OMIC R&D begins sponsored research project in robotics for SMW-AUTOBLOK

The Oregon Manufacturing Innovation Center Research and Development (OMIC R&D), a manufacturing research campus hosted by Oregon Tech, has received a $154,000 sponsored project from SMW-AUTOBLOK Corporation, a worldwide manufacturer of workholding for turning and grinding machine tools based in Wheeling, Illinois. Jordan Meader, a robotics solution researcher at OMIC R&D, will be the principal investigator on the project.

OMIC R&D will conduct research in advanced and automated connection interfaces for robotic end effectors in collaboration with engineers from SMW-AUTOBLOK. The project, scheduled to take place over the next 12 months, will create a unique robotics connection interface that is expected to become available in SMW-AUTOBLOK’s catalog as an enhancement to small and medium shops integrating robotics. This ultimately aids in time loss associated with human interaction that often leads to damaged cables and connectors.

Larry Robbins, president commercial division at SMW-AUTOBLOK stated, “We are eager to apply the results of this research project to provide ideal solutions to meet the needs of our customers and enhance modern manufacturing.”

OMIC R&D members Doosan Machine Tools America and Ellison Technologies, leaders in the global CNC machine-tool industry, are contributing to the success of the project by consigning a state-of-the-art cobot from the recently debuted H2017 series. The cobot will allow OMIC R&D to demonstrate the capabilities of this research on a highly capable platform uniquely suited to the task of variable load machine tending.

Josh Koch, operations lead at OMIC R&D said, “With the addition of this research project, OMIC R&D will demonstrate the expansion of our capabilities into creating novel robotic solutions to complex systemic challenges in industry. We are excited to begin this work for SMW-AUTOBLOK.”