Cosmetics, pharma & food: SME robot solutions

The pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food sectors have many things in common: they often have numerous recurring items that are produced or packaged in different containers. In smaller companies in particular, the batch size also tends to be low. Hygiene must be taken into account during handling. The articles usually weigh less than 1 kg individually (hardly anything in the case of pharmaceuticals), and probably less than 5 kg at the most. This has the advantage that particularly compact robots can often be used, which again reduces costs. For production and packaging, auxiliary workers are often hired, who are increasingly difficult to obtain. Staff turnover is increasing while cost pressure is rising. In the past, there were hardly any opportunities to automate the processes (further). In recent years, however, a new generation of robots has become established, the so-called cobots, which pay for themselves quickly, can be used flexibly and, above all, can work together with humans. Of course, safety regulations still have to be observed here, but the relevant articles are quite harmless, unlike in the case of a sheet metal processor.

Start modestly

Even if everything sounds simple at first, you should always be warned against trying to create the "egg-laying pillow" right away. This would massively increase complexity and, above all, costs. The automation of the operation should take place successively, one step after the other. This also has the advantage that normal fluctuation can be used and no severance payments have to be made. Finally, it is also a matter of building up one's own robotics know-how, which is quite possible. After all, almost every company in the industries mentioned has someone who looks after the existing machines (or an electrician who comes on call). This person can also take care of the robotics - although once it's set up, it doesn't require any maintenance. There are no oil changes, etc., with the cobots. According to the manufacturer, the running times are at least 20,000 hours. Already at this point, it should be noted that the author offers "stocktaking": Visit of the enterprise, pointing out which is possible and above all meaningful, amortization calculations, concrete recommendations in report form - everything nationally promoted. Therefore, incl. travel, a fixed price of 1,750 €, in Eastern Germany (ex Leipzig, Berlin) as well as Greater Trier and Lüneburg for 800 € is possible.

Sample videos

The following videos are intended to show that there are very different areas of application: Filling, portioning, packaging, sorting, palletizing. When it comes to grippers (i.e. the hands with which a robot "grabs"), anything is possible today. Be it suction cups (today even dusty items can be handled) or "fingers", "sliders", etc..

As an introduction to what is possible, a video with numerous different types of robots and applications. It also includes solutions for large companies, less relevant here:

This video is a bit misleading at first, because the cobot is not at the end of the line. But of course this would be easily doable:

Four Tetra Paks are foiled together by means of a robot:

In this video, 10 bundles are packed into the carton at once and all cartons are stacked afterwards as well. (Why the man glues the boxes is not clear to me).

Food safe and high speed are no problem:

This video shows that even an operation that is not up to date (cf. Windows screens on the left) can automate:

Just to show what is theoretically possible, a "classic": Here the sex of the unborn chick is determined. Sadly for some, this is so easily possible. Of course, the important thing is to handle with care.

Conclusion:

Everything is possible. As can be seen, smaller quantities can be mapped as well as short cycle times. Robots mounted on a trolley can also be used differently in the company. I.e. one task in the morning, the other in the afternoon. The costs of an acquisition are divided between the robot incl. accessories, the programming (for simple jobs also possible by yourself - depending on the robot) and the documentation of the work safety. The running costs of a robot are marginal - also its power consumption. There is wear and tear on suction pads.

The photo at the very top was taken from this website. It shows that quality control would also be possible.

Are we networking? LinkedIn
-> Go to the Cobot group on LinkedIn (link). The author is also a consultant (robotics, tech & finance). Hardly anyone should have a comparable market and solution overview. Thanks to state subsidies, SMEs have the opportunity of a company visit with concrete recommendations etc. at a flat rate of 1,750 € ("special areas" 800 €) incl. travel.