
Growth of collaborative robotics at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol
Students in the Industrial Engineering & Management bachelor degree program were able to work with the technology of collaborative robots (CoBots) last summer semester because of loaned items from FANUC. The management decided to procure these CoBots because of high student interest and the increasing importance of these robots. The managing director and president of the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol agree that, “The university of applied sciences stands for its hands-on education. That is why we offer our students the best opportunities during their study program to work with the newest technologies in our technical laboratories.”
Students now have two CoBots available for education and practical projects. More specifically, these CoBots are an industrial collaborative robot from FANUC CR-7iA/L, the world market leader, and a collaborative lightweight construction robot from the manufacturer Universal Robots UR-3e.
Practical projects with collaborative robots
In the 2019/2020 winter semester, practical projects were conducted with the CoBots in the Industrial Engineering & Management study program. A 4.0 workstation was established using the FANUC CR-7iA/L to support and instruct workers with the help of the CoBot and a pick by light system.
The lightweight construction robot was used for the project with Kontron for installing printed circuit boards into a housing. The goal of the project was to bring production back to Tirol by partial or full automation.
The university management and the laboratory manager are pleased about the active use of collaborative robotics for teaching and practical projects at the University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol. Laboratory Manager, Markus Ehrlenbach, MSc, added, “The enthusiasm of students when they experience the latest in robotics trends especially confirms that this investment was correct and important.”