"Lean production" is the current buzzword in automotive production. Continuous production flow, standardzed workflow, waste avoidance, zero-error production and 100% capacity utilization are the ideal factors for good operating results. Daimler AG, the world’s oldest automotive production site, applies lean production to operate and manufacture automotive engines for global distribution. Automated manufacturing process
At Daimler, the joint flanges for the brands Mercedes Benz, Smart and Maybach are produced for the worldwide market. The drilled raw joint flange is finished in a manufacturing process involving a grinding machine. During this process, everything is fully automated using a linear robot. From incoming production control, to rough grinding for the correct fit on the drive shaft, to finishing and positioning in transport baskets. A central process step is the control of the fixing holes on the sides of the joint flanges - without stopping or slowing down the active linear robot.
in-line error-proofing insures seamless production workflow
 Due to the very short image capture and evaluation times, Daimler relies on the efector Dualis object recognition sensor from ifm. The presence of the holes is reliably detected and precisely evaluated in real time. This is followed by finish-grinding in the machine. Harsh operating conditions such as fluctuating lighting conditions or backgrounds do not affect the ifm object sensor. The sensor provides high flexibility in the application due to its rapid, intuitive handling. Menu-guided PC parameter setting via an Ethernet interface simplifies teaching of the different object patterns. The sensor’s versatility enables Daimler engineers to quickly adjust the grinding machine to the production of other joint flanges. Daimler's investment has paid off quickly due to the versatility of ifm's inspection sensor. The award-winning Dualis sensor absolutely lives up to its title Trend Product of the Year 2006 / 2007.
efector Dualis object recognition sensor
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