TranTek Completes Fully Automated Chevy Volt Camshaft Manufacturing Cell
TranTek Automation Corporation, a Traverse City, Michigan-based manufacturing automation integrator, has engineered and built material handling and error-proofing cells for a raw casting-to-finished part processing line for camshafts that will be used in the new Chevy Volt 1.4-liter engines. This fully automated production line produces “assembly-ready” camshafts for engines that GM Powertrain will build in the fall of 2010.
This camshaft processing line is a completely integrated manufacturing system that incorporates a series of automated material handling technologies including robotic cells, conveyor systems, gantry systems and integrated vision/quality inspection equipment. The complete system, from concept to programming, was designed and built by TranTek Automation.
The camshafts arrive at the processing facility in dunnage as raw castings. They are then robotically de-palletized and bar coded. From there they are automatically presented to each manufacturing operation cell, moving from milling, machining, heat treating to grinding and finally polishing. After polishing, the camshafts enter a quality control inspection cell where a robot places them in various inspection stations. Here each camshaft is rotated so vision systems can identify them by their barcode, check each lobe for the correct dimensions, and check the thread and milling dimensions. From the inspection cell, the camshafts move via conveyors to an overhead gantry system. The gantry takes each one to a spray tank where final pre-shipment lubrication is applied. They are then re-palletized to dunnage for shipment to GM Powertrain.
John Wenden, President of TranTek Automation, is very proud of the system. “We exceeded our own expectations with this new application. We have designed and built completely integrated part handling systems for rotating engine components before, but this one is truly one of our success stories– increased throughput with precision quality control.”
TranTek Automation has designed and engineered a multitude of automated camshaft and crankshaft applications, handling products weighing from 6 lbs. each to crankshafts for heavy equipment weighing over 1700 lbs. each. Founded in 1986, TranTek specializes in designing and manufacturing of automation systems including robotic integration, automated assembly, automated welding, and automated material handling systems for the automotive, manufacturing, electronics, pharmaceutical, and defense industries.
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