is used to manipulate the customer’s product around the processing tool (s), though more often than not the product is located in a fixed position.

Cyan Tec have been involved with a vast number of projects where a robot has been integrated into an automated cell to dispense different materials. A recent solution provided by Cyan Tec involved a material being dispensed onto a moving target, which is clearly more challenging than working with a static product, though it is complex projects where Cyan Tec’s team of engineers often excel. Due to the environment and access required to the line, a collaborative robot (Cobot) was integrated within the advanced manufacturing solution offered by Cyan Tec. Not only did the Cobot make the automated dispensing process possible, but it also improved the reliability, and productivity of the customer’s current process.

A CRX20 robot, supplied by strategic partner Fanuc, gives the system the required functionality as well as importantly in this case allowing the robot to run without an interlocked guarding system. Cobots have quickly become a consideration for integrators and end users alike, and the after sales support offered by Fanuc was key to the success of this application.  

The system also incorporates conveyor line tracking software, which ensures that the customers material feed system works seamlessly with the robotic automation. Conveyor line tracking is a software option that allows an encoder pulse to be outputted to the robot so that the exact position of the part is known, ensuring that the process is performed reliably. Additionally, due to the nature of the dispensing process, a load cell is integrated and this is used to weigh the remaining material in the product tank that is fitted to the robotic arm. The feedback from the load cell constantly gives the robot a new product weight as it is being dispensed, ensuring that the correct robot offset is applied throughout the process. 

The automated dispensing solution offered by Cyan Tec is required to be integrated into an existing line at the customer’s facility. The experience and flexibility of the engineering team at Cyan Tec ensures a smooth integration of the new equipment, including minimal interference with daily production tasks.

Working with a dispensing partner – in this case Nordson – is crucial to the integration of a successful project. Along with providing the dispensing equipment, this type of partnership also allows Cyan Tec to trial dispensing and spraying applications in an excellent lab environment, which forms part of the proof-of-concept stage. Proving the automated process prior to order placement can de-risk the project for both parties and also to understand achievable cycle times.

Similar to this dispensing process, Cyan Tec have experience of paint spray, as well as lubricant and sealant applications in a wide range of industry sectors. The automotive industry, particularly the production of batteries for electric vehicles, is an area of growth for robotic dispensing technology, using both industrial and collaborative robots. The integration of robotic automation offers the end user the ability to produce parts at a higher throughput and quality compared to their previous labour intensive processes, as well as being able to work longer hours without breaks.   

Cyan Tec have again proved successful with the implementation of new technology, displaying innovation and expertise throughout this project. If you’re looking to upgrade your existing equipment or to implement a new automated process, Cyan Tec are here to make your advanced manufacturing solution dream a reality!

For further information please contact sales@cyan-tec.com or call 01509 815186 to discuss your requirements in more detail.

Industrial automation experts Cyan Tec Systems are the proud recipients of two customer awards for its innovative automated matching and laser marking machine. The advanced machine is recognised with the Best European Technical Project award from, well-regarded, global bearing manufacturer NSK.

Cyan Tec’s Managing Director Tony Jones explains “the advanced capabilities of our multi-disciplinary team of engineers enables Cyan Tec to develop novel systems offering, high uptime,  production efficiencies and product flexibility. Given the automation challenges of the matching and laser marking machine it is particularly pleasing to receive the award for Best European Technical Project from NSK and a big well-done to our operations team.”

Cyan Tec is equally proud to be awarded Best H&S Project reflecting the expertise of its installation team of engineers and strength of its project management. Teamwork, investment in training and process-based continual development enables Cyan Tec to achieve award winning results and customer recognition for excellence.

The engineers at Cyan Tec have an enviable reputation for their advanced automation capabilities, enthusiasm and innovative solutions to technical challenges across a broad range of high-end sectors. Cyan Tec’s automation technical specialists deliver the automation of the future today supplying complex, precision automation and robotic solutions for advanced, high-value industrial sectors including aerospace, automotive, nuclear, plastics, medical devices, consumer goods and EV battery technology.

To learn more about how Cyan Tec’s award-winning team can solve your technical challenges contact sales@cyan-tec.com

Advanced robotics and automation specialists Cyan Tec deliver innovative solutions to advance automated EV battery production enabling further steps towards sustainable energy solutions.

With the demands for the automotive sector to move to fully electric vehicles, Cyan Tec were well placed to assist with providing a number of systems that play a key role in battery stack production for a large automotive manufacturer.

Following the assembly of the battery stack – a number of battery cells compressed together on a standard platform – the battery is fitted with busbars and a pair of harnesses to complete the assembly. These components are then required to be laser welded to the terminals.

However, prior to the laser welding being performed on the busbars and the harnesses, the terminals are required to be laser cleaned to prepare the surface for welding.

The battery stack is presented in an optimal position for the laser cleaning process, where in this case, a servo driven gantry system presents the laser head in front of each of the terminals, triggering the laser cleaning process. The laser head travels along the battery until all of the terminals have been cleaned, before performing the same cleaning process on the opposite side of the stack. Although a linear motion system was selected in this scenario, in other automated solutions, Cyan Tec would opt for a robotic arm to present the laser cleaning head to a work object.

Once cleaned, the battery stack is fitted with busbars – various versions depending on the type of battery – which mechanically links the terminals together. The busbars, located in a carrier system, are fitted loosely prior to welding, and therefore rely upon dedicated clamping tools (also designed and manufactured by Cyan Tec) to apply the required force to the terminal / busbar / harness area. This process is critical to the laser welding as any gaps between the two materials will produce an unsatisfactory weld.

A gantry system is again used to move the laser head in front of the accurately positioned battery stack. An intelligent vision camera is used to check that the battery terminals and busbars are in the correct position prior to the laser welding being initiated. If the vision system confirms a satisfactory scan, a penetration weld is performed on each busbar and terminal within the stack. The laser welding is repeated for both sides of the stack before the welded product is removed from the laser station.

Once the busbars are welded in place, a harness is fitted to either side of the battery stack, used for diagnostics once the battery stack is integrated into a vehicle. The harness welding uses the same principle where a gantry system is used to position the vision system in front of the battery stack and upon verification, the laser is initiated to perform a spot weld on each tab on the harness.

All three of the laser processes described above are performed using a fibre laser, with dedicated optics to suit the application. Ranging from 1kW up to close to 4kW, the laser output power varies for each process. The laser selection for any automated system is extremely important, and therefore Cyan Tec work alongside a number of laser partners to decide on the most suitable laser for any given application. Cyan Tec’s laser partners are typically specified as part of Cyan Tec’s industrial automated solutions and importantly offer the end user the ability to run laser trials prior to order commitment.

In addition to the laser cleaning and welding machines provided, there are many other areas of the battery assembly process that aligns with Cyan Tec’s core competencies. With an enviable history of designing and manufacturing bespoke assembly and test equipment, along with the supply of standalone and production line spray and dispensing systems, it means that Cyan Tec are well positioned to continue to service the automotive battery manufacturing market in the future.  

To learn more about how Cyan Tec’s technically innovative team can solve your technical challenges contact sales@cyan-tec.com