ESS Technologies develops robotic loader for tube filling

Suitable for pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, the TaskMate picks and places empty tubes into the infeed of tube fillers.

System selling points​

ESS Technologies spokesperson Kim Norris told CosmeticsDesign.com that the new system has two great advantages.

Firstly, Norris said the TaskMate has the speed to keep pace with infeed requirements of high speed tube fillers, allowing them to work at maximum capacity.

Secondly, she said the machine offers manufacturers added flexibility. Changeovers can be made very quickly and without the need for tools so the system can adapt to regular changes in tube size and shape.

The robotic loader can also be operated for long periods unattended. ESS Technologies said this reduces costs by allowing employees to be reassigned to other tasks.

It is also designed to meet cGMP standards and may be installed in sterile rooms using a clean room robot option.

So far the TaskMate has not hit the market, but Norris said the machine would be showcased later in the year.

Technical features​

Some of the main technical features and specifications of the robotic loader are listed below:

• The TaskMate robotic loading system includes a FANUC multi-axis robot with base, one complete end-of-arm-tooling EOAT, an Allen Bradley PLC and touch screen display, controls, programming, and interlocked Lexan guarding.

• Speed and payload capacity vary depending on the model of FANUC robot specified.

• EOAT may be vacuum-style, gripper-style, or a combination of the two, depending on the requirements of the application.

• System options include vision inspection systems with reject, line tracking, plug-and-play features, clean class robot options and light curtains.