Tag Tecnologia e processo: Collaborative robotics

BRG SRL specializes in the treatment and galvanization of metal components, improving their durability and corrosion resistance. The company uses advanced technologies to optimize production processes while ensuring safety and compliance with environmental regulations.

BRG Zinco faced significant inefficiencies related to the manual handling of baskets containing treated metal components, a physically demanding and unproductive activity. This phase required the continuous use of 2-3 operators, with ergonomic risks and bottlenecks slowing down the process. The use of a motorized hoist and manual procedures for transferring and drying the material limited overall efficiency. Although operating safely, the company recognized the need to introduce automated and adaptive systems to optimize the production cycle, reduce risks, and increase competitiveness.

The GALBOT project aims to study and integrate an adaptive robotic system into BRG Zinco’s production line in order to make the production process more efficient and safer. The project idea involves studying the current work cycle, in which the operator picks up the treated material, places it in a hydroextractor for drying, and then extracts it for final sorting. The use of a Kuka industrial robotic arm with a maximum load capacity of 120 kg and a range of 2.70 m is planned, together with a series of sensors designed to make the automatic operation adaptive and safe, in compliance with current regulations.

Data analytics

Graph Neural Netowork (GNN)

Digitalization

Production Process Optimization: increased operational efficiency through automation of manual tasks and reduced cycle times for handling and drying operations.

Personnel safety: reduction in the risk of accidents related to the manual handling of heavy loads and improvement in working conditions for operators.

Use of personnel: reassignment of personnel to more skilled and value-added tasks and opportunities for training and development of new technological skills.

Flexibility and Scalability: possibility to adapt the system to future changes or expansions of the production process and ability to integrate additional technologies into the robot.

This new workflow therefore represents the entry point for the proposer, its supply chain, and the local and national manufacturing sector to integrate adaptive automated solutions with the aim of streamlining processes, increasing competitiveness, and improving workplace safety.

Tecnologie PM S.r.l. is an Italian company specialized in the production of submersible motors and submersible electric pumps.

The acquisition times and the quality required for the construction and management of subsurface-infrastructure-environment data (gas, water, sewage, electricity, telecommunications networks) currently have a significant impact on public administration processes related to updating cadastral information.

Intelligent Vehicle (UGV) capable of operating with assisted autonomous driving in open environments, performing surveying activities and deploying multiple types of sensors. The UGV operates according to a diagnostic programming system, ensuring safety through the use of multiple positioning and obstacle proximity sensors. It consists of a compact tracked platform, which facilitates all monitoring activities in confined and/or hard-to-reach environments. It proves essential for conducting complex instrumental surveys in extreme settings such as tunnels, underpasses, bridges, galleries, landslide areas, and regions affected by ongoing environmental disasters.

Robotic Arm, designed to be mounted on the UGV, equipped with a multi-joint movement system developed using deep learning algorithms and neural networks. It enables the use of various surveying technologies and the organized, programmed deployment of sensors, with the goal of facilitating mapping activities and optimizing the accessibility and inspection of underground utilities and infrastructures.

IoT Sensor System for acquiring key data from the operational environment being mapped (e.g., thermography, precision weather analysis, analysis of vehicular and social aggregation factors, environmental pollution data analysis). The system also supports UGV positioning tracking and remote monitoring of the rover for road safety purposes.

Augmented Reality for in-field visualization of georeferenced data, enabled by a GPS-IMU system and an innovative precision odometric analysis platform independent of GPS signals. This platform has been developed in collaboration with and with the consultancy of Thales Italia.

Augmented Reality supporting a new model of territorial management and a new approach to design and maintenance interactions for engineers and maintenance personnel. This system will allow an operator to access detailed data (georeferenced points and in-field reconstruction of the survey performed by the rover) through a digital device (such as smart glasses or a tablet), setting the foundation for future upgrades enabling multi-operator interactions and real-time data management.

A unique system is created for the in-situ representation of data derived from the national cartographic cadastre (SINFI) and/or direct instrumental surveys, with particular focus on underground, surface, and environmental infrastructures.

Innovative technologies and procedures are introduced to support public administrations, with particular emphasis on the technical management and excavation of the subsoil for infrastructure development and maintenance.

Technological innovations are proposed to support the decoding of cadastral data and surveys, enabling their digital management and fostering a new interaction model among Public Administrations, Designers, and Field Technicians.

The first applications for integrating data and information related to public land with relevant services are being developed, enabling the concept of smart cities even in historical residential contexts, which are often constrained by heritage architecture or exposed to significant hydrogeological and seismic risks.

In particular, the ability to acquire 2D-3D images and information enables the creation of a detailed representation of what lies beneath the surface and within above-ground infrastructures, facilitating consultation within the SINFI cadastral system. This robotic functionality is currently not available on the market. Moreover, the visual imagery and representation enhance the management of maintenance activities and simplify the identification of excavation and subsoil breach operations in the event of new constructions.