Robotic Singulator

Featured in Packaging Digest’s October 1st, 2008 article, click HERE to view.

Boost Production with Robotics!

This pick-and-place robotic workcell receives a variety of cheese products and re-orientates them into a single-file order. The cheese packs come in multiple configurations at varying heights, weights and are vacuum-sealed in either clear or opaque packaging. Single-packed products are in a 3 by 3 configuration while twin-packed products are 3 by 1.

The workcell is capable orientating 81 packs per minute!

It’s definitely an efficiency upgrade for us. — Dale Losenegger [Plant Manager]

Dynamic Correction Based on Vision

Using camera-based vision, FANUC Robotics’ iRVision system identifies and tracks the packs as each ride on the infeed belt toward the robot. Once within the work envelope, the robot picks each package and places it onto the outfeed conveyor. The packs are rotated on the infeed belt but are all identically aligned once placed onto the outfeed belt. The corrected rotation provides a uniform orientation for the following labeling operation.

The robotic system performs so many of our previously manual tasks automatically. — Losenegger

Minimal Training Required

The operator interface has been developed using an Allen-Bradley touchscreen and powerful programmable controller. This combination provides intuitive and easy-to-use control of the workcell. An operator can quickly start & stop production, allow safe access into the workcell and change the selected package used for production while a supervisor can securely alter the settings used by product selection.

It only took one week to learn to operate … Each pick program is stored in memory so it can be found easily. — Losenegger

Workcell Details

The workcell incorporates a FANUC M-430iA/2F five-axis electric servo driven articulated robotic arm. Considered the only robot to meet hygiene requirements for meat and poultry plants, the system has received acceptance from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. High speed rates of 1 kg at 120 cycles/min and 2 kg at 100 cycles/min.

Custom built end of arm tooling implements an integrated pneumatic vacuum system to accomplish the high-speed pick and placing operations.

Plexiglas allows for a highly visible yet easy to clean safe guarding system.

Set up as an independent workcell that can be adapted to any of the company’s packaging lines with minor changes. The workcell only occupies a 6 ft by 6 ft space.

The payback will be a year on labor, packaging throughput and efficiency. — Losenegger