PRODUCT REVIEWS
Robotic order preparation for EU project
Italian automation specialist, Comau, has designed and validated an order preparation solution tested within Decathlon’ s e-commerce fulfilment operations as part of MASTERLY, a European initiative designed to accelerate the transition from traditional mass production to highly flexible, customised manufacturing systems.
The system leverages Comau’ s MyCo collaborative robot with a ROS2-based software architecture and integrates intelligent sensors and an advanced modular gripper to autonomously manage picking, handling and palletising tasks across variable product flows.
Comau’ s role within the MASTERLY project reflects its use of advanced AIbacked automation to address evolving production challenges including increasing variability, supply chain disruptions and the need for rapid reconfiguration. The intelligent warehousing and logistics solution, developed in collaboration with the project’ s ecosystem of technology partners, underscores the importance of scalable and versatile automation designed to improve workplace ergonomics, reduce physical strain and enhance operational flexibility within humancentric production environments.
The project parameters were driven by Decathlon’ s operational requirements within the targeted fulfilment process, which has provided the foundation for implementing and validating several advanced functionalities. Key partners included Decathlon itself and STAM, a Genoa-based systems integrator, alongside the broader MASTERLY consortium.
In addition to the MyCo collaborative robot and intelligent gripper( engineered to manipulate objects varying in shape, weight and material), the solution incorporates advanced sensors, vision-based object recognition, digital twin capabilities and workflow orchestration tools. The system also grants real-time optimisation and seamless interaction between operators and automated processes. The knowledge gained and functionalities validated during the project will contribute to the continued evolution of Comau’ s MyCo collaborative robotics platform and are expected to become part of its broader portfolio of advanced intralogistics capabilities.“ The project also highlights the strategic value of combining intelligent robotics, digital
technologies and systems integration to create highly flexible logistics and fulfilment operations, capable of adapting to rapidly changing production and market demands while maintaining operational continuity, scalability and ease of use,” outlined Alessandro Piscioneri, Head of Product and Solution Management- Advanced Automation Solutions, Comau.
“ Our growing strategic focus on intralogistics includes strengthening our capabilities through acquisitions, including Automha and Invent, which enable us to deliver increasingly integrated and intelligent solutions across the entire warehouse and production value chain,” he added.
Together with fully owned companies Automha and Invent, Comau’ s end-to-end automation and intralogistics capabilities span manufacturing, storage, distribution and material flow optimisation. Comau is headquartered in Turin, Italy; Automha in Bergamo, Italy; and Invent in São Paulo, Brazil. The combined global footprint spans nine innovation centres and 15 production facilities across 12 countries, supported by more than 4,000 employees worldwide. n
www
. comau. com
www. automha. com
www. invent-corp. com
Hexagonal rivet nuts and tools
To ensure resistance to torsion, hexagonal threaded rivet nuts need the housing hole to feature geometry that is compatible with them. To meet this need, Rivit offers its customers RIV990 and RIV991 hydropneumatic hexcutter tools, designed to transform a pre-existing round hole into a hexagonal housing that is ready to accommodate the rivet nut.
“ Thanks to a special slotting system, achieved via a punch at the front of the head, the two tools enable precise deformation of the hole, eliminating the risk of rivet nut rotation and improving fastening stability. This is particularly helpful when working on previously processed components, such as folded profiles or sheet metal box sections, where it is not possible to create a hexagonal hole beforehand,” said Rivit.
Transforming a round hole into a hexagonal one allows for greater mechanical resistance of the rivet nuts and is especially useful when a structure was initially designed with round holes intended for cylindrical rivet nuts, but issues arise over loss of sealing or rivet nut rotation. For this, the hole can be modified and transformed into a hexagonal housing matching the shape of the rivet nut. Opting for a hexagonal rivet nut can also be decided at the design stage.
“ The application of hexagonal rivet nuts complements the clamping pressure for material joining with the ability to prevent torsion and rotation. This makes them ideal for demanding applications where resistance to vibration and rivet nut rotation helps to ensure the durability and safety of the joint. Examples include the maintenance of air-conditioning units installed in railway carriages, with widespread use also in the automotive, metalfabrication and food machinery sectors,” continued Rivit.
The Rivit line of hexcutter riveting tools includes two models: the RIV990, designed to create holes for RIVSERT hexagonal rivet nuts from M4 to M10, and the RIV991, for RIVSERT rivet nuts from M5 to M12. Both machines are supplied without punches and dies, which can be selected according to the size of the rivet nut to be installed. n
www. rivit. it
112 | ismr. net | ISMR October 2026