8. Apr 2025
Apprentice project: Demo cell for fast pick-and-place of metal pins
With its crisp, precise movements, the compact robot cell was the eyecatcher at Robotec’s trade fair appearance this spring. It was realized by two of our apprentices — executed 1:1 like a real customer project.
Lightning-fast, the robot grabs one delicate metal pin after another and places it on the pneumatic shuttle. Once all eight positions are filled, the small shuttle races to the visual inspection station using a camera. Then the sequence repeats in reverse order.
Of course this endless loop serves only demonstration purposes. But design, engineering and implementation are 100 percent real. The robot cell was treated like a real customer project and planned and implemented by two of our apprentices: Lars Huwiler, Apprentice Automation Technician (EFZ) and Pascal Balmer, Apprentice Mechanical Designer (EFZ) .
The two were accompanied by Kevin Bossard and Sven Schmid, who are responsible for vocational training at Robotec. “This way the apprentices can get to know the Robotec-typical project phases and our project management directly in practice,” explains Sven Schmid. “With tasks like these we integrate apprentices into the topic 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 shows what Robotec’s areas of expertise are and which processes occur in our automation solutions,” adds Kevin Bossard. “The cell is modular and demonstrates the basic building blocks that allow us to implement customer-specific solutions efficiently.”
The small cell is operated, just like real customer systems, via the intuitive Robotec Standard HMI. That way, operator error will certainly not stand in the way of a big performance.
Highlights of the Robotec demo cell
System Robotec: The Robotec demo cell not only demonstrates what our apprentices can do. It combines all typical elements of our customer systems – from intuitive operation to safety standards that already comply with the regulations from 2027.
One for all: All new Robotec systems are equipped with the same intuitive Robotec Standard HMI. If you know one system, you will find your way on 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 connect robots and axes from other manufacturers as well, such as Stäubli Robotics , FESTO or OMRON .
Cognex Industrial Vision: The demo cell uses a Cognex Insight Smartcam. As a certified Cognex partner and system integrator , Robotec has over 20 years of experience in Industrial Vision: for robot guidance, quality control, measurement tasks, identification, reading text and codes – whether rule-based or with the help of deep learning (AI algorithms).
Custom grippers: A robot is only as good as its gripper – a central element of the system concept. This 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 and CRA-ready: We implemented the demo cell with a Sick Lidar Safety Scanner and conventional emergency-stop buttons. As with all Robotec systems, this one also complies with the new EU Machinery Regulation, is up to date in terms of cyber security and is 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 robot cell clearly demonstrates Robotec’s areas of expertise and which processes occur in our automation solutions. Modular in design, it features 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-molding production? Or would you like to know what benefits automation can bring to your company? I look forward to hearing from you.
