CSF specialises in automation and robotic integration and implements these in every aspect of automation to achieve diverse turnkey solutions

As the manufacturing industry progresses worldwide, automation in its many forms has developed to serve the growing needs of industry. Automation and robotics can reduce cycle time, improve accuracy and repeatability, and also improves safety by eliminating hazardous processes from manual labour.

As automation and robotics continue to develop in the 21st Century, CSF aims to be a leader in innovation, integrating a multitude of processes for a wide range of purposes. CSF robotics is dedicated to bringing innovation through robotic engineering to the manufacturing industry. CSF specialises in automation and robotic integration and have implemented these in a variety of areas to achieve diverse turnkey solutions.

The company started when a small group of world-class electrochemists and materials scientists came together with the purpose of supporting industry with their decades of experience in electroplating, polishing, surface preparation and robotic engineering. The mission is simple - to provide turnkey automation solutions to the manufacturing industry and to be at the forefront of innovation; developing and incorporating new technologies to drive the manufacturing industry forward.

Engineers at CSF strive to integrate robotic technology seamlessly into existing manufacturing processes and support the growth of customers, providing technical support, maintenance and consumables. The company is serving the following industries:

Robotics & Automation

1. Automatic Polishing Machines: CSF design and manufacture a range of stand-alone machines for manual and automatic linishing and polishing. Stand-alone machines are ideal for low volume production, and are reliable and easy to maintain. CSF also designs custom stand-alone machinery to suit the needs of specific work pieces. Products: automotive accessories, tapware, hinges, handles, laser cut parts, metal furniture, alloy wheels, bull bars, etc.

Applications: linishing, polishing and buffing.

2. Robotic Polishing & Linishing: robotic linishing, polishing and buffing can be adapted to suit a wide variety of metal products, from small tapware items to large automotive accessories. Robotic polishing cells can incorporate a single robot or multiple robots with transfer stations, depending on the desired cycle time and polishing requirements. Products: Automotive accessories - sportsbars, nudgebars, sidesteps, bullbars. Truck accessories - wheels, tapware, cookware, metal furniture, etc.

3. Robotic Welding: robotic welding can suit many welding applications and is best applied when high accuracy, speed and repeatability are required. Multiple stations can be used with one or more robots, depending on the application. CSF Laboratory analysis provides proven technology through CSF advance robotic programming to fulfil welding integrity to highest automotive industry standards.

Aluminium and stainless steel are just a few examples already completed by CSF for Toyota, Nissan and Mitsubishi. CSF has partnered with Fronius SMENCO Pty Ltd and is proud to incorporate leading edge welding equipment with robotic welding installations.

Applications: MIG welding of mild steel, stainless steel, aluminium, welding of dissimilar alloys, accuracy and repeatability, robot-mounted welding gun, custom weld jigging, multiple load stations per cell, multiple part types per cell, production line welding.

4. Robotic Laser Welding: laser welding is the latest in welding technology and is perfect for precision welding, with high speeds, thin seams and low thermal distortion. Robotic laser welding takes this to the next level, introducing precision and repeatability to complex paths and unique requirements. The applications for robotic laser welding extend from automotive to jewellery and electronics, providing the modern production industry with world leading joining solutions.

5. Robotic Tube Bending: tube bending can be automated to achieve accuracy and repeatability and is ideal for bent tube products, common in the automotive industry. Robotic tube bending is ideal for integrated processes, where a part needs to be bent and then cut, deburred, welded, linished or polished. CSF has expertise in integration of bent tube processing and can design custom processes to suit the needs of each product. The company designs a variety of standard and custom tube grippers enabling tube handling both internally and externally, depending on process requirements and individual specifications.

