The SPATZ is a screw driving robot with automatic tool change and automatic feeding of the fasteners via a PickPlace system. Fasteners of different geometries can be screwed with the SPATZ. This is possible by the modular design and use of various screw driving tools and grippers. Further applications can be adapted at any time. The fasteners are fed via PickPlace. Depending on the variant, the feed unit has an internal or an external supply unit. The program structure is already provided by the SPATZ cap, only the respective positions still have to be taught, which reduces the commissioning time to a minimum.
The SPATZ is very flexible due to the separation of tool holder and tool. It can be used for the screwing of one screw type as well as for the screwing of different screw geometries. The modular design also allows grippers to be adapted. This means that apart from simple screw driving applications even extensive scenarios are conceivable, such as gripping components, setting balls or pins, screwing one or more components with different fasteners. With the help of the SPATZ-Cap, the user can program the motion sequences of the robot very easily and time-efficiently, since only the respective positions have to be taught. The tools are stored in tool stations. An optional reading unit can be used to check whether the correct tool has been picked up. If incorrect tools are detected, system stops and an error message is issued. The connectors are fed via a Pick&Place system. An internal supply unit is included as standard. Optionally, an external supply unit can be used if, for example, space is limited at the screw driving location. In addition, the external supply unit helps to reduce the cycle time, as empty runs can be shortened.