Robot Automation and Automatic Temperature Control System for Hot Bolt Forging

This application is a solution that realizes robot automation through position control and constructs an automatic temperature control system in the hot bolt forging process using the Kawasaki RS050.

By automating the friction press hot forging process during bolt manufacturing and implementing an automatic temperature control system, it has achieved Korea's first automation of press robots.

Components

Robot	Robot Kawasaki RS050N: 6-axis industrial robot, payload 50kg, max reach 2,100mm, weight 555kg, repeatability: ± 0.06 mm Infeed Finger Unit: Balhae Robot; AC 220V SOL, 1,200°C heat-resistant circular gripper Outfeed Finger Unit: Balhae Robot; AC 220V SOL, 1,200°C heat-resistant circular gripper Alignment Unit: Balhae Robot; 150mm stroke, DC 24V SOL Material Temperature Measurement Unit: Balhae Robot; FT-H40K Product Bin Entry/Exit Unit: Balhae Robot; 2,000(W) * 2,500(H) Press Position Control Unit: Asia Press; Hydraulic brake/disk device, position control: Mitsubishi J4 TYPE servo motor

Robot

Robot Kawasaki RS050N: 6-axis industrial robot, payload 50kg, max reach 2,100mm, weight 555kg, repeatability: ± 0.06 mm
Infeed Finger Unit: Balhae Robot; AC 220V SOL, 1,200°C heat-resistant circular gripper
Outfeed Finger Unit: Balhae Robot; AC 220V SOL, 1,200°C heat-resistant circular gripper
Alignment Unit: Balhae Robot; 150mm stroke, DC 24V SOL
Material Temperature Measurement Unit: Balhae Robot; FT-H40K
Product Bin Entry/Exit Unit: Balhae Robot; 2,000(W) * 2,500(H)
Press Position Control Unit: Asia Press; Hydraulic brake/disk device, position control: Mitsubishi J4 TYPE servo motor

Workflow

STEP 1.	Heated material is fed into the system.
STEP 2.	Material is transferred to the temperature sensor.
STEP 3.	Temperature measurement is performed.
STEP 4.	Classification of good and defective products based on measurement results (Good → Press, Defective → Reject bin).
STEP 5.	Good products are transferred to the friction press.
STEP 6.	Formed products from the automated friction press are moved to the product transfer sensor.
STEP 7.	Confirmed normal discharge at the product transfer sensor.
STEP 8.	Transferred to the collection bin.
STEP 9.	Automated discharge

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Key Features

Overcoming automation challenges in friction presses

The friction presses used in bolt manufacturing move upward, making the precise position control—a prerequisite for automation—very difficult. Consequently, implementing a robotic automation process for friction presses with irregular top and bottom dead centers has been a challenging reality.

This solution successfully realized robotic automation by using a Servo system to automatically compensate for press position values that deviate from the standard point within the PLC system.

Implementation Results

ROI Period	1 year
Key Metrics	Hourly Production: 106 ea/hr → 165 ea/hr Process Defect Rate: 0.19% → 0.05% Total Cost Reduction (KRW 1,000/day): 1,558 → 1,381 Delivery Compliance Rate: 77.8% → 80.0% Industrial Accident Rate: 3.3% → 1.6%
Client Feedback	Resolving labor supply difficulties : The manual process of moving heavy objects (up to 10kg) at extreme temperatures (1,200°C) using steel tongs led to a severe avoidance of the job. By assisting labor with robots, the labor shortage issue was resolved. Strengthening competitiveness : As competition with Chinese companies intensifies in the US/European markets, we improved quality, cost, and delivery (QCD) and enhanced efficiency through robot automation. 1) Quality Improvement: Enhanced forging quality and prevention of dent defects through uniform robotic operation. 2) Cost Improvement: Strengthened manufacturing cost competitiveness by increasing productivity. 3) Delivery Compliance: Improved customer satisfaction and trust through accurate production planning and delivery forecasting by linking the automation system with the production management system.