Simply automate

The path to vacuum automation begins with a plan. Only those who design a system properly, know the service life of the products used and take wear into account will ultimately speed up the start of operations and avoid dissatisfied customers. To mitigate this risk for end customers and integrators, many robot, gripper and component manufacturers have taken the path of developing predefined solutions with a higher level of integration for specific applications.

Online configurators accelerate the realization and support the simulation of the entire process by providing CAD data for the digital twin. With the new PXT configurator, users create their own individual gripper, which they can also later expand and adapt to new situations and combine with the MATCH end-of-arm ecosystem. Schmalz has anchored a lot of know-how in the tool, which in the end facilitates the compilation and dimensioning of the load handling device.

Once all the components are in place, usability comes into play: the easier it is to set up the individual systems, the lower the probability of errors. At the same time, automation is implemented more quickly. The Schmalz Connect Suite simplifies and accelerates the implementation of both intelligent Schmalz products and IO-Link components from various manufacturers. In addition to start of operations, the plug-and-work capable system also supports monitoring, maintenance and error analysis via the web browser.

The "Schmalz ControlRoom" app is designed for a quick overview, direct parameterization and service topics such as spare parts procurement. The idea behind it: Everyone uses smartphones. Schmalz therefore equips its intelligent components with an NFC interface (Near Field Communication). If the system operator holds his mobile device up to the vacuum ejector, switch or gripper, he can record and evaluate data from the process or easily transfer parameter settings to a replacement device.

In order to be able to automate economically in a volatile environment such as we are currently experiencing, the systems must be adaptable. What plant operators need for this are adaptable and expandable components: Flexible gripper concepts can then also take on additional tasks at a later date. Possible Schmalz solutions here are the PXT modular system or the multifunctional end-of-arm platform for robots MATCH, which the end customer can adapt to his new requirements even without an integrator.

In addition to flexible hardware, software that is adaptable is also needed. One possible solution comes from Glatten: Schmalz has developed the vision operating system ivOS especially for reaching into the box - an open operating system that simply connects and controls robots, sensors, pick software and grippers, regardless of the manufacturer. The individual modules can be ideally combined to cover a very wide range of applications while the operating system remains the same. It is even possible to subsequently replace individual modules such as the grippers or the picking software. Here, for the first time, Schmalz brings artificial intelligence into the process, for example to achieve the appropriate gripping strategy for the detected objects.

A regular look into the flowing data stream ensures stable processes in the long term. Integrators and plant operators must therefore implement mechanisms for monitoring, troubleshooting and updating the systems. Weak points and wear and tear must be detected at an early stage so that they can be remedied in a plannable manner. In addition, energy wasters such as porous seals can be quickly uncovered. This requires systems such as the Schmalz Connect Suite, which enable predictive maintenance: communicative vacuum components that record operating data and transmit it directly to the control system, the cloud or a smartphone via IO-Link, Ethernet or NFC.

So what paves the way to automation with vacuum? Selection aids and easy-to-use engineering tools for planning, solution kits for rapid integration and vacuum know-how - integrators and plant operators can find all this from the vacuum specialist.