BARCODING, LABELLING & PACKAGING FEATURE UNIVERSAL ROBOT HELPS AUTOMATE SIM CARD PACKAGING
Real Digital International has installed a Universal Robot UR 10 from RARUK Automation to help package mobile phone SIM cards. As well as automating manual operations the robot has allowed the company to repurpose employees. “Among the many facets of our business
which include document management, interactive print and direct marketing is supply chain optimisation,” explains managing director David Laybourne. “Part of this offer comprises bespoke
packaging services and it is here that we have recently introduced a robot to one of our main operations, the packaging of SIM cards for mobile networks and MVNOs (mobile virtual network operators).” Taking control of accuracy and traceability means that Real Digital uses vision-based cameras to oversee a process which involves taking a SIM carrier and inserting the SIM card, booklet and top-up card. The SIMs are then boxed and sealed with a plastic film security wrap before being placed on a pallet at rates of up to 70 boxes per hour. Until recently certain aspects of this process still required an amount of manual input. “We were looking to gain some efficiency but primarily the aim was to repurpose our labour to more varied, added-value activities,” says Laybourne. “Standing on
Co-bots can work side by side with workers, safely and effectively. Integral force sensing set at a predetermined level brings the robot to a halt if it comes into contact with a human
the line and remaining alert for 8-10 hours is difficult and introduces the risk of repetitive strain issues.” The manual tasks required an operative to check the start and end of each box which contains 100 packaged SIM cards. A lid is then fitted to each box before being inserted into a strapping machine where it receives a seal tab. Once sealed the box is placed on to a pallet. There were clear reasons for selecting a Universal Robot from RARUK Automation, in particular, the collaborative functionality. “Although we deploy camera validation
there is still some verification and logging that can only be done by people,” explains Laybourne. “Health and safety is
important to us and we wanted to create an environment that blends automation with humans; caged robots would have restricted our ability to be flexible in the way we use the machines.” Known as ‘co-bots’, lightweight UR
robots can work side by side with workers, safely and effectively. Integral force sensing set at a predetermined level brings the robot to a halt if it comes into contact with a human. The UR10 offers a 10kg payload and reach of 1300mm. “Our UR10 robot is placing the lid on a
completed box of packaged SIM cards, turning it 90° and offering it into the strapping machine where it receives a plastic heat seal security wrap,” says Laybourne. “After exiting on a conveyor the robot will pick and place the box in the correct place on the pallet. “Stacking pallets by robot is not that
easy; there is a new position on the pallet each time a box is placed which means a precise sequence is required with accurate positioning. The UR10 is easy to program and offers repeatability of 0.1mm. We are already working on implementing further robot applications.”
R.A. Rodriguez T: 01462 670044
www.rarodriguez.co.uk
FACTORY EQUIPMENT | FEBRUARY 2017 29
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