Turnkey Factory Automation, Industrial Robots - Stewart Robotic Automation Group

Stewart Systems Robotic Workcell is a computer-driven system which uses a multi-axis robot to transfer product from an infeed conveyor into Baskets. The workcell is designed to increase production throughput and minimize loss due to handling.

The Infeed Conveyor transports product into the workcell.
The End Effector incorporates multiple vacuum cups and four pneumatic flaps to handle the product.
The Basket, Tray, Carton, etc., Feeder Conveyors transport the containers into and out of the workcell.
The Workcell Controller uses a keyboard and color VGA monitor for operator interface and control, and workcell status lights to indicate warnings and faults. The controller is housed in the Control Enclosure.
The Operator Interface is composed of a monitor, keyboard, integrated mouse, and workcell status light stack. The operator uses the monitor and keyboard / integrated mouse to give commands to the robot and oversee workcell operations. The workcell status light stack (red/ amber/ green) indicates workcell status.
- Green indicates the workcell is running
- Amber indicates a warning
- Red indicates the workcell is stopped or a workcell fault has occurred
  - Explanations of the warning and fault states are shown on the monitor screen.
The Safety System is made up of physical barriers around the workcell. If any of the electrical switches in the safety circuit are opened, the power to the robot motors is turned off and the manipulator stops immediately.

Robot

The robot is a 4-axis articulated arm which is electric servo driven. The Fanuc Robotics’ M-420iA axes are controlled by signals sent by the robot controller, which allow it to move to pre-defined locations or positions calculated by Stewart's control software.

Production Overview

The workcell is used to pick product from the Bread Feed Conveyor and place it into Baskets on the Basket Feed Conveyor.

The general sequence is as follows:

The Infeed Conveyor transfers the product to the pick conveyor.
The pick conveyor moves forward when a product is in front of the infeed sensor and stops when the sensor is blocked.
- This creates a constant stream of touching product flowing into the workcell.
The stop and start of the infeed conveyor repeats until the conveyor is completely full and the all sensors "see" product.
The controller then starts the pick process.
- The robot positions the end effector for the first pick, turns on the vacuum, and removes the product from the infeed conveyor.
- The infeed conveyor is then turned on and the next group of product is feed into the work envelope.
- The process is repeated until the entire basket of product is picked.
The robot then places the product into the basket.
The full basket exists the system and an empty basket is conveyed and positioned in the workcell.
The cycle is repeated.