Secondary industry
In addition to the pharmacy, automotive and consumer products sectors, Z-tech is active in a number of secondary industries. These include plastics industry, metal processing and processing, the food industry and the chip industry.
1. Plastic industry
Trend in the market
Manufacturers of plastic parts are increasingly faced with questions from their clients, whether they can provide fully assembled (sub) assemblies instead of loose parts.
Possible assembly concepts
This can be solved in two ways:
- A completely autonomous assembly cell
- An assembly cell coupled to the injection molding machine
In the first case, it means that all components from supply systems are supplied to a mounting cell. Physically, this cell can be in a different location as the injection molding machine.
In the second case, the assembly cell is coupled to the injection molding machine. For this, it is in most cases necessary for a buffer between injection molding machine and assembly machine to be provided. This is because failure of the injection molding machine in case of malfunction is not desirable. In addition, this reduces shrinkage and consequently dimensional deviations of the plastic part. To accommodate this, provision should be made for facilities in the assembly cell.
Z-tech
Z-tech has extensive experience with both concepts. For example, we have developed vertical buffer systems (low space fitting) as well as moveable assembly cells because an injection molding machine does not always produce the same component.
2. Metal processing and processing
Trend in the market
Especially in expensive multi-axis machining machines, it makes sense to keep them as low as possible. For this purpose, automated load and unloading systems are often used in combination with input and output buffers. This makes it possible for these machines to run unmanned for a long time (at night).
Possible concepts
Three factors play a role:
- Supply raw parts
- Handling for discharging and discharging
- Unprocessed parts
The supply of raw parts can take place from bulk (via delivery systems or 3D picking from crates), or oriented from tray or product carriers. The choice is usually determined by the risk of damage to the product and the cost price
We prefer the action with robots or servo-controlled systems, equipped with a double grab system for removing the processed product and placing the raw product.
The disposal of processed products usually takes place in a tray or on a product carrier because the risk of damage is nil. In the case of product carriers, a transfer system is usually needed to move and buffer the carriers.
Z-tech
Z-tech has extensive experience with all aspects involved.
3. Food industry
Trend in the market
Robots in the food sector are used in particular in the packaging process. The area where Z-Tech can do something for you is located between the production machine (eg the oven) and the packaging machine for the final packer (flowpacker)
A typical question is the following:
The products are un oriented on a tape and should be placed in a blister pack. Common techniques are recognizing a product with a vision system and then passing on the coordinates to a robot that catches the product.
Z-tech
Z-tech distinguishes itself by applying smart concepts with regard to task allocation between robots. In addition, we have a lot of experience in developing product-specific grabber systems.