ICS industrial systems - The right hand of robotics

Expertise is in demand for optimising production processes and material flow with robotics. ICS Industriedienstleistungen GmbH (ICS) therefore concentrates on planning and implementing individual automation solutions. They leave sensor systems to the specialists. That brings not only technological advantages, but financial ones as well.

The level of automation in manufacturing and intralogistics has been growing steadily for years. While partial automation is still widespread in smaller companies, industry without robot-supported processes is now no longer imaginable. With headquarters in Rossleben in the German state of Thuringia, ICS has specialised in developing and implementing customised automation tasks. All systems implemented by ICS include numerous optical and inductive sensors. They ensure reliable position sensing of the relevant workpieces and thus a high level of operational safety and reliability.

Precise assembly with exact positioning

ICS developed an automation solution for production together with Kawasaki Robotics. Control boxes, required for example to equalise pressure in turbo engines. Because minimal tolerances must be observed manufacturing and processing the boxes, the requirements for the sensor system are very high. For example, the robot is only able to perform precise assembly of the movable parts in the control box such as springs and control rods with exact positioning.

autosen sensors in use for ICS

The design of a system is always based on a thorough analysis of the actual need. "From discussion to the machine" is the guiding principle of the family company founded over 15 years ago, which now counts 50 highly qualified employees. It often emerges over the course of needs analysis that a standard application can cover a given requirement. The application must then be adapted with the necessary expertise to the specific features on site. The same applies to sensor systems as a key technology of automation: "In the great majority of cases the proven standard models and types are sufficient," explains certified engineer Heiko Lange. He prefers to buy these devices from autosen.

From a technical point of view there are practically no differences any more today between the products of premium German providers: "Quality is high across the board, functionality and reliability are ensured with no restrictions," says Lange. But bidding documents often specify certain manufacturers or devices. "We go through a lot of money like that." Whenever possible, ICS uses products from autosen. Not only are they significantly more economical, they also make for improved logistics. "We don't need to stock our own sensors any more due to the short delivery times," explains the electrical engineer who has already supervised numerous automation projects at ICS as an E planner. He has developed from test customer to being a regular customer.