CASE
Fast and safe handling in cleanroom environment
Six robots in two cells work hand in hand for fast and safe handling in a cleanroom area. The integrated vision system enables a high level of quality and short cycle times. Precise multiple grippers, manufactured using 3D printing, ensure a careful handling of the delicate parts.
The challenge
The specifications of our customer from the pharmaceutical industry were demanding: delicate, unprocessed parts were to be transferred from blisters to an existing circulation system with an assembly machine under clean room conditions. The parts should be processed, repackaged in blisters and stacked before being returned to the existing production system. High quantities and a correspondingly short cycle time called for an efficient and safe concept. The limited space in the clean room also required a compact design.
The solution
The limited space and the required fast cycle time meant that we used 6 robots distributed over 2 cells. We arranged the various stations - destacking, turning and spreading stations and camera checks - so that the robots work hand in hand and meet all of the customer's requirements in terms of autonomy, cycle time and quality.
In order to achieve the required high level of autonomy, it had to be possible to feed several blister stacks. These are automatically stacked in the machine and checked by a camera system. The desired high quantities are also reflected in the system concept: we used multiple grippers and various gripping stations to be able to handle several parts at the same time. All components that come into contact with the product are made of cleanly shaped 3D printed parts in order to guide them precisely.
The complete, GAMP-validated system is located in a clean room and is mechanically designed accordingly. It is controlled via a state-of-the-art HMI on which all processes can be monitored and traced, as required in the pharmaceutical industry. More than 100 sensors per cell guarantee trouble-free operation and consistently high quality.
“The precise, reliable interaction of the six robots in two cells is impressive and made it possible to produce the high quantities required.”
The project
Every successful project includes a fast and smooth installation process of the system at the customer's premises. Thanks to efficient planning - from “marrying” the existing system with our robot automation through to commissioning the entire system - we were able to keep production downtime at the customer's site to a minimum. The Robotec team included Kevin Bossard (project management, design), Patrick Blum and Aron Spigaglia (software programming) and Livio Stocker and his team (on-site installation, commissioning).
Nick Koch, CEO / Verkauf
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