FreeScan Combo Works with Industrial Robots to Repair Forging Dies

Introduction

The manufacturing and forging industries rely on the efficiency and precision of production tools. Among these tools, forging dies play a critical role. However, during production, forging dies are subject to wear and tear, making repair a significant challenge.

This case introduces a repair approach that combines 3D scanning technology with industrial robotics to improve both the efficiency and accuracy of forging die restoration.

Robotic overlay welding

Traditional Forging Die Repair Method

Conventional forging die repair primarily involves manual overlay welding followed by machining.

The manual overlay welding process:

• Is time-consuming

• Requires highly skilled welders to ensure accuracy

After welding, machining is required to remove excess material, further increasing repair time and cost.

As a result, traditional repair methods are:

• Costly

• Labor-intensive

• Prone to inconsistencies

• Likely to affect overall die quality

3D Scanners & Industrial Robots: Automating Die Repair

Integrating 3D scanning technology with industrial robots provides a more efficient alternative to traditional repair methods.

3D scanning technology generates highly accurate 3D models of damaged molds. These models can then be converted into robotic operating paths, enabling precise and automated overlay welding.

 3D data acquired by FreeScan Combo

Step 1: 3D Model Acquisition

The repair process begins with capturing a 3D model of the damaged dolly. This step ensures that every contour, groove, and defect is accurately documented.

The equipment used in this case is the SHINING 3D FreeScan Combo metrology 3D scanner, which provides three key advantages in forging die repair applications:

● High Precision: With an accuracy of up to 0.02mm and stable repeatability, the FreeScan Combo is able to provide accurate data for subsequent repairs.
● Fast Scan Speed: The FreeScan Combo scans at up to 1,860,000 points/s, and with the software algorithms, scans are fast and smooth.
● Multiple Scan Modes: The FreeScan Combo is equipped with four working modes: multiple lines scanning, single-line scanning, fine scanning, and infrared scanning. It can easily cope with a wide range of molds of various sizes, materials and features.

3D scanning with FreeScan Combo