Single controller for robot and machine axes

Installing a robotic pick-and-place and integrated conveyor solution has increased productivity for a pharmaceutical manufacturer while maintaining regulatory compliance. Combining a vision system optimised for accuracy that assures end-to-end traceability, a single controller from Trio manages both the robot and conveyor axes, increasing reliability for the end user.

The final steps in the packaging operation of a pharmaceutical manufacturer includes cartoning, stacking, and palletising. With the need to increase productivity while maintaining hygiene and strict pharmaceutical sector compliance, this process can be optimised with a conveyor and robot as part of a pick-and-place application.

The advantage of a robotic pick-and-place application is that reducing reliance on human labour can enhance efficiency. Crucially for the pharmaceutical sector, as well as other sectors that demand hygiene such as food and beverage industries, minimising human intervention also reduces the risk of contamination, especially in a cleanroom environment. An automated, robotic system also prevents human error and instead can ensure end-to-end traceability.

Vision inspection is fundamental to optimise accuracy as part of a traceable packaging process, with systems including checkweigher, track and trace, and print and apply solutions. Specialising in this field, Shubham Automation has partnered with Estun brand, Trio Motion Technology, a motion specialist that provides control automation, including robotics. Together, this partnership has provided end-of-line solutions for a range of pharmaceutical manufacturers.

“Pick-and-place robots have gained popularity due to their adaptability and excellent return on investment, thanks to the productivity increases they provide. User convenience is a fundamental factor in the success of any packaging solution, and the pharmaceutical industry has embraced robotics due to the fact that it makes its production process more effective and streamlined,” says Prashant Patel, managing director of Shubham Automation.

Accurate solution

“One of our well known pharmaceutical clients needed to transfer packaged bottles from a conveyor into cartons that would then be stacked, ready for shipping. The company was handling the process manually, but we could provide them with a comprehensive and highly accurate solution with Trio Motion Technology,” says Prashant.

The pharmaceutical manufacturer needed to increase the speed and efficiency of the packaging process while maintaining critical standards in hygiene and traceability. This was achieved with the integration of a robot provided by Trio in support with parent brand, Estun Automation, one of the largest robot manufacturers in China.

The 6-axis robot achieves pick and place throughput of 60 bottles per minute. The easy-to-use system also gives the pharma manufacturer flexibility over packaging options, and the machine enables packaging in a matrix of 4×2, 5×2, 6×5, and 6×6 at the robot infeed.

The machine includes two additional axes, the first responsible for controlling the infeed of bottles into the line, and the second managing the outfeed of the conveyor. A key benefit of the Trio system is that a single controller manages both robot and conveyor axes. This not only reduces the development time required to establish handshaking between the two controllers, but it also provides greater reliability in the field for the pharmaceutical manufacturer, minimising the potential of downtime.

Implementing the motion solution

“A single controller controls the infeed, outfeed, and robotic systems. Typically, these systems require multiple controllers and HMIs for the robot and machine, making the system complex and expensive,” says Chirag Bhatt, application manager at Trio Motion Technology. “Using our technology, Shubham was able to provide a complete, accurate, and precise solution. With this completely integrated design, Shubham could increase efficiency and output for the pharmaceutical manufacturer, while helping to decrease their total cost of ownership.”

Trio’s robot motion and conveyor coordination is based on high speed EtherCAT communications for real-time motion control. Meanwhile, Trio’s Motion Perfect application development software enables programming via Trio’s motion-centric, easy to use multitasking programming language, as well as industry standard IEC 61131-3 languages. Applications can also be developed and performed on Windows using a shared memory API to interface with Trio’s sophisticated Motion-iX motion core, allowing maximum application development flexibility.

“Our latest end-of-line automation (EOLA) provides a complete solution to expedite and streamline the entire packaging process for our customer,” says Prashant. “Our smart track and trace technology solution tracks products across the entire supply chain. The packaging solution offers zero human intervention and is fully compliant with 21CFR Part 11.”

Providing they are correctly deployed to ensure seamless coordination with the host machine, robotics can increase the productivity and efficiency of a packaging system.

“Integrating robot, motion, and machine automation into a single controller allows system integrators and OEMs to design and commission machines more quickly and easily,” says Chirag. “A single controller means less downtime for the end user, which ultimately increases machine productivity. As a result, deploying a single controller to manage the robot, motion, and machine axes, results in a cost-effective, high performance solution.”

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