Integrating your robot into a fully automated chain

Industrial robots today are cheaper, more flexible and easier to program than those of a few years ago. This allows more companies to consider robots, but how do you achieve optimal integration into your supply chain? There are several options, with the decision often depending on factors such as your specific application and budget.

For many tasks, traditional electric and pneumatic motion systems are easier to implement and less expensive. In this scenario, it is possible to optimally combine systems to perform serial operations, such as transporting workpieces and opening trays. 

Maximize creativity

The SMC team provides full support for this activity. Close cooperation maximizes creativity and in many cases leads to truly unique solutions. We supply everything from cylinders, valves, filter/separator/dryer systems, vacuum injectors, speed controllers, couplings, rotary joints and hoses, through serial communication systems, wireless valve systems and sensors, to card motors, end-of-arm tools (EOAT) and EOAT changeover systems. EOAT tooling includes pneumatic, electric, magnetic and non-contact grippers, as well as vacuum suction cups.

In all cases, we adapt our solutions to your specific requirements and optimize common applications, such as pick & place, packaging and palletizing, as well as tasks for vehicle production such as welding and painting.

Move forward

There is, of course, another way to improve your robot's integration. Make it move! It is estimated that about 10% of manufacturing plants use motion systems for their articulated arm robots. First, this makes the robot's working range much greater, allowing it to perform various tasks, such as picking up workpieces from a bin or from a conveyor belt, loading them into a machine's workbox, removing them once the operation is complete, taking the part to the next machine or workstation, etc. 

We offer full support for synchronizing the robot and the fully integrated motion system. For example, an electric actuator (EA) can extend the working range of your robot when it operates a CNC machine tool or storage system. Simply put, the robot controls the movement of the EA with digital inputs and outputs, in this case from material feed point to CNC machine and material delivery point. The component list is therefore short: robot and EA with 24 VDC digital I/O controller. Of course, this solution is also possible with a fieldbus system, such as PROFINET.

Whether providing a motion system for your robot or optimizing your processing capabilities gripping or vacuum, SMC can integrate your robot into a fully automated chain. Like your robot, all you have to do is reach out.