Low cost "pick and place" application for environmentally friendly packaging

About the application:

The company rezemo GmbH develops and produces innovative and environmentally friendly packaging solutions as an alternative to fossil plastics and aluminium, especially in the area of disposable packaging.
To produce the new coffee capsules of wood, a drylin 2-axis line robot is used together with a D1 dryve control system. The automated production system helps us equip up to 43 coffee capsules per minute with an exterior circumferential seal of natural rubber. The line robot with vacuum gripper takes the capsules out of the dosing process and stacks them on a clocked conveyor belt, which then moves the stacked capsules through a drying tunnel. Thanks to the demonstrated long service life of the igus components in use, the production system now operates smoothly after several million cycles.

The problem

In particular for start-ups with a relatively tight budget, automation solutions are often too expensive; also, their design and realisation are complex. 
To develop the automated production system, the costs were a central aspect for the start-up. It was important to build a reliable system with as little outlay as possible. Furthermore, the automated handling solution had to approach several fixed points as quickly and precisely as possible, showing a high repeatability.
A further important requirement the automation solution had to fulfil was the integration into the Python-based control system used so far. Last but not least, the installed components should be in line with the company concept and be environmentally friendly.

The solution:

The drylin line robot in combination with the dryve D1 motor control fulfils all criteria for a reliable and cost-effective automation solution. Thanks to the intensive support of the igus low cost automation team, the control system could be integrated into the previous concept with a Raspberry Pi, without having to purchase an additional, higher-level control system for the plant. Another highlight is the lubrication-free bearing of the handling system. For environmentally friendly food packaging, it is crucial that no operating materials contact and contaminate the coffee capsules.

The Low Cost Automation allows us as a start-up, to make the necessary investment in the corresponding production system little by little, gradually increasing our production capacity", says Julian Reitze, rezemo GmbH.