DELTRAK Unscrambler For Bottles
DELTRAK Unscrambler For Bottles
Description
We present at Hispack 2022 our new DELTRAK robotic positioner. Relying on the more than 25 years of experience of our own supplier of vision systems and Delta robots for robotic picking lines and adding our experience in handling plastic containers, we have created this new solution for positioning PET and PP bottles. with or without serigraphy or labels for markets such as cosmetics or pharmacy.
Does it consist of?
The DELTRAK unscrambler consists of 4 clearly identified steps/phases:
- Warehouse and container feeding
- Pre-positioning of containers
- Vision and collection of the container, "Pick"
- Delivery of the container to the exit conveyor, “Place”
The containers are stored in bulk and are dosed on the pre-positioning conveyor. This delivers them to the PICK conveyor longitudinally.
Depending on the required production (bph) of the line, we can have 1, 2 or 3 robots. Each robot has its independent vision system. The robot picks up the container by means of a vacuum gripper and it delivers it to the PLACE conveyor or output conveyor, which is equipped with suction to ensure that the containers are always controlled. If it is an asymmetric container that requires orientation, we add our OL-180 Orientator for blades or belts, depending on the speed, that is, the same solution that we have for ROTRAK unscramblers.
Why a pre-position system?
The system consists of a first phase of container storage and pre-positioning to minimize movements (maximize the use of the robot).
In this phase we distribute the containers longitudinally along a conveyor equipped with several lanes that adjust to the width of the container automatically. The denser the delivery of containers to the next conveyor (PICK), the more cycles per minute the robot gives. Depending on the size and shape of the container, we can deliver more containers per minute: this is where our experience in handling containers comes into play.
Why we don't use a single vision?
One of the recurring problems of other robot unscramblers when they have more than one robot occurs when the initial image is altered by the relative movement of some containers against each other. The efficiency of systems with only one vision is low, when the second or third robot picks up the containers in a different position than the initial image taken. We have a vision system for each robot. ATP’s own vision software represents cost savings compared to other existing systems on the market. The cost savings of not recirculating containers far exceeds the costs of having a robot vision.
No recirculation of packaging
Because we are well aware that already labelled or screen-printed containers are more delicate, we have opted not to have recirculation of containers. All containers that enter the “Pick” zone are correctly positioned in the “Place” zone, minimizing the number of containers rejected at standard levels. We have invested in software and packaging preparation to make the most of each of the robots that make up the system, saving the packaging return conveyors that are not picked up by the robots.
Place direct to the output conveyor
By pre-positioning and minimizing the robot’s movements, we achieve very repetitive movements that allow us to place the container directly on the output conveyor, that is, our system does not have any type of transfer between the robot and the output in any of the modalities that exist in the market. Not only do we obtain significant savings in direct costs of the equipment (shorter Capex – ROI) but we also have a simpler machine in terms of maintenance, and we minimize repairs with the consequent savings in Opex.
