Can humans and machines work well together? In the age of modern robotics, this question is becoming increasingly important. Many factors need to come together to ensure that the two don’t get in each other’s way. Schubert’s tog.519 is a prime example of how it can be done. Advanced technologies from a single source transform the cobot into an automated, self-learning assistant that truly deserves its name. Hannes Häusler, Head of Cobots at Schubert, explains why and how this works so well.
With the tog.519, Schubert is clearly prioritising collaboration – as indicated by the integration of the abbreviated ‘together’ in the product name. But what makes the cobot such a reliable working partner?
Hannes Häusler: It all comes down to powerful performance on a very small footprint. Unlike other cobots in this segment, the tog.519 can pick up and place the most diverse products at up to 90 cycles per minute. It is housed in a protective cell to ensure that it can perform in a way that is ‘undisturbed’ – without having to constantly reduce its performance. The cell is designed so that humans and robots can work simultaneously on the same production line with very little space required. And, like most highly manoeuvrable industrial robots, it doesn’t work directly with human personnel.
Why then is the tog.519 marketed under the cobot designation?
With our take on cobots, we’re essentially filling the gap between classic industrial robotics and collaborative robots, which are often slow-running. The main advantages of a collaborative robot are quick integration times, easy operation and low programming costs, which all contribute to making the solution exceptionally affordable and practical. The downsides of collaborative robots become clear in inline processes and when it comes to performance. When a human operator approaches them, they work more slowly. The user has to take this into account when purchasing one. And this is exactly what we set out to avoid. Our tog.519 offers all the advantages of a collaborative robot, while being as productive as an industrial robot in making robot-assisted pick & place tasks even more efficient. The protective cell contributes to achieving this goal by ensuring that there are no interruptions in the process or reduced working speeds. It also keeps the space requirement very low at full performance.
How did you go about developing the tog.519?
Well, we have been working on robot-based solutions for pick & place applications since the 1980s, so we understand the advantages and design strategies that our technology enables. The cobot is based on a five-axis SCARA model. SCARA stands for Selective Compliance Assembly Robot, which is a great choice for fast pick & place applications thanks to its high rigidity and large working range. We equipped our kinematics with an additional fifth axis. It can not only grip objects straight, but also at an angle, and place parts precisely into designated trays. The tog.519 is fast as well as extremely agile and sensitive.
What also makes the tog.519 unique is its ability to ‘see’ – using the robot’s built-in capabilities, of course. How was it equipped with cameras?
Agility and an intelligent camera system from a single source – these are the two features that set the tog.519 apart, making it a true one-of-a-kind solution. We developed the camera system ourselves as the core component of the tog.519. It enables the robot to pick up and place products. Thanks to AI-based image processing, the robot even has the unique ability to ‘recognise’ products it has never seen before. This massively reduces the amount of programming required, creating the ideal conditions for quick, easy, no-fuss commissioning.
How exactly does a cobot ‘learn’?
The cobot assigns each product to a specific category such as ‘pouch’, ‘bottle’ or ‘lid’. To this end, we developed several neural networks, trained them with data and installed them on the cobot. These networks can very precisely recognise the positions of individual products from the categories mentioned – even if they form a disorganised pile. Based on product characteristics, the neural network can decide whether it is seeing the front or back of the product, thanks in no small part to a sophisticated camera system.
And how exactly does this ‘visual aid’ work?
Our camera technology provides the cobot with very detailed information about the products to be picked up. The tog.519 recognises which products are where, whether they are at the bottom or top, on the left or right. The robot also keeps an eye on the placement position, such as moving cardboard trays. It fills them, but can also load chains or erect bottles, pumps and lids. The cobot really comes into its own when it comes to bin picking – i.e. picking from an unsorted mass of individual objects.
How does that work?
Our tog.519 can operate at up to 90 cycles per minute – in fact, the fastest image processing times for bin picking on the market. The key to achieving this is the combination of robotics and vision system. In this performance category, this remarkable feat can only be pulled off if both systems speak the same language and communicate efficiently with each other. For the user, this entirely eliminates the typically time-consuming integration of cameras into the robotics system – a major advantage in terms of maximising user-friendliness and speedy implementation.
At Automatica, we’ll be seeing the cobot working with food and cosmetic products. Is Schubert focusing on these industry sectors?
No, on the contrary. Intelligent image processing makes the tog.519 an exceptionally versatile, all-purpose cobot for all types of pick & place tasks. And with it, manufacturers of FMCG such as food, baked goods, confectionery, cosmetics or pet food have a winning card up their sleeve. The same applies to contract packagers of technical items or integrators who want to incorporate the tog.519 into other automation solutions. In this case, we offer the integrator a package consisting of the robot, camera and conveyor system – which, of course, also takes up very little space. Its compact footprint opens up real scope for companies with limited floor space. With all this in mind, the tog.519 offers all players the absolute ultimate in flexibility.
