Robot-based Guiding of Extrusion Profiles-increase of Guiding Accuracy by Considering the Temperature-dependent Effects

Abstract Three-dimensionally curved extrusion profiles are used to manufacture lightweight frame structures. These profiles have to be flexibly manufactured, especially for a small batch production. For this reason, a flexible process chain with an automated extrusion process was build up. In this paper an approach for offline calculation of path data for the guiding of unsteady extrusion profiles with industrial robots is presented. This approach includes a consideration of the profile deformation caused by cooling during production. The required correction values are determined by using a coupled kinematic and thermal FEM simulation.