Tube bending equipment can range from a simple servo hydraulic machine for fixed radius bending, to 9-axis full electric servo machines capable of multiple bend radii and variable radius rolling. Robotic tube bending and processing is ideal for mass production of bent tube products, where accuracy and repeatability are critical, and where multiple processes can be integrated to provide a streamline production solution. 6. Robotic Laser Cutting: laser scalloping is a common requirement for bend tube products, especially in the automotive industry.

Robotic laser cutting can achieve complex scallops and intricate curves with precision, efficiency and repeatability. Turnkey solutions provided by CSF include aluminium and stainless steel products.

7. Robotic Trimming & Cutting: robotic trimming and cutting can be achieved in a number of ways depending on the product, material, cycle time, accuracy and budget.

Robotic cutting is the perfect solution for complex cut paths and where accuracy and repeatability is critical.

8. Robotic Milling & Routing: robotic milling and routing is an effective solution for complex milling requirements requiring multiple axes of movement. The tool can be mounted on the robot, or can be fixed mounted while the robot manipulates the part.

Integration: Robotic milling can be stand alone, or integrated into a diverse cell with other processes such as fettling, laser cutting, linishing, polishing and even assembly to create a smooth process flow from raw materials to finished products.

9. Robotic Assembly: robotic assembly is the perfect solution for the automation of mass-produced parts and assemblies. A variety of tools and stations can be designed to adapt a robot to the variety of tasks required in the unique assembly process.

Applications: plastic parts assembly, screw insertion, Dowell pin insertion, glueing, precision assembly, electrical assembly, pneumatic assembly, mass production, labelling, etc.

10. CNC Systems: state-of-the-art CNC systems are custom designed to manipulate your products for your desired result. CNC systems are a simple solution for polishing and linishing small parts requiring only 2 or 3 axes of movement.

Products: tapware, hinges, handles, cookware, extrusions, etc. Applications: linishing, polishing, buffing, milling, deburring, etc.

11. Vision Systems: Vision systems can be incorporated into automated systems and robotic cells for a variety of purposes including part recognition, checking and fault finding. CSF is a supplier partner with Cognex Cameras and SICK Sensing and works together to supply the most appropriate vision system for the task, and fully integrate it with the robotic process. Robotic vision systems are ideal for situations where a variety of parts are processed in the same cell, but with different programs to suit the part variances. Vision systems can detect patterns or part numbers and select the appropriate program for the part. Vision systems are also ideal for tracking parts through a robotic cell, where barcode scanning and the PLC integrate to ensure parts are tracked as they are processed.

Applications: barcode scanning, QR code scanning, measuring/checking, part recognition, pattern recognition, fault finding, etc.

12. Robotic Packaging: custom designed robotic handling and packaging can achieve streamline processing of a variety of products. Single or multiple robots can work together with a variety of gripper types to identify, handle and package small products in a production line. Multiple robots can work together to carry long and heavy loads, improving cycle time and eliminating manual handling hazards. Integrated equipment: CSF designs a variety of custom equipment to supplement handling and packaging systems. Custom conveyors can have multiple functions, including height adjustability, part sensing and can be incorporated with printers, scanners and other machines. Slides, chutes and mechanical part catchers and separators can also be required in the handling and packaging process, and are included in the robotic cell design solution.

Products: purlins, pick & place parts, bent or folded parts, extrusions, structural beams, sheet metal parts, truck accessories, plastic parts, food products, pharmaceutical products, etc.

CSF is a leader in innovation, piloting research and development, and always keen to develop custom solutions to suit needs as individual as its customers. From the basic jobs to the most complex requirements, the company can do it all. CSF works closely with top robot manufacturers to ensure it stays at the forefront of available technology. Partnerships with other leading companies such as ABB, Denso, Widoberg and more, ensure that its installations have the best possible components and serviceability and are the best solutions for customers' needs. CSF Robotics is an Australian owned company and all its equipment is designed and manufactured in Australia.

More information may be had from: Mathew Jacob, Chief Technical Officer, SWIT, Bangalore. Mobile: 097414-81117. Tel: 080-42187117.