To eliminate tedious manual handling in the manufacturing process for water-testing swabs, manufacturing automation expert Secure Technologies Ltd has developed an efficient and cost-effective solution based on an Omron SCARA robot. This novel solution also makes extensive use of other Omron automation components, including laser sensors to accurately detect the position of the tiny swabs, and servo drives for accurate positional control. The swabs, which are manufactured by one of the world’s leading healthcare suppliers, resemble cotton buds with a specially formed end. After they emerge from the production line, they have to undergo further processing before they are ready for despatch. First they are dipped into a liquid reagent, and then allowed to dry for several hours.

Join for free to read