Clear Automation announces flexible robot loader for fill and dispense applications

Citation

(2011), "Clear Automation announces flexible robot loader for fill and dispense applications", Assembly Automation, Vol. 31 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aa.2011.03331daa.002

Clear Automation announces flexible robot loader for fill and dispense applications

Article Type: Mini features From: Assembly Automation, Volume 31, Issue 4

Clear Automation, a leading engineering integrator of robotic and machine vision systems, has announced its new flexible robot loader for fill and dispense applications. The system was designed and built by the company to handle bottles from boxes and trays on a filling line. Capable of handling plastic or glass bottles, the system-automated cell is database driven to accommodate a variety of boxes and trays each with its own row and column configuration. For additional flexibility, the servo axis on the robot adjusts the pitch of the tooling to match the pitch of the box and the cell is easily operated via a user-friendly touch-screen graphical HMI interface.

“Manufacturers are always looking to make their processes more flexible in order to increase productivity and production rates and use the materials they have more efficiently,” said Ron McCleary, President of Clear Automation. “This system allows manufacturers to easily adapt to varying box and tray configurations and line changes ultimately allowing them to be more competitive.”

With the flexible robot loader system, bottles are delivered in plastic trays or cardboard boxes with separators on a conveyor. The box or tray is automatically positioned beneath the robot. Pucks are delivered on a conveyor belt and are centered for the robot. The robot picks the bottles from the box and transfers them to the pucks. A servo-driven feed screw indexes the pucks out of the cell to downstream processing. Boxes and trays can be introduced to the cell with an auxiliary tray elevator and the robot can be fitted with either vacuum or mechanical end of arm tooling. Additionally, bottles can be inverted and cleaned between the pick and place. Video of the new application can be found on the company’s web site or on YouTube.

Clear Automation specializes in the custom design, engineering, fabrication and installation of integrated robotic and machine vision systems. The company manufactures a variety of automated assembly and packaging machinery for multiple industries including personal care products, medical devices, automotive, electronics and machine components.

For more information, see: www.clearautomation.com