Robots In Advanced Automation Systems

New trends in composite part fabrication, blow moulding and high mix/low volume production are boosting demand for advanced manufacturing methods with collaborative robots being front and centre.

At NPE 2018, Universal Robots (UR), the company that pioneered the cobot and a known market leader in user-friendly robot arms that can work right alongside employees took automation a step higher.

Universal Robots showcased the Kanga Poucher from RND Automation & Engineering. Kanga is a vertical form/ fill/seal pouching system that forms four-sided pouches for the medical device, pharmaceutical, and durable goods industries. The system integrates with a UR cobot loading products into the pouches before the fourth, “top” seal is made after the product is indexed through the sealing gasket. “Collaborative robots from Universal Robots reduce or eliminate the need for guarding which means a significantly reduced footprint,” according to Sean Dotson, President and CEO at RND Automation & Engineering. “The fully customisable robots fill our customers’ unique packaging needs. They also stop safely upon operator contact and can be moved with minimal force.”

Universal Robots is also credited for the Bulk Box Loader from Dyco, another system utilising the small footprint and safety benefits of UR cobots. “We are getting a lot of requests from our customers to integrate Universal Robots throughout the blow moulding process. End of line packaging is just one example of their numerous applications,” says Mark Lovelace, Sales Manager with Dyco that also offers a tray loading/ palletizing system with UR cobots. “We selected UR for their robustness and design for use in industrial applications vs. other collaborative robots.”