22 MACHINERY UPDATE MARCH/APRIL 2022 www.machineryupdate.co.uk
New Machinery
Robotic cell benefits from integrated network safety S
ick’s network safety has been successfully integrated into a new range of robotic flexible manufacturing cells developed by Mills CNC, enabling maximum productivity and compliant safety with a high degree of interaction between human and robot. Mills CNC’s new SYNERGi Premier flexible robot cells have a two-way loading/ unloading station with five automated drawers. Even at this increased level of automation, human interaction with the Fanuc robot is needed to feed the machine. Working outside the cell, operators load up workpieces and remove machined components through the two-way drawers. At the heart of the safety concept is the EFI Pro network technology that supports direct integration of the Sick sensors and the robot controls via Ethernet/IP CIP Safety up to SIL3/Ple. The system enables direct data transfer
Spiroflow’s CTE filler is patented
Bulk bag filler can provide excellent returns for foods
Mills CNC took part in the Southern Manufacturing exhibition in February
to the safety control of the robot over one Ethernet cable with no hard wiring. Each of the drawers is fitted with a TR110 safety interlock with guard locking, which interacts directly with the Fanuc Dual Check Safety control architecture of the robot cell system via CIP Safety. A Sick microScan3 safety laser scanner is positioned at the foot of the robot to allow safe access for setters into the machine cell.
Sick says implementing safety was critical to bringing the SYNERGi cells to market. Less sophisticated systems would have required a complete shutdown whenever the robot and operator inhabited the same space, requiring a reset and restart. They would have also required complex wiring that could have been difficult, if not impossible, to achieve. W www.millscnc.co.uk W www.sick.co.uk
Spiroflow’s Cone Table Elite (CTE), a patented high speed bulk bag filler solution that delivers densification of 10-20% more product fill per bag, is providing excellent returns on investment. Aimed at both confectionery manufacturers and ingredient producers alike, the technology injects vibration energy directly into the bag, densifying and dispersing material to increase weight per filled bag to deliver bag stability and bulk bag filling throughput. By using the filler, more weight can be shipped on each container resulting in as much as a 20% reduction in shipping costs for producers, the equivalent of four bulk bags per container saved. Total bag usage savings are also recorded. T 01200 422525 W www.spiroflow.com
