For innovative, versatile production of the future

The Wertstromkinematik concept (WSK) is based on the vision of setting up a production completely with universally applicable robot kinematics of identical design, which can be placed on patterned shop floor to form specialized production cells. Their tasks not only include the handling tasks common in industrial robotics, but also manufacturing and assembly processes as well as quality assurance. The resulting elimination of expensive, less flexible special machines within a value stream greatly increases the flexibility of the production chain and makes it much easier for the user to switch to other end products. An essential research task for the implementation of Wertstromkinematik is to enable the kinematics to perform tasks with high accuracy or force requirements. Compared to expensive specialized machines (e.g., machining centers), classical industrial robots usually lack sufficient stiffness for this purpose. Wertstromkinematik solves this problem with an innovative coupling function. Several kinematics are mechanically connected with a coupling module to enable a joint production process with the aid of the associated increased overall rigidity. The vision of Wertstromkinematik also includes a digital process chain that guides engineers in planning future productions and monitoring current ones. With the digital platform, a significant part of the planning and commissioning can be carried out on a purely virtual basis and, in the future, also autonomously.