The new applications combine the benefits of Universal Robots' cobots with the efficiency and safety of SICK sensors to enable the automation of any manufacturing process, where robots work alongside human workers, minimizing their intervention in repetitive, dangerous or physically demanding tasks, leaving the higher value-added tasks to the operators.
Application 1: Code Reading and Operator Protection. This application
uses two SICK sensors connected to a Universal Robots cobot for parts identification and placement, ideal for tasks such as pick-and-place, quality control, packaging, and other logistics processes. The SICK Lector63X sensor identifies products passing through a production line by reading their barcodes and informs the robot for subsequent sorting.
In these scenarios, the safety of the environment around the robot is more important than ever. Universal Robots' (UR) cobots incorporate 15 safety features, certified by TÜV-NORD, that allow for installation without the need for protective barriers. They ensure that in the event of accidental contact with a person or object in its path, the robot stops automatically.
Furthermore, the partnership between UR and SICK adds another layer of protection; the application also incorporates SICK's MicroScan sensor to detect the presence of a person and reduce the robot's operating speed when an operator approaches.
Application 2: Machine Vision for Part Recognition and Positioning. This application
utilizes the SICK PIM60 Inspector sensor, perfect for part position recognition tasks and ideal for a wide variety of production applications, from pick-and-place to quality control processes. The UR robot is able to recognize the position and orientation of parts thanks to the data sent by the SICK camera.
Through a plug-in developed by SICK and integrated within the Universal Robots+ developer platform, greater ease and less time are achieved in programming and commissioning.
