Keeping pace with high volume and
consumer demand with Stäubli’s TP80
FAST Picker robot system
U
nlike physically larger mass
produced products such as vehicles,
which can have a lifespan of several
years before facelifts are required, the
world of consumer goods is one of an ever
changing environment, where both the
products and the packaging are regularly
updated.
The constant demand by consumers for
something new or better, means that
manufacturers of FMCG (fast moving
consumer goods) products need both the
highest levels of flexibility within their
production facilities, and the capability to
respond quickly to changing demands.
The evolution of high speed robots, such
as Stäubli’s TP80 FAST picker, now makes
it possible for manufacturers to keep pace
with high volume production and the ever
changing requirements of the FMCG sector.
Dedicated automation was once the
preferred solution to high volume pick and
place or product handling applications.
These systems tended to be configured
around a relatively narrow application
requirement, and whilst highly effective
for the product for which they were
designed, they offered little scope for
adapting to changes in product type or
design. By comparison, robots have always
been capable of offering the highest
levels of flexibility in any manufacturing
environment, however their only real
limitation, when initially considering many
consumer goods applications, was that of
speed.
Today Stäubli’s TP80 is the latest
innovation in picker technology, with
the capability to handle product at a
continuous rate of 200 units per minute.
This positions the FAST picker as an
ideal solution for pick and place and
assembly applications across a variety
of FMCG industry sectors such as food,
pharmaceutical, photovoltaic and
healthcare.
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Although there are a number of robots
from different manufacturers competing
in this space, the TP80 offers a number
of distinct advantages in addition to its
high speed. The TP80’s wall mountable
configuration does not require a large
mounting plinth such as those needed
for Delta robots.
This means that the robot does not
have to be mounted directly over the
product, which offers many benefits
when considering the integration of the
robot and subsequent maintenance etc.
There is also much less opportunity for
product contamination when the robot
is mounted in this way. The TP80 also
has a fully enclosed rigid structure with
all cables and lines running through the
inside of the arm, and a larger working
envelope with higher repeatability
throughout its working range than other
robots in this class.
Not only is the TP80 the world’s fastest
picker, in its HE guise, which is based
on EHEDG recommendations, it is fully
designed for hygienic packaging and
processing. Its unique design makes
this robot completely airtight to work in
humid environments.
Stäubli spokesperson Craig Forrester
comments: “The TP80 is specifically
designed for any application requiring
high speed pick and place of small
items. Both end users and integrators
are already praising this new technology
confirming that it is; easier to integrate,
has fewer moving parts, which means
higher reliability and is competitively
priced when compared to Delta robots.
In addition, as it’s not installed directly
over the conveyor or production line,
integration is simpler and there is easy
access in the event of service needing
to be done. The HE version of the TP80
FAST Picker has also opened up a broad
range of new applications within the
food sector.”
Specifications for the TP80 FAST picker
robot include a working payload of
up to 1kg, nominal payload 0.5kg,
repeatability <+/- 0.05mm and a cycle
time of between 170ppm at 1kg rising to
200ppm at 0.1kg.
www.staubli.com