Author: Richard Wand

A pharmaceutical company approached MJ Engineering asking for help automating their pack out process. This company had vials randomly stored in totes that needed to be packed into trays. The trays would then be put into boxes and shipped out. The entire process was done by 1 operator who had to organize the vials into trays. 

MJ proposed a Fanuc SR-6iA robot to perform a high-speed robotic pack out. The robot featured a gripper end of arm tool to pick up the vials 4 at a time. The vials come to the robot from a bowl feeder which feeds them down a track system that allows the vials to be picked up from the same spot each time. The robot then runs the parts through a machined comb and that straightens the vials up so they could be put in the tray. A conveyor brings the tray around to the operator for packing and shipping. 

The robot is able to move an estimated 45,000 vials on a 6.5-hour-long shift. The operator loads the bowl feeder with vials and places empty trays on the conveyor. The high-speed robotic pack out cell comes with a Cognex In-Sight 2000 Vision System to make sure the labels on the vials are placed correctly. The vision system uses a colored ring light to locate the label and verify the orientation. 

The cell operates so efficiently that with current production rates the customer only needs to run the cell 3-4 hours a day rather than 3-4 operators 5 days a week.

 

To see how we can help automate any of your processes give us a call at (614) 891-6111 ext. 110 or email me at jwand@mjengineering.com. We can help with assembly, pack out, depal, and much more in the pharma and medical industries. 

Your new collaborative robot has just been dropped off at your facility, what do you need to do next to get it up and running? The common misconception is that the collaborative robot is a plug-and-play robot. The fact of the matter is that is only half true. Yes, the robot has additional safety features when compared to industrial robots; however, that doesn’t make the system plug and play. There are many factors that need to be considered before the collaborative robot can be installed and run as part of your normal operation.

Here are some True/False statements to test your knowledge of Collaborative robots:

*Click to reveal answer

 

FALSE

While the robot is equipped with sensors, that doesn’t mean collisions can’t occur. Collaborative robots are designed to limit the amount of force that can be exerted on an object during a collision. When that force limit is exceeded the robot will stop virtually instantly. This action will preserve the robot, end of arm tool, and the operator from being damaged or hurt.

FALSE

The collaborative nature of the entire application must be considered in its entirety. For example, if the collaborative robot is utilizing a knife this may well be a non-collaborative application using a collaborative robot that will require full guarding. A safety audit in accordance with RIA standards should be completed on any robotic deployment.

 

FALSE

According to RIA standards and/or robot manufacturers’ requirements, it is typically completely unacceptable to impact an operator in the head or neck area at any speed at all. Based on this care must be taken to understand what can happen and all possible impacts should be considered in a risk assessment.

FALSE

 Through the use of various safety systems such as guarding, sensors, safety scanners, and light curtains, we can reduce your risks to a tolerable level on any robotic cell, collaborative or industrial.

 

If you have the need or want to automate any part of your process but don’t know where to begin, call MJ Engineering at (614) 891-6111 ext. 110. We can help whether you have the robot already or don’t even know where to begin.

The possibilities never end!

 

Your new collaborative robot has just been dropped off at your facility, what do you need to do next to get it up and running? The common misconception is that the collaborative robot is a plug-and-play robot. The fact of the matter is that is only half true. Yes, the robot has additional safety features when compared to industrial robots; however, that doesn’t make the system plug and play. There are many factors that need to be considered before the collaborative robot can be installed and run as part of your normal operation.

Here are some True/False statements to test your knowledge of Collaborative robots:

 

A Collaborative robot won’t hit people……………FALSE

 

While the robot is equipped with sensors, that doesn’t mean collisions can’t occur. Collaborative robots are designed to limit the amount of force that can be exerted on an object during a collision. When that force limit is exceeded the robot will stop virtually instantly. This action will preserve the robot, end of arm tool, and the operator from being damaged or hurt.

 

A Collaborative robot can be used to perform any function in my facility without guarding or safety needing to be considered………FALSE

The collaborative nature of the entire application must be considered in its entirety. For example, if the collaborative robot is utilizing a knife this may well be a non-collaborative application using a collaborative robot that will require full guarding. A safety audit in accordance with RIA standards should be completed on any robotic deployment.

A Collaborative robot straight out of the box is safe to use around people………FALSE

According to RIA standards and/or robot manufacturers’ requirements, it is typically completely unacceptable to impact an operator in the head or neck area at any speed at all. Based on this care must be taken to understand what can happen and all possible impacts should be considered in a risk assessment.

I’m stuck with a collaborative cell that doesn’t meet my safety teams requirements and can’t be used in production……….FALSE

Through the use of various safety systems such as guarding, sensors, safety scanners, and light curtains, we can reduce your risks to a tolerable level on any robotic cell, collaborative or industrial.

If you have the need or want to automate any part of your process but don’t know where to begin, call MJ Engineering at (614) 891-6111 ext. 110. We can help whether you have the robot already or don’t even know where to begin. The possibilities never end!