Eule Robotics - Heavy device for delicate tasks

When a heavy device has to accomplish delicate tasks, the sensor system must be running in top form. In a fully automated order picking system for delicate glass ampoules, optical and inductive sensors supply the necessary finesse of a SCARA industrial robot. The system was implemented with Eule Industrial Robotics, with autosen delivering the sensors.

SCARA robots are designed similarly to the human arm. That makes them especially suitable for fast and precise assembly or order picking tasks in a restricted range of motion. In the case of a new system that Eule Industrial Robotics implemented for a customer in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industry the task is fitting advent calendars with samples. The challenge: The order picking product is fragile glass ampoules. They have to be fitted fully automatically with an additional breaking aid. This step must be completed before they are placed in the blister packaging.

Exact positioning

The ampoules are held in place very gently by the robot arm, almost "tenderly" by a suction gripper. This in turn requires exact positioning of the samples. "This is truly precision work with practically no tolerances at all. Otherwise there is the threat of broken glass and downtimes", explains Andreas Hessel, Managing Director of Eule Industrial Robotics.

Positioning in the workpiece carrier is carried out with the aid of AI003 inductive sensors, and on the conveyor belt and ampoule dispenser with the aid of AO001 optical sensors. Precisely recording the small round ampoules with the reflective glass surface is a challenging assignment. The emitted red light is reflected by the ampoules to be detected. Then it is detected and evaluated by the receiver integrated into the sensor. The sensor's wide range of applications make it one of the best sellers in autosen product line. Users appreciate the high degree of reliability even with highly reflective backgrounds as well as the automatic sensitivity tracking where steam or smoke are present. "Because of that we also use this type for automation of production systems in harsh environment," explains Hessel.

autosen sensors at Eule Industrial Robotics

The combination of SCARA robots with sophisticated sensor systems has proven to be ideal for this project. A reliable sensor system that is both rugged and precise is also indispensable. Eule Industrial Robotics has been working with autosen products for several years now. In addition to the high quality and favourable terms offered by the provider, the online sales channel was the determining factor for this decision. For Ralf Rekow, Sales Manager at Eule Industrial Robotics, that was an additional sales argument: "If a device fails, the guaranteed delivery times mean I can obtain a replacement for our customers within 24 hours without having to consider office or business hours. If there is a problem in the new system, punctual delivery of the advent calendars is still ensured.