Page 39 - EngineerIT April 2022

INDUSTRY, TECHNOLOGY, PRODUCTS AND INNOVATION

OMRON and FlexLink design a collaborative

palletiser for industrial applications

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

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