A supplier of sensing technology for factory automation develops and manufactures optoelectronic sensors, identification systems, image-processing systems, data transmission systems, and optoelectronic safety sensor systems for custom automation. The modular components and sensors can be combined into a system offering the most efficient possible solution to the customer’s requirements, and which can be quickly and simply linked to any commonly used international field-bus system. Many standard sensors as well as individually tailored products are available. Technical consultants work with the client to determine whether a standard or custom application is the most suitable. The full range of company capabilities is discussed in a 56-page full-colour illustrated brochure that includes a complete product catalogue with photo illustrations, specifications, and lists of features and functions. Leuze Electronic GmbH + Co. KG, Owen, Germany.
An ultracompact robot based on the technological principle of parallel kinematics is designed to handle complicated tasks in the field of microassembly that require both high precision and high speed. Believed to be at least as small as any high-speed microassembly robot in the world, the PocketDelta robot is well suited for assembling microsensors, micromotors, and other microtechnology devices for surface-mount technology; for producing microelectromechanical systems, for fabricating biochips; and for biological cell manipulation. Having a lightweight but stiff mechanical structure, and featuring a high level of integration that minimizes the size of the system as a whole, the robot measures 120 × 120 × 200 mm3 with controller and accommodates payloads up to 20 g. It has unlimited mobility within a workspace whose dimensions are 80 mm in the x- and y-axes and 30 mm in the z-axis. The system offers accelerations to 10 g, speed of better than three cycles per second, press force of 2 N, resolution of 0.2 µm, and repeatability within 5 µm. It can be used as a stand-alone module or be synchronized with other robots in a complex manufacturing line. CSEM S.A. (Centre Suisse d’Électronique et de Microtechnique), Alpnach, Switzerland.
A compact machine is specialized for the assembly of prefilled syringes into safety devices to satisfy the demand for the protection of healthcare workers from needlestick injuries. Compatible with all commercial syringe-safety devices, the Type 211 system is designed for quick and easy size changeover and has an intuitive touch screen operator interface. Its continuous-motion, single-belt transport system provides smooth, precise, efficient component handling and quiet operation. The mechanical system can attain a processing speed of approximately 350 assemblies per minute, sending assembled products into separate discharge streams based on whether the video control system has determined the assembly to be good or unacceptable. Featuring stainless-steel exposed metal surfaces and easy access to workstations for washdown, the machine can be reconfigured by adding a module for the assembly of backstops. Alphacos S.A., Courroux, Switzerland.
Automated case-packing systems for flexible bags such as are used to contain intravenous fluids, among other products, are designed and manufactured by a company with plants in Europe and the United States. The firm has produced systems for handling four-side-sealed bags, pillow bags, block-bottom bags, wraparound bags, and other styles, as well as customized systems designed for a variety of difficult-to-handle packages. It can supply robotic pick-and-place handling cells and gravity-load systems for horizontally and vertically oriented packing operations. System features include three-shift capability, easy access to facilitate production changes, and automatic size changeover. The company emphasizes intensive technology R&D and comprehensive customer support and system servicing. BluePrint Automation B.V., Woerden, Netherlands.
Equipment for punching eyelets in catheter tubing uses an ultrasonic process that forms a smooth radius on the eyelet edges, in contrast with mechanical punching, which leaves eyelets with sharp edges. The ultrasonic punching process from Kahle Automation S.r.l., Caravaggio (BG), Italy, is applicable to both drainage and suction catheters. It provides as well for accurate ellipses that are able to eliminate turbulence in flow through the eyelets. The equipment incorporates 100% in-line inspection capability. It can be supplied as a stand-alone machine or as part of a full automation system that assembles a complete product. Kahle Automation S.r.l., Caravaggio, Italy.
Automated assembly and test equipment
A specialist division of a company that manufactures special-purpose assembly and test equipment supplies automation equipment for assembly and test operations to medical and pharmaceutical device manufacturers. Providing customers with advice and consultation on the best process approach, the division can deliver engineering solutions ranging from a stand-alone assembly fixture or manually loaded test machine to fully integrated production lines for assembly, test, and validation, all built to specifications completely in-house. The company forms a partnership with each of its clients. It and its parent have special expertise in leak testing and leak detection technology. Assembly and test equipment capabilities encompass fully and semiautomated linear and rotary systems, bespoke pick-and-place mechanisms, and robot integration. TQC Medical, Div. of TQC Ltd., Nottingham, UK.
