February 11, 2008 - The Compensator, a remote center of compliance (RCC) device, corrects alignment errors with peg-in-hole automated assembly applications. The Compensator device features shear pads that are stiff axially and compliant laterally to allow automated assembly machines to “automatically” correct for lateral and rotational misalignment, reducing contact force and virtually eliminating galling and jamming. The center-of-compliance device provides rapid insertion correction allowing high-speed automated machines to increase productivity and minimize scrap, downtime and machine damage caused by conventional methods.
The Compensator, engineered to project a compliance center (also known as center-of-compliance), is ideally suited for automated assembly operations found in a wide variety of industries, such as: automotive, electronics, appliance and systems integration, among others. The device has two high-strength anodized aluminum top and bottom plates connected by elastomeric shear pads and hardened alloy steel overload pins.. The overload pins protect the compliant device from crashes while the oil- and coolant-resistant elastomeric shear pads provide the lateral compliance (softness) to reduce contact forces.
The Compensator product line is available in sizes with lateral stiffness ranges from 6 to 34 pounds per inch and axial stiffness ranges from 2329 to 8300 pounds per inch. The device uses variable shear pad combinations (from 3 to 12 pads) based on the Compensator model and the end-user’s desired insertion force and compensator strength. Additional options include: pneumatic lock-up that reduces vibration due to inertia, thereby protecting the shear pads, and decreasing cycle time; and lock sensing that monitors the ”locked” condition of the device. ATI provides a general selection guide that helps the user determine the Compensator model ideally suited for the intended application and ATI’s application engineers are also available for application advice.
ATI Industrial Automation is a world-leading engineering-based developer of robotic peripheral equipment, including Automatic Tool Changers, Multi-axis Force/Torque Sensing Systems, Robotic Deburring Tools, Robotic Collision Sensors and Compliance Devices. They provide customers with high-quality robotic peripheral devices, tooling and sensors that enhance their profitability by increasing the effectiveness, flexibility and safety of automation applications.
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