ABB implemented the IRB 6700-150 robot in Dhp Technology

2020: Implementation of the IRB 6700-150 robot

On November 20, 2020 it became known of what the ABB company implemented the IRB 6700-150 robot in Dhp Technology.

IRB 6700-150

As it was explained, Dhp Technology looked for the solution on automation with a possibility of exact positioning of materials for assembly of folding solar panels.

The IRB 6700-150 robot from ABB company automates process of connection of two plates of solar panels c the proper accuracy and speed. The technical means of management and technology of a material feed developed by B&R company, ABB affiliated enterprise provide reliability of process of automation.

Solar energy plays a crucial role in transition to net energy. For November, 2020 in Switzerland at it bigger potential in comparison with wind power engineering. But where in the densely populated country to install enough photopower stations to bring solar energy out of a shadow of leaders of the power industry? The solar power makes only 3% of all electricity generated in the country that opens an opportunity to active implementation of the innovative solutions.

The issue of installation of solar power systems on roofs and facades is worked already well out, but it is hardly possible to apply such approach in Switzerland where the quantity of open spaces is limited. Therefore Dhp decided to use the existing territories of industrial enterprises which can be transformed to a production site of solar energy, without influencing work of the enterprise in any way.

One of such places – reservoirs of treatment plants. More than 800 clearing reservoirs are installed across all Switzerland, and they in itself are large consumers of energy. Installation of solar panels over them could become the good solution for unloading of power network. Nevertheless, installation of the permanent solar power system over clearing reservoirs is impossible – it is necessary that it did not disturb the system of cranes.

ABB implemented the IRB 6700-150 robot in Dhp Technology

Modules of such folding solar roof called Horizon ("Horizon") clean up in wind-resistant storage and are decomposed back by a one click of the button. They also automatically develop in case of approach of a storm, a hail or a heavy snowfall. That panels were as it is possible easier, by their production photoelectric cells in which there is no glass are used.

The pilot option of a system was set to Dhp Technology at the beginning of 2017 for the servicing IBC Energie Wasser Chur company over reservoirs of treatment plants on their main production site in Grizona. At completely spread out panels the solar power system occupies the space comparable to the football field. Annually it generates 550.000 kW · h solar energy that about 120 households are comparable with annual energy consumption. In this case about 20% of energy are consumed by the treatment plant.

Dhp found the suitable process building in Tsitsersa near Landkvart and for design and start of the production site signed the agreement on cooperation with Aerne Engineering company.

System basis – automated production of separate elements for folding solar roofs in which photo-electric models are pasted to a framework. This task is carried out by the IRB 6700-150 robot from ABB. Radius of its action is 3.2 meters, loading capacity – 150 kg, and, above all – it has a proper accuracy in execution of operations. According to Sven Fuerer (Swen Fürer), the sales director in Aerne Engineering, the IRB 6700-150 robot is suitable for such work.

The robot takes a photo-electric panel using vacuum captures suckers and sets it with the proper level of accuracy on a glue surface. Use of a plasma bunch optimizes pasting durability. Then it presses a ready panel into a frame from chromed steel which is also previously automatically processed by plasma and on which contact surface glue is applied. At last, the robot places the stuck together element in the automated multilevel rack where it hardens within 8 hours. The cycle of gluing together of components takes about 160 seconds.

On preparation of a frame, the solar panel and management of all flexible production cell of Aerne Engineering applied to production process stages technologies of management and the pipeline, including programmable controllers, drives and regulators from B&R company, ABB affiliated enterprise.

To reduce as much as possible the volume of installation works on the platform, workers assemble modules in the general construction. In advance also manual assembly of components of a system of drives and cables is performed.

We received a request for the project with a large number of specifications, and the customer was ready it openly to discuss with us to define risks and step by step a trial and error method to implement the project on implementation of this complex system. Silas Bühler, the senior project manager in Aerne Engineering noted

Particularly complex processes, such as preprocessing by plasma, were for the first time designed and experienced on the platform Aerne Engineering. Application of the robotic solution could be simulated using the software of RobotStudio of ABB company in advance.

In September, 2019 Dhp started serial production in Tsitsersa.

The robot of ABB works in full accordance with our expectations, the same can be told about implementation from technical means to managements from B&R. Fabian Vogelbacher, the director of production in Dhp told

Recently the company received the contract for installation of folding roofs with solar panels over the parking from the St energy company. Gallisch Appenzellischen Kraftwerke AG. In the spring of 2020 solar panels were installed on the parking of the Yakobsbad-Kronberg cableway.