Food-related production
Special-purpose machine for assembling candy dispensers
Assembly designed for a cycle time of 2.5 seconds per part, with in-machine spring making and ROBOMIND AI camera inspection. The spring-making modules can be undocked, supporting continued production while raw material is replenished.
Task and implementation
The assembly of dispenser units had to be designed for a cycle time of 2.5 seconds per part. The task also required integrating a dedicated spring-making technology and a machine design suited to food-related use.
We investigated the critical operations in preliminary tests. The machine comprises two rotary indexing tables, two robots and three spring-making modules, each driven by four Siemens servo motors. While raw material is replenished in an undocked module, the machine can continue producing with a moderate increase in cycle time. Quality inspection is supported by our own ROBOMIND AI camera system. Product-contact parts were designed with appropriate surface treatment and with components suited to the application.
Replenishment without stopping the entire machine
The machine produces the springs itself, in three separate modules. When one module is undocked, the others can keep working: raw material replenishment can therefore mean a moderate increase in cycle time instead of a complete stop. This design also determines in-shift material supply and machine tending. The 2.5 seconds per part is the design requirement, not a published measurement from production operation.
Technology
- Siemens PLC
- Standard and mobile HMI
- WEISS rotary indexing tables
- AFAG vibratory bowl feeders
- Two KUKA robot arms
- In-house developed ROBOMIND AI camera inspection
- Surface treatment and components for food applications on product-contact parts
How a machine like this is built
From concept through FAT to final handover, every step happens in-house.
The full processRelated references
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