Small electronic components are lined up on a pallet, which a gripper arm grabs unerringly. Slowly at first, it picks up speed after the first pass. First, the robot dips the contact points into a flux, then, with the help of sensors, into tin heated to 400 degrees with millimeter precision. Finally, the coils are neatly placed in a box. Once in motion, it only needs around 30 seconds per electronic part.
The family-run company Arnold Electronic in Lichtenau near Chemnitz employs 43 people. It manufactures coils, transformers and chokes in various formats: from the size of a fingernail to transformers weighing 100 kilograms. The tinning robot, affectionately known as "Robby", has been part of the team for around one and a half years. It was developed in collaboration with the Chemnitz Institute of Mechanical and Plant Engineering (ICM). "It took around five years from the idea to implementation," explains Production Manager Ulrich Morawietz. In total, the system cost around 120,000 euros.
