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JL Corp , a certified Universal Robots integrator based in Lille, Hauts-de-France, has developed an automated water pump wheel balancing solution for KSB , a specialist in valves and pumps. Integrated into its production site in Sequedin, in the Nord department, the cobotic cell is fully secure. Its benefits for the company are numerous, particularly with regard to the quality of finished products, productivity and operator well-being.

JL Corp tackles heavy-euty impeller balancing challenges with cobotic innovation at KSB

The workstation KSB wanted to automate involved balancing water pump impellers, which involves removing material to ensure proper weight distribution across the product. This operation was not only arduous for the operators involved, but also disruptive for the entire production site. On the one hand, it required the lifting of heavy loads, could cause injuries, and was particularly dirty. On the other hand, it generated significant noise pollution, disrupting communication within the teams on site.

In practice, operators had to place the 25 kg wheels on a wheel balancer to determine the amount of material to be removed. They then had to remove them and sand them manually using a grinder—a process that took 30 to 45 minutes. Finally, they placed them back on the wheel balancer to check whether they had removed the correct amount of material.

Performed manually, this operation posed a multitude of problems. Indeed, carrying heavy loads led to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), operators could cut themselves while handling the wheels, sanding generated large quantities of dust, and the noise level could exceed 110 dB. As a result, employees dedicated to this position were required to work nights to limit disturbances during the day. In addition, the rendering was often imprecise, requiring the process to be repeated several times before achieving a satisfactory result.

That's why KSB was looking for a solution capable of precisely grinding wheels with reduced noise, while ensuring total operator safety and workplace cleanliness. The company therefore contacted JL Corp, a certified integrator (CSI) of Universal Robots operating in the region.