Complex pick-and-place solution to automate bottle sorting
Project snapshot
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Challenge
Exploring the parameters of intelligent automated systems
The customers requested a solution to automate the bottle sorting section of their production line. The line involved a number of variations in bottle sizes and shapes. This AIR original design involves the integration of 4 collaborative ABB robots (4 x 2 Arms), in a pick-and-place sorting system. The system also includes 3D vision and tracking.
Innovation
Research is key
Bottles/bins are fed into the system staggered along a conveyor belt at each side as shown. The objective of the robot cell is to identify the bottles/bins, track them along the conveyor, pick them using a vacuum gripper, and place them upright into pucks that flow along a puck conveyor in the center.
The 3D vision system in this cell allows us to track the bottles/bins and also identify a pick surface. The robots are fitted with vacuum grippers to pick the bottles and it is important that a suitable surface can be recognized to do so.
The demand for high production rates is the reason for the quantity of robots in the system. These robots work alongside each other independently, but are all in communication with the 6 vision cameras on the line.
Our approach to the bottle variations was to design and implement an automated End of Arm Tooling (EOAT) changing program. Located at each robot arm is a tool change station, and when this program is run in the cell the robot is capable of dismounting the current EOAT and mounting the new automatically.
Result
A breakthrough in vision picking systems
This custom concept can be altered and adapted to suit applications in the industrial world that involve this type of technology.
After research and development, unique innovation and a specialized approach, this complex pick-and-place sorting project is a major achievement in the world of industrial automation.
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