Packaging automation trends: using small assembly robots in upstream packaging processes

Manufacturers have always faced the challenge of constantly needing to find new ways to reduce the cost of their packaging processes. In today’s globally connected world, however, the game is much tougher and the stakes are much higher.

In order to meet the new challenge of sharply increased global competition, manufacturers are now being forced to cut costs more drastically than ever before. Those who do not succeed in doing so risk not only losing market share, but going out of business entirely.

Inevitably, such cost cutting means automating manual processes and increasing the level of automation of semi-automated processes. It also means re-evaluating current automation solutions in light of newer, more economical technology.

Packaging has traditionally been the realm of fixed automation, often supplemented by manual labour to carry out machine tending and other intermediate process steps, mainly materials handling.

For some continuous, high-speed, high-volume processes, fixed automation remains the best solution. Increasingly, however, manufacturers are turning to the use of industrial robots, which offer several advantages over fixed automation.

This article will examine the benefits of using small assembly robots in upstream packaging processes, that is, those processes that occur prior to final cartoning and palletising, both of which generally require larger-size robots.

The challenges of fixed automation

Throughout most of the twentieth century, propelled by the dynamic growth of the consumer society, packaging benefited greatly from dedicated, fixed automation machines, which offered previously unachievable scales of economy.

Yet, at the same time, fixed automation has drawbacks. Each machine must be specially built to handle a specific product. Furthermore, changing a product’s shape or size means expensive new tooling, or even a whole new machine.

There are other drawbacks as well, such as high maintenance and service costs; large, bulky size; and the open mechanical design of many machines, which presents a danger of injury to employees.

In addition, the high cost of fixed automation limits its use mainly to high-volume operations with few or no product changes.

Even so, until fairly recently the advantages of fixed automation outweighed the disadvantages. Manufacturers had a solution that worked, and without the increased competition we see today there was no compelling reason to do anything differently.

Now, however, the situation has dramatically changed. In order to stay in business, manufacturers must find new, less costly and more flexible alternatives to fixed automation. Small assembly robots Fortunately, a class of robot arms often referred to as small assembly robots provides such an alternative. Despite their name, assembly robots can carry out a much wider variety of tasks than just assembly. These include all the various materials handling and other functions involved in upstream packaging processes, such as pick-and-place, loading and unloading, package forming and product insertion, as well as secondary operations such as labelling, testing and inspection. In terms of size - and for the purposes of this article - small assembly robots are considered to be those with payload capacities up to 20 kg and reaches up to 1300 mm. 4-axis SCARA versus 6-axis articulated robots There are two basic types of assembly robots: 4-axis SCARA robots and 6-axis articulated robots.

Figure 1: 4-axis SCARA robot.

The acronym SCARA stands for ‘selective compliance articulated robot arm’. This refers to the fact that a SCARA’s arm segments, or links, are ‘compliant’, that is they can move freely, but only in a single geometrical plane.

The first two links of a SCARA swivel left and right in the horizontal plane. The third link consists of a metal rod called a quill, which holds the robot’s end effector, such as a gripper. The quill moves up and down in the vertical plane and rotates around its vertical axis, but cannot tilt at an angle.

This unique design gives 4-axis SCARAs a high degree of rigidity, which in turn allows them to move very fast and with high repeatability. In packaging applications, 4-axis SCARAs excel at high-speed pick-and-place and other materials handling tasks.

Six-axis articulated robots have two more joints than 4-axis SCARAs and, as a result, more freedom of movement.

The first link swivels in the horizontal plane like a SCARA, while the second two links move in the vertical plane. In addition, 6-axis articulated robots have a ‘forearm’ and two ‘wrist’ joints, which let them perform the same types of movements that a human forearm and wrist are capable of. The additional joints of 6-axis articulated robots mean that they can pick up a part, no matter how it is oriented off the horizontal plane, then insert it into a package that may require a special angle of approach. They can also perform many other operations that might otherwise call for the dexterity of a human operator. Robot automation basics The first step in automating a process with a robot is to determine whether the tasks to be performed will require a 4-axis SCARA or 6-axis articulated robot, and what type and size of end effector, or end-of-arm tooling (EOAT), is needed. For most upstream packaging applications, the end effector is a mechanical or magnetic gripper, or a vacuum pick-up.

Figure 2: 6-axis articulated robot .

The next step is to calculate the payload capacity required, including the weight of the end effector, as well as the necessary reach, cycle time and repeatability. After a robot is selected, it needs to be integrated into the process.

Robots are usually mounted, either upright or inverted, in an enclosed automation work cell. The robot and any other associated equipment are bolted to the cell’s steel base. The upper walls of the cell are generally made of aluminium-framed, shatterproof clear plastic or see-through, metal mesh screening. This keeps operators from getting in the way of the robot, yet still allows them to observe the cell’s activity.

