Human muscle power can accomplish a lot. But human brainpower is far more potent. The back, arms and legs can only move certain masses over smaller distances. The brain however can employ tricks, tools, innovations and magnificently so, higher technology.
Using this exquisite logic, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), a global medical technology company, and IBT designed, developed and deployed a robotic gantry system for moving boxes of BD syringes onto pallets at the medical company's Holdrege, Nebraska plant. BD worked in conjunction IBT Engineering Services and Sales Representative Kraig Niemoth of Grand Island, Nebraska.
The latest robotic system was the fourth such fully-integrated installation for material handling that IBT has provided for BD at this location.
If you are a manager, foreman, industrial engineer or shop steward, looking at the manpower this job would require should make you think that there has to be a better way.
Palletizing systems are the answer. The machinery picks up one or two five-pound (2.3 kg) boxes approximately 18" x 12" x 14" (46 cm x 31 cm x 36 cm) and places them on a pallet. The pallet holds fourteen boxes per layer and builds seven layers tall. There is one pattern of assembly, but it rotates by 180 degrees level to level.
Danaher Motion and IBT
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The system has been built using a variety of off-the-shelf components. It includes programmed logic controls (Allen-Bradley); sensors (Allen-Bradley, Norgren, Banner); pneumatics (Anver, Norgren) for grabbing and lifting the packages; and three servo motors (Allen-Bradley). It employs five linear actuators (Thomson-Danaher).
The system also has roller conveyors (Hytrol) and safety light curtains (Jokab). The entire structural construction is an aluminum modular frame (Parker IPS).
The gantry pick and place palletizing system is fascinating to watch in operation. In addition to its movements along X, Y, and Z axes, there is also rotational motion of the plate holding the packages.
The pneumatics make a series of noises as the boxes are picked up, moved into the pallet area, then placed snugly.
The BD systems are just a one example of the multitude of applications and ideas IBT can give you for packaging and palletizing using fully integrated robotic systems. To find out more and discover other significant advantages gained by using robotic systems in your facilities, contact us today.
