Page 41 - Food & Drink Magazine April 2019

Future focused
Robotic innovators are ramping up with new solutions for food and beverage manufacturers. We share a few of the latest launches.
POWER PARTNERSHIP
Intelligent automation company ABB and Ericsson have signed a MoU to accelerate wireless automation for flexible factories and realise the benefits of Industry 4.0 and 5G. The pair have agreed to continue their strong research collaboration to explore improvements in manufacturing processes and automation and discover new business opportunities for the industrial ecosystem. Their view is to enable enhanced connected services, industrial IoT and artificial intelligence technologies in the future.
“We are very excited to extend our partnership with Ericsson as the world moves closer to the era of 5G technology,” said ABB CEO Ulrich Spiesshofer. “ABB’s leadership in digital industries combined with Ericsson’s pioneering work in connectivity will open up new opportunities for customers by digitalising their businesses.” ✷
ROBOTICS & AUTOMATION
COBOTS GET A GRIP
Its the belief that humans and robots are getting closer together that has resulted in Schmalz’s Cobot Gripper (FXCB). Its product design has been carefully considered for safe human-robot collaboration.
This latest vacuum robot gripper can be used in end-of- line packaging and pick and place applications.
With a flexible foam gripping surface, it can handle cardboard boxes and other components up to eight kilograms safely.
Smart communication technology, the gripper can be easily integrated into automation environments.
By increasing the contact
surface and
reducing impact
forces, Schmalz’s
gripper design
meets the
relevant
international
standard, ISO TS
15066. This sets the acceptable standard for collaboration between humans and collaborative industrial robots.
The gripper is modular, so the unit can be equipped with energy-saving ejector modules or intelligent vacuum switches for process monitoring.
As an alternative to onboard vacuum generation, this new gripper has also been designed
to accommodate an externally supplied vacuum.
With the same gripper different applications can be realised including only partial coverage of the gripping surface.
LEADERS IN INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION SUPPLY FOR THE FOOD AND BEVERAGE INDUSTRY
Energy Chains Bearings
Cable Glands Connectors
Sensors Gearheads
WIRELESS FIELDBUS FROM SMC
Pneumatics company SMC has launched a wireless fieldbus unit, EX600-W, which is a decentralised solution that is EtherNet/IP and PROFINET compatible.
The EX600-W, which was launched at AUSPACK 2019 in Melbourne in March, can withstand electric noise and is suitable for harsh, industrial environments. It can also manage both digital and analogue signals, as well as pneumatic products.
In addition, the EX600-W is unaffected by other factory noises and is suitable for environments such as automotive and welding workshops. As a highly reliable
unit, it makes use of frequency hopping techniques to prevent interference from other wireless equipment. Data encryption also stops unauthorised access.
As a wireless unit, the number of cables and connectors are also cut to minimise installation, modifications and maintenance time. The risk of disconnection and circuit breakage is also significantly reduced to both performance and productivity.
The EX600-W offers even greater operational flexibility, SMC says, as it can be positioned pretty much anywhere and this is ideal for those working with moving parts, such as rotary and indexing tables and robotic arms.
Flexible Cables
Flexible Conduits
Light curtains
Treotham Automation Pty Ltd
www.treotham.com.au
info@treotham.com.au Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane & Perth - 1300 65 75 64
www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au | April 2019 | Food&Drink business | 41