Automated production line for FFP3 filters up and running after just eleven days with the help of SCHUNK

By Niraj M Wanikar, Chief Editor, CNCTimes.com, 2020-08-03 20:06:00

In a record time of less than two weeks, the Brno-based Czech automation specialist ACAM Solution s.r.o. has implemented an automated line for the production of FFP3 filters for respirator manufacturer SIGMA VVÚ from Lutín, making it possible to increase production capacity by two thirds despite the Covid-19-related protective measures. At the front end: Standardized grippers from SCHUNK, some of which will also enable collaborative operation in a second configuration.

SIGMA filter systems meet the highest protection requirements of the FFP3 class.

Speed, flexibility, and a can-do approach were in demand at the end of March when the coronavirus pandemic swept across Europe. Within a very short time, the need for protective equipment for medical personnel skyrocketed. At the same time, quarantine measures threatened to bring manufacturing sites within Europe to a standstill, including those of respiratory protection supplier SIGMA VVÚ Lutín in the Czech Republic. Under the leadership of CEO Pavel Brotlék, within eleven days the ACAM Solutions team implemented a robotic line for the automation of filter production for respirators including express design, assembly, and programming.

The mechatronic SCHUNK Co-act EGP-C gripper is the world's first industrial gripper that has been certified and approved by the German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) for collaborative operations. At SIGMA, it will be used in future for collaborative applications for the production of breathing filters.

Since then, output has increased by 66% despite Covid-19-related restrictions. All costs for the provision of components and expertise were covered by ACAM Solutions. This unconventional help was made possible through the mediation of Patrik Reichl of CzechInvest and the networking platform "We connect Czech".

Gripper range available at short notice

The filter components are handled by parallel grippers from the SCHUNK JGP series from Germany. The attractively priced universal grippers in the compact class have a high power density and guarantee precise and fail-safe handling with rigid T-slot jaw guidance. This makes them suitable for universal use in clean to slightly dirty environments (e.g. in the manufacture of components for the medical technology sector). Due to their compact design, SCHUNK JGP grippers are also suitable for applications with limited installation space. With the power-assisted stroke-2 variant, the gripping force can be doubled at half the stroke (e.g. when using long gripper fingers). Alternatively, even where identical force is required, smaller sizes can be used to implement more compact solutions.

Automated medical technology production: The SCHUNK JGP pneumatic universal grippers were an important component for automating respiratory filter production at SIGMA within a very short time.

With inductive proximity switches or magnetic slot switches from the extensive SCHUNK catalog range, the grippers can be monitored easily and reliably. Because the JPG finger interface matches that of the SCHUNK PGN-plus-P universal gripper, numerous options and accessory components from the flagship gripper product can also be used with the JGP grippers (e.g. force measuring jaws, position sensors, or finger blanks). Gripper fingers that are individually adapted to the component can be implemented very quickly. The automation concept from ACAM Solutions goes one step further: In future, with the help of the SCHUNK Co-act EGP-C parallel gripper (certified for collaborative applications), applications in direct interaction with humans will also be possible. The first steps towards the implementation of this kind of human-robot collaboration have already been taken.

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