TECH
On the move – Applied Integration software engineer Matthew Breeze tests a new MiR autonomous mobile robot .
Cobot specialist – Applied Integration ’ s robotics and automation business and strategy manager Peter Moore .
Unlike conventional systems , a palletising robot can comfortably handle mixed pallets of products of various shapes and sizes .
To enable it to handle differing objects , a new robot palletising system can be adapted to include vacuum and customised grippers .
A critical factor is the cobots ’ ability to interact with the human workforce .
“ The chief thing about the cobots is they are collaborative so under certain conditions , fully taking into account safety concerns , they can work
collaboratively with human members of staff ,” explains Peter .
“ The big thing is , once they are commissioned and installed , they are relatively easy to reprogramme .
“ So , for example , if a client wants to change a pallet-stacking pattern , it ’ s easy to reconfigure . Someone with reasonable skills can reprogramme the cobot to pick up a different sized box and stack it . Each unique programme can be saved , thereby reducing the need for regular reprogramming .
“ It ’ s very agile , that ’ s the key thing about it . We are providing solutions to clients that offer higher productivity and the ability to change end-of-line operations with minimal changeover times .”
Expanding on the benefits , Peter adds : “ End-of-line robotic palletising is taking up an area of business that traditionally required intensive manual operation for potentially long periods of time and that brings in issues like repetitive strains due to continual bending and twisting while stacking boxes .”
Selecting the correct robot for a specific application is critical – and that ’ s where Applied Integration ’ s expertise comes in .
Factors such as payload , duties , reach , cycle time , product weight and floor space are all factored in before selecting a robot suitable for a project .
Applied Integration has an in-house digital twin team which can set up the process and make modifications in a virtual reality environment before applying to the final system , thereby minimising operation disruption .
Digital simulation capabilities can be used to design a full robotic palletising solution . Using this digital technology , Applied Integration is able to highlight areas of potential concern before installation takes place .
Applied Integration is working closely with cutting edge companies including K . Hartwall , Universal Robots , MiR , ABB and Omron / Techman . All offer remarkable solutions to robotic palletising .
ABB has an expanded product range set to revolutionize robotic picking , packing and palletising .
And the latest product introductions from this technology leader include two new palletising robots , three palletising grippers and easy-to-use programming software , which are all designed to make palletising simpler , faster and more efficient .
K . Hartwall has launched an AMR called A-Mate , which is perfect for forklift trucking . It is the first fully electric free-lift pallet AGV with omnidirectional drive . The versatility and 360-degree safety of the A-Mate brings a new level of automation into logistics .
To learn more , visit appliedintegration . co . uk .
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