Robots Done Right |
Used Robot Sales  |
Pick and Place Robots
Robotic pick and place is a type of material handling application in which industrial robots pick parts or objects and place them in a different area in order to move them along a production process. Pick and place tasks tend to be repetitive and monotonous making them ideal to automate with robots such as the FANUC LR Mate 200ic. These industrial robots can be integrated with end of arm tooling in order to further customize them to meet specific manufacturing requirements. They can also be integrated with vision systems to handle more complex applications.
- Assembly - During the assembly process a pick and place robot will pick up a part from a conveyor and assemble it onto another workpiece. The newly assembled workpiece will then be placed by the robot onto another conveyor and taken away.
- Packaging - During a packaging process a pick and place robot will pick a part off of a conveyor and then place that part into a box to prepare the item for shipping.
- Bin Picking - Bin picking processes usually require a pick and place robot to be integrated with a vision system in order for the robot to be able to recognize specific parts when different part types are mixed together. During this process the robot picks out a specific part from the bin of mixed parts and places it on a conveyor to head into production.
- Inspection - This is another process that requires pick and place robots to be integrated with a vision system. During this process the pick and place robot uses its vision to oversee products moving along a conveyor and detect damaged or defective objects. The robot then removes them from the conveyor before they can reach the final phases of production.
By adding a pick and place robot like the ABB IRB 1600 to an assembly line, manufacturers will see their operations become more efficient and cycle times reduced. These robots are designed to work autonomously and require very little downtime as opposed to human workers. They do not stop for breaks or shift changes. In fact, robots can run up to 100,000 hours before needing any maintenance. One robot can do the workload that would take several workers to complete, helping manufacturers save on labor costs and streamline operations.
Pick and place robots further improve manufacturing operations with their pinpoint accuracy. They can be easily programmed to move in controlled, precise movements that ensure products are handle correctly and with care. Items are never dropped or damaged during the transfer process and are always placed in the correct location. Eliminating errors that can result in damaged items prevents wasted materials and further reduces production costs for companies. The repeatability provided by pick and place robots gives companies confidence their product quality will not be compromised during the manufacturing process.
With all the advancements in robotic technology it is not surprising to see KUKA robots, such as the KUKA KR 5 R650, becoming popular for pick and place applications in the manufacturing world.
Contact us by email mm@robotsdoneright.com or phone (440) 724-6568 today to discuss buying or selling a pick and place robot.