Automation solutions provider NuTec Tooling Systems has harnessed Epson cleanroom SCARA robots in its syringe coating machine.
The solution will enable a pharmaceutical original equipment manufacturer to develop a cost-effective process for manufacturing mass quantities of syringes to use in the fight against Covid-19.
NuTec’s said its syringe-coating machine employs four Epson G6 cleanroom SCARA robots at various stations to handle the parts efficiently and cost-effectively.
The G6 SCARA has a reach of 450 to 650mm and can carry a payload of up 6kg. The robot can complete a round-trip arch motion, 300mm horizontally and 25mm vertically, in 0.38 seconds.
“Epson’s high-speed G6 SCARA robots with RC+ software enable precision processes with exceptional repeatability and reliability,” said Brent Martz, director of sales and marketing at NuTec.
In NuTec’s machine, the first SCARA removes syringes from a tub in preparation for the coating process.
After the syringes are coated at a rate of 38 parts per minute, they pass through various inspection stations. The syringes are also siliconised, and temporary caps are changed to final caps.
The syringes are X-ray inspected before they are added back into a plastic container by a second SCARA robot.
Depending on production requirements, each container may contain 100 to 160 syringes.
A third SCARA robot picks up a full container, applies an inner and outer cover, and seals it before releasing it to the fourth SCARA robot, which applies a label with a laser marker.
NuTec said it chose to synchronise the third and fourth SCARAs within the same envelope, reducing a production step and creating greater production efficiency.
Bruce Courtney, managing director of NuTec, added: “Epson’s partnership with NuTec represents the perfect blend of high-performance product and design expertise, which benefits OEMs requiring complex assembly applications in the health and life sciences sector.”
The syringe coating machine has been in operation since November 2020.
