Videos

VISIONPICK HANDLING

Somex Automation have developed The “VisionPick” standard platform for providing Machine Vision Guiding of Pick & Place equipment. The technique can be used for picking components from loose, bulk condition so that the component is individually precisely located for the subsequent placement into a process or location. The application can be used for assembly processes, packaging processes and automated inspection.

 

This technique is far superior to conventional techniques such as vibratory bowl feeding as it more gentle on the component, less noisy, less particulate generation & more flexible.

Double Deck Combi Laminator

Laminate multiple catheter shafts simultaneously.

 

  • Automated Core Wire Stretching post-lamination to facilitate easy removal of Core Wire
  • Catheter Shaft tooling automatically moves towards the operator to provide for easy and ergonomic product loading and unloading
  • Double deck format of upper and lower stations which alternate to allow the operator to load & unload one set of product while the other set is being processed.
  • CE compliant safety with automated safety doors.
  • Processing parameters fully controlled and stored in recipe format with barcode scanner for recipe selection.

New Generation Bar Pouch Sealer (Model#: BPS-010)

The New Generation Bar Pouch Sealer (Model#: BPS-010) is a compact tabletop Bar Sealer, PLC controlled and interfaced with a label printer to control (poka-yoke) your pouch labelling and sealing process. It incorporates the new upgraded control system. The upgraded design Bar Pouch Sealer Machine is designed using state of the art technology.

  • Accurate digital control of temperature, pressure and time.
  • Includes an Allen Bradley PLC programmed with standard functions for Barcode & printer integration functionality to poka-yoke the sequence of the sealing and printing process to mitigate against the occurrence of un-labelled and un-sealed pouches leaving the sealing station.
  • Touch screen Allen Bradley 7” HMI. Key features include:
    • Recipe based product/parameter selection through barcode scanner or from HMI.
    • Display/monitoring of the process parameters, (temperature, pressure & time) and process alarm messages.
    • Calibration screen to simplify the calibration process.
    • 450 mm sealer bar with 10mm seal width. Other widths can available upon request.
    • Sealer tooling defines the sealing position of the pouch and verifies the correct pouch size for the UPN.
  • CE Compliant.

Bulk Powder Pack-off

Automation of liner un-cuffing, tying and stowage. Bulk pharmaceutical is packed in a fibreboard drum which has a plastic liner pre inserted.


Prior to automation:
The Drum conveying, liner insertion and drum filling was automated. The full drum was then conveyed to an operator station. The operator un cuffed the liner from about the drum, the liner was then gathered and a neck created, a plastic tying strap was then applied. Problem- the pharmaceutical product was exposed to potential contamination by the operator e.g. from items that may fall from the operators pockets. Also the operator was exposed to repetitive strain injury.


Criteria:
Cycle time 35 seconds, operating environment explosive. Many solutions proposed twisting the drum or the liner to create a neck; however this trapped air in the top of the liner.


Somex Automation unique solution can be broken down into 3 operations:-

  1. Uncuffing and holding the liner:
    The drum was conveyed to a stopping position within the machine. The un cuffing mechanism which incorporates extraction moves from overhead down over the filled drum. The leading edge of the un cuffer is a flexible shroud which on the downward movement straightens the liner about the outside of the drum. The un cuffer then retracts Taking the liner with it and stretching it above the drum. Extraction assists with the presentation of the liner.
  2. Necking:
    An upper and lower set of V slides advance from left and right. The Vs intersect to gather and restrict the liner into 50mm diameter. Sequencing of the slides excludes air build up within the liner. The upper and lower V slides currently in close proximity separate, upper set moving up and lower set moving down to present an elongated neck for the tying mechanism.
  3. Tying:
    Tying is be means of a conventional strap and closure tying system from Hellermann Tyton. The tying gun is fitted to a linear slide which advances and securely ties the elongated neck. A linear actuator then stows the tied neck beneath the drum rim.

Automotive component Press

In this example an Assembly Press giving inconsistent results and poor quality was re-engineered to produce repeatable high quality results after each operation. The press is used to fit light pipes to buttons for use in the automotive industry. There is a tight fit beteween mating parts and a flush fit is critical. Eight sets are assembled during one operation.

 

The problem with the existing press was 1 centrally located heavy duty pneumatic cylinder which produced uneven results. Some assemblies were damaged from over pressing and others were not completely pressed together.

 

Somex Automation re-design included 8 suitably rated cylinders, one for each assembly this facilitated individual adjustment for each nest. The operator places the 16 parts, 8 light pipes and 8 Buttons in the nests and then pushes the platen to the home position A sensor then activates the press, The device is designed and build to comply with the CE requirements.

Catheter Shaft Roller

This Bench Top Rotary Catheter Shaft Cutter is designed for cutting Tungsten wire or braided embedded catheter shafts.

 

  • Precision rotary clean cut without contacting the support mandrel.
  • Precise control of the product and cut location.
    Long Blade life.
  • CE compliant safety with robust interlocked safety door.
  • Processing parameters fully controlled and stored in recipe format on HMI.

Removal & Insertion Machine

  • Automated removal of Build Mandrel from Catheter shaft
  • Automated insertion of lesser diameter mandrel to prepare Catheter Shaft for next process.
  • Vertical orientation of product to minimize footprint
  • Product Tooling is customized to suit the customer requirements.
  • Multiple station format with Alternating function to optimize efficiency.
  • CE compliant safety with robust interlocked safety door.
  • Processing parameters fully controlled and stored in recipe format with barcode scanner for recipe selection.

