TLS – Tool Location System

TLS – Tool Location System
A ‘GPS’ for your tools
TLS technology takes error-­
proofing to the next level
Transducerized cordless tools are increasingly being chosen for assembly lines for their
flexibility, lower costs due to lack of cable management, and constant improvements in battery
technology. Add the high quality the tools provide and it’s easy to understand why most
customers have already made up their minds to switch to cordless tools.
But these questions arise:
• Where are the tightenings being performed?
• How do I know if the tightenings are being
­performed in the right station and on the right
product?
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The cordless freedom offered by these tools can
­dramatically compromise the error-proofing process
since you do not know where the tools are.
Once more, Atlas Copco has listened to its customers and created an innovative and reliable way of
tracking tools, products or other assets on the assembly
line.
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What is TLS?
Major benefits for your operation
The Tool Location System is like a small-scale GPS. Instead of having satellites you have sensors that
monitor your plant. Assets, products and/or tools, can be located by placing tags on them. Using ultra
wideband (UWB) radio frequency technology, TLS delivers reliable asset location up to 50 cm.
Saves time and reworking
Locating the products and tools makes it possible to
create associations between them. By using these associations events are generated and information can be sent
to the t­ ightening controller. The first simple application is
when the tool enters a pre-defined workstation’s area. In
this case the tool would be enabled inside and disabled
outside, guaranteeing workability only in selected work­
stations.
Another application would be to send the Product
Identifier when the tool enters the product’s area, which
eliminates the use of a manual bar code reader. A Product
Space Identifier could also be sent to select different Jobs
when the tool enters products areas, thus eliminating the
need for a socket tray or selectors.
Tracker Arms
Bolt Location
1 – 10 cm
TLS with UWB
Parts Location
50 – 100 cm
WLAN
Product Location
100 – 300 cm
Extremely reliable!
Ultra-wideband (UWB) provides a level of reliability that it is
simply not possible to achieve with legacy technologies such
as conventional RFID or Wi-Fi.
linked to them, guaranteeing that only the correct tools will
work in the correct product area. Once the tool enters this
area a Product Identifier (ID) can be sent to the tightening
controller. Different product areas could also be defined
to select PSets or Jobs. To limit the area where operators
work, a virtual workstation could also be used in this case.
This application requires a Tag on the product.
User-friendly software
Altas Copco software users are becoming increasingly
­familiar with the logical and interactive way of setting up
our systems using ToolsTalk.
ToolsTalk TLS has a simple, clean interface that guides
the user by using a tree view from the start of the instal­
lation, through planning, building and calibration of the
system.
Ease of installation and maintenance, and simple
drawing tools make ToolsTalk TLS a unique product for new
users.
Tags and sensors
After a tag is mounted on the tool or product to be tracked,
the sensors request its position according to the configure
update frequency set for each tag. The requested tag will
send its position back to the sensors. One sensor analyses
the information collected by all sensors and determines
the position of the tag.
NETWORK
TLS focuses on two main areas of use.
On static assembly lines, virtual workstations can be
created and tools linked to them, guaranteeing that only
the correct tools work in the correct workstation. Once a
user informs the system that a product will be assembled
in a workstation, a Product Identifier could be sent to the
tightening controller. If the product is always placed in
the same position, different product areas could also be
defined to select PSets or Jobs. This application does not
require a Tag on the product.
On moving assembly lines, virtual product areas can
be created that move with the product. Tools can also be
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RAISE productivity
•Select tightening programs automatically
•Eliminate manual product identification
•Reduce rework by incorrect assembly
IMPROVE quality
•Avoid manual interaction
• Guarantee right tool on right station and / or product
SENSOR
SENSOR
How does it work?
Install the Atlas Copco Tool Location System and it will pay for itself in an impressively short time.
How? By providing effective operator guidance, thus reducing reworking and scrapping, and by
increasing individual operator productivity, thereby speeding up production.
And these are just some of the benefits.
a2
a1
T2
T1
TAG
Unique technology
Each TLS sensor determines the angle of arrival (AoA) of the
­incoming signals using a special antenna array.
Two sensors are sufficient to determine the precise 3D
location­for a particular tag with much improved accuracy. It is
also ­possible to measure the time difference of arrival (TDoA)
then the 3D accuracy improves still further – up to 50 cm.
Reduce costs
• Optimize the process
•Reduce waste (scrapping)
•Extend tool life-cycle
•Trending (predict the future)
• Find tools and products faster
•Eliminate hard wiring
•Visibility of the process
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System components
Sensor
Compact Tag
ToolsTalk TLS
• Robust design (IP 30 or 65)
•Supports PoE (Power over Ethernet)
•LED’s for diagnostics
•Automatic LED blinking for easy set-up
•Ease of maintenance
•Robust design (IP 63)
•LED for easy identification
•Push button to trigger events
• Flexible update rates for power management
•Long battery life with automatic status reports
•Easily attached to any object surface
• User-friendly GUI
•Optimized for tightening applications
•Reduces planning time
•Helps user during physical installation
• Fast calibration
•Simple drawing tool
•Automatic ST Tag reading
ST Tag
• 100% compatible with all Tensor ST/STB tools
•Powered by Tensor ST Bus
•Auto rechargeable back-up battery
•Auto association with Atlas Copco tools
•LED’s for diagnostics
• Configurable RGB LED for operator feedback
TLS Terminology
Workspace: a virtual area defining a part of the assembly line
where tools are allowed to work by being enabled or disabled
(e.g.: stations)
Product space: a virtual area defining a part of the product
where program settings or jobs are selected in the tools
(e.g.: left/right side or front/rear)
Note! A product space also defines the product. Therefore it is
­possible to identify the product (ID) when the tool approaches
it. In moving assembly lines a Product Tag is required.
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Technical data
Model
Ordering No.
Tool Tags
TLS ST Tag 32 U1
Sensors
ETV
ETD
ETP
–
–
ST32
TLS Sensor U1-30
8433 1020 30
TLS ST Tag 61-S U1
ST31, ST61 28-50
ST31, ST61 15-30
–
TLS Sensor U1-65
8433 1020 65
TLS ST Tag 61-L U1
ST61 70-200
ST61 50-120
–
TLS ST Tag 81-S U1
ST81 50
ST81 30
–
Tool Tags
TLS ST Tag 32 U1
8433 1030 10
TLS ST Tag 81-L U1
ST81 70-200
ST81 50-120
–
TLS ST Tag 61-S U1
8433 1030 20
TLS ST Tag 101 U1
ST101
ST101
–
TLS ST Tag 61-L U1
8433 1030 30
TLS ST Tag 81-S U1
8433 1030 40
TLS ST Tag 81-L U1
8433 1030 50
TLS ST Tag 101 U1
8433 1030 60
* Tool Tags can be mounted on Tensor ST or STB.
Product Tags
TLS Compact Tag U1-63 (5 units)
8433 1026 05
Software
8433 2711 16
TLS Sensor U1-30
8433 1020 30
TLS Compact Tag U1-63
8433 1026 05
ComNode 2 Touch ToolsTalk TLS W10 1 User
8433 2711 16
TLS ST Tag 32 U1
8433 1030 10
TLS ST Tag 61-S U1
8433 1030 20
Recyclable paper. Jetlag / Boardwalk / Åtta.45 Tryckeri AB 2010:1
8092 1610 01
ComNode 2 Touch ToolsTalk TLS W10 1 User
ToolsTalk TLS W10 1 User
8092 1610 01
9833 1951 01
ToolsTalk TLS W10 1 User
www.atlascopco.com