The degree of automation in the industry increases more and more every year, trying to reduce more and more or even eliminate the collaboration with the human operator. The basis of all automatic industrial equipment is PLCs. This paper presents a method of extending the number of inputs and outputs of a Siemens Simatic S7-1200 PLC, using an Arduino Mega development board and an Ethernet communication. Following the realization of this communication, the number of inputs and outputs will increase considerably, being able to connect various sensors used for the construction of an omnidirectional mobile platform, but also for equipment for industry. The advantages of using this communication are multiple, both from a financial point of view and from the point of view of the flexibility and integration of robotic systems in industrial equipment.

Single point incremental forming is a new emerging technology, used mainly for prototype development or small series production, with good prospects in industrial implementation. However, the parts manufactured through this process often presents low accuracy, thus the industrial implementation is yet limited. Incremental forming process can be done with the help of different technological equipment, such as industrial robots and numerically controlled machines. Since the process is still in development phase, it is a good practice to use finite element analysis software packages in order to reduce time and costs to produce accurate parts. The aim of this paper is to investigate the behavior of different aluminum alloys deformed through SPIF regarding forming forces, thickness distribution and springback effect. Based on numerical simulations performed, the material which produces the most accurate parts for the frustum cone can be chosen for further experimental research.

To achieve a 3D shape with certain degree of complexity from metal sheets that are flat in the beginning, especially for prototype development or small series production, that is also cost efficient by avoiding high-end dies or expensive tooling, the incremental sheet forming process can represent the ideal choice due to its flexibility, reduced forming forces and increased formability. The process is performed with a round tool that follows a predefined path to deform the flat metal sheet into its final shape. The proper selection of the toolpaths affects the productivity and the accuracy of each part. The process having to focus on forming each single point in increments. For cost-effective production, the incremental sheet forming process is performed by an industrial robot. This paper aims to showcase the superior kinematic potential of the robot for complex tool paths by means of simulation. Singularity issues and robot joints limitation is checked through DELMIA software platform. After the design, simulation, and generation of the tool path, the software code can be generated and also used to steer the robot.

The diversity of industrial robot applications is constantly growing, and their use in manufacturing processes is increasing year by year. One of the most flexible sheet metal forming process, used mainly for rapid prototyping or small series production, is represented by the single point incremental forming (SPIF). Usually, incremental sheet forming processes are performed by means of CNC milling machines or industrial robots, both having advantages and disadvantages. Due to the superior number of axes, especially when compared with 3-axis CNC milling machines, one of the most obvious advantage of the industrial robots rely upon their superior kinematic. The approach of this paper tackles the problem of designing a tool-holder working unit for SPIF process performed through a KUKA KR 210-2 industrial robot. After designing of the working unit, and simulating the tool path, the generated program code was used afterwards to successfully control the robot to obtain a truncated cone-shape part.

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