KEY INSIGHTS FROM TAKS TO RESULTS

Task

In-store bakeries are popular all around the world, but how is it possible to take productivity to the next level without compromising the integrity of baked products or worker safety?

Solution

A collaborative robot (cobot) 3D vision system and additively manufactured grippers to help automate in-store bakery operations. System integrator ASA Automation, with collaboration of a 3D-printing specialist, developed the solution for a market leader in ovens and associated in-store bakery solutions.

Result

With the cobot-based system, in-store bakeries can elevate their productivity in a safe and reliable way. A case in point sees the system pick randomly positioned baguettes from a crate and position them neatly and evenly on baking trays. After baking, the cobot also transfers the baguettes to customer-facing racks ready for purchase.

Turning to system integrator ASA Automation, which in turn engaged support from an additive manufacturing specialist (for the grippers), the project team took shape. Headquartered in Germany, This company began building ovens 50 years ago. Since the late 1990s, the company has specialized in the design and manufacture of innovative in-store ovens that produce high-quality baked goods in a compact dimensional envelope, becoming the market leader in this segment.

Innovation is at the Heart of this Companys Solutions

In recent years, the company has been pushing an agenda of greater automation, which not only brings competitive differentiation, but delivers significant value to customers seeking higher productivity.

Turning to system integrator ASA Automation, which in turn engaged support from additive manufacturing specialist LMD (for the grippers), the project team took shape.

Cobots are ideally suited to bakery applications as they meet the sector’s demanding requirements. In this case, a 6-axis cobot offering 10 kg load capacity works without guards in close co-operation with human workers. An intelligent vision system and cobot to detect randomly positioned baked goods in a crate and pick them up. The system transmits information digitally to the cobot control. Using a product-specific, 3D-printed gripper, the cobot carefully picks up goods and fills the tray provided in the correct number, spacing each item accordingly to ensure even baking. The gripper gently but securely grips each baked product without compromising product integrity, a vital prerequisite for in-store bakeries. An auto-change gripper system facilitates system flexibility to suit different products.

The automated system provides an effective way to increase productivity and reduce costs in repetitive product handling applications.

“Here, we have an automated solution for the handling of baked goods, where we see the cobot as a helping hand,”  “The 6 axis cobot is ideal for these types of applications, especially for bakeries.”

Without any protective devices or danger to the employee (in accordance with ISO 10218-1 safety standards), human and cobot work ‘hand-in-hand’.