Get it Done with Robotic Wheel Palletizing and Packaging

FANUC America’s Authorized System Integrator Hyperion Automation recently provided a wheel manufacturer a multi-faceted automation solution to help them overcome a variety of complex palletizing and packaging challenges.
The cell’s design maximizes manufacturing floor space and enables operators, fork trucks, materials and machinery (in particular the FANUC R-2000iC/165F robots and conveyors) to work together to handle all sizes and dunnage of wheels and pallets without interruption.
Conveyors take newly finished wheels from the production lines to the packaging cell, feeding wheels into a palletizing line. As wheels pass through the initial conveyor, a 3D Vision system scans the wheels to verify size, type and location of each divider, ensuring consistency and correct packaging materials. A second vision system guides the robots, identifying divider types as they convey into the cell. The vision system then scans the entire pallet to verify the correct dunnage type for the wheels being loaded. Vision also captures positional data on X, Y, Z and angular offsets to successfully pick and place the wheels - all while preventing incorrect dividers or bases from getting mixed in.
To prevent scratches and other damage, a polyfoam sheet is placed between the rows of wheels. The new system includes a polyfoam sheeter that automatically cuts the material to length on-demand vs. the previous method that required pre-cut sheets and a person to place them between the rows. The new automated “on-demand” method helps the company save costs and reduce labor requirements.
In the final step of the process, the pallet is conveyed out of the cell and into an automated bander system. Previously, the banding machine required an operator to line up the pallet and then push a button to band it, but the new fully automated machine now completes the work.
In this system, the robots are used to gently pick and move wheels of every size and weight, helping the customer save on labor in an already tight labor market, and eliminate the physical strain of lifting wheels.
Are you looking for a solution to solve your production challenge? Contact Hyperion Automation to discuss your unique automation needs today!