Robotics supports packaging

Omron’s automation solutions help to rethink of robotics as a “module” in a series of “defined modules”, able to create a winning and efficient combination, made of classical packaging technology with modern industrial robots.

From packaging machine to packaging line, the boundary is becoming slimmer, also because robots and vision systems increase the modulo-interoperability of your machine portfolio.
The machine sold yesterday as a stand-alone production unit is becoming a plug and run sub-system, part of a bigger set of machines working seamlessly together. In doing so they share the same control screen, monitor the same safety variables and adapt to changing environment conditions. They also measure the overall energy consumption, equipment efficiency and act as one intelligent system aware of the human presence while interacting with it.
«At the state of the art, this ideal scenario is actually very real and increasingly accessible - states Marco Viganò, Product Marketing Manager of Omron Mechatronics - provided users are ready to adopt the strategy to extend their line upstream and downstream of their “core” machine. Omron automation solutions help you to think robotic as a module within a standard set of modules. A modular approach to a packaging line gives the possibility to the customer to design a complete packaging line by bridging the different machines of a machine portfolio.

Sysmac: programming a single environment
«At Omron we consider robotic and vision technology as a smart bridge/buffer system - Viganò states on this count - which seamlessly integrates your existing or newly acquired packaging processes, regardless of whether the machine belongs to primary, secondary or final packaging.
What was yesterday the job of a system integrator, can today be easily provided by OEMs with the same set of programming tools.
In place of dedicated hardware that performs a set of functions, we are offering Sysmac: a single Intel processor-based open control platform solution, that integrates motion, logic sequencing, vision, robotics, safety, data management, networking and machine visualisation - all in the same programming environment».

The integration of the robot kinematics into the main machine controller is a key factor of differentiation for OEMs, which want to optimise the cost and performance of their machine.
«With (built-in) kinematic algorithm, motion command and logic instruction in one controller Viganò concludes - a robotic module can be added to the main machine program as simply as ticking a box.
The machine and the robots are entirely controlled within the program of the Sysmac NJ-controller. The robots are consequently highly synchronised with the rest of the packaging machine, which greatly enhances the machine coordination and by extension, the packaging line».      

Integrated turnkey packaging lines
Omron has worked with an important Italian builder on a single machine line controller approach. The objective is to control the robot with the machine line controller, thereby eliminating the need for a dedicated robot controller. The long-term strategy is to standardise a single controller solution throughout the packaging line, regardless of whether the machine performs a particular tray thermoforming operation or a complex synchronous pick & place operation.