PISH PNIPU: Robotic complex for combined electrophysical processing of critical items

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• Robots (robotics)
• Industrial robots

2024: Obtaining a patent

Scientists of the PISH Perm Polytechnic patented a prototype of a robotic complex for combined electrophysical processing of critical products. The university announced this on October 1, 2024.

source = PNIPU

In the aviation, machine-building, instrument-making, mining-oil and metallurgical industries, an important stage in the production of critical products is the manufacture and processing of holes, grooves and other surfaces. For this, electroerosion is used - one of the most highly efficient and promising methods, which allows you to process the material using pulses of electric current. In production, obtaining a high-quality product involves carrying out several methods of processing the product and cleaning it. But each technological operation uses its own equipment, which is why the entire process takes a lot of time and resources. Scientists of the Advanced Engineering School of Perm Polytechnic University have developed a robotic device for electrophysical piercing of holes, which allows comprehensive processing of the product on one equipment.

A patent was issued for the invention (No. 2824368).

Prior art electrical erosion machines for piercing holes do not always provide the desired quality of material processing. The installation of the product on them is carried out manually, most often they are limited to the use of only one processing method, and cleaning the part from erosion products and working fluid requires a separate technological operation. A lot of effort and time is spent on all these processes, so the issue of increasing the efficiency of the process to simplify and speed up production is relevant.

source = PNIPU

Scientists of the Advanced Engineering School of PNIPU have developed a robotic complex that automates the process of electroerosive and electrolyte-plasma processing of a product thanks to auxiliary modules and the combination of three technological operations on one equipment.

During electric erosion piercing of the hole in the surface layer of the material, structural defects and residual stresses arise, therefore, an additional technological operation is required to remove the defective layer. In addition, the treated product needs to be cleaned from the working fluid in the form of transformer oil and electrical erosion products. Our device is capable of consistently performing each of these technological operations, while providing high quality work, "explained Timur Ablyaz, director of the PNIPU Higher School of Aviation Engine Engineering.

The robotic device combines three modules: for electroerosive, electrolyte-plasma processing and ultrasonic cleaning, which are electrically connected to the program control unit. According to the control program, the grip mounted on the robot manipulator automatically secures and moves the workpiece between the modules. Electrolyte-plasma treatment provides finishing grinding of holes after their piercing. And the ultrasonic cleaning module removes elements of the working fluid, electrolyte and residues from past operations. Ultrasound vibrations clean even deep blind holes.

Polytechnians note that the invention is useful for piercing holes in parts of any complexity, with surfaces made of various materials that completely or limitedly conduct electric current.

The development of scientists of the Advanced Engineering School of PNIPU expands the possibilities of electric erosion processing, significantly simplifies and speeds up the process of piercing holes in critical products for various industrial industries.