Enhancing the KAPU Lamp Post Production Line with Automation : A Plan for Modernizing the Welding Cell with a Welding Cobot
Aaltonen, Iida (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025101325967
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025101325967
Tiivistelmä
The objective of the thesis was to create a modernization plan for the KAPU lamp post production line at Sähkö-Jokinen Oy by integrating a welding cobot into the end-stage welding cell. The purpose of the thesis was to define how the welding cobot could be best implemented, to evaluate the improvements automation brings to production in the manufacturing line and its impact on work tasks within the welding cell.
The thesis combined theoretical research and practical simulation. The theoretical part examined automation aligned with Industry 4.0 perspective, the role and safety of collaborative robots and the benefits of welding automation. The current state of the production line was analysed and a modernization plan was proposed. Visual Components was used to simulate the welding cobot with a handling robot and lamp post rotation equipment, which made it possible to evaluate movement paths, production times and process feasibility.
The result showed that the Yaskawa MOTOMAN HC10DTP cobot could be integrated into the welding cell. By supporting the cobot with a handling robot and a lamp post rotation equipment, the welding cobot achieved precise demonstration of welding paths. The simulated cycle time of 1 minute and 55 seconds gave a promising base for efficiency improvements compared to manual welding.
It was concluded that the implementation of a welding cobot is both technically possible and economically promising. However, the results were limited to simulation and did not take into account all physical production factors or detailed financial data. The automation plan forms a strong foundation for modernizing the end-stage welding cell, improving efficiency and strengthening the competitive position of Sähkö-Jokinen, and offers a base for further research focusing on testing the plan in real production, integration of additional automation and comprehensive economic analysis.
The thesis combined theoretical research and practical simulation. The theoretical part examined automation aligned with Industry 4.0 perspective, the role and safety of collaborative robots and the benefits of welding automation. The current state of the production line was analysed and a modernization plan was proposed. Visual Components was used to simulate the welding cobot with a handling robot and lamp post rotation equipment, which made it possible to evaluate movement paths, production times and process feasibility.
The result showed that the Yaskawa MOTOMAN HC10DTP cobot could be integrated into the welding cell. By supporting the cobot with a handling robot and a lamp post rotation equipment, the welding cobot achieved precise demonstration of welding paths. The simulated cycle time of 1 minute and 55 seconds gave a promising base for efficiency improvements compared to manual welding.
It was concluded that the implementation of a welding cobot is both technically possible and economically promising. However, the results were limited to simulation and did not take into account all physical production factors or detailed financial data. The automation plan forms a strong foundation for modernizing the end-stage welding cell, improving efficiency and strengthening the competitive position of Sähkö-Jokinen, and offers a base for further research focusing on testing the plan in real production, integration of additional automation and comprehensive economic analysis.