SHORTEN THE CALENDAR, SHRINK THE GLOBE
Robotic welding integrator Genesis Systems uses scalable, flexible DELMIA Robotics 3D digital manufacturing technology to get their systems to the build phase much quicker than their competitors, eliminating a huge amount of retool time, saving up to 30 percent in tool design and reducing design changes by 65 percent.
Posted: August 3, 2011
There are numerous competitive advantages that the Genesis team gains with this system as compared to other robotic programming software. First of all, this digital technology has the ability to integrate with multi-CAD formats as well as the capability to interface with a large variety of robot manufacturers. Whereas most of its competitors focus on one robot manufacturer, Genesis integrates multiple robot brands. Without a neutral system like DELMIA, the integrator would need an individual package for each manufacturer’s robot. “Plus,” adds simulation engineer Justan Each, “the library structure in this system is cataloged as more CAD-based than robot-based, making it very easy to select objects to build your own system and assign kinematics. This is a huge efficiency advantage for us, as compared to typical robot packages.”
Many of Genesis’ customers have never used robots in prior operations. Each cited a recent customer example on how the application of the software influenced one customer’s decision to commit to a project. In this particular situation, the customer manufactured components for the mining industry and was looking to add automation to its manual welding operations, where weld time varied from two to 40 hours per component.
Genesis proposed five very unique custom automated machines, presenting three-five concepts per machine. “The ability to generate realistic simulations within our digital technology in only days was instrumental to securing their confidence of which approach to take,” says Brian Ruhl, a sales engineer. “When they saw the simulations on the big screen, they were totally on-board.”
Even more impressively, the placement of the order occurred within five weeks of the initial customer meeting. “This advantage really gives us a competitive edge,” emphasizes Sidlinger. “We can develop a relatively detailed workcell concept within a few hours, instead of the days that it takes for competitors relying upon OLP or CAD solutions.” And where some integrators charge an additional fee for simulation services, Genesis found their tool so valuable that they include it as a value-add client offering.
Genesis works closely with the DELMIA channel partner EOS (Rochester, MI), which supplied the integrator with its basic training class and ongoing technical support. “The support aspect of the technology package is key,” notes Each. “We probably communicate with them at least once a week.” The relationship is so strong that Genesis actually supports EOS in its DELMIA Robotics seminars, providing demonstrations on their application of the solution.
Genesis Systems Group, 8900 Harrison Street, Davenport, IA 52806, 563-445-5600, Fax: 563-445-5699, robots@genesis-systems.com, www.genesis-systems.com.
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