Cobot Feeder Elevates Cobot Productivity
Applied Cobotics has taken another innovative step forward with the introduction of the
Cobot Feeder. This brings another piece of the automation tool to our collaborative robot system, offering more production power, flexibility, and ease-of-use. This is especially important to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are looking to incrementally increase their automation.
Within the factory of the future program at Applied Cobotics, we have readily embraced the cobot nation. Initially, as we were implementing this new technology, we found that one tray of parts did not take advantage of the cobot’s full potential. We quickly realized that we needed some type of lift automation, combined with a storage and retrieval component, that would assist the cobot for much longer unattended production runs.
The solution: We designed and built the Cobot Feeder to enhance any robot's productivity, run a higher mix of parts, and ultimately recoup a greater return on investment.
Collaborative technology for more production power
The Cobot Feeder assists most cobots and other robotic applications by providing a continuous arsenal of machinable parts over a much longer time frame. It does this by consistently loading and unloading dunnage trays onto the robot accessible work area, eliminating the need to manually replace each one. The resulting boost in cobot production is 10- to 20-times that of standard means.
The Cobot Feeder from Applied Cobotics features a vertical lead screw-driven shelf, and a horizontal tray loader/unloader. In addition, tray rack towers engineered for the Cobot Feeder offer open-spaced shelving that accommodate various part sizes up to 18-inches in height. The rack towers are also capable of holding up to 17 trays. Customized dunnage parts trays can be acquired either through our 3D printing and thermoforming capabilities. For DIY customers, purchase one of our 3D Platform or BCN3D printers and create your own custom trays!
The Cobot Feeder works by assisting a robot in longer parts runs. Without the Cobot Feeder, a robot will stop running as soon as it finishes that one tray of parts. With the Cobot Feeder in place, the robot system is capable of unmanned, continuous production. As the cobot finishes each set of parts on the tray, the tray loader slides the finished parts tray to its predetermined position, and then pulls the next one onto the shelf. Once the tray is pulled into position, the cobot is alerted and automatically resumes its project tasks. Depending on the parts, a project can operate unaided overnight, making each one a potential lights-out automation run. Built-in motor encoders provide highly accurate motion, maintaining the tight tolerances that cobots require.
All together, these features provide reliable and safe load-handling for any part type or size. The Cobot Feeder can easily be implemented to automate most CNC lathes, Mills, and many other types of robotic-aided manufacturing for long-running, unattended operation.
Cobot Feeder is offered as a package deal with an attached cobot, or as a single component.
Tray loader provides smooth and reliable loading of parts trays.
Vertical shelf feature moves in sync with the multi-tray rack.
Mounting feature provides an option for attaching robots.
Tray rack feature offers longer part runs for robots.
Flexibility in Automation
As customers begin to request more custom components, shorter part runs, and cheaper costs, there is an increasing demand for flexibility on the shop floor. The Cobot Feeder from Applied Cobotics, in tandem with many types of robots, provides project managers and operators that flexibility. While Applied Cobotics offers the Cobot Feeder and cobot as a package deal, the Cobot Feeder can be purchased on its own, providing an essential asset to existing automation systems. It offers its own adaptive features such as:
- Compatibility with any cobot/robot with I/O ports
- Compatibility with any cobot-suited application
- Multiple parts programming options within one job run
- Production of an entire cart of trays in conjunction with robots
- Pallet jack accessible design for portability
- Mobile tray rack that can be moved from station-to-station and locks easily into place
ASRS Specifications
- Overall dimensions: 55″ x 41″ x 76″
- Weight: ~1200 lb
- Power required: 220V Single Phase
- Standard aluminum or stainless trays
- Tray dimensions: 18″ x 26″
- Tray tower capacity: 17 Trays
- Tray load capacity: 150 lb
Easy to Use and Install!
The Cobot Feeder from Applied Cobotics is easy to use, and does not require any extensive programming knowledge. For CNC milling machines, our experience has proven that the time investment is less than one day to fully implement the cobot and feeder package. Other ease-of-use features include:
- HMI touch screen display for easy control
- Software Interface that can be programmed in a few simple steps
- Removable cart for station-to-station mobility
- Optional camera and monitor screen allows operators convenient production viewing
In addition, the safety characteristics of cobots has been applied to the Cobot Feeder. If a human worker or any object gets too close the Cobot Feeder, a floor sensor will alert the Cobot Feeder to pause its motion until the area is clear again. Use any of the links below to find out how Applied Cobotics is making automation easy for SMEs!
Programming interfaces for ASRS and Cobot.
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