Collaborative robots, a versatile and flexible solution
The Qprint Osona company turned to itsme ELEKTRES with the idea of introducing a robot to their teams that would help to ease the loading process and adapt to the company’s characteristics
Collaborative robots, or cobots, are called this way because they are designed to work with people. They are characterised by their flexibility and allow small and medium-size companies to automate a lot of manual tasks. They easily adapt to any format, small batches, limited spaces, and they can be reallocated. The company Qprint Osona recognised their potential to improve their productivity and, despite not having previous experience, have been able to implement one in a very short time thanks to the help of itsme ELEKTRES.
itsme ELEKTRES, key in the decision
Most of Qprint Osona’s machinery is made up of a platen and a printing system. They had some loading systems to automatically place the supports on the platen, but these vibrated and not all machines allowed for it, meaning that in some cases it had to be done manually. This is how the need for a new tool arose. “We had always wanted to use robotics for automatic loading systems”, explains Jordi Soler, the company’s manager.
“We were already following developments in the sector but, because we had limited space, we needed a robot that didn’t require protection around it (such as surrounding barriers) and that was also lightweight”, says Soler. So when they found out about collaborative robots, known for their limited size and because they can share workspace with people, they thought this could be the solution. “At first we had some doubts, but they all disappeared when we saw the demonstration provided by itsme ELEKTRES”, comments Soler, highlighting “the treatment, advice and facilities that we were given to view the robot’s potential”.
“itsme ELEKTRES offered a demonstration at Qprint Osona so that they could see the performance of this collaborative robot and be sure that it was what they needed”
Collaborative robot with clamp and camera
The equipment chosen consists of a UR5e collaborative robot from Universal Robots (world leader in collaborative robotics) with a loading capacity of up to 5 kg, an adjustable Hand-e high-precision clamp by Robotiq and a camera that lets the robot conduct vision options.
Apart from top-quality components, Qprint Osona also wanted it to be easy to programme. “We wanted to do it ourselves despite not having previous experience”, Soler comments. That’s why itsme ELEKTRES gave them some basic tips and recommended a specialised course to them. “With this training, we can now programme the robot depending on specific requirements”, adds the company’s manager. Furthermore, he highlights the great response provided by itsme ELEKTRES whenever they’ve had any queries.
Satisfactory results
“So far we’ve tried out the robot on one of the machines, but given its good performance we can now see lots of other applications”, explains Soler. In fact, the robot can automate the loading of virtually any workpiece on to the platen. This means that the person who used to have to load and unload can spend more time with this final process which also includes quality control. “At present, we only have one but we’d like to have more”, adds Soler, highlighting “the versatility and flexibility of this robot”.
The tool that is attached to the robot can be changed, which provides a lot of possibilities. It is also easy to install and handle. That means that, in the event of a machine not working where it is installed for whatever reason, the robot can be installed on another. Furthermore, Soler has also emphasises that, thanks to this equipment, they have managed to increase loading speed by 30%.
“The UR5e is very easy to install and handle, as it can be started quickly, and moved according the company’s requirements”
“What has surprised us the most is how quickly we’ve been able to implement the machine; within a week of receiving the robot, it was in production and hasn’t given us any problems”, concludes the manager of Qprint Osona.
About Qprint
Qprint Osona is company that has been specialising in graphic art for over 30 years. They offer various services, and are well known for their screen printing and pad printing. Their main clients belong to the cosmetics and perfumery sector, which is why many of their tasks require great precision and delicacy in the decoration of containers of various shapes, sizes and materials. Their main concern is printing quality and they strive to achieve the best result for each piece.
Check out our other success stories:
-
TR Service - Future-proof low-voltage panelRead moreTR-Service provides industrial maintenance using all disciplines, from electrical and mechanical to hydraulic and pneumatic. With support from Breemes, the company installed a large low-voltage panel. ‘After discussing my summary plan with them, I decided to just do it,’ says director-owner Raoul Tielens. At Breemes' suggestion, the panel was future-proofed by preparing it for power monitoring.
-
Peeters - Young Company, New EquipmentRead moreSince its founding a few years ago, Peeters Robotic Solutions has been rapidly developing, working on projects both domestically and internationally and providing standard solutions for industrial palletizing. The company stays up to date with the latest technology, including Festo’s electrical and pneumatic drives. To achieve this, it relies on itsme. “Thanks to their expertise and skills, we can bring innovation to the forefront for our customers.”
-
Kusters - Putting weight behind itRead moreKusters was looking for a weighing solution for its banknote devaluation machines that was easy to integrate into the Siemens control system. Through itsme, they came into contact with the right knowledge carriers at Siemens. ‘For us as Kusters, itsme is not only a supplier but also a source of knowledge, with which we co-engineer certain components and process steps, such as this weighing system.’
-
Eneco - Green light for green electricity and steamRead moreEneco Bio Golden Raand, located in the port area of Delfzijl, converts biomass into green electricity and green steam. Each year, the plant processes approximately 300,000 tons of waste wood from the Netherlands and neighboring countries. As part of Eneco’s climate ambitions, a project began in 2022 to replace the existing fluorescent lighting in and around the boiler room. The project was carried out under the supervision of itsme. “Two factors were important in this process: the cost, of course, but also the level of service.”
Stay up to date with the latest news:
-
Festo - Save energy, increase productivityRead moreBecause pneumatics has a high power density, pneumatic components are widely used in machine lines. Smaller components are gaining popularity due to ease of use, energy savings and productivity gains.
-
Siemens - Scalable and Flexible Safety ConceptsRead moreSiemens offers a digital workflow that helps with every step of safe machine design. Through an integrated tool chain-from risk assessment and safety evaluation to hardware selection, engineering and validation-the process is streamlined and documentation efforts are minimised.
-
Schneider Electric - Modicon Edge I/O NTSRead moreModicon Edge I/O NTS, Schneider Electric’s latest IP20 distributed I/O system, is more than just an input/output system. It is designed to equip machine builders, system integrators, and industrial end-users with the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly data-driven digital world. The system's ability to aggregate and securely share data enables smarter decision-making and improved operational performance. With open Ethernet protocols for connectivity with a wide variety of devices and architectures, OPC UA technology for secure communication and interoperability, and built-in hardware cybersecurity, Modicon Edge I/O NTS helps ensure connectivity, performance, availability, and enhanced network security. Furthermore, the system complies with current cybersecurity regulations, enabling end-users to safely access and fully leverage their data — boosting industrial efficiency, flexibility, sustainability, and profitability.
-
Niedax - MTCRead moreThe Niedax MTC is a strong and stable click-on wire mesh tray available in various designs and shapes. Thanks to its unique integrated coupling system, the different sections can be quickly and easily clicked together.
Take a look at these promotions:
Why not take a look at these trainings we offer:
-
PROFINET CPNERead moreavailable in Dutch
-
PROFIBUS CPERead moreavailable in Dutch
-
WinCC-SCADA2Read moreavailable in Dutch
-
PCS7-SAFE V9Read moreavailable in Dutch