As a safety precaution, opening the cell’s access door automatically switches the robot off. In cases where the robot is not enclosed in a cell, light curtains or pressure-sensitive floor mats can provide the same type of automatic safety shutoff.

The robot’s computerised controller, which contains the electronic circuits that run the robot, is usually situated on a platform underneath the cell.

Programming the robot is accomplished by means of either a teaching pendant - a handheld interface device that communicates with the controller - or by a computer. Most robot manufacturers offer user-friendly programming software that does not require specialised engineering skills.

The teaching pendant allows an operator to move the robot from one point to another and instruct it what to do at each location, thus ‘teaching’ it the desired routine.

With available software, robots can also be programmed offline on a remote computer, saving development time. A virtual, simulated 3-D environment lets the user configure the robot and any peripheral devices without having to actually operate them.

Benefits of small assembly robots in packaging operations

Compared with fixed automation, the single most important benefit of small assembly robots in packaging operations is their lower cost. Yet not only do robots have a lower initial cost - and thus a quicker ROI - their high degree of flexibility, small size and low maintenance requirements give them a lower overall cost as well.

Both fixed automation and robots can carry out packaging tasks more efficiently, more consistently and more cost effectively than manual labour. Robots, however, have the added advantage of being able to fill in automation gaps - manually performed tasks which may still exist in an otherwise automated line, usually because a fixed automation solution would be too expensive.

Unlike fixed automation, which must be specially designed for a particular process, robots are modular, off-the-shelf automation systems that can be adapted to a process with relative ease, greatly reducing the need for costly design engineering. In addition, robot work cells have a smaller footprint than fixed automation machines, saving valuable factory floor space. And, whenever necessary, a robot can be moved to an entirely different process and repurposed, reducing equipment investment.

Also, unlike fixed automation, robots do not require expensive new tooling whenever the product changes. Most often, a relatively simple modification to the software program and, if necessary, a different end effector, are all that is needed. This can be particularly beneficial to manufacturers and contract packagers with small lot sizes requiring frequent, fast changeovers. Here, fixed automation is usually impractical or prohibitively expensive.

Furthermore, when equipped with a multifunctional gripper or automatic tool exchanger, a single robot can perform more than one function, such as loading and unloading a product, presenting the product for inspection and labelling, then inserting it into a packaging container. It can also handle multiple product sizes and shapes, all on the fly, without interrupting production. Vision systems and other options such as conveyor tracking can be easily installed, extending the robot’s capabilities still further.

Another important advantage of robots is that their internal mechanisms are sealed inside protective coverings. This gives them much lower maintenance requirements than fixed automation machines, whose motors and mechanical parts are usually left open and are thus subject to wear and damage from dirt and debris.

Ten things to look for when choosing a robot

When choosing a robot, here are ten important things to look for:

1. Experience and reputation of the manufacturer: Look for a manufacturer who has established itself as an industry leader and whose robots have stood the test of time.
2. Documented MTBF: Robots, which are often required to operate two or three shifts per day, every day of the year, must, above all, be reliable. Manufacturers who stand behind their robots’ reliability will be happy to furnish documentation of their mean time between failures (MTBF).
3. High maximum allowable moment of inertia: Look for a robot with a high maximum allowable moment of inertia, the measure of how much force it can exert. The higher the maximum allowable moment of inertia, the more easily the robot can lift and move a given size of payload, putting less strain on its motors and resulting in a longer working life.
4. Continuous-duty cycle time: When comparing robot cycle times, be sure to ask whether the figures given are for continuous duty or only shorter bursts of an hour or less. If the latter, the robot will have to operate at a slower speed in normal operation.
5. Compact, efficient robot design: A compact robot design with a small footprint makes integration easier and saves valuable factory floor space. In addition, designs with concealed air and electrical lines keep the lines from interfering with other equipment, as well as protecting them from wear and damage, thus reducing overall costs.
6. Robot controller features: Desirable features to look for in robot controllers include small size and weight; fast processing speed; modular expandability, to accommodate additional peripheral equipment without having to purchase a new controller; ease of integration with a vision system, PLC or other devices; and ease of servicing.
7. Affordable offline programming software: In general, most packaging applications are not difficult to program. Be sure the offline programming software being offered does not include expensive, advanced features that are unnecessary for your needs.
8. Low energy consumption: Ask about the robot’s energy consumption. Efficiently designed, lightweight robot arms require less power, so their motors draw less electrical current. This can result in significant long-term cost savings.
9. Safety codes: To protect employees and limit your company’s liability, verify that the robot meets or exceeds all current safety codes.
10. Short training: Ask about the length of required training. Unnecessarily long training can result in excessive, unproductive employee time and travel costs.

Denso International Australia
www.denso.com.au