Following a successful project in association with Atkins, MTC and PSC Radiometric Systems, Cyan Tec are delighted to announce that the Sort and Segregation team have been shortlisted for The Engineer Magazine Collaborate To Innovate Awards.

An intelligent and automated solution was designed and manufactured by Cyan Tec in collaboration with the above mentioned parties. The system is to be used to sort nuclear waste into three dedicated categories; intermediate level waste, low level waste or recyclables.

The six axis robot that is integrated within the system includes a bespoke end of arm tooling design. The end of arm tooling incorporates the latest scanning systems, programmed by robotic specialists, removing humans from the process which reduces risk of harm.

Cyan Tec have experience in the integration of robotic systems in many different sectors including automotive, aerospace, medical and now nuclear. The use of vision systems in automated processes is ever-changing and is becoming more of a day to day requirement for Cyan Tec’s client base. The benefits of intelligent and autonomous machinery often outweighs the cost and reliability of using operators for many tasks, but especially inspection processes. The Sort and Segregation system is aiming to reduce the cost of identifying the nuclear waste to the most appropriate stream, minimising the volume of waste requiring expensive storage and recycling or disposing of the waste in an efficient and safe manner.

For further information of Cyan Tec’s robotic and / or vision system capabilities, please contact our sales team on 01509 815186 or sales@cyan-tec.com.

Cyan Tec have an enviable reputation when it comes to the integration of industrial laser systems, particularly in the design and manufacture of cutting and welding equipment. The latter has been a focus of late, with a large-scale project finalised for a well-regarded UK manufacturer. A key focus area for this project was the dedicated tooling, used for the clamping and presentation of the component parts. Working alongside the client, Cyan Tec produced a bespoke suite of fixtures that meet the specification of requirements and ensure a reliable process flow.

The machine was provided with an ABB IRB 6700 six axis robot, designed to reliably deliver the laser welding head to the component part, located within the aforementioned laser welding tooling. Due to the size of the components being processed by the system, the robot was fitted to an ABB IRBT motion system, effectively giving the robot a seventh axis. The robot and seventh axis were programmed by Cyan Tec’s skilled engineers to effectively run a range of component parts.

In addition to the robot and track, a 4kW Trumpf laser source was integrated, along with the required laser processing head. Following trials with the client’s components, Trumpf’s laser offering was deemed the most suitable, and ultimately underpins the success of the entire manufacturing solution.

Another feature of the machine is the shuttle system at the front of the machine. As requested by the customer, the system is manually loaded, clamped, and pushed inside the enclosure. The dual shuttle system means that one component can be laser welded, while the other shuttle is being loaded / unloaded. A number of Cyan Tec’s modular laser systems are also designed with this functionality to meet the customers cycle time requirements.

A key element in laser welding integration is the specification, supply, and delivery of the ancillary components, such as the cooling and extraction systems.

Typically, the laser source and laser processing heads are water cooled, therefore there is a requirement for a chiller. Although some laser manufacturers provide chillers as part of their supply, integrators are often required to provide a third-party cooling system and the specification of this is crucial for the protection of high-value equipment.

The extraction system is equally as important and is often a requirement for end users. The removal of laser fumes from the enclosed area as well as the filtration of such fumes before being released to atmosphere is deemed significant. The ancillary requirements such as cooling and extraction systems prove that having previous experience in integrating industrial lasers is more often than not crucial to an integrator delivering a successful automated solution.  

Additionally, the gas control is crucial to the laser welding process. Cyan Tec provided the machine with a mass flow controller, specifically designed to accurately control the assist gas from the top and bottom of the part through the component fixtures.

The laser welding process is performed within a class 1 laser enclosure, designed, and manufactured by Cyan Tec specific to each application. Depending on a number of variables such as laser power and the laser beam delivery optics, either an active or passive guard system will be provided by Cyan Tec. The design of all laser enclosures both ensure that no light can escape the cell and prevent anybody entering the laser processing area during machine operation.

In addition to bespoke laser cells like the one described above, Cyan Tec can also offer modular laser machines, which offer customers a range of laser welding and cutting solutions based around a standard platform.

As one of the UK’s leading system integrators, Cyan Tec Systems have built up a number of relationships with partners that play a key role in being able to provide customers with an advanced manufacturing solution.

For both the laser and robotics industry, Cyan Tec’s automation partners offer many competencies, including joint ventures, competitive pricing on industry leading technology and of course, crucial technical assistance throughout the life of any given project.

Talking of the laser industry – in particular using high quality laser products to perform tasks such as cutting, welding, and marking – worldwide manufacturers Trumpf and IPG have been at the cornerstone of Cyan Tec’s success.

In the last 12 months, the integration of significant TruDisk and TruFiber lasers from Trumpf’s strong product range has been notable. The different products, along with a stunning laboratory-type facility to perform laser trials that Trumpf can offer is crucial to integrators such as Cyan Tec, especially with customers’ expectations higher than ever.

A long-standing relationship between Cyan Tec and IPG ultimately peaked in terms of laser power when successfully integrating a 20kW laser – the largest laser source in Europe at the time – at the MTC in Coventry. The laser, featuring high performance as well as power, has performed exceptionally well, offering the MTC opportunities to bridge the gap between R&D feasibility studies. The results of these pre-production processes has seen Cyan Tec and IPG be successful on a number of projects, showing the importance of government-backed research facilities.

In recent years, Cyan Tec have integrated a number of laser markers, both as part of fully automated machines and as standalone marking enclosures. Laserlines and Keyence have been crucial to this successful spell, again offering Cyan Tec high-quality and reliable products. The latter have the ability to offer a wide range of components to compliment Cyan Tec’s automation solution, in addition to the laser marking source. These products include vision systems, sensors, and safety systems. The ability to have continuity is important for an integrator and therefore companies such as Keyence play a leading role.

Robotics have never been more prominent in Cyan Tec’s offering than they are today. In addition to using robots in laser automation, they are often used for industrial inkjet applications as well as more traditional assembly and testing automation. Fanuc and ABB, both with state-of-the-art facilities in the UK, have a long-standing relationship with Cyan Tec. The robotic offering from both companies spans all industry sectors and covers the complete range in terms of payload and reach.

In addition to traditional six axis robots, the advancement in technology now allows for a range of collaborative robots to be integrated into automated systems, often without the need for physical guarding. Cyan Tec have the in-house capability to determine which applications are truly collaborative, typically judged on the end effector or tool that is being used with the robot.

It is an exciting time for automation, and given the fast pace that the industry is changing, key partners will continue to play a leading role for Cyan Tec.  

To learn more contact sales@cyan-tec.com

Cyan Tec are pleased to be teaming up with their robotics and automation partner, Fanuc UK, to show off the Flexlase cell at the Farnborough International Airshow 2022.

Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, one of the world’s biggest aerospace events, will run from the 18th July to the 22nd of July 2022. This is a fantastic opportunity for potential clients to meet the Cyan Tec team and understand more about the capabilities of the Flexlase machine.

The small footprint design has the ability to cut or weld (configured to suit the customer’s requirements), including the integration of a wide range of different laser sources. Cyan Tec’s vast laser experience will assist in the configuration of the machine such as; laser processing optics, laser power and component fixturing.

Given that Cyan Tec have a history of working in a wide range of industries – automotive (including E-mobility), aerospace, nuclear, battery technology, pharmaceutical and plastics – the Flexlase has been designed with this in mind and can be easily configured to suit a wide range of applications.

To learn more contact sales@cyan-tec.com