Page 22 - Energize April 2022

NEWS

Collaborative palletiser for industrial

applications

Cobot solution with a small footprint and active safety equipment enables handling up

to 8 boxes per minute without the need for fencing or laser scanners

ollaborative robots (cobots) are between lines because it’s self-supporting and easy to move. It also allows collaboration with
being used in a wide variety of operators, who can work in safe proximity to the Cobot without fencing or laser scanners
Capplications. A recent example due to the active security we’ve added, which has enabled us to gain CE certification.”
would be the partnership between OMRON and FlexLink were both involved in the initial design of the project, and the
FlexLink and OMRON. FlexLink offers solution is continuously evolving as they receive feedback from users. The development of
flexible, modular conveyors and industrial the system took place over several months, to ensure that the result would be flexible and
automation equipment, including easy to configure. The palletising system can process both US and Euro standard pallets, up
palletising solutions to hundreds of to a height of 2 metres, thanks to the accessories that have been added.
customers across the world. You can find The Cobot has a capacity of up to eight boxes or parts per minute (ppm); or 14 ppm with
FlexLink solutions on the production lines a dual-pick vacuum gripper. The new palletising systems can handle boxes of 10 kg or 12 kg,
of major brands in food manufacturing and as two different types of cobots can be used – the OMRON TM12 or the TM14.
personal care. Following a request from a Gary Hinault, FlexLink’s controls engineer, comments: “This solution meets the need for
major manufacturer, the two companies automated palletisation, which relieves the operators from this repetitive task so that they
joined forces to create a collaborative can focus on tasks with more added value, and that is more interesting.”
palletiser, using OMRON cobots. The cobots can be delivered in a fairly short time and the installation takes just
Stéphane Chevalard, FlexLink’s one or two days. The automated palletising system helps operators to avoid the risk of
Engineering Supervisor, explains the musculoskeletal disorders or injuries caused by lifting heavy loads. The manufacturer who
benefits of the solution: “Palletisation originally requested the Cobot has calculated the return on investment for the new system
using cobots has a wide variety of benefits as being about one and a half to two years.
as it’s very flexible. The system can be
easily moved from one area of production Contact Omron Electronics, Phone 011 579-2600, info_sa@omron.com,
to another. It can even be swapped www.industrial.omron.co.za

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