Pouch packing and counting

The customer manufactures a patch, which is injected with a controlled drug, which is then placed in a pouch. The pouches are packed 1000 to a box. Because it is controlled drug there can be no error in counting. The existing system proved to be unreliable producing frequent mis counts and required manual recounting and checking of all product.

Somex Automation were requested to submit a design proposal for a new packing machine that would eliminate counting errors and handle rejects all at a cycle time of 0.7 seconds per pouch. Pouches were produced in 2 sizes 75mm x 100mm & 100mm x 125mm.

A reliable sensor for counting each pouch was easily sourced, however product handling and control was fundamental to a satisfactory solution. Working closely with the customer we proposed the use of servo driven conveyer belts capable of giving rapid acceleration and de acceleration. Prior to passing under a counting sensor the pouches passed through a thickness sensor and reject mechanism to ensure 2 pouches were not lying on top of each other.

 

After counting, the pouches are passed to a slower running belt, which overlapped the pouches, a process called shingling. After shingling 50 pouches the belt is accelerated forward to create a gap between the next count of 50. In the event of a mis count it is now possible to reject 50 rather than 1000 as previously.

 

For packing, the boxes increment as the pouches are inserted, 20 batches of 50 are packed prior to a box indexing. The box loading station is equipped with vibration and side clamps to assist with settling the pouches.

 

Change between product sizes is designed to be fast and efficient. Primarily using fixed hard stops the changeover by the operator is complete in 10 minutes. Installed early 2007, there has been no recorded incidence of a miscount.

Hydostatic Burst Test

The Somex Automation MedTech/Pharma High Pressure Hydrostatic Burst Tester is a standalone unit using the hydrostatic principle, capable of generating test pressures in excess of 70 bar and burst testing a wide range of Product.


Versions with air or other gas pressure instead of water can be provided also.


Single or Multi-station configurations are available.

The unit has a PLC/HMI based control and a Recipe Parameter storage system for pressure test program operation & result storage. Test results can be displayed on HMI screen.


Validation documentation can be provided or supported in collaboration with the customer.

Fully CE Certified.

Station Laminator

  • Lamination of short sections of catheter shaft with precise location and control of product.
  • Product lamination length is customized to suit the customer requirements.
  • Product tooling is customized to suit the customer requirements.
  • Additional functions such as automated product stretching or tensioning can be included as required.
  • Operator is protected from accidental contact with the hot laminator nozzle by automated shutter.
  • CE compliant safety with robust interlocked safety door.
  • Processing parameters fully controlled and stored in recipe format with barcode scanner for recipe selection.

Surface scanning and Laser Deposition

Integration of multiple systems in complete Cell for Metal Deposition on highly targeted & specific regions of Metal component.

 

  • Metal Component processing.
  • Additive Machining principle.
  • 3D Laser scanner builds CAD model of substrate actual surface.
  • CAM software generates Path for Laser Metal Deposition head using data from 3D Scanner.
  • Metal Deposition Head follows path, integrated with 6 Axis Robot handling of component.
  • Complete Cell includes 6 axis Robot Handler, Multiple product magazines, Safety systems, Metal powder feed systems, Laser system control.

Fine Wire Insert & Cut Machine

Bench Top Fine Wire Insert & Cut Machine for spool feeding and cutting fine diameter wire (0.003”) into fine diameter tubes in catheter assembly. 

 

  • Bespoke tooling to suit fine Nitinol wire and other materials.
  • Precision guiding and control of the feed length of the wire.
  • Cutting system giving an atraumatic tip on the wire.
  • CE compliant safety with robust safety guarding. 
  • Processing parameters fully controlled and stored in recipe format with barcode scanner for recipe selection from HMI. 

Hot-Flo Heat Box (Model HFU-001)

The Somex Automation Hot-Flo Heat Box is compact bench top unit. It comes in two configurations: Standard and Umbilical.

 

The Hot-Flo offers the following features:

  • Accurate Digital Air Flow Controller with adjustment for precise air delivery to the nozzle for greater product build repeatability.
  • Ready lamp to indicate the temperature & Air Flow are within set limits.
  • Options for adding enhanced level of control & monitoring of process parameters by external systems.
  • High accuracy temperature control.
  • CE Marked.
  • Available in Fixed Nozzle configuration and Umbilical Nozzle configuration with remote Control-enclosure.
  • Variety of Heater designs options (see over leaf) with adjustable V-Groove Tooling to aid the Product Builder locating product in the nozzle for repeatable results.
  • Foot Operated Cooling Air Blow Nozzle.

Solvent Application

  • Precision application of liquid solvent, adhesive or lubricant to tubing prior to insertion into another component.
  • The process developed by Somex Automation can be integrated into an assembly system to perform the task accurately, repeatably & at high speed.
  • The process uses Nordson EFD Pico dispensers to provide accurate, easily controlled, non contact jetting of the media as shown.
  • The solution includes optical sensing technology to verify that the media has been dispensed.
  • Dispense quantities can be in the order of nano-litres.
  • The application process shown completes internal & external surface wetting in 0.1 seconds.
  • The equipment shown is supplied complete with programmable control panel ready for integration into a larger system.
  • Somex Automation can provide full turnkey solutions based around this technology too.