Ford's Advanced Manufacturing Center has developed an interface that allows machines from different suppliers to speak to each other in the same language and operate parts of the production line autonomously.
For decades, automakers have been using robotics in their manufacturing processes to cut costs and boost efficiency. Ford's patent-pending system uses robots to operate the 3D printers through the night without human interaction.
The first time Carbon 3D printers and the KUKA-built robots can talk to each other in the same language, it opens up possibilities for other machines involved in the production process to collaborate.
The venture has helped produce low-volume, custom car parts, such as the brake line brackets for the GT500 sports cars.
The director of global manufacturing technology development said in a statement that the new process has the ability to change the way we use robotics.
The wheeled robot named "Javier" can run the 3D printer without human interference even when employees are not at work. Ford says the robots are learning from the printer data to improve accuracy and reduce margins of error.
At Ford's Advanced Manufacturing Center, he is tasked with operating the 3D printers on his own.
Equipment from different suppliers can't interact because they use different communication interfaces. Ford's system allows equipment from different suppliers to talk to each other, sending commands and feedback in real time.
After the Carbon 3D tells him that the printed car component is ready, he retrieves it and puts it aside for a human operator to collect later.
The technology underpinning Ford's communication interface and precise positioning of robots has been patented. Human operators must maintain the machinery and upload the 3D designs to the printer.
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