Neos Robotics and ICAM Technologies Put Parallel-Kinematics Agreement in Motion

ICAM Technologies Corporation announced today that it has signed a joint marketing agreement with Neos Robotics of Sweden. Under the agreement, Neos will refer customers of their Tricept 605 and Tricept 805 industrial robots to ICAM for NC post-processing solutions. In return, ICAM is developing custom NC post-processors that will allow CAD/CAM users to integrate Tricept machines into their manufacturing environment.

“This agreement demonstrates ICAM’s long-term commitment to support the latest manufacturing technologies” says John J. Nassr, President of ICAM, “Our goal in this agreement is to use CAM-POST technology to create a ‘plug and play’ capability for Neos machines with all major CAD/CAM systems.”

“We feel confident in working with a global company as ICAM” says Ralf Hammerin Support Manager at Neos Robotics, “It will give us the opportunity to provide our customers all around the world with a strong Post Processor for their Tricept system.”

Originally developed as a precision assembly robot, the Neos Tricept machines use an unusual parallel kinematics machine design in which three robotic arms work together in tripod formation to control a pivoting head. What makes Tricept machines unique is a rigid tube that runs down the center of the tripod assembly. The additional tube structure gives Tricept machines the power to accomplish tasks traditionally performed by milling and boring machines without sacrificing the accuracy and flexibility normally associated with industrial robots.

First generation Tricept TR600 machines, which were designed for precision assembly and heavy handling, have proven to be outstanding for light milling and drilling applications. This success has inspired Neos Robotics to develop a second generation Tricept specifically designed for industrial machining, called the Tricept 805. The Tricept 805 is 2-3 times faster than conventional vertical machining centers, possesses up to 45 kN of pressure power, and is capable of 5 side accessibility.

success has inspired Neos Robotics to develop a second generation Tricept specifically designed for industrial machining, called the Tricept 805. The Tricept 805 is 2-3 times faster than conventional vertical machining centers, possesses up to 45 kN of pressure power, and is capable of 5 side accessibility.

The agreement comes on the heels of ICAM’s recent announcement that it will join the International Parallel-Kinematics Consortium, of which Neos Robotics is a founding member. Led by Siemens AG, the consortium’s mission is to help the industrial community evaluate parallel-kinematics technology. The consortium is using a Tricept TR805, equipped with a Siemens Sinumerik 840D control and ICAM CAM-POST V-12 NC post-processing software for testing and evaluation purposes.

CAM-POST NC post-processing software generates programs that transform CAD/CAM cutter location (CL) files into the specific machine code required by NC machines. CAM-POST works seamlessly with all major CAD/CAM systems, hardware platforms, and NC machines to deliver support for up to 15 axes of control. CAM-POST Version 12 now offers High Speed Machining support and emulation, an option which can dramatically improve the performance of almost any NC machine. V-12 also features a number of other technologies designed to make machining faster and more accurate, including NURBS fitting, tangential arc fitting, and intelligent alternate tool path selection.

Founded in 1992 by Karl-Erik Neumann, Neos Robotics AB specializes in applications and production systems for the manufacturing industry. Neos manufactures the Tricept industrial robot, a cost-effective, powerful tool used to assemble and process aluminum, plastic and steel. Current customers are some of the world’s leading automotive and aerospace manufacturers and their suppliers, including Volvo, Scania, Volkswagen, GM, Opel, Boeing, and British Aerospace.