Task -
Customer had an existing packaging line. Some of the stations were automated and some manual. The requirement
was to automate the inserting of an instruction sheet into a blister pack at a rate of 1,800 parts per hour.
Customer had an existing packaging line. Some of the stations were automated and some manual. The requirement
was to automate the inserting of an instruction sheet into a blister pack at a rate of 1,800 parts per hour.
Packaging Machine
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Solution -
The station consisted of (2) two modules. A carousel style part stocker and a “pick & place” unit to transfer the
sheet from the output stage of the stocker to the inbound conveyor. A pick & place unit is used to transfer the
sheet from the pick-up position and insert it into the bottom blister.
Stocker
The stocker consisted of a floor mounted base to which is attached a rotary (6) six station carousel. Each of the
stations held (300) parts giving a total of (1800) parts. The carousel is belt driven by an electric motor/reduction
gearbox system. Positioning is accomplished proximity sensor and flags.
The parts are driven up to the transfer slide by an air cylinder vertically mounted below the active cartridge. The
transfer cylinder moves a blade at the top of the cartridge and ejects one sheet and places it in the pick-up
position. When all the sheets have been taken from the current station the force cylinder returns to the down
position, the carousel indexes to the next position. The loading cycle continues. The empty stocker stations can be
re-loaded during machine operation. An “index” inhibit switch is provided for safety while the operator loads the
empty stations. Sensors, for feed back to the control PLC verify all critical sequence positions. This greatly increases
the reliability of the automatic sequence.
Pick & Place Unit.
This unit is mounted to the stocker base. It consists of a horizontal air operated slide unit. To this a vertically
oriented air operated cylinder/vacuum gripper is mounted. An air driven “venturi” type generator provides the
vacuum. An automatic blow off is also provided to assure part separation at the unload position. Sensors verify all
sequence positions.
The station consisted of (2) two modules. A carousel style part stocker and a “pick & place” unit to transfer the
sheet from the output stage of the stocker to the inbound conveyor. A pick & place unit is used to transfer the
sheet from the pick-up position and insert it into the bottom blister.
Stocker
The stocker consisted of a floor mounted base to which is attached a rotary (6) six station carousel. Each of the
stations held (300) parts giving a total of (1800) parts. The carousel is belt driven by an electric motor/reduction
gearbox system. Positioning is accomplished proximity sensor and flags.
The parts are driven up to the transfer slide by an air cylinder vertically mounted below the active cartridge. The
transfer cylinder moves a blade at the top of the cartridge and ejects one sheet and places it in the pick-up
position. When all the sheets have been taken from the current station the force cylinder returns to the down
position, the carousel indexes to the next position. The loading cycle continues. The empty stocker stations can be
re-loaded during machine operation. An “index” inhibit switch is provided for safety while the operator loads the
empty stations. Sensors, for feed back to the control PLC verify all critical sequence positions. This greatly increases
the reliability of the automatic sequence.
Pick & Place Unit.
This unit is mounted to the stocker base. It consists of a horizontal air operated slide unit. To this a vertically
oriented air operated cylinder/vacuum gripper is mounted. An air driven “venturi” type generator provides the
vacuum. An automatic blow off is also provided to assure part separation at the unload position. Sensors verify all
sequence positions.
Innovative
SYN-APS Corporation
Solutions
