Spotlight
robotics & automation
Spotlight
Invest in Automation for Best Returns, Advises Parker Hannifin
Robotics systems have been widely used in automotive manufacturing for many years. In other sectors of industry, however, high capital costs and system complexities have restricted the uptake of robotics equipment, especially in applications such as pack erection and container and pallet handling. In this issue’s Automation spotlight, Andy Parker-Bates of UK-based automation equipment manufacturer Parker Hannifin explains how the latest technology can help reduce operating costs and improve productivity.
There is a new generation of palletising and gantry robots that are available at relatively low cost and, just as importantly, are designed around standard or modular drive and automation components, making them easy to customise to meet the needs of each application. Typically these come as a kit of parts, based on the latest modular drives, linear actuator, rotary stages, digital servo drives and programmable controllers, but can be supplied pre-assembled. Critically, because they come
from a single supplier there is only one procurement procedure—assembly is straightforward and performance is guaranteed. These systems are easy to configure, install and test, and can usually be reconfigured quickly and simply by maintenance or engineering staff, making them particularly suitable for use in small to medium volume applications with frequent product changeovers. Additionally, such systems are now available at relatively low capital cost and are typically inexpensive to operate and maintain. Indeed, it is common for such devices to be making a return on investment within weeks. Linear actuators generally form the heart of most line and space gantries and palletising systems and are used to move and position grippers or suction pads for lifting products or trays into position. A broad range of drive methods, including belt drives, screw drives and linear motors are available to provide benefits for different applications. Furthermore, when coupled with servos and controllers, sophisticated motion sequences can be developed, with superior positional accuracy, high speeds, controlled acceleration and braking and large load capacities being options. Significantly, training is usually a low key affair, often being carried out on-site and little more than a familiarisation process. And with the backing of Parker Hannifin, great expertise is on tap for needs such as major developments and programming for entirely new product lines.
Parker Hannifin
Tel: +44 (0) 800 27 27 5374
parker.uk@parker.com Web: www.parker.com
Spotlight
End of Arm Robot Lifter For All Shapes and Sizes
As e-commerce purchasing becomes more popular, professional buyers expect to see the speed and flexibility of their online systems matched by that of their product deliveries. With its mixed product lifting, high speed and large capacity, Unigripper’s new Layer Gripper allows distribution centres to meet their customers’ expectations. Layer Gripper is available in the UK exclusively from TIA Robotic Tooling Solutions. The Layer Gripper uses a unique combination of Unigripper’s patented vacuum lift technology, mechanical clamping bars and side skirts to adaptively handle and lift individual customer consignments, irrespective of their constituents’ mix of size, shape, weight and fragility, while maintaining a high throughput. Objects such as sealed boxes can readily be lifted by vacuum alone. For more difficult or irregular shapes such as bottled drinks, the side skirts act as baffles, allowing the vacuum grippers to create the vacuum necessary for lift. Where vacuum lifting is impossible, the mechanical clamping bars can handle the load. Alternatively, a combination of vacuum and clamp lifting can be optimised for individual applications. Both palletising and depalletising operations are possible, as are multi layer loads. Each layer can be different, with, say, cardboard boxes on one level and bottles on another. The layers can be completely or partly full, with gaps between products being permissible. The side skirts can be adjusted to baffle for loads of different heights.
TIA Robotic Tooling
Solutions
info@tatem.co.uk Web: www.tatem.co.uk
26 EPPM www.eppm.com
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