The Kuka KR 30 HA high-accuracy robot is being used to dispense a special material that will form the defroster on the polycarbonate window

Exatec of Wixom, Michigan is using Kuka robots to integrate newly developed defroster technology with its automotive glazing systems. Previous methods of creating a defroster on glass are difficult to use for polycarbonate glazing. Therefore, Exatec had to create a new system for applying defrosters.

The Kuka KR 30 HA high-accuracy robot is being used in the company's system to dispense a special material that will form the defroster on the polycarbonate window.

The new system is designed to meet automotive manufacturers' production needs as they gear up for what the industry predicts will be an increased demand for vehicles using the coated polycarbonate material instead of glass.

The polycarbonate, combined with Exatec's coating technology, allows for an increase of styling freedom, a 40-60% decrease in weight, an improvement in safety, and a reduction in assembly processes with glass-like weathering and abrasion performance.

'As use of polycarbonate in automotive designs increases, as industry predictions indicate, manufacturers will need the most accurate, flexible and cost-effective methods to meet that demand', said Stuart Shepherd, President of Kuka Robotics.

'EXATEC's glazing systems with our robots will meet and exceed those demands'.

With the increased use of polycarbonate windows in vehicle design, manufacturers need a new process of creating the defroster grid on this new material.

Exatec's system, using Kuka high-accuracy robots, gives the research centre high repeatability and a smoother path with better overall velocity control.

The Kuka KR 30 HA is a six-axis robot with a payload capacity of up to 30kg, a reach up to 2033mm and features an extremely accurate and smooth path ability with a minimum repeatability of 0.1mm.