Efficient linear adjustment of gripper module in packaging system

Profile

• What was needed: drylin N low-profile guide systems, drylin R shaft guides, consisting of plain bearing liner and linear shafts, drylin W profile rail guides
• Requirements: An innovative solution was needed to move the individual grippers away from each other in the X and Y directions.
• Industry: Packaging technology
• Success for the customer: Two solutions were designed that proved to be suitable. They enable the realisation of the innovative idea and today lead to a significant increase in the efficiency of the system.

Problem

This gripper station is used in a packaging machine to transport the dishwasher capsules from the production trays to the packaging pallets. The module is assembled on a robot arm and is used to simultaneously pick up 48 capsules placed side by side on the tray in a 6 x 8 formation, move them over preset distances in the X and Y directions during transport and then place them in a box. Similar solutions can also be used in the food and pharmaceutical industries, for example.
The task was unusual and required an exceptionally innovative solution, as previously available solutions were only able to move apart products lined up in a row. However, the implementation of the project was important as it would lead to a significant increase in the efficiency of the outsourcing process. The design engineers therefore set out to find suitable components that could perform the task reliably.

Solution

In order to find the best possible solution to this problem, two versions with different plain bearing components were designed:
in version 1, the 48 suction tips were each guided by two drylin N carriages in a cross formation. These carriages run in drylin N guide rails (NK-02-17).
In the second test design, they were replaced by drylin slide bearings (JUM-02-10) and drylin R linear shafts (AWMP-10).
Both versions deliver results of equal quality. The AWMP-10 shafts are freely supported at their ends and have a higher rigidity. In both versions, the system with drylin slide bearings (JUM-01-12) and drylin R linear shafts (AWMP-12) guides the rows of suction nozzles in a 6 x 8 formation. Both module types were assembled on the robot arm using a quick-clamping system based on drylin W housing bearings (WJ200UM-01-20-AL) bearing blocks and drylin W double guide rails (WS-20-80).