Apprentice project: Demo cell for fast and precise pick-and-place of metal pins

With its sharp, highly precise movements the compact robot cell was the eye-catcher at Robotec’s trade fair appearance this spring. It was implemented by two of our apprentices – and realized 1:1 like a real customer project.

In a flash, the robot grabs one delicate metal pin after another and places it in the pneumatic shuttle. Once all eight positions are occupied, the small shuttle races to a visual inspection station with a camera. Then the sequence repeats in reverse order.

Of course, this endless loop is for demonstration purposes only. But design, engineering and implementation are 100 percent real. The robot cell was handled like a real customer project and planned and implemented by two of our apprentices: Lars Huwiler, apprentice automation technician (EFZ) and Jamie Dubs, apprentice designer (EFZ).

The two were accompanied by Kevin Bossard and Sven Schmid as those responsible for vocational training at Robotec. “This way the apprentices can experience Robotec’s typical project phases and our project management firsthand,” explains Sven Schmid. “With tasks like these we integrate apprentices into the subject matter from day one.”

Since completion, the demo cell has served as an eye-catcher at Robotec trade fair appearances and in our showroom in Seon. “The compact cell clearly demonstrates Robotec’s areas of expertise and the processes found in our automation solutions,” adds Kevin Bossard. “The cell is built modularly and shows the basic building blocks with which we can also implement customer-specific solutions efficiently.”

The little cell is operated, just like real customer systems, via the intuitive Robotec Standard HMI. That ensures that a user error will not stand in the way of a big performance.

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Highlights of the Robotec demo cell

Robotec system: The Robotec demo cell not only demonstrates what our apprentices can do. It combines all the typical elements of our customer systems – from intuitive operation via our Robotec Standard HMI to safety standards that already comply with the regulation in effect from 2027.

One for all: All new Robotec systems are equipped with the same intuitive Robotec Standard HMI. Once you know one system, you will find your way around any other Robotec system. Central cell control is a standard Siemens PLC with SafetyIntegrated.

Platform-independent solution: Although we used a FANUC SCARA robot in the demo cell, we work platform-independently. This allows us to integrate robots and axes from other manufacturers, such as Stäubli Robotics, FESTO or OMRON.

Cognex Industrial Vision: A Cognex Insight Smart camera is used in the demo cell. As a certified Cognex partner and system integrator, Robotec has over 20 years of experience in the field of industrial vision: for robot guidance, quality control, measurement tasks, identification, character and code reading – whether rule-based or using Deep Learning (AI algorithms).

Custom grippers: A robot is only as good as its gripper. The system concept ultimately determines the performance of the system and thus its benefit to the customer.

Machine safety CE-compliant according to the new EU Machinery Regulation, CRA-ready: We implemented the demo cell with a Sick LiDAR safety scanner and conventional emergency stop buttons. Like all Robotec systems, this one also complies with the new EU Machinery Regulation, is up to date in terms of cyber security and CE-compliant. The basis for this is always a comprehensive risk analysis at the start of the project, followed by an FMEA and finally the CE conformity assessment. This guarantees the highest safety for people, processes and machines.

The compact cell clearly demonstrates Robotec’s areas of expertise and the processes found in our automation solutions. Built modularly, it also provides the basic building blocks with which we can efficiently implement customer-specific solutions.

Discuss your project now

Are you planning an automation project in injection moulding production? Or would you like to know what benefits automation could bring to your company? I look forward to your contact.