Hawk MF: Robotic Station for Packaging Pet Tags

The pet industry is growing steadily, especially items defined as accessories such as leashes, harnesses, toys and dog tags. A major Italian manufacturer has asked Zetapunto toautomate the packaging process of dog tags.

Pet tags are intended to contain information for owner identification. A trend today that is constantly evolving, making them almost design and fashion items that owners choose with attention to detail. This translates into increased demand for manufacturers, but also increased product variability so that ever-changing demands can be accommodated.

We created a machine that performs the required operations in a linear sequence, using a belt system, which transports the packaging to the various stations, and two 4-axis scara robots for the various stages of assembly.

The operator loads the bottoms onto a special loader and pushes them into the machine one at a time. This system is top-loaded and allows continuous loading even while the machine is in cycle. Loading the various components into the loaders provides autonomy to the machine and frees the operator so that he can perform other tasks.

The dog tags are loaded onto a backlit rotating table. A camera recognizes the shape of the medallion and its orientation and sends the information to the first robot. The robot picks up the medallion, corrects the orientation, and deposits it into the bottom present on the main conveyor belt. The bottom and medal assembly passes under an electric press, which wedges the medallion into the seat present on the bottom. Next, an automatic system deposits the key ring into its seat. Lids and paper inserts are also loaded into special systems that allow loading even while the machine is in cycle.

The second robot first picks up the insert and deposits it on the bottom, after which it picks up the lid and inserts it on the bottom in a motion designed to interlock the bottom with the lid. The bottom and lid assembly is pressed one last time to ensure proper interlocking. The packages are ultimately stacked as they exit the machine to facilitate subsequent packaging operations.

2 ROBOT SCARA

VISION FOR
ROBOT GUIDE.

CUSTOM MAGAZINES

PRODUCTIVITY
800 PIECES/HOUR

CONFORMING TO.
INDUSTRY 4.0

ASSISTANCE
BY REMOTE

• Automation: various steps, previously carried out by hand, are automated to free operators from monotonous tasks while simultaneously increasing production capacity
• Integrated controls: the machine controls each individual product
• Special loaders: the use of special loaders for various components allows the machine to work autonomously, freeing the operator for other tasks
• The personnel are the same as those who previously performed the processing manually