May 2021

n TECHNOLOGY May 2021 www.drivesncontrols.com 18 OMRONHAS collaborated with the Welsh robotics systems integrator Reeco Automation to develop a cobot-based palletiser that, they claim, costs up to 50% less than a conventional robot palletiser and has a 60% smaller footprint. They believe that the development will make end-of-line robotic automation economically attractive to producers of all sizes for the first time. Existing robot palletisers take up considerable floor space, are complex to specify and program, and are difficult to redeploy to another location, making them too expensive for many SMEs. The new RB1200 cobot palletiser is a compact plug-and-play system that can be switched easily between lines, giving users the flexibility to cope with changes in demand. With a maximum payload of 10kg and a cycle time of 12 picks per minute, the palletiser is said to be ideal for small-to- medium volume producers. “The concept of collaborative robots working alongside humans has already been proven in automotive, warehousing and fulfilment environments,”says Omron UK’s marketing manager, Dan Rossek. “We believe the time is right and the technology is ready for this next- generation automation approach to be adopted for palletising tasks across a range of industries, from food and drink to personal care and pharmaceuticals.” He is convinced that the development “has the potential to revolutionise palletising. Our offering is unparalleled in terms of its size, affordability and agility. The ease with which it can be set up for different products and layouts and redeployed around the factory floor is phenomenal.” The palletiser has a 2.2 x 3.2m footprint – 60% smaller than a typical 4 x 4m Cartesian palletiser. It does not need physical guards and is inherently safe, using laser scanners to monitor the surrounding area and stopping all movements if it spots a potential contact. Based on a standardised platform, and avoiding the need for a heavy-duty sub- frame to support a large robot arm, the cobot palletiser costs up to 50% less than a comparable traditional palletiser robot, making it a viable investment for many businesses that have previously ruled out robotics on the grounds of cost. Its flexibility, and the ability to move easily between production lines, could also help to cut payback periods. “The RB1200 is light and transportable. It can be moved easily by pump truck to another line within minutes,”Rossek explains.“By contrast, to redeploy a traditional robot palletiser to another part of the factory would be a huge undertaking, requiring a significant logistics effort and considerable time.” Configuration changes to accommodate different products, packs and layouts can be completed in minutes using graphical software. No robot experience or programming skills are needed to redesign a pallet pattern. The operator simply enters a few parameters, such as box and pallet sizes, defines the layout for the first and second layers, then repeats for as many layers as are needed. Another potential attraction of the palletiser is short lead times. From order to installation can take 2-3 weeks, slashing the waiting time for traditional robots by months. The plug-and-play cobot is fitted with a universal end-effector that is claimed to handle more than 90% of box- based products. Reeco can also supply custom tooling for special applications. “The cobot palletiser is an off-the-shelf, market-ready solution that represents great value for money, with no hidden costs in design or engineering,”says Reeco’s managing director, Llewelyn Rees. “Leasing options and a fixed service contract are also available, making next- generation, end-of-line automation a reality for FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods) producers of all sizes.” https://industrial.omron.eu/en/home www.reeco.co.uk ‘Revolutionary’ cobot palletiser halves costs, opening up SME market AT THE RECENT online version of the Hannover Fair, Eplan previewed its forthcoming Eplan Platform 2022, due to launch this summer on a subscription basis. A new user interface with ribbon technology and a dark mode is claimed to improve ease of use, while a new 2D graphic module and central device management optimise performance. Variable tabs give users direct access to often-used functions. A multifunction toolbar adapts to the application – for instance, switching from 2D to 3D. The user interface for both 2D and 3D engineering has been redesigned, while a new 2D graphics module ensures optimal performance, even for large projects. Processing has been accelerated significantly, especially when importing DXF or DWG files. A new centralised device management system offers more flexibility for converting device data. A new “backstage” view lets users edit all aspects of an Eplan Project from a central location – for instance, to create and open projects, import DWG files, and export PLC or manufacturing data. A new Eplan service for cross-project collaboration will allow users to upload Eplan Platform projects to the cloud and to share and work on them there. The service, called Eplan eManage, allows direct connection of premises to the cloud. The subscription model for the new engineering platform is said to reduce the investment risk for companies because of its low entry prices and more flexible planning options. www.eplan-software.com/inyourhands The cobot-based palletiser developed by Omron and Reeco can be moved easily from one application to another, helping to reduce payback periods n Engineering platform will be easier to use and more efficient