How can robotic automation improve efficiency in manufacturing processes?

Our robotic automation solutions dramatically boost efficiency in manufacturing by enhancing speed, precision, and consistency. We focus on minimizing manual errors, accelerating production rates, and ensuring safety by handling repetitive and hazardous tasks.

What are the different types of robotic automation systems available for manufacturing applications?

We offer a range of robotic automation systems for manufacturing, including SCARA and Delta robots. SCARA robots are ideal for precision tasks requiring speed and compact design, while Delta robots excel in fast, repetitive actions like picking and placing.

What types of defects or issues can vision inspection systems detect in manufacturing?

Our vision inspection systems are adept at detecting dimensional inaccuracies, surface defects like scratches or dents, misalignments, and incorrect or missing components. They are also capable of verifying label accuracy, barcode readability, and color consistency.

What types of manufacturing tasks can be performed using a rotary indexing machine?Rotary indexing machines at Big Sky Engineering are highly versatile, designed to perform a range of precise manufacturing tasks. They are ideal for assembly, drilling, precision machining, and quality inspection. These machines excel in high-volume production environments, offering accuracy and repeatability.

Rotary indexing machines at Big Sky Engineering are highly versatile, designed to perform a range of precise manufacturing tasks. They are ideal for assembly, drilling, precision machining, and quality inspection. These machines excel in high-volume production environments, offering accuracy and repeatability.

Robotic Sorting Work Cell - Big Sky Engineering, Inc

SITUATION

The customer needed a sorting machine to scan, orient, and place tube and canister components onto trays and outfeed conveyors autonomously, processing one incoming unit in under 7 seconds within a small footprint.

SOLUTION

Rack Dispensing- A 7-column rack dispensing magazine displays each column’s status on the HMI and alerts the operator when parts run low.
Tube Loading- Conveyors position racks at the tube loading location and release full racks from inside the machine table.
Re-Orient Pick & Place- Using orientation data from a Cognex camera, the pick-and-place station rotates any tray that isn’t correctly oriented so tubes face downstream.
Tube Barcode Scan- Lifts and spins each tube while barcode readers confirm the three tube patient IDs match and that the tube barcodes match the WSC barcode captured during the orientation check.
Robot Pick- A Fanuc LR Mate robot picks tubes from the shuttle and places them in racks per the laboratory information system (LIS) instructions. An M-10 robot then places the shuttle and WSC onto the shuttle outfeed conveyor.
Shuttle Conveyor- Positions the metal tray to the machine’s exterior.
Waste Conveyor- Holds and positions the plastic container on the machine’s exterior.
Reject Queue- Accumulates shuttles needing operator intervention in three designated reject zones at the end of the in-feed conveyor.
Rack Handling- Places tubes into racks and moves completed racks to the unloading section of the rack conveyor.

DESIGN FEATURES & SPECIFICATIONS

M-10 robot
Fanuc LR Mate 200iD
Rack enclosure safety light curtain
Shuttle rotate and orient station
Adjustable in-feed/out-feed shuttle conveyors
Multi-lane rack magazine
Shuttle orientation vision systems and product barcode scans
HMI with icon-based controls, manual override mode, and live cycle rate/station display

Approximate Machine Dimensions: 11’L x 9’W x 8’H

Power Requirements: 480 VAC, 3-Phase, 30A

Weight: 4,158 lb