In the fall of 2019, Felling acquired a 2-Cell Gantry Robot with Fanuc R-100iC Robotic Arms. The Gantry Robot addition helps to reduce lead times by increasing production capabilities and efficiencies. “Our (Felling Trailers’) goal with adding the 2-Cell Gantry Robot is to provide a consistently high-quality product while reducing production lead times,” says Paul Radjenovich VP of operations for Felling Trailers.
Felling is no stranger to robot weld systems. The Gantry Robot is one of several robots that Felling has put into service throughout the years. In early 2000, Felling Trailers purchased its first robotic welding system, an OTC Robotic Welding Cell. The OTC was used to produce a variety of ramps for Felling’s 90-plus ramp trailer models. Then in 2010, the company purchased its second robot, a Genesis Robotic Welder. The Genesis is used in the production of ramps, dump trailer doors, and other trailer components. Adding the 2-Cell Gantry Robot allows Felling to weld a trailer to frame-level, hitch to tail. This includes cross members, frame rails, headboard, and tailboard.
TEAM WORK
No matter the level of automation that a robot can provide, there remains the need for an operations team. The Gantry Robot’s operations team consists of the production operator, CWI weld trainer, fixture designer, and a maintenance technician. The weld trainer and fixture designer work together to layout the fixtures needed for trailer builds and the programming.
The production operator’s role is to place trailer components into the fixture and verify tolerances before the robot starts work. The robot’s objective then is to weld the trailer to its “frame-level.”
While the robot welds, the operator monitors the welding process while staging the next fixture to run through the program. Overall the frame-level weld production process is completed roughly 30% faster than a manual process. With the frame-level weld complete, the trailer moves on to an assigned weld team to add axles, tie-downs, and other customer-specific weld-on options.
MAXIMIZING PRODUCTIVITY
To date, the 2-Cell Gantry Robot has completed 150 units built between two of Felling’s most popular model lines. As Felling adds more model lines, it will desing new fixtures and write new programming. “The continuous addition of fixtures will help develop multiple teams to work together and advance their training,” states Chris Berg, project manager. Along with adding more model lines to the Gantry Robot’s database, Felling will also add trailer components such as beavertails to maximize its productivity based on product demand.
“We have seen significant growth over the last several years, and with that comes the need to increase manufacturing capacity to meet market demands for our product,” Radjenovich says.
The addition of the 2-Cell Gantry Robot created a new step in the production cycle of trailers. The increased production capabilities have, in turn, created additional jobs on the front end of the build cycle for engineers, fixture designers, fabricators, and material handlers to feed the robot. Then on the backside of the production cycle, once the robot has completed the trailer to frame-level, there is the need for weld teams to complete the weld production cycle, bringing the process full circle.
Find out more, visit www.felling.com.
