Food & Drink Processing & Packaging Issue 35 2021 | Page 62

Delta Cotton Swabs ’ Automatic Inspection and Packaging Solution Enhances Product Quality

Smart Manufacturing Integrates Machine Vision and Industrial Robots
Many people cannot imagine a day without using cotton swabs . Behind such a small product , there is extensive know-how from production to packaging . Since the unit price is relatively low , the investment in time and resources is highly sensitive . To optimize results , the cotton swabs must be quickly placed into a package in order . This is a challenge for traditional manufacturers that mainly rely on manual labor .
Yet another challenge , is that there is an ever increasing shortage of manpower in the manufacturing industry . To enhance productivity and maintain a consistent product quality , many manufacturers adopt automated equipment and processes . On top of that , smart manufacturing is becoming an unstoppable trend . To prepare for this new era , building highly automated production lines has become a necessary move for the future .
Delta recently built a cotton swabs ’ automatic inspection and packaging solution for a packaging partner working with a cotton swab manufacturer . The solution integrates a vibration bowl , conveyor belts , industrial robot , and machine vision for an all-in-one automatic machine . It improves overall performance with higher productivity and longer runtime . In addition , the adoption of machine vision avoids the inconsistencies of manual inspection and ensures product quality .
The solution includes the High- Performance Slim PLC DVP-SV2 Series that delivers cotton swabs from a vibration bowl and transfers them to
62 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk the inspection spot under the Machine Vision System DMV2000 Series . The SCARA Robot DRS40L Series then tracks the conveyor and picks-and-places the qualified ones into the case in a set order . While the robot sends a signal to the PLC for counting , the pick-and-place movement stops when it reaches the set number . The PLC controls the positioning cylinder to switch to a new case and enable a smooth process for packaging and inspection .
Delta cotton swabs automatic inspection and packaging solution provides the following benefits and advantages for the manufacturer and users :
• Automated production line enhances productivity The automated production line integrates the 10.1-inch Widescreen Ethernet HMI DOP-110 Series , High- Performance Slim PLC DVP-SV2 Series , and SCARA Robot DRS40L Series . It extends runtime and enhances productivity .
• Machine vision maintains consistent product quality
Unlike manual inspection , the Machine Vision System DMV2000 Series avoids distraction and can quickly and precisely detect defects and maintain the consistency of product quality .
• Quick pick-and-place ensures the package counts Delta ’ s SCARA Robot DRS40L Series quickly tracks the conveyor and sends signals to the High-performance Slim PLC DVP-SV2 Series to count whether the quantity of cotton swabs has reached the set number , and ensures the accuracy of each case .
Delta ’ s cotton swab automatic inspection and packaging solution integrates PLC , machine vision , and industrial robot in an all-in-one machine . It decreases the need for space and is capable of quick and precise packaging . Besides , it helps users overcome labor shortage challenges . The solution is highly automated and flexible for industrial 4.0 , which may help users embrace the potential and opportunities of smart manufacturing .
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