Sirris, a Belgian collective centre of and for the technology industry, announces it has commissioned a Sawyer robot from Rethink Robotics. This robot can not only work safely with humans, but is also suitable for automating small production runs thanks to its flexibility and simple configuration. Companies from the technology industry can see this cobot, also known as a collaborative robot, in operation at the centre without obligation.
Belgian Sirris is a collective centre of the Belgian technology industry, which aims to increase the competitiveness of companies in the sector. 2,300 companies are members of Sirris. The centre carries out feasibility studies, robot demonstrations and provides training. Sirris has long had a UR3 and UR10 collaborative robot from Universal Robots and an LBR iiwa 14 from KUKA.
Automating small production runs
The centre aims to expand the Smart & Digital Factory Lab in Kortrijk in collaboration with the Provincial Development Agency (POM) West Flanders. It is doing this with the help of a Sawyer robot from US company Rethink Robotics. Sirris argues that Sawyer can help companies automate small production runs. This is not possible with traditional forms of automation, as production runs are too small for this. Sawyer, however, is designed to be quickly configured and adapted, making it possible to use the robot to automate even small production runs.
Sawyer is a collaborative robot. Characteristic of this type of robots is their ability to safely collaborate with humans, without the need for a safety cage. This is possible thanks to the presence of sensors, which allow the robot to detect the presence and location of people. In addition, the robot is equipped with a built-in vision system, which consists of a Cognex camera embedded in the Sawyer's wrist.
Pretend actions
The robot is trained using Rethink Robotics' Intera software. With this software, it is possible to train the robot by performing actions for it. This uses a graphical interface, which allows staff to easily create new tasks or modify existing ones. This software is available via the Sawyer's built-in screen. However, those wishing to carry out more detailed configuration can also connect a laptop to the robot.
The Sawyer is capable of performing a variety of tasks. These include loading machines, testing circuit boards, performing assembly operations and packaging parts. Being able to quickly switch between different tasks is a key feature of the Sawyer robot. For this, the Sawyer deploys its 'Robot Positioning System', which uses, among other things, the built-in vision system. This system allows it to detect so-called 'landmarks', a type of code that can be placed on machines and workpieces. On the basis of these landmarks, Sawyer can detect not only what task it has to perform, but also how exactly it is positioned in relation to the workpiece and, for example, a machine.
Operating in a changing environment
This system makes the robot relatively easy to use. For example, there is no need to place the robot in exactly the right position for it to perform a certain task correctly. The robot itself detects its position in relation to a machine and workpiece, for example, and adjusts its behaviour accordingly. Does the environment in which the robot is working change? Then the Sawyer detects this change and automatically adjusts its behaviour accordingly.
ClickSmart end-effectors
The robot comes with the ClickSmart range of end-effectors. The ClickSmart Plate forms the basis of this range and allows end-effectors to be changed in seconds, without the need for tools. Using sensors, the robot detects which end effector is connected and chooses the correct stored configuration based on this. This allows Sawyer to start working with the end effector immediately, without having to reprogram the robot.
The ClickSmart range consists of:
- A vacuum gripper made of foam
- A large format vacuum gripper
- A small-sized vacuum gripper
- A large format pneumatic gripper
- A small-sized pneumatic gripper
Pressure sensors
Sawyer is equipped with pressure sensors, which allow the robot to detect the force with which an object is grasped. This enables the robot to work with sensitive or fragile objects. In addition, using these sensors, the robot can check whether a certain part is mounted correctly by applying a certain pressure to it.
The robot has a maximum reach of 1,260 mm, seven degrees of freedom and can work with an accuracy of about 0.1mm. Tools move at an average speed of 1.5 m/s and the robot has a maximum payload of 4 kg. The Sawyer meets the ISO 10218-1:2011 standard with safety requirements for robots and robotic equipment. The robot can be permanently mounted on a table, but can also be placed on a mobile pedestal provided by Rethink Robotics. This makes the Sawyer robot mobile and the can be flexibly placed at any desired location in a production facility.
Further information
More information about the Sawyer robot is available on the Rethink Robotics website. More information about Sirris is available here.
By: Wouter Hoeffnagel
