TrimBot mechatronics station for trimming and sampling wire rods in the coil handling area.

AIC Group has developed an ambitious mechatronic system, TrimBot, using the latest vision technologies and industrial robotics components, including a high level of automation and artificial intelligence


Wire rod mill technology has improved significantly over the past several decades by introducing state-of-the-art technology, innovative and novel processes and automation. In spite of this, the head and the tail of finished coiled products still suffer from imperfections which must be trimmed and removed. 

The trimming and sampling are almost always performed by manual operators using hand tools. These operators perform a delicate and dexterous process on a hot product in a hazardous working environment under time-pressure. Naturally, under these conditions, mistakes are made, potentially leading to reduced profitability and injuries to the operators. 

This prompted AIC to develop the TRIMBOT. An all-electric patent-pending system combining mechatronics, industrial robotics and 3D vision systems with a high level of automation and artificial intelligence. 

The fully autonomous system introduces a novel process, making it possible to trim and sample the head & tail of these coils with exceptional accuracy and for the first time, it can be performed while the coil remains vertical. Its dynamic ability allows the system to adjust the trimming position based on real-time production parameters in the rolling mill, and it’s designed to fit on the existing mill-floor in virtually any type of coil handling system. 

Keywords: Trimming & Sampling systems, Material Handling, Robotics application, Rolling Mill, Automation, 3D Vision System, Pinch-roll, Wire Rod Coils, Rings, Billets, Processing Turret, Safety

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