PECM Issue 36 2019 | Page 73

CONTROL & AUTOMATION UNIVERSAL ROBOTS PROVES AUTOMATION IS FOR EVERYONE At Universal Robots we are true advocates that automation is for everyone. Our cobots have proved game-changing as they make automation simple, cost-effective and achievable for companies of all sizes, especially SMEs. In fact, one of our customers, B-Loony Ltd, is a great example of just how flexible the cobots are. B-Loony is a UK SME manufacturer of bespoke promotional products such as burger flags, bunting and balloons, predominantly for high-street brands. Evolving market demands and rising labour costs meant it needed to significantly increase productivity and efficiency, in order to remain competitive in both the UK market and abroad. Strong demand and short lead times for specific products lines also left B-Loony under pressure to come up with a solution that would allow employees to work faster and to be more reactive to customer demands. By deploying five UR3 cobots B-Loony has been able to find a solution to these problems. Due to the robotic arms’ flexibility and safety functions, the cobots have been able to slot into the company’s current factory floor with minimal disturbance. The cobots are assisting with a range of tasks that human operators previously carried out by hand and take on the most routine and repetitive elements of these tasks, freeing up staff to focus on higher value activities such as quality control.  B-Loony’s automation programme has enabled the business to become more competitive. With cobots and the same number of staff it has upped food flag production from 250k to 15 million per year, and has created over 1,200 miles of bunting in just one year – that’s enough bunting to stretch from London to Casablanca. In addition, the company is achieving payback on each cobot within just nine months. To find out more visit www.universal-robots.com/case-stories/ b-loony-ltd/ ADVANCED AUTOMATION BY THE SOLDERING EXPERTS More than half a century of experience in soldering and superiority in innovation, allows us to take our customers to the next step in achieving production excellence. The new WTBR 1000 Benchtop Robot represents a one- of-a-kind synergy of precision, reliability, and productivity of soldering tasks. Highest soldering precision and superior reliability The WTBR 1000 is equipped with Weller‘s high performance Technology Line soldering tools, ensuring consistent quality of solder joints. The solder feeder is designed to be in close proximity to the workpiece (PCB), pulling the wire rather than pushing it through the feeder tube. The robust and sturdy construction ensures that no sudden movements or vibrations negatively affect the workpiece, the components or the tools. Maximizing productivity, lowering cost A double drawer system allows continuous production thereby providing much higher process throughput, improving productivity and offering flexibility. The WTBR 1000 allows up to 50% cost saving versus hand soldering. Easy to learn and use software The WTBR 1000 is operated with easy to learn and use software, enabling operators to start using the unit comfortably and quickly. www.weller-tools.com Issue 36 PECM 73