AWL and its high-end Fixture building
Quality fixtures are crucial for high volume productions. AWL’s fixtures guarantee end-product quality and ease of making adjustments when configuring the welding process. In addition, excellent spatter protection, unloading assistance and nest intelligence are some of the advantages of AWL’s high-end fixtures.
AWL is familiar with the high automotive quality standards in product and process, and with all standard design software for exchanging data. And we back it up with a high installed base in the automotive branch. In order to realize the high quality of fixture building, AWL has a separate specialist tooling department with Full 3D information available on the shop floor and a high-end engineering data management system.
Optimum design
AWL designs its fixtures around the datum story for an ideal balance in the product. With 3D engineering/Robcad simulation, AWL makes sure that there is guaranteed reach ability and cycle time. All fixtures are engineered according Poka Yoke and have standard proven building blocks assuring the utmost reliability.
All sensors and shielding are integrated in the initial design ensuring excellent shielding of the end products, shims, cables and tubes and linear guiding systems.
If necessary all datum’s are adjustable in X/Y/Z direction (U-shape vs. rings). We have specific shim dimensions for each size, so no accumulation (in steps of 0.2 mm) of shims is necessary. References are set to nominal datum and are protocolled before starting the process integration.
High flexibility
AWL uses the philosophy of intuitive welding, ensuring that only the loaded nests within the fixture are welded. Because of the embedded product change management in our project management, customer change requests can be integrated at any moment.
Due to a standard interface in mechanical and electrical connections and the independent fixture software which is stored in the fixture itself, the fixtures are easily interchangeable, allowing multiple products can be welded on one machine.
Low and easy maintenance
Easy component/sensor changeability is dominant in our initial design process. All parts are traceable, marked and documented so that changing parts is very intuitive. All spare and ware parts are standard components and therefore easy to acquire. AWL provides customers with a spare-part list of standard and dedicated machine components and the documentation with the Shims protocols.
Best ergonomics and safety
Operator ergonomics and safety are a crucial aspect in the design. With easy and quick loading and unloading and operator guidance through loading support the fixtures are highly ergonomic. Also the high safety standards, like the controls of all relevant actuators are safe powered off, the elimination of sharp edges and the focus and knowledge of safety aspects, all in compliance with the new machine directives and ISO 13849.
Excellent durability
Because of our robust design and the use of world-class components, like Festo, Destaco, THK, Siemens, Turck, IFM, Expert-Tünkers, our fixtures exceed the standard life-cycle expectation. Furthermore, our machine control philosophy and bus connections (Profi Bus) and our proven object-orientated programming software contribute to the high durability of our fixtures.