For its new glass handing machines for stacking panes of glass, Schott chose the space-saving 6-axis robot from Comau, which also included the complete integration of Siemens’ Sinumerik Run MyRobot /Direct Control in the robot arm. Schott has always placed great importance on a homogeneous IT environment – and deployed an internally consistent controller portfolio from Siemens for its automation tasks.

Schott chose a 6-axis robot from Comau for one of its new line concepts for stacking flat glass as one of its latest investments. The Italian industrial automation specialist is known for its efficient solutions that cover the entire manufacturing process for a number of industries, and is active in three business segments: automation systems (assembly lines for vehicle body assembly), powertrains (assembly lines for the powertrain) and robotics (sale of industrial robots). Robotics was exactly what was needed for the Schott project, because the technology group was seeking a space-saving robot as well as a solution with an integrated, open Siemens control system that Schott could also flexibly intervene in and program at any time.

What this involves is the complete integration of the Comau robot arm in Siemens’ Sinumerik system environment. The robot arm can be controlled directly via Sinumerik Run MyRobot /Direct Control, with no need for external or embedded robot controllers or drives. With Sinumerik Run MyRobot /Direct Control, the mechanic robot model is integrated in Sinumerik CNC. The direct control concept considerably simplifies the configuration of the controller hardware and optimizes the spare parts management process. The Sinumerik-controlled robot technology provides further improvements in terms of accuracy and dynamics, as well as the benefits that come from a single-source controller concept.