The marking machine is based on a standard industrial robot. The robot can be either a KUKA Type KR 16 or ABB Type IRB 140. The marking head is based on a single stamping needle technology and is installed on axis no. 6.
The machine is designed to apply an identity onto the machined ends of a pipe. Varying bevelled angles can be accommodated.
The pipe is positioned on a conveyor with the machined surface facing toward to the stamping machine and the welding seam positioned in the 6 o’clock position. Two stationery laser detectors are mounted adjacent to the marking position and are used to calculate the diameter of the pipe.
Once the “marking start” signal is received by the marking system the robot searches for the pipe end position by means of a mechanical detection unit which is mounted next to the stamping head on axis 6 of the robot. Once the pipe position and diameter have been established the marking image will be stamped in a curved manner around the machined bevelled surface.
The robot moves the marking head to write each character in the same manner as the character would be handwritten.
If marking is required on the other end of the pipe then the pipe is repositioned and the marking sequence is repeated on the other end.
After the last mark on the pipe has been applied the machine returns to its home position and awaits the next marking cycle.
The marking data, pipe wall thickness, diameter & angle, are fed into the marking machine control unit automatically by the host computer or via the operator panel. Other product data for example character size, shape of bevel etc. are inputted manually via the operator panel.
Main components of marking machine
The robot is mounted onto three base plates, which are fastened to the concrete floor with six M12 chemical bolts.
The marking head consists of a stamping head and a pipe detection unit both of which are mounted on axis No.6 of the robot via flange and holdings. Air and electric supply is provided to the marking head/detection unit via a special flexible tube package designed to accommodate the movements of each axis of the robot. The tube package enters the robot on axis No. 4 where it is routed through the inside of the robot body down to the main supply lines.
