With more than 30 years of experience in automation technology, Greenville, Wisconsin’s QComp excels at providing customized solutions for challenging applications.
Case in point: One customer tasked QComp with automating the handling of glass sheets as large as 72 x 96 inches and weighing several hundred pounds. Specifically, the application required a robotic system to pick these large, heavy sheets of delicate material from a conveyor before stacking them onto customer-supplied racks.
Several additional application requirements compounded the challenge for QComp.
The robotic tools needed to operate from both above and below the glass sheets in a workspace that left little room for cable management. The robots’ cables and hoses also needed protection from sharp glass edges to prevent wear and potential failures. In addition, deployment needed to be simple, and robotic operation had to be smooth and reliable to maintain productivity and minimize unscheduled downtime.
QComp quickly saw a pattern emerge from these application demands: The robotic solution would rely heavily on finding an advanced cable management solution.
In response, they turned to BizLink to help develop a tailored solution based on the LSH Delta retract system, which delivers a number of cable management features that were key to finding a successful solution for the application. These features include:
- A preloaded configuration with pre-installed multi-conductor cables and pneumatic hoses, which reduced installation time and risk of downtime
- Integrated retraction mechanisms that maintain cable tension and minimize slack to prevent damage or interference during robot operation
- Tailored integration of the LSH Delta system into the robot, which ensures seamless mounting and functionality
“As technicians, we have struggled with cable/hose management between the robot and the tool, " said Chris Klich, QComp’s manufacturing manager. “BizLink provided a versatile and easy-to-install solution.”
Transparent Benefits for Glass Handling
The implementation of BizLink’s LSH Delta solution yielded several measurable benefits:
- Its efficient use of space enabled the robotic tools to handle glass sheets from both above and below, increasing the flexibility of the final system
- The robust outer shell and protective conduits of the LSH Delta system protected cables from sharp glass edges to enhance both safety and reliability
- The cable management system supported uninterrupted robot operation, enhancing productivity and reducing the need for manual intervention
- The design facilitated maintenance by allowing easy access to and replacement of components when needed
- LSH Delta’s high-quality construction and precise integration into the robot system optimized the total cost of ownership
The virtues of LSH Delta aside, another key factor in the project’s success was the close collaboration between QComp and BizLink. QComp follows a hands-on approach, working with strategic partners to develop innovative automation solutions. Continuous coordination during the design and testing phase was crucial in finding the optimal cable management solution for this application.
“QComp’s team is always a pleasure to work with,” said Blake Mattingly, technical sales account manager at BizLink’s Industrial Solutions Business Group. “I believe that we share many of the same values and attributes: prompt and precise communication, fantastic B2B collaboration, and well-thought-out project management. I very much look forward to working together more and more.”
Click here to learn more about BizLink’s dresspack and cable management solutions. For additional questions, contact our sales team at bus_sales(ät)bizlinktech.com.
