Automation Integration Work Cells
Modular aluminum work cells engineered for robot and cobot operator interface environments — with HMI and teach pendant mounts, safety light curtain provisions, E-stop positions, guarding panel integration, conveyor interfaces, and ISO/TS 15066 collaborative zone design built into the aluminum T-slot cell structure. Designed and manufactured in Auburn Hills, MI.
Why Choose Modular Solutions for Automation Integration Work Cells?
Designed around the robot envelope, safety zone, and operator ergonomics together — not a generic workstation modified to fit around an existing cell.
Modular aluminum T-slot workstations bolt together without welding and reconfigure without tools — giving you a purpose-engineered station today that adapts through every process change, product launch, and kaizen event without capital reinvestment in new furniture.
HMI & Teach Pendant Mounts
Articulating HMI panel arms and pendant cradle brackets on T-slot uprights position controls within reach of the operator at the cell load/unload position — without obstruction of the robot work zone or guarding openings.
Safety Light Curtain Provisions
Precision-drilled mounting brackets position curtain emitter and receiver at the correct height and spacing for the cell opening dimensions — with cable routing through the T-slot frame structure to the safety relay.
E-Stop & Safety Hardware Mounts
Emergency stop positions on T-slot uprights at the correct height per ISO 13850 and ANSI/RIA R15.06 reach distance requirements — with labeled mount plates and wiring channels to the safety relay junction box.
Guarding Panel Integration
Polycarbonate or aluminum guarding panels mount in T-slot frame channels with tool-free insert/removal — enclosing the non-collaborative robot reach envelope while maintaining visibility and operator access to the cell interior.
Collaborative Zone Design
Cell layouts reference ISO/TS 15066 Annex A PFL requirements to position the operator work zone, part presentation fixture, and cobot reach boundary in a geometry that maintains collaborative speed limits throughout the shared workspace.
Conveyor Interface
Cell guarding panel openings, conveyor pass-through heights, and part flow directions are coordinated with upstream and downstream conveyor elevations — maintaining guarding integrity with light curtain-protected conveyor inlet/outlet openings.
Automation Integration Work Cell Applications
Configured for the specific safety, ergonomic, and process integration demands of robot and cobot manufacturing cells.
- Cobot Assembly Collaboration Zones — Shared operator-cobot work cells for precision assembly tasks where the cobot handles consistent repetitive operations and the operator performs variable or dexterity-intensive steps in the same work zone.
- Robot Load/Unload Operator Stations — Operator interface stations co-located with industrial robot cells for part load, unload, and inspection operations — with guarding provisions, light curtain access, and HMI integration built into the aluminum frame.
- Automated Inspection Cell Interfaces — Operator interface stations at vision inspection or CMM measurement cells where an operator loads parts, reviews accept/reject decisions, and manages exception handling within the cell structure.
- Collaborative Packing & Kitting Cells — Cobot-assisted packing and kitting cells where the cobot handles heavy or repetitive pack operations and the operator manages variable kit configurations at the same station.
- Weld Cell Operator Stations — Operator load/unload and fixture stations adjacent to robotic welding cells with defined part presentation positions, guarding integration, and HMI access built into the aluminum cell frame.
- End-of-Line Automation Integration — Operator interface and exception-handling stations at the output of automated production lines where product transitions from automated to manual handling for packing, labeling, or inspection.
Specifications & Configurations
Standard automation work cell configurations available — all safety hardware positions and guarding layouts are engineered to your robot, cobot, and production requirements.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Frame Profile | 45mm or 90mm T-slot aluminum; 90mm recommended for guarding panel and HMI structural loads |
| Guarding Panels | 6mm polycarbonate or aluminum sheet in T-slot channels; tool-free removal for cell access |
| Light Curtain Brackets | Precision-drilled T-slot brackets for emitter/receiver pairs; cable routing through frame structure |
| E-Stop Mounts | ISO 13850 compliant mounting positions; 22mm or 40mm panel cutout options; labeled mount plates |
| HMI Arm | Articulating T-slot arm; 6”–18” reach; tilt and rotate adjustment; 25 lb monitor/HMI capacity |
| Cobot Standard Reference | Cell layout supports ISO/TS 15066 Annex A PFL collaborative workspace requirements (customer-validated) |
| Lead Time | 4–8 weeks from approved drawings; safety hardware review included |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about automation integration work cell design, safety integration, and cobot zone configuration.
How are HMI and teach pendant mounts integrated into the work cell?
HMI panels and teach pendants mount on articulating arm brackets attached to 45mm or 90mm T-slot uprights at the operator interface zone. Mount positions are set during the cell layout to keep HMI controls within reach while the operator faces the robot or cobot work zone. Pendant hooks or cradles mount directly on the T-slot extrusion below the HMI position for tool storage between cycles.
How are safety light curtains and E-stops integrated?
Safety light curtain mounting provisions use precision-drilled T-slot brackets that set the curtain emitter and receiver at the correct height and beam spacing for the cell opening dimensions. E-stop mounting plates attach to the operator station uprights at the correct height per ISO 13850 and ANSI/RIA R15.06 reach distance requirements. All safety device wiring routes through the T-slot frame structure to a safety relay junction box.
What cobot collaboration zone requirements do these work cells address?
Modular Solutions designs cobot work cells to support ISO/TS 15066 Annex A power and force limiting (PFL) collaboration requirements — specifically the workspace definition, operator ergonomic positioning within the collaboration zone, and part presentation fixture location that keeps the operator within the cobot’s allowed collaborative speed zone. Guarding provisions for the non-collaborative portions of the robot reach envelope are designed into the cell frame.
Can the work cell structure interface with production conveyors?
Yes. Work cell frame heights and part inlet/outlet positions are coordinated with upstream and downstream conveyor elevations during the design phase. Conveyor pass-through openings in the cell guarding panels are sized and positioned to match the part flow height and conveyor width. Light curtains or roller doors at conveyor openings maintain safety guarding integrity while allowing continuous product flow.
How are robot and cobot base mounts handled in the work cell structure?
Robot and cobot bases typically mount to the floor or a dedicated steel base plate independent of the aluminum work cell structure — isolating robot vibration and dynamic loads from the operator station. The aluminum T-slot cell structure surrounds the robot work zone and provides the guarding, HMI, and operator interface functions without structural connection to the robot base. Cobot base mounting on the T-slot structure is possible for lightweight cobots (up to 30 kg payload) with appropriate structural analysis.
Build Your Automation Integration Work Cell
Share your robot or cobot model, reach envelope, safety device list, and production layout — our engineers will return a cell frame design with guarding, HMI, and safety hardware positions configured to your system.