Comau Teams with Reis Robotics to Expand Automation Reach

Comau and Reis Robotics have signed an agreement to deliver advanced automation technologies and solutions for sectors such as battery manufacturing, shipbuilding, critical infrastructure, intralogistics, gigacasting, and heavy industry. Italian multinational Comau brings its expertise in robotics and automation, while RR offers its advanced, proprietary control technology. Let’s explore some of Comau and RR’s technologies and the current trends in advanced automation.

Comau and Reis Robotics will work together to generate new advanced automation technologies for their expanding customer bases. Image used courtesy of Comau

The ROBOstar VII Control Software

RR’s ROBOstar VII control software is the latest iteration of intelligent robot controllers, offering high-performance (industrial) PC-based control for rapid processing of sensor data, facilitating real-time data analysis and insight generation. Control engineers can benefit from modular, scalable drive technology that enables control of robots not just at the individual-axis level for a single machine but across multiple machines with multiple axes. Coordination is key, as is conserving factory floor space. Instead of a single control box for a single robot, the ROBOstar VII uses a single CPU to synchronize the movement of robots dedicated to executing a single task (such as welding).

Engineers benefit from a single controller cabinet, reducing installation costs and saving space. The cost of power distribution, extra cabling, and buying extra computers is eliminated, and the ROBOstar VII provides a “shared memory” for linked robots, curating code to ensure collision avoidance and maintain streamlined workflows. Safe Motion Control is another feature of the ROBOstar VII, providing secure movement across 12 interpolating axes, without requiring external safety PLCs. This helps pave the way for safer human-robot collaborative working.

Another key technology (but certainly not the least!) from RR is its handheld, Linux-based controller, which incorporates tactile markers that enable blind operation, allowing operators to manipulate and fine-tune robot actions without taking their eyes off the robot.

Comau and RR Synergy

Comau’s NJ Series of heavy-payload bots (ranging from 220 to 650 kg) provides customers with a versatile reach of 2.5 to 3.5 meters, depending on the model. For example, such NJ Series bots could be used to handle the weight of large (possibly gigacast) parts or components of ship hulls, while the ROBOTstar VII from RR provides the process control logic.

The Agile 1500 from Comau features the Follow Me functionality, which allows an operator to guide the machine during kitting operations. Video used courtesy of Comau

For control engineers, it might be useful to combine the multiple robot control and synchronization offered by the ROBOstar VII with NJ-600 robots to move large, heavy cast parts in concert and keep them level and secure during movement.

In terms of intralogistics and battery production, RR’s ROBOTstar VII could assist in mounting a robot arm to Comau’s Agile1500 (a flexible, 1,500 kg payload autonomous guided vehicle, or AGV) and in operating an advanced battery-gripping tool. This could turn the act of transporting goods to workstations into the manipulation and deposition of battery cells while on the move.

Diversification and Sector Expansion

For Comau, the cooperative agreement is hoped to inspire the evolution of technological capacities for both Comau and RR, providing adaptive products and solutions that meet market demand. Expanding Comau's market presence and customer base in Germany is also an important aspect of the collaborative venture. Like Comau, RR seeks to expand its capacities and influence across new market sectors and deliver scalable, green, efficiency-boosting solutions to its growing network of customers.