The NSpect family of Non-Destructive Inspection (NDI) Systems from Genesis Systems Group is making quite an impression. By combining ATI End Effectors, KUKA Robots, and vast engineering expertise, Genesis creates more efficient methods of NDI that encourage safety and increase quality. Genesis customers have confidence in NSpect Products as well–the company has integrated more than 30 NSpect Systems in the last five years.
Contributed by | ATI Industrial Automation
The purpose of NDI is to evaluate components and finished goods for structural integrity and fitness of use while keeping them intact. Traditionally, NDI inspection methods are performed by qualified operators and equipment; inspection data is gathered and interpreted by a trained analyst. Each NDI system’s configuration depends on the type of parts, as well as industry or customer-specific standards, which leads to a lot of variation from one application to another. Industries such as aerospace and medical manufacturing may require 100% inspection of finished parts and supporting documentation before shipping to the customer. High-volume manufacturing processes, like automotive assembly, necessitate repeatable and accurate testing protocols, which can be difficult to achieve with manual processes. Genesis streamlines NDI with ATI‘s Tool Changers, Collision Sensors, and custom-designed Utility Modules; thereby reducing manual labor requirements and process variability, and improving productivity.
The brilliance of Genesis’ NSpect System lies in its versatility and functionality. Incorporating KUKA robots and ATI products ensures repeatable quality, high efficiency, and promotes safety. ATI’s Tool Changers save process time and increase throughput compared to changing tools by hand. It also reduces the amount of human interaction in the robot cell. Whitney Moon, Director of Advanced Material Processing at Genesis, says, “With any robotic project, you have to manage risks. It’s nice with the ATI Tool Changers we use because they are always at the bottom of the risk pool…we know they are going to work!” NSpect Products keep employees out of harm’s way and allow them to focus on what they do best–thinking critically and applying judgment, while allowing the equipment to do what it does best–working tirelessly to complete repetitive tasks with consistency and accuracy.
Initially, Genesis imagined NSpect as a pre-engineered solution, but they soon recognized the diversity in their customer’s needs. Of all the NSpect Systems Genesis has developed so far, no two are identical. Fortunately, ATI’s standard products and custom design capabilities provide the flexibility needed to support the NSpect system’s ever-changing specifications.
Inspection payloads will vary across NDI applications, from very small loads to hundreds of pounds. ATI’s Tool Changers are conveniently available in a wide range of sizes; ideal for applications like NSpect where configurations vary from one customer to the next. ATI’s versatile family of Robotic Collision Sensors can be added to protect expensive end-effectors from costly damage, and adapted for different surroundings. Moon explains, “ATI Collision Sensor products are nice in that they are compact, very lightweight. You can adjust them with preloaded springs and with air; they have numerous interface plates and you can get them with a fluid protection boot for harsh environments.”
Many of Genesis’ customers need to pass utilities like air, water, or electrical signals to the process; all of which can be accommodated with ATI’s vast selection of Tool Changer Utility Modules. In fact, a particular client called upon Genesis and ATI to modify an existing ATI Tool Changer Utility Module for an Ultrasonic NSpect System. They needed to reduce electronic noise from poor grounding and servo motors. ATI incorporated ultrasonic connectors into a custom-designed utility module to support Genesis’ customer’s requirements.
For companies like Genesis, reliable suppliers are essential to customer service. Genesis depends on ATI’s reputable standard products and custom engineering capabilities to support their diverse applications. With ATI as a partner, Genesis has the freedom to be flexible. The shared philosophy of holistic problem solving and superior service allows these two companies to work together seamlessly.
More about Genesis Systems Group, LLC: Established in 1983, Genesis Systems Group is a globally recognized leader in robotic systems integration. A RIA Certified Robot Integrator, as well as AS9100D and ISO 9001:2008 Certified, Genesis specializes in factory automation with robots for integrated robotic arc, spot and laser welding/cutting, non-destructive inspection, including robotic ultrasonic inspection of carbon fiber composites, adhesive application, material removal and material handling. With the governing objective to help clients win the productivity race, in-house capabilities and expertise are centered on the design, manufacture, and implementation of integrated robot workcells. In addition, Genesis specializes in process related bundled services such as computer-aided engineering, (CAE) process simulation, lean manufacturing and other variation reduction techniques. Genesis has designed, engineered, manufactured and supported integrated robotic solutions for diverse industries including automotive, aerospace, agricultural, construction & forestry, primary metals, furniture, defense, energy and other general industries.
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of RoboticsTomorrow
ATI Industrial Automation
ATI INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION is the world-leading engineering-based developer of robotic accessories and robot arm tooling, including Automatic Tool Changers, Multi-Axis Force/Torque Sensing Systems, Utility Couplers, Material Removal Tools, Robotic Collision Sensors, Manual Tool Changers, and Compliance Devices. Their robot end-effector products are found in thousands of successful applications around the world. Since 1989, their team of mechanical, electrical, and software engineers has been developing cost-effective, state-of-the-art end-effector products and solutions that improve robotic productivity.
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