A company specializes in automation equipment for assembly, product handling, inspection, and packaging applications. Specialties of the firm include PCB assembly equipment, optical and x-ray inspection, reflow soldering, screen printing, precision liquid dispensing, cable preparation, robotic soldering, and robotic assembly as well as cleaning systems. The firm has installed more than 5000 machines in the UK. The manufacturer also routinely develops custom equipment. All of the company’s systems are supported by the firm’s after sales operation. Contax Production Automation Ltd., Fareham, Hants, UK.
A benchtop Cartesian dispensing robot is designed for small assembly operations, specialist manufacturers, and dedicated project cells involved in the production of instrumentation and electronics. The I&J7100 has a dispensing area of 200 × 150 mm and a small bench footprint. Providing three-axis continuous-path or point-to- point operation, it can dispense adhesives, coatings, gaskets, and potting, filling, and shielding materials in dots, lines, arcs, and circles to a resolution of 0.02 mm. System capabilities include full step-and-repeat copy functions and automatic offset calculations. The robot can store 100 programs with as many as 400 points each. Intertronics, Kidlington, Oxon, UK.
Offering complete project management, a specialist engineering company designs, develops, and produces automatic assembly machines purpose-built to assemble complex parts precisely, efficiently, and reliably. An appointed team of experts with guiding project manager accompanies the client through every stage of the project from earliest planning, including product design, automatic control engineering, component manufacture, development of orientation and feeding technology, assembly of the system, and test runs and efficiency checks. Tailor-made solutions are based on standardized modules. For demanding industrial applications as in medical technology, the company designs the tools according to the specific requirements of cleanroom production. It handles projects ranging from small assembly units to complex production lines. Müller + Kurtz Automation GmbH, Winterbach, Germany.
A company specializes in the manufacture
of custom automated assembly machines and
feeders for complex medical assembly
processes. With almost 50 years of
experience developing high-performance
assembly technology, sortimat Technology
GmbH & Co. (Winnenden) has produced
more than 2500 systems for manufacturers in
more than 60 countries. Specializing in the
medical and pharmaceutical industries, the
company’s engineering staff can develop
custom equipment for complex assembly
processes. “We offer customers individual
solutions that are directly tailored to their
requirements,” says company spokeswoman
Silke Fischer.
With engineering and production facilities in the United States, Germany, and India, the company offers a choice of machines ranging from stand-alone units to full production lines. In July 2006, the company established a handling-systems subsidiary in southwest Baden-Württemberg in Villingen- Schwenningen. Intended to give the company more room at its headquarters location, the new subsidiary will support the firm’s growing handling-systems business. A tray feeder available from the company is designed to minimize wear and tear on parts and handle components that cannot be transported by conventional means. Because the feeder system is produced in volume, with only certain elements tailored to suit particular customer requirements, commissioning time is short and the standardized basic unit can be integrated into a production system easily.
The tray handler is available in special versions suitable for deployment in various classes of cleanroom, and with qualification for medical and pharmaceutical industry applications. The basic module feeds trays to a robotic system, and then a pick-and-place loading unit positions parts on the line. Trays are loaded, unloaded, and exchanged at an exchange rate of 2–6 seconds using carts or by means of a belt conveyor. The supplier can additionally provide trays shaped and sized to make the process as efficient as possible. sortimat Technology,
Winnenden, Germany.
With a modular product-assembly platform made up of processing stations controlled by specially designed onboard software modules, production lines can be configured and reprogrammed even while in operation. SmartPod stations can be changed over within 15 minutes. The pod-shaped platform can be supplied fully tooled to meet all the assembly requirements of a particular application, or, alternatively, the customer can take delivery of an untooled system configured to undertake a variety of assembly, test, packaging, and processing operations, including pick and place, laser cutting and drilling, ultrasonic welding, foil punching, liquid dispensing, and application and curing of adhesives. A single line can be up to 12 m long, with 1-m modules being added to the 4-m starter unit; each modular addition has four pallet positions on each side of the linear drive. The platform is rated for a Class 10,000 cleanroom and operates quietly. AGR Automation Ltd., Arbroath, Tayside, UK.
